Some Great Reward [Import]

As a huge Depeche Mode fan, I don't think the band has ever wronged. However, their mainstream influence really starts here. And there is good reason for this-mainly, the fact that there is not a bad song in sight. While A Broken Frame and Construction Time Again have amazing songs, they don't quite pull together an album. Here, we have a full album with great songs. Not my favorite album, but one that always ends up finding itself in my CD player. Perfect balance of everything that is good about synth: danceable tracks mixed with soulful balads. Highly recommended.

I think this album is one of DM's finest. It has many strong melody lines and awesome lyrics, most by M.L. Gore. He's a genius... anyway, I'll roll off the tracks for you, and give my own personal rating for each.
1.Something To Do - This song talks about boredom, and ironically is a great cure for boredom. I say bravo, 5/5.
2.Lie To Me - A great song, perhaps the strongest on the album. It has a great percussion and bass line, and classic DM lyrics by Gahan. I say 5/5.
3.People Are People - The first American single. Nothing else to say except that it could be less preachy, but it has a good percussion line. I say 4/5.
4.It Doesn't Matter - Martin, you've done it again. This song is poetic, has great synthesized background music, and much more. I say 4/5.
5.Stories of Old - This is a rocker! It seems to be kind of like "Master and Servant" in structure (maybe that's why I like it), and great lyrics by Gahan. I say 5/5.
6.Somebody - Another piece of slow poetry by Gore, and while it may be a bit naive, it holds together with good sound effects. I say 4/5.
7.Master and Servant - A song that is perhaps against indentured service? Message aside, this song is also classic DM. The high vocals by Gore: "It's a lot!" Gahan:"Like life." I say 5/5.
8.If You Want - Maybe Wilder should step aside and just let Gore write... I say 3/5.
9.Blasphemous Rumours - I wonder why this song wasn't saved for "Black Celebration." Anyway, a gloomy angst song about teenage suicide, but a really good percussion line. I say 4/5.

Well, that about sums it up: 39/45. Still a great album to own and get it now!

Actually this ties Black Celebration for the best album ever. This is the true sound of DM. When I first started to like DM, all I had heard was, of course, their popular songs that were played on the radio. Any true fan of DM will tell you that it's the more obscure songs not often heard that are the real gems. Some great reward is full of these songs, as is almost every other DM. Not that I dislike the popular stuff, it's just that the other songs are so much better. I've heard critical remarks towards the lyrics of such songs as Blasphemous Rumours. Say what you will, but I think lyrically, it's one of the best songs I've ever heard. Martin Gore is a true musical genius. The dark sound and lyrics are so much more evident on this record. What was hinted at and foreshadowed on A Broken Frame, and to some extent, Construction Time, is in full effect on Some Great Reward. This is a great album. If you're like me, and you like DM's darker sounds, check out the Little 15 and Enjoy the Silence singles also....perfection!!