The Singles 86-98 [Best of]

You may often hear the term "casual fan" tossed around quite a bit. It generally refers to the more musically diverse consumer who isn't concerned with b-sides or rare tracks. In other words, the guy who would rather buy one best-of than ten full albums of a particular artist. I am that casual fan and, in this case, I chose to purchase "The Singles 86>98" over individual Depeche Mode singles -- a decision which, after careful reconsideration, I would like to take back.

Disc 1 is easy to appreciate. With such haunting DM classics as "Strangelove," "Stripped" & "A Question of Lust," this album almost deserves a five-star rating. Ah, but then you pop in CD2 and realize why a single-disc best-of may have been the best option for a casual fan such as yourself. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent tracks, but as the disc progresses chronologically, the group's energy seems to drop and the tracks morph from danceworthy synth-pop to droopy rock. "Condemnation" isn't among my favorites, along with "I Feel You" & "In My Room." But, there is much debate over whether earlier DM tracks are comparable to later tracks, so I'll leave this subject alone.

Bottom line: for casual fans of old and new, a single depeche mode best-of may have been a better idea than both Singles albums. However, given the limited selection of DM compilations, I would suggest a few individual singles over the albums. Remix junkies will appreciate the mixes & fans in search of specific hits can pick and choose at will.

I must start off by admitting that I received this as a gift from my wonderful husband back in 2005. We were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary, and he decided to gift me with this great collection of Depeche Mode songs. He and I have similiar tastes in music, and he felt that I would enjoy this compilation. I must say that five years later I do. This collection, in my humble opinion, gets better and better with each listen. This compilation happens to be two discs with disc 1 containing 10 tracks and disc two containing 11 tracks. This is definitely a great collection to purchase if you enjoy 80's music and/or 80's and 90's alternative rock. Every song on each of the two cds is a good one. However, my top five favorite songs on disc 1 that many who purchase this are going to like:

1. Stripped: A classic 80's song about the man asking his lover to come see him outside and private, and you guessed it (strip down). However, the song is very well put together, especially when he methodically raises his voice to basically say that he wants his lover to do just for him.
2. Strange Love: A song about how the man admits that he is prone to experimenting with others in his quest to fullfill his desires, but is willing to also come back to someone if they have more to teach.
3. Never Let Me Down Again: I really like the starting music at the end. It is a song about a man who is going along on a journey with his "best friend", and he hopes to be correct in trusting his friend.
4. Personal Jesus: A creative song about a man willing to be a personal savior to someone who wants to have a lover that is actually "physically there", and that he is willing to satisfy her desires. The music video to this song has an interesting country western type theme.
5. World in My Eyes: A track about how someone wants to take their desired love on an erotic trip. The lead singer cleverly uses metaphors of linking his passionate conquest to that of a ship, rivers, and oceans "around the world and back'(you can pretty much get the gist). I also like the music that is used in this song.

My top favorite songs on disc two that I think many are going to enjoy:

1. Walking in My Shoes: A great song that makes a valid point that a person must consider refraining from judging someone else until they walk in their shoes. The lead singer intelligently makes a point that the same people judging him would possible find their life just as challenging, if not more so if the judgers walked in his shoes. I can personally relate to this song because I myself have sometimes felt like some were too quick to judge me before taking the time to put themselves in my shoes. Many others that read this can probably also recall a time when others were too quick to judge them prematurely. This is easily a song that I liked from the start of receiving the collection as a gift and still enjoy five years later.
2. I Feel You: A melody about someone who feels his love everywhere. This track contains what sounds like a creatively balanced blend of electronica and western type music. I saw the video to this song, and I think that the female model of the song starred in a vampire type series in the 90's that might have been called some name along a title of "dark shadows".
3. Only When I Lose Myself: A quiet electronic type ballad where the singer admits that its only when he loses himself in another person that he finds himself. I was neutral about whether I liked this song when I first heard it, but then it grew on me each listen. I appreciate how the lead singer shows his vulnerable and romantic side when he expresses how he feels hypnotized by the person he loves, even when his head is rationalizing him to feel otherwise.
4. In Your Room: A great track how a person can care about someone so much to the point that they are content with just being in the person's room. This song is in the same vein as "Only When I Lose Myself", but in a good way.
5. Little 15: A catchy song about a young female wanting to enjoy just the simple things in life. Once again, I really enjoy the background melodic music to this song. It sounds like a beautiful blend of classical and electronica type music.

Of course there are more great gems in this singles collection, but I wanted to bring attention to the ones that were my favorites and that I feel that many others are going to enjoy. Also, I still have this collection five years later after my husband gifted it to me. Many that purchase this compilation are also going to like this double disc set. I feel charmed, blessed, and lucky to say that my husband and I have grown even closer and stronger in our marriage over five years after receiving the gift of this two cd set. In summary, this is definitely the two cd set to get if you enjoy 80's and 90's alternative rock and/or electronica music.

i was a Dep mode fan in the '80s, then i got sidetracked, & picked up again in the mid-'90s,
the early hits, i loved.
picking up on all the songs i missed, i realised what an excellent band they were.
their lyrics are intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful & sentimental, with a slight jagged edge, but in a polite way, and also very honest, almost confessional.
listening to their music, the hard work & dedication that has gone into it is evident, but also the devotion & sincerity.
dave g, was, i think, at some point, given a status of "rock god" - i also don't think this did him any good!
the songs: "stripped" is such an honest song!
"a question of lust" is a beautiful love song
"strange love" brutally honest!
"world in my eyes" - very down to earth, a clever twist!
"enjoy the silence" - the song that lured me back to dep mode, heard it played on hols in yugoslavia, sounded incredible & atmospheric. there's something about M Gore's harmonies, never heard a guy sing so angelically!
"behind the wheel" - a cheeky song, but great entertainment!
"never let me down again" has a very european sound, again, totally excellent.
the hits from devotion & ultra are also excellent,
D M are a band that, yes, have a distinct musical formula, but within their music there lies the multi-colours of moods, emotions, thoughts, ideas, like the changing tides, depth & integrity.