Customer Reviews

Violator [Digital Version]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The height of DM's techno-pop brilliance.
Packed with catchy hits, "Enjoy the Silence" still dominates.

This MP3 version is a great deal.
You get the remastered versions of the original tracks AND songs that were previously only available on singles and remix albums.

Take a listen and see why 1990 was such a good year.

One of the most influential bands to come out of the eighties, no one has ever quite equaled their mix of electronic, synthesizers, and guitars. This particular album was the culmination of a direction they had been heading since Black Celebration, and I believe it was Martin Gore, Alan Wilder and Flood's master piece. The B sides on the singles from this album were particularly spectacular, including remixes and possibly some material that may even transcend the official album - and they are almost all on this digital download.

This is a particular steal considering you get the remastered versions plus all the B side singles, as the first reviewer stated. This is a great introduction at a great price to some of the best material Depeche Mode ever produced.

If you needed any convincing of "Violater" as a classic, this takes the best of what defined 80s techno (catchy, personal lyrics, a suave sexiness) and brought it for the 90s with a slightly rawer edge, a little more verve and a more coy attitude. The subject matter is not unlike another 1990 classic, Enigma's MCMXC. Both are sly mixes of sexuality and spirituality that you can perform rhythmic activities to, but Depeche plays, flirts and seduces where Enigma waxes philosophical.

Depeche Mode are masters whose only stumbling block was the disappointing "Ultra", which lacked wholesale the charisma of "Violater".

So why write this review 18 years late?
About three weeks ago a little strain of chorus entered my head:
"All I ever wanted, all I ever needed ..."

AND IT JUST WOULDN'T LEAVE!

Fortunately I found my cure (er depeche) on the MP3 store.

The remastering is fantastic. Crisp, loud, clear. And the music will never fade as if the CD scratched.