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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Devout Remastered CD w/ Exceptional Short Film on DVD, October 7, 2006
What does it take to followup an album considered, by many, to be the ultimate work of one's career and still be able to outdo it? Bands have been trying to answer that question successfully since practically the beginning. After having one of the biggest and best experiences of their lives with 1990s Violator, Depeche Mode were asking themselves that very same question. The last thing they wanted to do was repeat themselves and make Violator II. But the daunting task of coming up with their-then next album would end up taking its toll almost to the point of complete annihilation.
The compared studio working atmosphere between making Violator and making Songs Of Faith And Devotion was as different as night and day. On Violator, everything that could go right, did. Even ideas or insights that were initially discouraged were done so in a positive way. The band were a full-fledged unit, working together creatively and collectively, and it was a great time to be had by all. Working on Songs Of Faith And Devotion, on the other hand, was a complete and utter nightmare. The constant arguments and disagreements over everything and anything. The psychological breakdowns into severe depression and self medications. The once united bandmates were now single entities, working on their own, unable to reach that common ground they had found so easily only a few years earlier. This was Depeche Mode at their very darkest.
And yet through all the pain, agony and hardship, an album, that seemed destined for massive destruction, emerged from the depths of despair, that many, including the band themselves, consider one of their best works. From the classic opening of I Feel You, into the dark and relenting journey of Walking In My Shoes, to the soulful Condemnation, with a strong and mesmerizing lead vocal by Dave Gahan that he considers "the best contribution I made to the making of this album," into the seductive decadence of In Your Room, and all the way through to Higher Love...the Mode had turned darkness into magic and light all over again. A feat that would result in a #1 album on the billboard charts in both the US & UK, as well as many other countries.
But there was little time to celebrate, as the Devotional Tour would begin and never seem to ever end for the band. Over 150 shows all across the globe. Playing to more than 2 million people. No real rest...just constant partying and performing, day and night. The casualties would soon start coming in. Andrew Fletcher's massive fight with depression finally took its toll and he was forced to leave the tour early. Dave's heroin addiction and an ideology of himself as a rock God on his way towards the downward spiral, helped to fuel his decision on an attempted suicide. Martin's constant drinking with his own personal demons, that seemed as if they would never relent. And Alan...who would make the decision that would change Depeche Mode forever...quitting the band for good. It all seemed like the beginning of the end for a group of people who had been together, at that time, for over a decade.
As we all know now, this was not to be the end, but merely a new beginning. This Remastered CD of Songs Of Faith And Devotion is yet another great sounding experience for every fan to cherish and enjoy. And the DTS and 5.1 Surround Sound found on the DVD is sure to be a trip you will take again and again, with amazing clarity. The UK version also includes a Super Audio Compact Disc layer (SACD) on the CD that is also a wonderful experience to listen to (sadly, the US versions of these Remastered Depeche Mode albums do not contain the SACD).
Also included on the DVD are a plethora of bonus tracks and remixes, including the B-sides: My Joy & Death's Door, and the superior sounding Zephyr Mix of In Your Room. No live tracks for this release, perhaps indicating a future release of Songs Of Faith And Devotion Live (perhaps in more complete form?).
But the best bonus of all is the amazing and outstanding 36 minute Short Film - Depeche Mode: 1991-1994 - "We Were Going To Live Together, Record Together, And It Was Going To Be Wonderful" - A.Wilder. In my opinion, this is the best of the Depeche Mode short films, and gives the viewer the unique experience of following the band through the darkest period of their career, through vintage film of the studio & tour work as well as with interviews by Dave, Martin, Andy, and Alan, as well as producer, Flood, Mute's own Daniel Miller, and others, recreating the experiences. And the last few shots of Alan, as he explains his decision for leaving the band are reason enough for checking this film out again and again. Simply Amazing.
Songs Of Faith And Devotion (Remastered) - A Classic, New & Improved!
Stay Devoted!
"When Here In My Mind, I Have Been Blind. Emotionally Behind. I Have Faith I Will Find." M.L.Gore
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE IT!! (except the mix is odd), October 22, 2006
If I were to name my 3 favorite Mode albums, they would be 1986's 'Black Celebration,' 2005's 'Playing the Angel,' and this one, released in 1993. Reviewer "alan5973" mentions that the band had wanted to avoid making a "Violator 2," and he is correct. Rather than recreate the tightness and savvy of 1990's 'Violator' (a near-flawless record) the Mode went for a more "organic" sound, opting for less-precise production and incorporating live drums, heavier guitars, strings, uilleann (sounds like a bagpipe) and choir singers. The result was a mix of 'tech pop', rock & roll, blues, and gospel, and ten tracks which shared a heavy religious theme... and it was absolutely brilliant.
The '93 release of this album did not, in my opinion, do it justice. The cassette version sounded fuller and clearer than the CD version, which is a problem you'll find in many CDs released in the late 80s and early 90s. Newer technology has made this remaster possible, and the result is mostly pleasing. The CD in this special edition sounds awesome, but the 5.1 mix on the DVD is... lacking. The mix, in half the songs, comes through the front and front/side channels, and in half the tracks ("Mercy in You" in particular) the mix is oddly flat. My friend and I had just listened to "Violator" in 5.1 and we were astounded, but when we tried this one we were underwhelmed. Granted, the mix on this record was "messier" than its predecessor, but we both felt that the capabilities of 5.1 were under-used on this release. Because of that and that ONLY my rating is 4 stars instead of 5.
As I said, the CD in this set sounds great. On the DVD... well, at least there's an option to play it in PCM Stereo. It sounds a bit better that way.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Huge disappointment, February 5, 2007
First off, the main reason I have purchased all of these Depeche Mode special editions is primarily for the 5.1 surround mix. Being a huge fan of Depeche Mode and surround-sound music in general, the idea of remixing their music for this format seemed like a natural fit. And one listen to Violator proves that point beyond a reasonable doubt. I also appreciate the care that went into producing each set - with bonus tracks, videos, documentaries, etc. These definitely feel like truly special editions, unlike other sets where you get one disc with a cd on one side and dvd on the other. As a side note, I have to agree with Bob from LA - there is NO reason the bonus tracks should only be available on the DVD, but I wouldn't go so far as to suggest a multi-channel, dvd-only edition.
Anyway, getting back to SOFAD, my primary complaint with this set is that the 5.1 mix is completely off. After being blown away by the surround mixes for Violator, MFTM, and Some Great Reward, I had high expectations for this set as SOFAD is my favorite DM album. Unfortunately, whoever worked on this project (Alan Wilder?) either rushed through the project or was asleep at the mixing board. The bass on the opening track itself should be very deep and present, but instead, the whole song seems to get lost in the top end with very little midrange or subwoofer presence. There isn't much difference in the remaining tracks, again as if the idea of surround was an afterthought. I could go on, but this is sadly just a lost opportunity. Let's hope they don't miss the boat with Ultra.
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