Depeche Mode
101

"101" is not just the last album of the '80s by Depeche Mode. "101" closes an entire chapter in the career of Depeche Mode.

The climb to worldwide success, which started back in 1981 with the charming electro-pop of "Just Can't Get Enough" happened as gradually as possible, amidst critics who praised them as quickly as they tore them down, and with a small group of loyal fans that grew little by little. In 1987, with "Music for the Masses," the band finally managed to break through overseas, conquering the United States of America as well. Thus began the "Concerts for the Masses." This album represents the snapshot of the last date of this tour, on June 18, 1988, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

There were seventy thousand people that night. Perhaps it wasn't the first time the band saw that many people together, but it was definitely the first time Depeche Mode saw all those people there for them, just for them. The guys are impressed. The doubts before going on stage, the temperamental sound system, Dave Gahan unsure whether to say "Good evening everyone" or say nothing at all, and the whispers of "maybe we should leave": the night is already a disaster before it even begins. The apocalyptic anticipation is all congested on the equally menacing notes of the intro, "Pimpf." And then with "Behind the Wheel" it starts, and everything magically disappears. The photograph is of an unstoppable band, who doesn't miss a beat and gives itself entirely to the people who came to see them that night. Fear goes away, leaving room for joy and wonder.

"Stripped" above all is a masterpiece of strength and charisma, while the seraphic beauty of "Somebody," sung by Martin Gore with Alan Wilder on piano, is something overwhelming. Euphoric moments alternate with calmer and more reflective ones. It all concludes with "Everything Counts": the instruments slowly diminish their noise and prepare to bring down the curtain, but the audience hasn't had enough and decides it can't end, not yet. Everyone, without exception, starts singing the chorus, and the event concludes with a deafening roar that ends in a general euphoria, as soon as it's realized what the band, and especially the audience, managed to do that night.

A good way to perceive the importance of this concert is to hear the words of one of the protagonists. I quote a passage from the book "Stripped," where Dave Gahan is asked if there is a particular image that represents his entire history with DM for him, he replies:

"For me, it was that image of the Rose Bowl. At one point, during the song "Never Let Me Down Again," I jumped onto one of the pillars and saw a couple of people in the audience waving their arms in the air, I started doing it too, and suddenly there were seventy thousand people doing the same thing! I was overwhelmed, feeling something like tears inside me, and sweat running down my face, but that was pure joy! A feeling like, "It can't get better than this!" It was wonderful, the Basildon boy had made it..."

And Martin, Alan, and Andy made it too. Depeche Mode made it. Because "101" is not just a concert. "101" is the culmination of an entire decade of efforts, of falls and successes. If you love this group, this album must be part of your record collection for any reason.