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Rating: Seeing the previous reviews on "Music for the Masses"
Seeing that one is pitiful and the other good, but dry
Seeing that I have to enlighten some idiots
Seeing that I love Depeche Mode
Seeing that this album is in the Rolling Stone rankings (and not Breathing)
Seeing that repetition is never harmful
Seeing that the album has been released in remastered version
I DECREE "Music for the Masses" is a record that made Depeche Mode great, that made them great to the world, after the "Black Celebration Tour" of 1986, thanks to a gem that fuses refined electro-pop (no longer the playful sounds of the '80s bands, but dark sounds, Detroit-house, industrial reminiscences, electronic sampling, and even classical music à la Richard Wagner).
It's an album that opens with the hit "Never Let Me Down Again", a track that opens up to the desire to escape, together with the closest friend, the one that is inside us and wants to make us fly (forget about LSD!). Martin Gore had his illuminations on his own, without resorting to hallucinogens. A now mature psychology of Gore emerges, far from the sensitivities of "Some Great Reward" and the resignations of "Black Celebration." It's a restless Gore in the lyrics, the music does the rest. Memorable are the solutions of Alan Wilder, an unparalleled master of sampling (if you come back, Alan, you wouldn't commit a mortal sin, but what are you doing with Recoil? Like, nothing...).
The electronics are therefore masterful right from the immense opening track, almost a soundtrack, like many songs on the album ("Strangelove" for instance), a track tossed around in various remixes that not even Depeche Mode keep track of anymore. The epic nature of "Never Let Me Down Again" ends with two voices: Dave Gahan's desperate and shouted one, and Gore's gentle and ethereal one, saying "See the stars, they're shining bright, everything's alright tonight". You say to yourself: Damn, how far are the Depeche-mascots of "The Meaning of Love", all in jacket and tie, even Dave.
These guys have become dark, furious, mysterious, restless, studded from head to toe. Martin doesn't hesitate to wear the preacher hat that suits him so well and timidly grants himself to interviews with British and American media. The figure of Depeche Mode becomes darker and darker.... the Fab Four almost frighten you! At the closing of "Never Let Me Down Again" a delicate and subdued "The Things You Said" opens up, sung by Martin Gore, dragging his strengths for a melancholic and sentimental piece, excellent as well.
But the listener longs for track 3, "Strangelove", a hit-single in Italy since May '87, with the 14th position. Lively, cinematic, cool, edgy but not too much, with a Dave inspired by high-level pop. This too has undergone many surgical remix treatments. Then "Sacred" (which could convert even that blasphemous killgod and his wife), which takes off from high-pomp Gregorian chants and then unfolds into dark Depeche-style electronica that drives you crazy. Then there's "Little 15", classical, for which a video was also made by Corbijn, a single released in '88, makes the milk curdle a bit, but you must learn to love it. Here too is a Dave very much in the mood, as well as in "Behind the Wheel", considered by many the most beautiful of the album, which kicks off with the hard strikes of the drums, the sequence of the bass, and the deep tones of the flute. A remix of "Behind the Wheel" would still go strong today, surprising the rural DJs crowding our clubs (a cordial salute).
Then a pause for reflection with the sweet "I Want You Now", sung by Gore, reproducing the sound of breathing with the accordion! A song that ignites.... A radio in Russian.... and the anxieties of war return, sirens, "To Have and to Hold", a warning piece: Dave sings "The damage is done" - "The damage is done", hermetic and dark. "Nothing", on the other hand, takes breath from more optimistic tones and is a musical delight, for the arrangements by the aforementioned Alan Wilder (when you want, the door is open.....).
Then the album concludes majestically with "Pimpf". It's hard to define "Pimpf". What is it? An instrumental piece? Symphonic? Wagnerian? Martin Gore played dirty! He was inspired by a well-known pro-Nazi propaganda magazine to create a sumptuous symphony, which leaves you with a general sense of bewilderment at the end. The video makes you understand even less..... The lyrical voices dissolve along with "Pimpf". There is a very refined interlude "Mission Impossible", with classical musical inspiration (Martin...), where you can also hear footsteps, coffee cups.... Then there are the bonus tracks. "My Agent Orange" is an instrumental piece with reference to the war (sirens, Morse code meaning: Help!, anxiety, melancholy, exasperation). Agent Orange was the key chemical weapon in Vietnam, to deforest the jungles and cause irreparable damage... It's followed by the "Aggro Mix" of "Never Let Me Down Again", very different in sound from the original version, dark, and more than just for dancing (although it wasn't composed with that intent by Gore and company).
The "Spanish taste" of "To Have and to Hold", an instrumental version of the previously mentioned song, no less dark but with more breath. Finally, the Glitter Mix of the hedonistic "Pleasure, Little Treasure", great Depeche blockbuster during the late '80s live shows, the B-side of "Never Let Me Down Again". There's also a non-remixed version of this, the original one (2:53 min.). Significant are also other tracks, such as "Route 66", a fusion between a Nat King Cole cover and the theme of "Behind the Wheel", very beautiful and rock, despite the electronic label attached to Depeche. Then two instrumental tracks that might be cute but boring to most, "St. Jarna" and "Moonlight Sonata", both born from Gore's genius.
What to say? A record for the masses, to be shouted to the peoples with megaphones, a divulgative album, a warning, like war sirens, but with completely personal and psychological themes. Together with "Violator" and "Songs of Faith and Devotion" it's the best album of the most fashionable electronic band on the planet. Free space for comments and nonsense now.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Never Let Me Down Again (04:47)
I'm taking a ride
With my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
He knows where he's taking me
Taking me where I want to be
I'm taking a ride
With my best friend
We're flying high
We're watching the world pass us by
Never want to come down
Never want to put my feet back down
On the ground
I'm taking a ride
With my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
Promises me I'm as safe as houses
As long as I remember who's wearing the trousers
I hope he never lets me down again
We're flying high
We're watching the world pass us by
Never want to come down
Never want to put my feet back down
On the ground
Never let me down, never let me down
Never let me down, never let me down
See the stars they're shining bright
Everything's alright tonight
02 The Things You Said (04:02)
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
But they know me better than that
They know me better than that
They know my weaknessess
I never tried to hide them
They know my weaknessess
I never denied them
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
How can a view become so twisted
How can a view become so twisted
They know my weaknessess
I never tried to hide them
They know my weaknessess
You tried them
I get so carried away
You brought me down to earth
I thought we got something precious
Now I know what it's worth
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
I heard it from my friends
About the things you said
I've never felt so disappointed
Never felt so disappointed
They know my weaknessess
I never tried to hide them
They know my weaknessess
Thought that you liked them
They know me better than that
03 Strangelove (04:57)
There'll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life liveable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love
I'll take more than another riverfull
Yes, and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it
There'll be days
When I'll stray
I may appear to be
Constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say
I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn
When you've got something to teach
Oh and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again - pain
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again - pain
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again - pain
Pain will you return it
I won't say it again
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
I give in
Again and again
I give in
Will you give it to me
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in
I give in
Again and again
I give in
That's how my love goes
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in
04 Sacred (04:47)
Sacred
Holy
To put it in words
To write it down
That is walking on hallowed ground
But it's my duty
I'm a missionary
So here is my confession
It's an obsession
I'm a firm believer
And a warm reciever
And I've made my decision
This is religion
There's no doubt
I'm one of the devout
Trying to sell the story
Of love's eternal glory
Sacred
Holy
To put it in words
To write it down
That is walking on hallowed ground
But it's my duty
I'm a missionary
Spreading the news around the world
Taking the word to boys and girls
I'm a firm believer
And a warm reciever
And I will go down on my knees
When I see beauty
There's no doubt
I'm one of the devout
Trying to sell the story
Of love's eternal glory
Sacred
Holy
To put it in words
To write it down
That is walking on hallowed ground
But it's my duty
I'm a missionary
Sacred, Holy [2 times]
Sacred
(To put it in words, to write it down)
Holy
(That is walking on hallowed ground) [repeat fadeout]
05 Little 15 (04:18)
Little 15
You help her forget
The world outside
You're not part of it yet
And if you could drive
You could drive her away
To a happier place
To a happier day
That exists in your mind
And in your smile
She could escape there
Just for a while
Little 15
Little 15
Why take the smooth with the rough
When things run smooth
It's already more than enough
She knows your mind
Is not yet in league
With the rest of the world
And it's little intrigues
Do you understand
Do you know what she means
As time goes by
And when you've seen what she's seen
You will
Little 15
Little 15
Why does she have to defend
Her feelings inside
Why pretend
She's not had a life
A life of near misses
Now all that she wants
Is 3 little wishes
She wants to see with your eyes
She wants to smile with your smile
She wants a nice surprise
Every once in a while
Little 15
06 Behind the Wheel (05:18)
My little girl
Drive anywhere
Do what you want
I don't care
Tonight
I'm in the hands of fate
I hand myself
Over on a plate
Now
Oh little girl
There are times when I feel
I rather not be
The one behind the wheel
Come
Pull my strings
Watch me move
I do anything
Please
Sweet little girl
I prefer
You behind the wheel
And me the passenger
Drive
I'm yours to keep
Do what you want
I'm going cheap
Tonight
You're behind the wheel, tonight
08 To Have and to Hold (02:51)
I need to be cleansed
It's time to make amends
For all of the fun
The damage is done
And I feel diseased
I'm down on my knees
And I need forgiveness
Someone to bear witness
To the goodness within
Beneath the sin
Although I may flirt
With all kinds of dirt
To the point of disease
Now I want release
From all this decay
Take it away
And somewhere
There's someone who cares
With a heart of gold
To have and to hold
09 Nothing (04:17)
Sitting target
Sitting waiting
Anticipating
Nothing
Nothing
Life
Is full of surprises
It advertises
Nothing
Nothing
What am I trying to do
What am I trying to say
I'm not trying to tell you anything
You didn't know
When you woke up today
Sitting target
Sitting praying
God is saying
Nothing
Nothing
Always
Knows the prospects
Learnt to expect
Nothing
Nothing
What am I trying to do
What am I trying to say
I'm not trying to tell you anything
You didn't know
When you woke up today
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing oh no, nothing oh no
10 Pimpf (05:25)
Let's have a black celebration
Black Celebration
Tonight
To celebrate the fact
That we've seen the back
Of another black day
I look to you
How you carry on
When all hope is gone
Can't you see
Your optimistic eyes
Seem like paradise
To someone like
Me
I want to take you
In my arms
Forgetting all I couldn't do today
Black Celebration
Black Celebration
Tonight
To celebrate the fact
That we've seen the back
Of another black day
I look to you
And your strong belief
Me, I want relief
Tonight
Consolation
I want so much
Want to feel your touch
Tonight
Take me in your arms
Forgetting all you couldn't do today
Black Celebration
I'll drink to that
Black Celebration
Tonight
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Other reviews
By Qzerty
"Music For The Masses is not just the title of an album; it is a true declaration of intent."
"The beauty of this album lies in the sheer genius of the vocal melodies and keyboard riffs."
By Enkriko
"This album made my muscles move in high school; yes, even if I wasn’t in high school because I was too young, I already imagined myself there listening to it... already savoring the endless deference in the dances."
"Martin Gore has always, I say always found ingenious solutions, never trivial, absolutely spot-on and very Gay. Fantastic!"
