AA.VV.
For the Masses (A tribute to Depeche Mode)

You're a bit torn when it comes to covers. Sometimes you think on the first listen: This sucks! But then you appreciate them, knowing it’s always thanks to the originals. It’s the same with Depeche Mode. This CD contains only some of the endless covers of Depeche Mode ever made. They're not the best ones, some could have been avoided, but they are all significant and they capture you, whether you follow Depeche Mode or not, because these are covers that are completely reinterpreted. So all in all, it’s an album worth listening to.

Moving on to the analysis of the individual songs (I don’t want to bore you with more abstractions regarding covers), I’ll tell you that:
- the best is “Never Let Me Down Again” by Smashing Pumpkins, who reinterpret it masterfully, these guys have been at the top for years, and the singer has a soft and wonderful voice that recreates the Depeche piece in a punk-psychedelic atmosphere.
- “Fly On The Windscreen” by God Lives Underwater is nice, the only flaw: it's too faithful to the original to be a cover, yet it’s a slight modern reinterpretation of the great piece from '86.
- noteworthy is “World In My Eyes” redone by the great Cure, who love Depeche Mode very much, but they skew it a bit too much.
- made lighter and more boring than the beautiful originals, but still listenable are “Somebody” by Veruca Salt, “Shake The Disease” minimalized by Hooverphonic, and “Waiting For The Night” gently interpreted by the female voice of Rabbit in the Moon.
- “Everything Counts” offered by Meat Beat Manifesto is cute, but they didn’t put in much effort, leaving it to the electronic and childish elements, for a piece that hasn't yet found a valid cover, perhaps because it's inimitable.
- Beautifully and rockingly redone are “To Have And To Hold” (Deftones) and “Black Celebration” (Monster Magnet).
- terrible “Monument” done by Gus Gus.
- stunning, but simple in content “I Feel You” by Apollo 440, redone in an American rock style, very intense. Worth a listen.
- the splendid “Stripped” redone by Rammstein concludes the picture, which piques your curiosity quite a bit, with that scary deep voice and that Industrial Metal of which the Germans are masters. Sure, those accustomed to the sweetness of “Stripped” might vomit, but you have to appreciate it, because there's work done by Rammstein.

In short, covers made with passion, many successfully done, and nothing more. Worth listening to though, just like all covers, even those not present here.
Rating: 3. With honors to Smashing Pumpkins (a group that “plays”).