Depeche Mode - Singles 86>98 CD

The mid-'80s saw Depeche Mode go through an intense musical development. Their fey, pretty-boy image of the early '80s turned into a portrait of intense, highly unique artists, reveling in the throes of obsession. The quirky pop tunes that had put them on the map turned into deep, introspective works, though they were catchy (and successful) nonetheless. In short, they matured from pop stars to artists. Guitars occasionally crept in, and their work of the period covered on the two disc set, THE SINGLES 1986-1998, bears an overall more serious tone than that which preceded it.

The band's proclivities are best represented in the relentless throb and psychosexual subject matter of the ubiquitous dance-floor classic "Personal Jesus," in which David Gahan's deadpan delivery and powerful baritone create the perfect picture of all-consuming desire. "Strangelove" and the epic-sounding album opener "Stripped" create a similar atmosphere of deviance. "Behind The Wheel" explores dominance, and the menace of songs like "Never Let Me Down Again" is occasionally offset by the unabashed vulnerability of Martin Gore, who takes over vocal chores on "A Question Of Lust."

Audio Mixers: Daniel Miller; Mark "Spike" Stent; Phil Legg; Tim Simenon.

Audio Remasterers: Roland Brown; Mike Marsh.

Audio Remixers: Alan Moulder; Alan Wilder; Phil Harding; Shep Pettibone; Steve Lyon; Butch Vig.

Photographers: Rick Guest; Marina Chavez.

Unknown Contributor Roles: David Gahan; Martin L. Gore; Andrew Fletcher.

Depeche Mode includes: Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher, David Gahan.

Personnel: David Gahan (vocals).

Spin (1/99, pp.116-118) - 8 (out of 10) - "...Depeche Mode's pitiless singles compilation is kind of inspiring. It suggests that fabulous constructions never die--they just end up occupying space in our pop landscape like great buildings..."