One record at a time: 68. Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

"Some Great Reward" was originally released in 1984 and this is the remastered heavy weight vinyl from 2007. This album is another significant milestone in the band's transition from producing sugary synth-pop to the rock pastiche they peddle today. At the time this album was created, the band had perfected their new sampler based production techniques and begun to craft darkly melodic synth-pop that could still garner commercial interest.

The first thing that strikes me about this album is the maturity of the vocals when compared to previous efforts. Both Dave and Martin seem to be able to deliver the lyrics with a mixture of cynicism and confidence that suggests they have more life experience to draw on this time around. Things begin with "Something to do" which is a mechanical, almost industrial track, with a good dose of catchy melody thrown in. The lyrics on "Lie to me" swing between the laughable and the sublime, but somehow it works. Elements of both songs hark back to the production of the previous album, but there is a new complexity in the backing track that elevates them above previous efforts.

When I listen closely the sound palette employed on "People are People" I can't help but think it resembles that used by contemporaries Front 242. Yet, the catchy melody and lyrics transform this track into a radio friendly hit that the Belgian electronic body music innovators never aspired to. The FM generated synthesiser tones on  "It Doesn't Matter" mean it sounds rather one dimensional and dated, but it remains enjoyable. Also dated is "Stories of Old" which sounds out of place and like it belongs on the previous album. 

Ballad "Somebody" sees Alan sitting at the piano whilst Martin gets naked and Daniel Miller overdubs some street noise. Whilst this is a good song, I prefer the single version which takes out the background noise. The pounding industrial noise returns with the kinky "Master and Servant" with lyrics that seem to affirm my suggestion that the band are able to draw on much greater life experience than when they released "See You". 

As I remember "If You Want" was the last time Alan wrote for the group. This is a real shame as this effort suggests his skills were just beginning to flower. Who knows what could have been if the rest have the band had displayed any enthusiasm for his efforts? 

The album's zenith is the final track "Blasphemous Rumours" which was probably the darkest track the band had made to this point. I'll be honest, I almost laughed out loud the first time I heard the lyrics 'back in the day', but things sound much less contrived with over 30 years of familiarity. The melody in this composition pulls it along nicely and the production makes it irresistible. Whilst this album sounds OK from vinyl, I do like to crank up the 2006 Collectors Edition CD with its punchy bass and clear dynamics. 4/5