One record at a time: 72. Depeche Mode - Violator

There are three albums which vie for the title of "My favourite album" and "Violator" by Depeche Mode is definitely one of them.

"Personal Jesus" came out in the summer of 1989 and it accompanied me on that year's family holiday thanks to my brother who played it incessantly. Not only was this a great song but it also had a stunning b-side that made the package their best by far. "Personal Jesus" brought many new fans to the table and whetted the appetite of existing followers for what promised to be a great album.

Another single "Enjoy The Silence" came along next and blew everything else away. It felt like there was a new import, 3" CD single or remix 12" appearing in the shops every week. This song was everywhere and excitement for the album was at fever pitch by the time March finally rolled around and we could purchase our shiny new CD. 

And what a CD it was. I do still pull out the original CD to reminisce occasionally, but here I am playing the 2007 remastered vinyl. This record sounds very good with some solid bass dynamics that more than make up for any inadequacies in other areas.

It is no exaggeration to say every track on this album could have been a single. "World In My Eyes" and "Policy of Truth" rank amongst the best the band have ever produced, but it is impossible to consider songs like "Halo" or "Clean" as inferior. The only track I mark down is "Sweetest Perfection" which gets a paltry nine and a half out of ten. 5/5

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