In 1990 one of the biggest bands of the 80's Depeche Mode, known for their sexually provoking lyrics and dance beats, took the sound they helped pioneer and ushered in a new era. The release of Violator, at the beginning of the decade saw the band at the helm of what would become of them. Depeche Mode stopped being very "poppy," and started becoming much more serious. The four English lads were always praised as great musicians, however now they wanted to really be herd. 1993 saw the release of Songs of Faith and Devotion, the first step into the bands decent into madness of drugs, lust and celebrity, it also wrestles with confusion of spirituality. Its one of the most experimental and riskiest compilations of their career. The album opens with the seductive and haunting "I Feel You," and the context to how Dave Gahan sings immediately sets the tone of what is to come. Guitarist and sometimes singer Martin Gore has always been the principle songwriter for Depeche Mode and on Faith and Devotion, he pens some of his best work to date. Gore exercises his internal conflict with faith and religion with songs like "Judas," and "Mercy in You," yet the biggest single off the record "Walking in My Shoes," a song about being a celebrity and constantly being in the spot lite would propel the album and band back to mainstream radio. Songs of Faith and Devotion would go on to be a hit for the band, yet like most of underrated classics we have looked at is one that slips many minds. It is the prologue to what would be 1997's Ultra, and even Gahan's solo disc 2003' Paper Monsters. It was the first time the band truly expressed themselves in music and to the world.Thursday, August 2, 2007
Underrated Classic - Depeche Mode "Songs of Faith and Devotion"
In 1990 one of the biggest bands of the 80's Depeche Mode, known for their sexually provoking lyrics and dance beats, took the sound they helped pioneer and ushered in a new era. The release of Violator, at the beginning of the decade saw the band at the helm of what would become of them. Depeche Mode stopped being very "poppy," and started becoming much more serious. The four English lads were always praised as great musicians, however now they wanted to really be herd. 1993 saw the release of Songs of Faith and Devotion, the first step into the bands decent into madness of drugs, lust and celebrity, it also wrestles with confusion of spirituality. Its one of the most experimental and riskiest compilations of their career. The album opens with the seductive and haunting "I Feel You," and the context to how Dave Gahan sings immediately sets the tone of what is to come. Guitarist and sometimes singer Martin Gore has always been the principle songwriter for Depeche Mode and on Faith and Devotion, he pens some of his best work to date. Gore exercises his internal conflict with faith and religion with songs like "Judas," and "Mercy in You," yet the biggest single off the record "Walking in My Shoes," a song about being a celebrity and constantly being in the spot lite would propel the album and band back to mainstream radio. Songs of Faith and Devotion would go on to be a hit for the band, yet like most of underrated classics we have looked at is one that slips many minds. It is the prologue to what would be 1997's Ultra, and even Gahan's solo disc 2003' Paper Monsters. It was the first time the band truly expressed themselves in music and to the world.