This is an excellent album in my opinion. A lot of people seem to think the “classic era” begins with Black Celebration, but I think Some Great Reward belongs in that bracket. Construction Time Again even.
This is the album that began my love affair with DM and my appreciation. Decades later, it's still in my top 5. Alan Wilder Alert! Heck yeah! Looking forward to part deux!
Big thanks to Alan Wilder for this album. Martin, Andy and Dave did us all a favour buggering off and leaving Alan Wilder to weave his magic into the record.
well V, your passion is so overwhelming, so "contagious", that makes one love your videos no matter what. I really can't wait for the next. I wonder who that one person that pressed dislike might be..! And also ,that banana from your last month's video grew and made some more bananas! Last but not least: ALAN WILDER, ALAN WILDER, ALAN WILDER..!
Some Great Reward is my all time favorite DM album. Very dark indeed... but irresistible! Saw them in Ludwigshafen in '86, Wembley in '88 and San Jose in '08... just wish I hadn't missed them when they were in Mannheim in '84. :(
Been watching many of your Depeche Mode videos and I enjoy them very much. I am a big fan of Depeche Mode. I just saw them in Denver on 11/16. Keep up the good work sir!!
This is a great album. So many underrated songs there : Lie To Me, Something To Do, Stories Of Old, If You Want, I love them all, not to mention the singles (I was obsessed with People Are People for a long time when I was younger and as I grew older I got to appreciate more the dephts of lyrics like Blasphemous Rumours). I was too young at the time of release to appreciate it when it was originally released (I was a kid and had no money back then). But I remember years later, maybe in 1987, 1988, after I became obsessed with DM, I was listening to Master And Servant loudly in my room with my windows open and then I observed that outside young kids were dancing to it and enjoying themselves as much as I did. And that says a lot I think. Even by today's standards this album would have people in awe, jumping and dancing to it if it was released today because not only it has great songs you can dance to but also powerful and meaningful political or philosophical content in the lyrics that will have you think for days about them.
This is the album in my opinion where Depeche Mode finally found their grasp of perfection; their first masterpiece. "Somebody" is definitely my favourite single from this album; it relates to my life so clearly and I love the darkness! "Blasphemous Rumours" is so true to religion - but it had restricted airplay due to various reasons...and "Master and Servent" is so damn sexy - that "Fifty Shades of Grey" never had the balls to add it to their soundtrack 😂. Thanks for the new interesting video, Vaughn; I can't wait for your thoughts on part two!
To me SGR is a better Construction Time Again. Great songs, still experimental. Really a work a genius as you said. I discovered DM with that album and became a real fan with Shake The Disease. But really, when I heard all those songs (People are people, Master & Servant, Blasphemous, Somebody, Lie To me, ....) I was really amazed... Never heard that before. Brilliant !
Hi Vaughn, we have spoken before, i come and go a lot but you may kinda remember me. MIllers Synclavier was one of only 3 in the UK around that time, other were T Horn and MIke Thorn. Horn noted that the synclavier sequencers timing was variable(interview) and he wasnt happy. Its possible Miller Horn and Thorne(thats a group name from heaven) did share knowledge of the synclaviers quirks etc, prolly not but you never know. An SRC Friendchip(interview) was used to cure the timing issue, whether the synclavier had midi or not is unkown but DM did upgrade as they went along, stereo and 100khz sampling. Most of the sounds came from the synclavier and the arp2600 was used for bass(interview). Synclavier was used for drum sounds because it had a powerful sound(Gahan, interview). Thorne had sampled analog synths into the synclavier because it has very analog sounding DAC's/outputs(for Soft Cell), thats why they never had digital outputs. The DX7 prolly wasnt used in recording because the sync' has FM, additive, resynthesis and sampling and it can use 4 sounds to make a single sound and that layering was used a lot on Black Celebration, i may see you over on that video in a while. DX7(gore) OB8(mr clappy) Jupiter 8(aw) were used live along with emulators l(gore) and ll(aw), whether any of the other synths you mention were used is open for debate, i havnt seen them mentioned anywhere. SGR was recorded at Music Works(london) but had to be mixed at Hansa because it had a massive computerised SSL desk(72 channels) and they needed it to seperate sounds out indicating Music Works didnt have as large a desk or recorder and some trickery had to be used. I first heard Something To Do on an annie nightingale show, that opening sound, watery and sounding like "lililieeee" still sends shivers down my spine :)
Actually, couldn't we stop calling the man "useless"? He might not be a great contribution to DM, but I don't think he deserves to be offended every now and then.
Great review, as always. I LOVE the "Alan Wilder Fanboy" alert, but your "chicken alarm" is still the best! I always end up in stitches when I hear it and see you tell yourself off...very amusing! This album for me is where Depeche really found "something" sound-wise that was truly them. The progression from Construction TA was very natural but very noticable - they took the harder edge in their sound way further but changed the subject matter, from the wider world's problems on CTA to more personal concerns of love, sex, relationships and people, and I think Gore excels in this area. I thought Alan's If You Want was great also. Dave's voice was maturing too. Yes, the DM/Miller/Jones trilogy were three EXCELLENT albums. A huge, huge musical influence for me, as for many, many others. It's great to have you around to do these vids, as a fellow musician and, amongst many other acts, a huge DM fan as you yourself so obviously are. Many thanks!
@@VaughnGeorge Anytime VG! And while I'm at it - your track Neon Views, which is rather laidback and melodic, I like it - what did you use to get that really interesting sound that sounds like oscillator sync crossed with a resonant filter? I love that! If I can't be synth-nerdy here on your channel, then I can't be anywhere!!! :-)
Love this album. I think it is truly unique in its sound and production, even though I do not have that much knowledge about this topic just yet. And the quality of the tunes and the songs themselves! Master and Servant gets any party going even today! And Blasphemous Rumours... my god! AND YOU CANT EVEN IMAGINE HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I SUNG SOMEBODY TO MYSELF SINCE I DISCOVERED IT Brilliant brilliant album. One of the big reasons I am so happy I at last did crack Depeche Mode after several years of trying. By the way, Hamburg version of I Just Can’t Get Enough I find the best one! Those hips!!!!! That crop top! I die every time. And the Schizo mix outro, outstanding! Thank you for the review! Your passion and respect for Some Great Reward is truly shining through in every word! Waiting for the second part))
at least in Germany, Depeche Mode wasn't really known before Construction Time Again - I definitely remember discovering A Broken Frame in retrospect, with "Everything Counts" being the first song that struck a nerve.
Thank you so much for this review! Some Great Reward remains my favorite DM album to this day, but it never seems to get enough love. Thank you for shining a light on this often overlooked album.
The first 3 albums are like 3 completely separate albums, and this album is like the first in a series of albums, just like Martin said. This album really showcases what would become their signature sound. Lyrically, this is a very strong album. I remember listening to Blasphemous Rumour for the first time, I was quite surprised by the lyrics, as religion and suicide probably were touchy subjects in early 80's. Looking forward to part 2. (P.S. Love the addition of the Alan Wilder fan boy alert! Laughed out loud while watching this on the Tube.)
I'm glad that you mentioned the use of the more underground styles of industrial. I think this album is an overlooked stepping stone between the harsh sounds of acts like Throbbing Gristle or Cabaret Voltaire and the more mainstream appeal it would gain later in the decade, "Something To Do" in particular. Speaking of which, have you ever heard the song День освобождения by the Russian band Альянс? It, along with some of their other stuff, reminds me of "Something To Do" as well as the rest of the SGR/CTA era of Depeche Mode. Side note: the cover for this album is my absolute favorite of the Brian Griffin covers, and second favorite overall behind the Delta Machine cover.
Great review Vaughn and I can only endorse what you said about how truly ground breaking this album was. It was pivotal for so many reasons - whether it being the song writing, the production, the lyrical content, the mixing or the sampling and recording techniques. Interesting fact (which I’m sure you know) about the mixing of Master and Servant: Quote: The production and mixing process of "Master and Servant" are remembered by Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones, as among the longest that Depeche Mode ever endured. One famous story about the song includes a mixing duration of seven days, and after all the reworking and final mastering of the mix, they realized they left the channel with the snare drum muted during the last chorus. Unquote An accidental stroke of genius that you would never actively think of doing when mixing ... and strangely it works I’m looking forward to the reviews for Black Celebration, Music for the Masses and Violator because, for me, that run of 3 albums are untouchable. Keep up the stellar work my friend 🎹🎤🎹🎹
I was a bit surprised you did not mention the E-MU Emulator during the Gear segment(?)... DM used the Emulator and Emulator II extensively during the SGR, and BC era. I daresay more than the Synclavier. The Emulator was paramount in providing that sampled-down cinematic grit to those two albums and live respectively. Other than that I greatly appreciate your channel and this remarkable series.
@@Chevytravelleruk Any idea of what is the intro sound on Lie To Me- SGR; I mean the very intro bass arpeggio ,probably the Synclavier? it both sounds like a synth bass but also a picked bass sample, what an intro..
Love the review so far !!! As you know this is my favourite album by DM ... Truly ground breaking ...Looking forward to part two where you breakdown each track and your commentary on the Emulator II :)
The Alan Wilder alert killllllllllled me. I think we need that in the Facebook group sometimes 🤣 And I say that as a longtime member of the Alan Wilder Appreciation Society. 😉
Its a great album, Lie to me and Blasphemous rumours still 2 of DMs greatest songs, both with superb production and words. I would give album 7 out of 10. Looking forward to Black Celebration review, my 3rd fav DM album.
I'm a keyboardist and love learning what gear was used to make great albums. I never knew what was used for this album so I just assumed it was mostly the Emulator. I would have never thought they used a DX7.
Great video, Vaughn! I will echo Jeff Roll's statement: People are People was my introduction to Depeche Mode. As a kid living in the U.S., I can safely say that I had never heard anything like it. When I heard it on the radio, I begged and pleaded with my parents to take me to the record store to buy it, and it was one of the first pieces of music that I chose on my own. Obviously, my love of Depeche Mode stuck, because I am here talking about them all these years later. Cheers!
Great job on Part 1! Looking forward to Part 2 for the song-by-song analysis and your answers to the five questions. I finally got around to buying this album about a month ago (it's now the earliest-released DM album I own), and have listened to it a few times recently to get ready for your review. Thanks, Vaughn!
So, here are my two cents, making their usual appearance in this section... (for lack of free time, that is - balancing life and work is hard): Some Great Reward is, for all intents and purposes, the absolute furthest point that Mode could have gone with their "poppy" sound. It hints at quite a few dark overtones (which multiplied on the next LP) while still maintaining a slick production. And it is better than the previous one, for sure: Something To Do is furious, bass driven and urgent, managing to capture your attention from the first beat onwards. Same goes for People Are People, that despite its fatal flaw when it comes to a MLG song (read: actually understanding what the fuck the song is about) and its simplistic, ultra-idealistic lyrics, is catchy and well-placed. Not that the other songs lack behind: Somebody remains the first GOOD DM ballad (and the most natural one!), Master and Servant is by all means an excellent showcase of tasteful sampling and mixing (that "ITSALOT" part on the bridge when there are a quadzillion sounds coming at all directions is incredible), Blasphemous Rumours somehow manages to channel some truly gruesome lyrical content (peep how the cutting sound effects come through at the same time, implying how the titular girl both cut her wrists and her life short...fuck me, that's nightmare material) through an arena-pop chorus sung by the masses on 101, and dare I say it, If You Want is...a decent Alan Wilder song? (well, when compared to his previous ones, tbh, it's fucking Brecht.) Obviously, Mode had a reputation to uphold, for being "a singles band", and thusly some filler had to be...filled: Stories of Old never manages to go anywhere, It Doesn't Matter is practically A Question of Lust without the gorgeous vocal line (that is, an empty song), and Lie to Me is actually a good song that I forgot to mention earlier and have to do so now, for appearances sake. So is it DM's best record? At the time, yes, in general, barely cracking the top 5 (completely depends on whether you come from an electronic or a rock background - the latter ones tend to choose Ultra). It is mightly important on the DM canon, tho: its underlying darkness was a stepping stone into that proto-emo masterclass in futility that was to be Black Celebration, and it weeded out all but the last remains of a band that used to appear on teen magazines. 6/10 A GOOD ONE BRING ON THE HOLY...QUADRIPLE-TY(?) Great vid as always, looking forward to part two! Cheers, George.
I discovered Depeche quite late and have allways prefered the Mode era from Black Celebration on to the SOFAD era. But Blasphemous Rumours is one of my favorites from the earlier time. Thats definitily the best song from this album. The chorus in the song is one of Depeche Modes most memorable ever. Its almost beautiful.
Wonderful phat sounding album, with the unmistakable DM drum sounds they were starting to be known for, if it moves.....hammer it and record it.......Did you know....probably, that in recording Master and Servant they had a whip too record but someone got hold of it, can't remember who and chased the others round the studio with it.
I remember as a teenager window shopping one night and and spotting this just released album on the shelf. OMG new Depeche Mode album!! I think this is the only band where I can remember first seeing each album cover for the first time. After Violator it stopped.
I thought you were going to mention Martin recording the vocals to "Somebody" in the nude. For "People are People" Martin sampled himself clearing his throat.
Can't wait for part 2 and the full review of each track, I rated Construction Time Again, very highly, will this one top that? Once again I will have a nightmare picking one track to lose from this lot.
This was the 1st record of theirs that I bought and probably listened to the most. I agree with the comment below regarding this being the record that broke them in the US. I was in Texas back then and saw them when they toured this album in '85. They were fantastic!
i love part 1 of the review.i think it's astonishing that it was only 3 years from Speak and Spell.the equipment you referenced is fascinating.i remember listening to this album and thought,what the hell are they using?,but it sounds incredible.it's not even dated.Alan Wilder"red alert sound"must have had a great influence.if you want is my favourite.
Hey Vaughn! Love your videos...I share you in depth details, enthusiasm. And what a subject: Depeche Mode albums, behind the scenes, the gear, etc. I got into them when "Everything Counts" came out when I was 14!! Can you imagine? So...Lord knows, my comments as well would either be a BLOG or I would have to do a video series like yourself: you do a great job, and I don't necessarily want to see myself on camera! '-p ANYWAY, I just have a comment about the gear: when I was a young post-punk guy, me and my best friend had "Live In Hamburg" on VHS...we watched it constantly, almost studied it. I noticed Alan Wilder played an Emu Emulator 2, and Martin played an Emulator (1)...and somehow, I thought they used these legendary samplers in then studio for "Some Great Reward" (an album..my friends I probably would wager played more than many...since 1984 or '85!!). Do you think they used the Emulators just for live, for the sampled bits, and used the Synclavier exclusively in the studio (was very high-end gear at the time...I don't know any band that really used it onstage or toured with it!) Anyway...had a couple of beers...CHEERS!!
I'm so glad you make a point to delve into the production techniques... This is what initially got me into DM. I came from the punk scene and eventually got into Avant garde industrial and noise music because of the abstract utilization of sound and sound sources. To me it's the audio equivalent of a mixed media artist who creates with traditional mediums (paint, ink, etc) as well as found objects in their work. I'm still very much into these types of audio art to this day. Anyway..... So when I began learning about DM and how they used similar techniques to the artists I was listening to (Throbbing Gristle, Einsturzende Neubauten, Swans, etc) but were making pop music I was enthralled! .....and thus began my Depeche Mode obsession!
Perfect video!!! Missed you, Vaughn. No more extended time off. Lol. 😏 Honestly Vaughn. I love this album. My rating may change by the time you release pt 2 of this vid. Anyhow. Love it all including the bananas in the background. 😎😍
I used to have a book about Depeche Mode. Since the studio was near the Berlin Wall. This Stasi guard would look up at them with his big gun. Of course it made them quite nervous. It was a really tense time. I love this album. I love the dark tones. Thanks Vaughn 😊.
Hi Vaughan. I was just wondering if you have heard of a great German band called And 1. Very influenced by Depeche mode. They're my favourite band at the moment.
As a german i can say that they are often mentioned in one breath with Wolfsheim, De/Vision, Camouflage and even Depeche Mode... They are really great...I heard their keyboarder (who's Home town is nearby) live in the church of my hometown playing the organ there... He played Enjoy the Silence and 80s Synthpop as well as famous movie soundtracks...
Makes me think of an interesting 1982 film about Peter Gabriel. There's a moment documenting the sampling process, from the recording of sounds, to the begining of a song creation. "Peter Gabriel on The South Bank Show 1982 (Making of Security/ PG4)", at 15m57s --> ua-cam.com/video/scmYG1Pv1_Q/v-deo.html
To me this is their best album ever, Sir. Such a creative, detailed, big and powerful sound. A masterpiece. Alan Wilder, Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller at their best. -Andy Ry Denmark.
Hi Mr Vaughn, I loved your review and it even made me change my opinion (for better) about Some Great Reward. I'm giving it a higher score, even though I still prefer Construction Time Again over it :-) .
Fantastically researched piece my friend. I remember buying the chrome cassette of this album in 1984 on the day of release, a thrill you don't get with downloading these days. Also it was on this tour I first saw DM at Hammersmith Odeon in November 1984....some great memories. I remember my Mum's horror when she heard me singing Blasphemous Rumours...🤣
You managed to get a production copy of the cassette on Chrome (CrO2) tape? Wow... only ever saw Normal bias ferrite with Dolby B, unless buying blank Chrome or Metal (preferred) tapes and recording from vinyl. By the Summer of '84 I had already bought my first CD player for a not-so-cheap $295, and if I remember correctly, Some Great Reward was the second CD I ever bought, after Pyromania by Def Leopard.
Ay Vaughn ! You like "Music For DA Masses" ? On that Glitter Mix of Pleasure, Little Treasure there is Vocal Fragments, right ? Did you ever hear out what Martin says ? Such a weird Song in the studio version and live on stage a bomb. remember it as one of my first favorite tracks.
Fantastic album and one I must revisit. There was a hi fi shop in my hometown that used this album as it's test/demo album right up to about 1992. I remember the salesman saying that quality hi fi would find sounds in this album that could not be heard on std hifi. Vaughn great job again, need to get you a couple of giant gameshow buttons for your Wilder fanboy and chicken sounds!... What's with the bananas?
A spot-on introduction. I got this album when it came out in Autumn 1984 and for me it brings back a lot of memories of that time. I would actually include this album as part of, and indeed the start of DM's golden age. The only track I would drop is People are People, as I got a bit sick of the single which was released ages before, and I think it sounds just a little out of place here, as the other tracks seem a little more sophisticated. Thanks Vaughn for the synths/equipment breakdown, that will be harder as you go on! My overriding image from this album-era was Martin wearing a grey leather overcoat (very Berlin) while singing Somebody, I think it was on the OGWT show. A shout out to my buddy Ian who watches this channel and was in the Blasphemous Rumours video.
Thank you for going into detail on Gareth Jones' influence on this album and explaining all the stages. Alan Wilder fangirl alert - yes, of course he wouldn't go on holiday, he could see that they would overrun, considering that they were taking up to a week to mix a track, like Master and Servant. ("Martin, you pervert!"😂) I believe that the DX7 bells sounds were used rather a lot, obviously distorted and put through the PA system as you explained. Also, since you seem to be eagerly accepting to listen to recommendations: there is a Lithuanian band called Foje, which was definitely influenced by DM, especially their industrial trilogy. Check out their 1989 'Geltoni Krantai' (Yellow Shores) album. For their 1990 'Žodžiai į tylą' (Words into Silence) album, they even photographed themselves similar to DM. Another good album, 1991's 'Gali Skambėti Keistai' (Could Sound Strange), my favourite.
thanks vaunghie, really enjoyed it.love how articulate you are about production and the finished album. bit disappointed that your not wearing tight leather gear, but maybe for part 2😉
I believe that around the time of construction time again that Martin became a vegetarian and he had seen Southern Asia and was taken aback by the poverty he saw there. It was really the first time they had been exposed to that kind of darkness.
I remember hearing People Are People on the radio for the first time and immediately loving it. So the scores on the doors for Some Great Reward …. Most listened to is Stories Of Old … Favourite track is Something To Do … Most radical is Somebody … Get rid of track is also Somebody … Total score of 8 / 10
I didnt get the album till about 1988, as I only really got into DM from 1986 after leaving school. I first got 101 and MFTM on cassette (remember those), then I went to Greece on holiday and got an imported vinyl of Black celebration which I still have somewhere.
Great review here. My two cents here is I think Depeche thought they had a problem to solve in that they didn’t wanted to be regarded as too poptastic. The darker connotations certainly helped with that.
SGR was the album that cemented my love for Depeche Mode even though I had heard of them with JCGE. It was the one I played till the cassette died and I had to buy a replacement. How is it possible that Vaughn loves and respects the talents of Alan Wilder more than I?
Ah, the Wilder fan boys. Don't bother to argue with them. I once got into an argument with one who praised Alan for his performance in ABF. There was no way to make him understand that Alan didn't play a single note in it. "Whatever", he said. Alan is so great, his greatness extends to the records where he wasn't there 😁.
A great album. Interesting that around this time in the UK they were tarnished by their earlier teenybopper image, while the US largely ignored them, and instead it was in Europe where they were considered super cool and pacesetting
I always loved depeche mode in the 80's the best alt band was them and the cure. The first stuff was to much Clarke more pop electronica music after he left the music got a lot more edgier. Paul McCartney said everyone wants to build the world on silly love songs but that isn't life. Life is pretty chaotic and depeche is like life. A beautiful chaotic mix
have you ever introduced DM to someone new to them, only for them to be stunned by how timelessly good the music is? people really seem to expect Human League-esque synth stuff from Depeche Mode but they were really on a whole other level. Jim Thirlwell of Foetus was their only real rival in studio advancement in the 80s.
LOL that Alan Wilder fanboy alert was brilliant ! Excellent video as always mate, i have a question, you might have covered this and maybe i missed it but did Brian Griffin give the albums a listen before going off to photograph the album cover? or did he just get a briefing about the themes of the album?
Hello Matey and thank you for your kind words!! Brain has said that he really just went on to take the photos without listening to the music first. VG:-)
Poor Matt Fretton (RIP) was the opening act of the band at that very concert in Hamburg where i was back then in 1984 - He got heavily boo`ed off the stage because we could`nt wait for the band to play... More of that perhaps in Pt II
Hi Vaughn . That sounds lovely all: LP Some Great Reward . Can you satisfy my curiosity and tell me it " Master and servant "is avangard and experiment and many more kind interesting thing about song ;))) and very sexualy this album active . When people listen this Lp , the people looks like music is the kinde brings all nationalities together. I think aboaut SGR it is it. Thanks so much Vaughn . You told me everything about this LP what I wanted hear. Thanks one more time ! Creative it is very good word. Yes yes yes !
This is an excellent album in my opinion. A lot of people seem to think the “classic era” begins with Black Celebration, but I think Some Great Reward belongs in that bracket. Construction Time Again even.
Agree. For many years I preferred CTA to SGR, but after revisiting it's really hard to choose one over the other.
This is the album that began my love affair with DM and my appreciation. Decades later, it's still in my top 5. Alan Wilder Alert! Heck yeah! Looking forward to part deux!
Same here it was the first DM album I bought back then
I love the bananas in the background
Just in case Fletch pops by!! VG:-)
Big thanks to Alan Wilder for this album. Martin, Andy and Dave did us all a favour buggering off and leaving Alan Wilder to weave his magic into the record.
Some great Reward was the LP that broke them in America. Being a small town American ... People are People was my intro in 84.
Hello Jeff!! VG:-)
well V, your passion is so overwhelming, so "contagious", that makes one love your videos no matter what. I really can't wait for the next. I wonder who that one person that pressed dislike might be..! And also ,that banana from your last month's video grew and made some more bananas! Last but not least: ALAN WILDER, ALAN WILDER, ALAN WILDER..!
Thank you George !! Lots of love !! VG:-)
Would love to see you one day interview Alan Wilder on your channel
Would love to interview Alan!! VG:-)
And I would click immediately to watch that interview
Yeah. That must be like the ultimate interview on this channel.
12:55 had me DEAD 💀💀💀 Alan Wilder deserves a shrine on this channel!
hahahahaha thank you Liyana!! VG:-)
😂😂😂 Can't blame Vaughn, Alan Wilder is amazing! 😁
hahaha
Martin..you pervert! Made me laugh 😂
Some Great Reward is my all time favorite DM album. Very dark indeed... but irresistible! Saw them in Ludwigshafen in '86, Wembley in '88 and San Jose in '08... just wish I hadn't missed them when they were in Mannheim in '84. :(
Been watching many of your Depeche Mode videos and I enjoy them very much. I am a big fan of Depeche Mode. I just saw them in Denver on 11/16. Keep up the good work sir!!
Thank you Sir!! I am grateful !! VG :-)
This is a great album. So many underrated songs there : Lie To Me, Something To Do, Stories Of Old, If You Want, I love them all, not to mention the singles (I was obsessed with People Are People for a long time when I was younger and as I grew older I got to appreciate more the dephts of lyrics like Blasphemous Rumours).
I was too young at the time of release to appreciate it when it was originally released (I was a kid and had no money back then). But I remember years later, maybe in 1987, 1988, after I became obsessed with DM, I was listening to Master And Servant loudly in my room with my windows open and then I observed that outside young kids were dancing to it and enjoying themselves as much as I did. And that says a lot I think.
Even by today's standards this album would have people in awe, jumping and dancing to it if it was released today because not only it has great songs you can dance to but also powerful and meaningful political or philosophical content in the lyrics that will have you think for days about them.
SGR is an Emulator II masterwork.
It’s the reason why I have and use an EII.
SGR was made before they got EIIs.. they got them in time for the following tour but not the album
This is the album in my opinion where Depeche Mode finally found their grasp of perfection; their first masterpiece.
"Somebody" is definitely my favourite single from this album; it relates to my life so clearly and I love the darkness! "Blasphemous Rumours" is so true to religion - but it had restricted airplay due to various reasons...and
"Master and Servent" is so damn sexy - that "Fifty Shades of Grey" never had the balls to add it to their soundtrack 😂.
Thanks for the new interesting video, Vaughn; I can't wait for your thoughts on part two!
Leslie Bollington is David Bowie cheers my friend!! VG😎🎹
To me SGR is a better Construction Time Again. Great songs, still experimental. Really a work a genius as you said. I discovered DM with that album and became a real fan with Shake The Disease. But really, when I heard all those songs (People are people, Master & Servant, Blasphemous, Somebody, Lie To me, ....) I was really amazed... Never heard that before. Brilliant !
Hi Vaughn, we have spoken before, i come and go a lot but you may kinda remember me.
MIllers Synclavier was one of only 3 in the UK around that time, other were T Horn and MIke Thorn. Horn noted that the synclavier sequencers timing was variable(interview) and he wasnt happy. Its possible Miller Horn and Thorne(thats a group name from heaven) did share knowledge of the synclaviers quirks etc, prolly not but you never know. An SRC Friendchip(interview) was used to cure the timing issue, whether the synclavier had midi or not is unkown but DM did upgrade as they went along, stereo and 100khz sampling. Most of the sounds came from the synclavier and the arp2600 was used for bass(interview). Synclavier was used for drum sounds because it had a powerful sound(Gahan, interview). Thorne had sampled analog synths into the synclavier because it has very analog sounding DAC's/outputs(for Soft Cell), thats why they never had digital outputs. The DX7 prolly wasnt used in recording because the sync' has FM, additive, resynthesis and sampling and it can use 4 sounds to make a single sound and that layering was used a lot on Black Celebration, i may see you over on that video in a while.
DX7(gore) OB8(mr clappy) Jupiter 8(aw) were used live along with emulators l(gore) and ll(aw), whether any of the other synths you mention were used is open for debate, i havnt seen them mentioned anywhere.
SGR was recorded at Music Works(london) but had to be mixed at Hansa because it had a massive computerised SSL desk(72 channels) and they needed it to seperate sounds out indicating Music Works didnt have as large a desk or recorder and some trickery had to be used.
I first heard Something To Do on an annie nightingale show, that opening sound, watery and sounding like "lililieeee" still sends shivers down my spine :)
Finally you give props to fletch again, that he is not useless.
I mean for British tea is important 😉
LOL!! For sure !! VG:-)
Actually, couldn't we stop calling the man "useless"? He might not be a great contribution to DM, but I don't think he deserves to be offended every now and then.
@@xaviconde He is not useless, nobody is, but musically he does nothing.
"Some great reward" is a bit like "Black Celebration" father and granfather of "Music for the mases"
It's possible recognize the DNA.
That is a good analogy !! VG:-)
Great review, as always. I LOVE the "Alan Wilder Fanboy" alert, but your "chicken alarm" is still the best! I always end up in stitches when I hear it and see you tell yourself off...very amusing!
This album for me is where Depeche really found "something" sound-wise that was truly them. The progression from Construction TA was very natural but very noticable - they took the harder edge in their sound way further but changed the subject matter, from the wider world's problems on CTA to more personal concerns of love, sex, relationships and people, and I think Gore excels in this area. I thought Alan's If You Want was great also. Dave's voice was maturing too.
Yes, the DM/Miller/Jones trilogy were three EXCELLENT albums. A huge, huge musical influence for me, as for many, many others. It's great to have you around to do these vids, as a fellow musician and, amongst many other acts, a huge DM fan as you yourself so obviously are. Many thanks!
Thank you for your kind words my friend!! VG;-)
@@VaughnGeorge Anytime VG!
And while I'm at it - your track Neon Views, which is rather laidback and melodic, I like it - what did you use to get that really interesting sound that sounds like oscillator sync crossed with a resonant filter? I love that!
If I can't be synth-nerdy here on your channel, then I can't be anywhere!!! :-)
Love this album. I think it is truly unique in its sound and production, even though I do not have that much knowledge about this topic just yet. And the quality of the tunes and the songs themselves! Master and Servant gets any party going even today! And Blasphemous Rumours... my god! AND YOU CANT EVEN IMAGINE HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I SUNG SOMEBODY TO MYSELF SINCE I DISCOVERED IT
Brilliant brilliant album. One of the big reasons I am so happy I at last did crack Depeche Mode after several years of trying.
By the way, Hamburg version of I Just Can’t Get Enough I find the best one! Those hips!!!!! That crop top! I die every time. And the Schizo mix outro, outstanding!
Thank you for the review! Your passion and respect for Some Great Reward is truly shining through in every word! Waiting for the second part))
Actually laughed out loud when the Alert went off 🤣🤣🤣🤣
at least in Germany, Depeche Mode wasn't really known before Construction Time Again - I definitely remember discovering A Broken Frame in retrospect, with "Everything Counts" being the first song that struck a nerve.
Thank you so much for this review! Some Great Reward remains my favorite DM album to this day, but it never seems to get enough love. Thank you for shining a light on this often overlooked album.
The first 3 albums are like 3 completely separate albums, and this album is like the first in a series of albums, just like Martin said. This album really showcases what would become their signature sound. Lyrically, this is a very strong album. I remember listening to Blasphemous Rumour for the first time, I was quite surprised by the lyrics, as religion and suicide probably were touchy subjects in early 80's. Looking forward to part 2.
(P.S. Love the addition of the Alan Wilder fan boy alert! Laughed out loud while watching this on the Tube.)
Yes! Been waiting for this one.
I'm glad that you mentioned the use of the more underground styles of industrial. I think this album is an overlooked stepping stone between the harsh sounds of acts like Throbbing Gristle or Cabaret Voltaire and the more mainstream appeal it would gain later in the decade, "Something To Do" in particular. Speaking of which, have you ever heard the song День освобождения by the Russian band Альянс? It, along with some of their other stuff, reminds me of "Something To Do" as well as the rest of the SGR/CTA era of Depeche Mode.
Side note: the cover for this album is my absolute favorite of the Brian Griffin covers, and second favorite overall behind the Delta Machine cover.
Great review Vaughn and I can only endorse what you said about how truly ground breaking this album was.
It was pivotal for so many reasons - whether it being the song writing, the production, the lyrical content, the mixing or the sampling and recording techniques.
Interesting fact (which I’m sure you know) about the mixing of Master and Servant:
Quote:
The production and mixing process of "Master and Servant" are remembered by Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones, as among the longest that Depeche Mode ever endured.
One famous story about the song includes a mixing duration of seven days, and after all the reworking and final mastering of the mix, they realized they left the channel with the snare drum muted during the last chorus.
Unquote
An accidental stroke of genius that you would never actively think of doing when mixing ... and strangely it works
I’m looking forward to the reviews for Black Celebration, Music for the Masses and Violator because, for me, that run of 3 albums are untouchable.
Keep up the stellar work my friend
🎹🎤🎹🎹
Well said Mark!! VG:-)
I was a bit surprised you did not mention the E-MU Emulator during the Gear segment(?)... DM used the Emulator and Emulator II extensively during the SGR, and BC era. I daresay more than the Synclavier. The Emulator was paramount in providing that sampled-down cinematic grit to those two albums and live respectively. Other than that I greatly appreciate your channel and this remarkable series.
Hi , yes, we will discuss the Emu's in part 2!! VG;-)
They use the Emu mainly in concert
Not true.. EII first album use was on BC
They used the EI on some parts but for SGR it was predominantly the Synclavier
@@Chevytravelleruk Any idea of what is the intro sound on Lie To Me- SGR; I mean the very intro bass arpeggio ,probably the Synclavier? it both sounds like a synth bass but also a picked bass sample, what an intro..
Love the review so far !!! As you know this is my favourite album by DM ... Truly ground breaking ...Looking forward to part two where you breakdown each track and your commentary on the Emulator II :)
The Alan Wilder alert killllllllllled me. I think we need that in the Facebook group sometimes 🤣 And I say that as a longtime member of the Alan Wilder Appreciation Society. 😉
hahahha thank you Mate!! VG:-)
Another great review!, I remember buying it on cassette and few years after it came out.
I get the impression u like this album vaughn! Superb album I often wonder if Alan realises how sorely missed he actually is, hurry up with part 2 👍👍
Its a great album, Lie to me and Blasphemous rumours still 2 of DMs greatest songs, both with superb production and words. I would give album 7 out of 10. Looking forward to Black Celebration review, my 3rd fav DM album.
Thank you John!! VG:-)
I'm a keyboardist and love learning what gear was used to make great albums. I never knew what was used for this album so I just assumed it was mostly the Emulator. I would have never thought they used a DX7.
Great video, Vaughn! I will echo Jeff Roll's statement: People are People was my introduction to Depeche Mode. As a kid living in the U.S., I can safely say that I had never heard anything like it. When I heard it on the radio, I begged and pleaded with my parents to take me to the record store to buy it, and it was one of the first pieces of music that I chose on my own. Obviously, my love of Depeche Mode stuck, because I am here talking about them all these years later. Cheers!
Thanks to you my friend!! VG:-)
Great job on Part 1! Looking forward to Part 2 for the song-by-song analysis and your answers to the five questions. I finally got around to buying this album about a month ago (it's now the earliest-released DM album I own), and have listened to it a few times recently to get ready for your review. Thanks, Vaughn!
Cheers Jeff!! VG:-)
So, here are my two cents, making their usual appearance in this section... (for lack of free time, that is - balancing life and work is hard):
Some Great Reward is, for all intents and purposes, the absolute furthest point that Mode could have gone with their "poppy" sound. It hints at quite a few dark overtones (which multiplied on the next LP) while still maintaining a slick production.
And it is better than the previous one, for sure: Something To Do is furious, bass driven and urgent, managing to capture your attention from the first beat onwards. Same goes for People Are People, that despite its fatal flaw when it comes to a MLG song (read: actually understanding what the fuck the song is about) and its simplistic, ultra-idealistic lyrics, is catchy and well-placed.
Not that the other songs lack behind: Somebody remains the first GOOD DM ballad (and the most natural one!), Master and Servant is by all means an excellent showcase of tasteful sampling and mixing (that "ITSALOT" part on the bridge when there are a quadzillion sounds coming at all directions is incredible), Blasphemous Rumours somehow manages to channel some truly gruesome lyrical content (peep how the cutting sound effects come through at the same time, implying how the titular girl both cut her wrists and her life short...fuck me, that's nightmare material) through an arena-pop chorus sung by the masses on 101, and dare I say it, If You Want is...a decent Alan Wilder song? (well, when compared to his previous ones, tbh, it's fucking Brecht.)
Obviously, Mode had a reputation to uphold, for being "a singles band", and thusly some filler had to be...filled: Stories of Old never manages to go anywhere, It Doesn't Matter is practically A Question of Lust without the gorgeous vocal line (that is, an empty song), and Lie to Me is actually a good song that I forgot to mention earlier and have to do so now, for appearances sake.
So is it DM's best record? At the time, yes, in general, barely cracking the top 5 (completely depends on whether you come from an electronic or a rock background - the latter ones tend to choose Ultra). It is mightly important on the DM canon, tho: its underlying darkness was a stepping stone into that proto-emo masterclass in futility that was to be Black Celebration, and it weeded out all but the last remains of a band that used to appear on teen magazines.
6/10 A GOOD ONE BRING ON THE HOLY...QUADRIPLE-TY(?)
Great vid as always, looking forward to part two!
Cheers,
George.
GEORGE MY MATE!! Always a treat to read your posts!! Cheers bro!! VG:-)
I discovered Depeche quite late and have allways prefered the Mode era from Black Celebration on to the SOFAD era.
But Blasphemous Rumours is one of my favorites from the earlier time. Thats definitily the best song from this album. The chorus in the song is one of Depeche Modes most memorable ever. Its almost beautiful.
this is what I love about Depeche, they produce an album and the sounds are something you have never heard before
Time to send that invitation to Gareth Jones 😉
Wonderful phat sounding album, with the unmistakable DM drum sounds they were starting to be known for, if it moves.....hammer it and record it.......Did you know....probably, that in recording Master and Servant they had a whip too record but someone got hold of it, can't remember who and chased the others round the studio with it.
I remember as a teenager window shopping one night and and spotting this just released album on the shelf. OMG new Depeche Mode album!! I think this is the only band where I can remember first seeing each album cover for the first time. After Violator it stopped.
I thought you were going to mention Martin recording the vocals to "Somebody" in the nude.
For "People are People" Martin sampled himself clearing his throat.
Can't wait for part 2 and the full review of each track, I rated Construction Time Again, very highly, will this one top that? Once again I will have a nightmare picking one track to lose from this lot.
This was the 1st record of theirs that I bought and probably listened to the most. I agree with the comment below regarding this being the record that broke them in the US. I was in Texas back then and saw them when they toured this album in '85. They were fantastic!
i love part 1 of the review.i think it's astonishing that it was only 3 years from Speak and Spell.the equipment you referenced is fascinating.i remember listening to this album and thought,what the hell are they using?,but it sounds incredible.it's not even dated.Alan Wilder"red alert sound"must have had a great influence.if you want is my favourite.
Thank you Robert!! VG:-)
Hey Vaughn! Love your videos...I share you in depth details, enthusiasm. And what a subject: Depeche Mode albums, behind the scenes, the gear, etc. I got into them when "Everything Counts" came out when I was 14!! Can you imagine? So...Lord knows, my comments as well would either be a BLOG or I would have to do a video series like yourself: you do a great job, and I don't necessarily want to see myself on camera! '-p ANYWAY, I just have a comment about the gear: when I was a young post-punk guy, me and my best friend had "Live In Hamburg" on VHS...we watched it constantly, almost studied it. I noticed Alan Wilder played an Emu Emulator 2, and Martin played an Emulator (1)...and somehow, I thought they used these legendary samplers in then studio for "Some Great Reward" (an album..my friends I probably would wager played more than many...since 1984 or '85!!). Do you think they used the Emulators just for live, for the sampled bits, and used the Synclavier exclusively in the studio (was very high-end gear at the time...I don't know any band that really used it onstage or toured with it!) Anyway...had a couple of beers...CHEERS!!
Another Depeche Mode upload, Happy Days 😊👍
I'm so glad you make a point to delve into the production techniques... This is what initially got me into DM. I came from the punk scene and eventually got into Avant garde industrial and noise music because of the abstract utilization of sound and sound sources. To me it's the audio equivalent of a mixed media artist who creates with traditional mediums (paint, ink, etc) as well as found objects in their work. I'm still very much into these types of audio art to this day. Anyway..... So when I began learning about DM and how they used similar techniques to the artists I was listening to (Throbbing Gristle, Einsturzende Neubauten, Swans, etc) but were making pop music I was enthralled! .....and thus began my Depeche Mode obsession!
Perfect video!!! Missed you, Vaughn. No more extended time off. Lol. 😏
Honestly Vaughn. I love this album. My rating may change by the time you release pt 2 of this vid.
Anyhow. Love it all including the bananas in the background. 😎😍
It's good to be back matey !! VG:-)
Vaughn George you are the best. See you at pt 2.
Will release the inner A.W fanboy like mad!
I used to have a book about Depeche Mode. Since the studio was near the Berlin Wall. This Stasi guard would look up at them with his big gun. Of course it made them quite nervous. It was a really tense time. I love this album. I love the dark tones. Thanks Vaughn 😊.
You are very welcome John!! VG:-)
Vaughn George Thanks man 😀
Hi Vaughan. I was just wondering if you have heard of a great German band called And 1. Very influenced by Depeche mode. They're my favourite band at the moment.
Thank you I will check them out Jeff!! VG:-)
As a german i can say that they are often mentioned in one breath with Wolfsheim, De/Vision, Camouflage and even Depeche Mode... They are really great...I heard their keyboarder (who's Home town is nearby) live in the church of my hometown playing the organ there... He played Enjoy the Silence and 80s Synthpop as well as famous movie soundtracks...
Traum frau (escuse me deutsch isnt for me) excelent song and video
you are the best Vaughn! loved the Alan Wilder fan boy bit!
Thank you pal!! VG:-)
Great video.
Just curious. Have you made a video talking about the process of recording a sound and putting it into a sampler?
Thank you Ian, No I have not made a video about samplers VG:-)
This is a great idea! I would love to see how it’s done.
Makes me think of an interesting 1982 film about Peter Gabriel. There's a moment documenting the sampling process, from the recording of sounds, to the begining of a song creation. "Peter Gabriel on The South Bank Show 1982 (Making of Security/ PG4)", at 15m57s --> ua-cam.com/video/scmYG1Pv1_Q/v-deo.html
@@MonsieurMerci Hey thanks. It's that simple huh? I thought it was some in depth process haha.
To me this is their best album ever, Sir. Such a creative, detailed, big and powerful sound. A masterpiece. Alan Wilder, Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller at their best. -Andy Ry Denmark.
Thumbs up again. Looking for part II of this. Great!
Thank you so much !! VG:-0
Hi Mr Vaughn, I loved your review and it even made me change my opinion (for better) about Some Great Reward.
I'm giving it a higher score, even though I still prefer Construction Time Again over it :-) .
Fantastically researched piece my friend. I remember buying the chrome cassette of this album in 1984 on the day of release, a thrill you don't get with downloading these days. Also it was on this tour I first saw DM at Hammersmith Odeon in November 1984....some great memories. I remember my Mum's horror when she heard me singing Blasphemous Rumours...🤣
Cheers Darren!! VG:-)
You managed to get a production copy of the cassette on Chrome (CrO2) tape? Wow... only ever saw Normal bias ferrite with Dolby B, unless buying blank Chrome or Metal (preferred) tapes and recording from vinyl. By the Summer of '84 I had already bought my first CD player for a not-so-cheap $295, and if I remember correctly, Some Great Reward was the second CD I ever bought, after Pyromania by Def Leopard.
Ay Vaughn ! You like "Music For DA Masses" ? On that Glitter Mix of Pleasure, Little Treasure there is Vocal Fragments, right ? Did you ever hear out what Martin says ? Such a weird Song in the studio version and live on stage a bomb. remember it as one of my first favorite tracks.
Fantastic album and one I must revisit. There was a hi fi shop in my hometown that used this album as it's test/demo album right up to about 1992. I remember the salesman saying that quality hi fi would find sounds in this album that could not be heard on std hifi.
Vaughn great job again, need to get you a couple of giant gameshow buttons for your Wilder fanboy and chicken sounds!... What's with the bananas?
Thank you for your message!! The bananas are for FLETCH in case he drops by!! VG:-) :-)
Love the channel Mad Dog. Slowly making my way through all the previous videos, keep up the amazing work
Thank you Newton !! I am glad you like it !! Be sure to join the Facebook group too!! VG:-)
BLASPHEMOUS RUMORS is my fave DM track and it foreshadows, in my opinion, their best album: BLACK CELEBRATION.
My top 5 dm album cover afterwork : 1 Violator, 2 Music for the masses, 3 Black Celebration 4 - A broken frame 5 - Some Great reward
A spot-on introduction. I got this album when it came out in Autumn 1984 and for me it brings back a lot of memories of that time. I would actually include this album as part of, and indeed the start of DM's golden age. The only track I would drop is People are People, as I got a bit sick of the single which was released ages before, and I think it sounds just a little out of place here, as the other tracks seem a little more sophisticated. Thanks Vaughn for the synths/equipment breakdown, that will be harder as you go on! My overriding image from this album-era was Martin wearing a grey leather overcoat (very Berlin) while singing Somebody, I think it was on the OGWT show. A shout out to my buddy Ian who watches this channel and was in the Blasphemous Rumours video.
New fan here. Making my way through all their albums. Just finished this one. Great album!!! I liked every track on it
Hello and welcome !! VG :-)
Thank you for going into detail on Gareth Jones' influence on this album and explaining all the stages.
Alan Wilder fangirl alert - yes, of course he wouldn't go on holiday, he could see that they would overrun, considering that they were taking up to a week to mix a track, like Master and Servant. ("Martin, you pervert!"😂)
I believe that the DX7 bells sounds were used rather a lot, obviously distorted and put through the PA system as you explained.
Also, since you seem to be eagerly accepting to listen to recommendations: there is a Lithuanian band called Foje, which was definitely influenced by DM, especially their industrial trilogy. Check out their 1989 'Geltoni Krantai' (Yellow Shores) album. For their 1990 'Žodžiai į tylą' (Words into Silence) album, they even photographed themselves similar to DM. Another good album, 1991's 'Gali Skambėti Keistai' (Could Sound Strange), my favourite.
Good to hear from you Gabby!! VG:-)
thanks vaunghie, really enjoyed it.love how articulate you are about production and the finished album. bit disappointed that your not wearing tight leather gear, but maybe for part 2😉
LOL Cheers Alex and careful what you wish for !! VG:-)
I believe that around the time of construction time again that Martin became a vegetarian and he had seen Southern Asia and was taken aback by the poverty he saw there. It was really the first time they had been exposed to that kind of darkness.
Great analysis as always, can't wait for part 2!
Thank you Stew!!
Loving these videos, as a big Depeche fan they are wonderful viewing 🙌🏻🖤
Thank you Lee!! VG
I remember hearing People Are People on the radio for the first time and immediately loving it. So the scores on the doors for Some Great Reward …. Most listened to is Stories Of Old … Favourite track is Something To Do … Most radical is Somebody … Get rid of track is also Somebody … Total score of 8 / 10
Great vid man I love some great reward it’s definetly among DM’s greatest albums from top to bottom 👏🏾👏🏾
Is it not the fact that lots of time was put into production that make old DM album more appreciated?
Yes Diego , I really think there was. lot more effort put into the earlier albums, VG:-)
I didnt get the album till about 1988, as I only really got into DM from 1986 after leaving school. I first got 101 and MFTM on cassette (remember those), then I went to Greece on holiday and got an imported vinyl of Black celebration which I still have somewhere.
Very interesting. Love your videos.dm will always be in my top 5 all time favourites
Thank you Shane!! VG:-)
I love your videos buddy. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Luke!! VG:-)
Very well done. looking forward to the second part
Thank you Friend !! VG:-)
I think SGR was the first DM album I ever heard. What a great intro to *some great group*. It's still one of my favorites.
Hey Kort!! Cheers !! VG:-)
Great review here. My two cents here is I think Depeche thought they had a problem to solve in that they didn’t wanted to be regarded as too poptastic. The darker connotations certainly helped with that.
Well said Ben !! VG:-)
SGR was the album that cemented my love for Depeche Mode even though I had heard of them with JCGE. It was the one I played till the cassette died and I had to buy a replacement. How is it possible that Vaughn loves and respects the talents of Alan Wilder more than I?
Music Love hello my friend and welcome to the fan boy alert club!!😂🎹VG
Ah, the Wilder fan boys. Don't bother to argue with them. I once got into an argument with one who praised Alan for his performance in ABF. There was no way to make him understand that Alan didn't play a single note in it. "Whatever", he said. Alan is so great, his greatness extends to the records where he wasn't there 😁.
Xavier Conde Rueda hahhaha well said yes I am a huge Alan fan but I agree that some fans do take it too far!! VG👍🎹
A great album. Interesting that around this time in the UK they were tarnished by their earlier teenybopper image, while the US largely ignored them, and instead it was in Europe where they were considered super cool and pacesetting
Matey! You are back. ;)
Dave I am !! Thank you matey!! VG:-)
Great video Vaughn! Can we hear more on People Are People and Blasphemous Rumours production? Would love to heat your take
For Sure !! VG:-)
I always loved depeche mode in the 80's the best alt band was them and the cure. The first stuff was to much Clarke more pop electronica music after he left the music got a lot more edgier. Paul McCartney said everyone wants to build the world on silly love songs but that isn't life. Life is pretty chaotic and depeche is like life. A beautiful chaotic mix
Some great review😉👍
Thank you !! VG:-)
have you ever introduced DM to someone new to them, only for them to be stunned by how timelessly good the music is? people really seem to expect Human League-esque synth stuff from Depeche Mode but they were really on a whole other level. Jim Thirlwell of Foetus was their only real rival in studio advancement in the 80s.
Hey man where have you been, 2 weeks without ur videos is how dm without Alan Wilder for 2 decades,SGR a great album thank u
Sitting in my hotel in Venice listening to this video. WTF I must be a fan.
Hello to you there in Venice !! VG:-)
Hope it's Venice, Italy and not Venice, California. 😁
This is was Huge for me in High School! I revisit this album a lot my go to song is Lie To Me.
Same. Lie to Me is so grooving
Thanks so much Vaughn ! this taxt is big " LET`S PLAY MASTER AND SERVANT" for me always ;) this is true !
I `am sure I `ll convince You , hehheheehheehhe Grave ,,, I thanks so much it was very interesting document !
LOL that Alan Wilder fanboy alert was brilliant ! Excellent video as always mate, i have a question, you might have covered this and maybe i missed it but did Brian Griffin give the albums a listen before going off to photograph the album cover? or did he just get a briefing about the themes of the album?
Hello Matey and thank you for your kind words!! Brain has said that he really just went on to take the photos without listening to the music first. VG:-)
Poor Matt Fretton (RIP) was the opening act of the band at that very concert in Hamburg where i was back then in 1984 - He got heavily boo`ed off the stage because we could`nt wait for the band to play... More of that perhaps in Pt II
Thank you for that I was not aware of that story, VG:)
Have you seen this vaughn? Martin Gore is selling some of his equipment for charity on reverb. Can’t include a link in these comments, but look it up.
Thank you Matt I was made aware of this last week. Are you going to buy anything ? VG:-)
Not a musician, just an amateur musicologist, so would be wasted on me. What about yourself?
Dark, moody and electronic - the best that “classic era”, very logical prelude to Black Celebration
Some Great First Comment!
Cheers bud!!
Sucks that Martin himself isn't too fond of "People Are People" and the song hasn't been played live since '88.
True, its a great song!! VG:-)
Ronnie’s Pop Show in Germany probably had a lot to do with the success of this album there, the weekly video countdown show
Hi Vaughn . That sounds lovely all: LP Some Great Reward . Can you satisfy my curiosity and tell me it " Master and servant "is avangard and experiment and many more kind interesting thing about song ;))) and very sexualy this album active . When people listen this Lp , the people looks like music is the kinde brings all nationalities together. I think aboaut SGR it is it. Thanks so much Vaughn . You told me everything about this LP what I wanted hear. Thanks one more time ! Creative it is very good word. Yes yes yes !
Always good to hear from you Beata!! Thank you !! VG:-)
Some great upload will be coming my way.
Hamburg it was number One , You have ruight Vaughn !