Thursday, April 7, 2016

Depeche Mode - Music For the Masses - 1987

As I mentioned in my last post, 1987 was a very special year for me musically, as I started to really listen to and explore the music that I introduced into my life.  Along with New Order, I also started listening to Depeche Mode.  I was also heavily influenced by the Cure's Kiss Me 3 album, but that's for another post.

My version of Depeche Mode's Music For the Masses is pretty straight forward.  I eliminated all of the remixes, with the exception of Fpmip (which really isn't a remix, per se).  I then added all of the B-sides to the singles, in order, after the album tracks.  Yes, this arrangement makes for a somewhat boring end, with the exception of Pleasure Little Treasure, but I couldn't bear to chop up the album itself to insert the b-sides.  The album itself is a masterpiece.
Depeche Mode - Music For the Masses - 1987

6 comments:

  1. SO glad you added Route 66 to the album.

    After the 101 video, it seemed almost heresy the track wasn't on the album. Living in Hicksville Notch, the singles weren't easy to find back then. I can still remember driving all the way to Boston, MA, braving the horrible parking, the subways, everything just to get the Rte. 66 single from Tower Records.

    I'd already bought the stupid "Earth Girls Are Easy" soundtrack just for Route 66 (The Nile Rodgers Mix) which, while good, just wasn't what I wanted.

    MftM is the album that best embodies DM's musical vision. They were at their peak creatively. Violator is a personal fave for its perfect mix of gloom and synth, but it was the edge of the plateau from what they'd created on MftM.

    For the band to end their 101 tour in Pasadena was only fair considering it was right in the heart of their fan base. California easily had more Depeche Mode fans in the state than the rest of the country put together.

    DM was even popular with members of other bands who dominated the West Coast club scene. John Koviak might have been the bass player in London After Midnight, but offstage he was a huge Mode groupie like the rest of us.

    Here's a rare shot of John without a shred of makeup, no fishnets, none of the band's campy gothness, as close to "normal" as he ever got back then. Customized, painted leather jacket and a certain lapel pin that could easily buy him dinner and drinks for two at the five star restaurant of his choice if he ever posted it on eBay.

    https://i.imgur.com/NQwLXHL.jpg

    Photo Credit: (C) Fred H. Berger, Propaganda Magazine
    https://www.facebook.com/propaganda.gothic/

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    Replies
    1. That pic is a perfect representation, not of him, but of the goth/post punk image of the 80s. I always wanted to look like that, but my mom wouldn't let me. ;)

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  2. Link is dead,do you have Music For The Masses Japan edit???

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