Depeche Mode – Violator

180g Vinyl Reissue!

Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - Rated 167/500!

Rooted in the UK's late 70's New Romantic movement, Depeche Mode formed in 1980, and their pioneering, synthesizer-based sound went on to establish them as one of the most successful alt-rock groups ever. These electro-pop superstars loomed as large as cult heroes as they did as commercial heavies, and their wealth of singles and signature tracks ranged from energetic dance grooves to dramatic, moody, and industrial-tinged masterpieces. Depeche's originality of vision weathered personnel shifts and personal turmoil, influencing modern rock and synth-pop on a global level.

Their best-selling, 1990 masterpiece, Violator, hit #7 Billboard and was cited in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". The album features the Top 40 smash hits "Enjoy the Silence", "Policy of Truth", and "Personal Jesus", plus the classic "World in My Eyes".

"For many Depeche Mode fans, Violator is the crowning glory of the boys' black-leather period. In "Sweetest Perfection," "Halo" and "World in My Eyes," they turn teen angst and sexual obsession into grand synth-pop melodrama, and their attempt at guitar rock resulted in a hit with "Personal Jesus." - www.rollingstone.com

"In a word, stunning. Perhaps an odd word to use given that Violator continued in the general vein of the previous two studio efforts by Depeche Mode: Martin Gore's upfront lyrical emotional extremism and knack for a catchy hook filtered through Alan Wilder's ear for perfect arrangements, ably assisted by top English producer Flood. Yet the idea that this record would both dominate worldwide charts, while song for song being simply the best, most consistent effort yet from the band could only have been the wildest fantasy before its release." -Ned Raggett, allmusic.com