Thoughts on Music for the Masses

Music for the Masses was one of the first two Depeche Mode albums I personally owned (alongside Exciter), having gotten them as gifts on a lil iPod Touch for Christmas I want to say around 9th grade. Even back then I heavily leaned more into Music for the Masses (though I still like Exciter!!), and it probably has a very real argument for being my favorite album, period. From the captivating iconography to the cheeky name to the absolutely gorgeous music, I personally find it the strongest of the three albums that are broadly considered to make up Depeche Mode's "Golden Years". The best tracks on it are on average better than those on Violator and tied with those on Songs of Faith and Devotion, and the worst tracks are much the same. I guess that puts it more like Music for the Masses >= Songs of Faith and Devotion > Violator, doesn't it? I would say that Sacred is probably my favorite, and I Want You Now is my least favorite, but it's just such a high quality album that you really can't go wrong with any given track. Without further ado, my thoughts on each track:

• Never Let Me Down Again Always a favorite of mine, it has this latent homosexuality to it that has enamored me since the 9th grade. The contrast between the heavy feel it begins with and the twinkling feeling when flying high/the stars are shining bright just *feels* great, and it has a bit of that romanticized addiction feeling I've always been partial to for reasons beyond my understanding. I think there's just something so *raw* about it, considering the state all of them were in at the time, and that aspect of really putting yourself into your work like that has always been something I utterly adore! Favorite line: promises me I'm as safe as houses, as long as I remember who's wearing the trousers
• The Things You Said I liked this one a lot more in high school, not to say that it's bad now; it's just no longer one of my favorites on this EXTREME TOUR DE FORCE of an album. It has a very light but also heavy feel that really embodies a tone that feels more disappointed than angry at a betrayal. Which, considering it has the line "I've never felt so disappointed" isn't exactly a deep read, but I think it's neat how well the song conveys that tone lyrically AND musically. Favorite line: they know my weaknesses (I never tried to hide them) they know my weaknesses (I never denied them)
• Strangelove I love love LOVE Strangelove, it may well be my favorite on the album. I really like the album versions longer buildup with the distant feeling doo doo doo doo before breaking into the iconic beat. Has a slight spooky feel to it that I dig. It's a song about unabashed perversion that, like Blue Dress on Violator, I can't help but love the fuck out of!!! I'm not really a pain guy, but the sheer sincerity of it makes my heart race, combined with one of Dave's best performances ever and a wonderful beat. The music video is also a delight, I LOOOOVE the stylized usage of the speaker sputtering out 'STRANGE', and them all breaking out in smiles and laughing as it goes on is just ludicrously charming (there are actually TWO music videos, I'm referring to the black and white one though the opening shots of the other one are also pretty neat). Another point for the fade in of the album version is the way it mirrors the fade out at the end, like you've come across this impassioned sermon in our vast world and moved on from it after a brief but impactful moment. Favorite line: Strangelove, strange highs and strange lows, Strangelove, that's how my love goes
• Sacred Sacred is one that ironically has grown on me a toooon compared to listening to it back when I first got it. The opening STILL gives me chills, it's so gorgeous. I'm sure part of my love for this song comes from having grown up LDS, and I love seeing those themes warped to perverse ends (I still have a CTR ring I like to wear in a gay way for fun). Back to the song, it's no surprise it's one of the contenders for my favorite on the album now, it really captures the feeling of devotion and zealotry that they'd go on to explore in, well, Songs of Faith and Devotion lmao. The chorus of Saaacreeed, Hoooolyyy genuinely feels tinged with worship, and the music beneath it all feels almost trancelike, especially the little instrumental interlude near the end. The constant repetition as the song fades out almost feels like one driven mad by their devotion, and I love it. Favorite line: Sacred (to put it in words, to write it down) Holy (that is walking on hallowed ground)
• Little 15 What a fucking trio of songs to get back to back! Considering my professed love of perverse songs, it's probably not a shock that I love Little 15 (my FOmarl is actually named after this song in PSO!) The opening instrumental just *feels* like yearning, even before Dave starts speaking. When *I* was a little 15 myself, I went through a period where this was my absolute favorite for what I should think are obvious reasons :) The themes of a bright innocence rekindling the light of one whose innocence is long since lost, and that feeling of standing on the precipice of a world you're just not prepared for yet are both feelings I click with in multitudes of ways. The flourish at the end always feels so triumphant, and it's ironically always had something of a fairy tale ending feel to me? I had obviously always read this song as an F/M song as a kid but I recently listened to it with an F/F reading and that sounds like a cute story too... Favorite line: Now all that she wants is three little wishes; she wants to see with your eyes, she wants to smile with your smile. She wants a nice surprise, every once in awhile.
• Behind the Wheel Another song who's album version just smokes the single version in my opinion (though the single version is also fun I should stress!!!) I love the story it sets with the spinning hubcap sound at the start, and the loooong ass intro is just iconic to me. The lyrics are sweet and of course very perverse in ways I definitely click with! It's also a funny song to me since I can't drive for medical reasons, haven't been Behind the Wheel since I was 16 so I'd DEFINITELY "rather not be the one behind the wheel". Of course, the driving themes are beautifully mixed (lyrically AND musically) with themes of relinquishing control and going along for the ride which is masterfully done, and also hot. The sound of cars racing by as the song goes really sells the feel of being stuck on the side of the road (which is expanded on in the music video!) Favorite line: Come, pull my strings, watch me move, I do anything
• I Want You Now Another I was strangely attached to in high school that is just no longer one of my favorites. It's still a GORGEOUS performance by Gore, who's songs are always very emotional, and it really sells the feeling of outright NEED extremely well. The voices/noises in the background, especially the feminine laugh near the end compound this feeling and make it feel something like a desperate plea at a party or something. Favorite line: Reach out your hands and accept my love, we've waited for too long enough is enough, I want you now
• To Have and To Hold Along with I Want You Now, I listened to these two a ton in high school, especially around 10th/11th grade. The Russian broadcast opening into the very heavy beat is great, and Dave feels absolutely filthy here in a way he probably wouldn't match until Ultra honestly. The theme of seeking some form of atonement after fucking things up and a "need to be cleansed" has just that faintly twisted religious theme that I love so berry much. It's a short and sweet song, and is probably my favorite of the songs that have "fallen off" from my high school days. Favorite line: "Somewhere, there's someone who cares, with a heart of gold, To Have and To Hold"
• Nothing Coming out of To Have and To Holds heavy feel into the bubbling growth of the intro to Nothing feels wonderful, I've always adored the beat here, Fletch really outdid himself with it. Dave's performance is excellent as well of course, but this has always felt like one where Fletch is stealing the show. Martin's little ooh hoo oohs are also completely irreplaceable, it'd really be an entirely different song without them I think. The song always makes me think of one of those games where you shoot little fake ducks at the faire for some reason, which is really cute... Favorite line: "Sitting target, sitting waiting, anticipating, nothing"
• Pimpf I didn't listen to it a ton as a wee lad since I had inherited my mom's dislike of instrumentals for a bit (this has definitely been overcome, hahaha) but when I DID listen to it even then it always felt so spooky and ominous to me. Feels like the sort of thing that would play over some silent film of the horrors of war. Especially as it gets heavier, and the chanting begins. Honestly, I wouldn't doubt that it's been used for that very purpose at some point. The energy resurging a bit before the 3 minute mark feels like it's going to begin building to some terrifying, nuclear crescendo, which I find validated by the long, abrupt silence before the slow build back. It really feels like the bombs have dropped and the world is being forced to bear the consequences of our mistake
• Bonus Tracks that were on my indeterminate virtual album as a kid:
• Agent Orange Holy fucking MOLY the grim feel of this song has blown me away since I first heard it, and I love it even *more* now. It also kickstarted an errant edgy teen interest into learning about chemical weapons due to the name. Very sad stuff I'd not advise looking into on a happy day!! But a horrible story that demands remembering. Honestly, it bears the name well, it simultaneously manages to feel so hopeless but with an undercurrent of life. The warbling and chaos in the final minute feels like a downed plane, or a flittering heart monitor...
• Pleasure, Little Treasure Complete tonal whiplash, Pleasure, Little Treasure opens absolutely bursting with upbeat energy. The theme of this song is one I've always enjoyed, not necessarily in a hedonistic way or anything (the song even let's rip "everybody's looking for a new sensation" lumped in with the other ails it mocks), but in the importance of living life for the things that you enjoy, no matter what they may be. The little pleasures in life keep us going, and I think it's important to never lose sight of them! Enjoy your stories, your silly little games, your doodles and your toys. Your special interests and hobbies. They all matter so much!!! Favorite line: everybody's searching for a promised land, everybody's failing to understand. Pleasure, little treasure
• Stjarna What a gentle and beautiful opening, that quickly hints just a little at the darkness to come. All of the Music For The Masses instrumentals have this ominous feel to them, and Stjarna is no exception. However, Stjarna has this ethereal beauty the others lack, really channeling the songs namesake (star in Icelandic/Swedish I believe?) In a way that feels like starlight piercing through pockets in a cloudy night sky.
• Route 66 I fucking LOVE this cover of Route 66, it feels like a strange fit on the surface of it but it's just soooo excellent! Mixing in elements of Behind the Wheel is a stroke of genius, and Dave's voice fits it in this vaguely self-interested way, like he's trying to sell you on the whole damn trip just to sell you a map or some kitschy memorabilia. Love the chaotic energy that hits a bit before the 3 minute mark. Favorite line: You get hip to this kind of tip, and go take that California trip
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