48. Violator - Depeche Mode 1990
Depeche mode were a massive draw through the 1980's, already filling huge venues, but seventh studio album, 'Violator' was when it all
really came together for the British, Electronic band. Unsung hero, Alan Wilder, always excelled in the studio and often took song-writer, Martin Gore's demos and arrangements, shaping them into the incredible finished articles that we know and love. His work on 'Violator' with legendary producer, Mark 'Flood' Ellis, can not be understated. The band have never been quite as good since Wilder left following the record that succeeded this one, 'Songs of Faith and Devotion'. Firstly, this album is the one that houses
that song. Of course I'm talking about 'Enjoy the Silence'.It is one of the most remixed and covered tracks in the world and is, on its own, hugely influential. It wasn't the first single to be taken from the album though, that was the stomping, guitar driven, 'Personal Jesus'. This was the 'Mode'. going blues, whilst still being primarily, an Electronic track. Other highlights include 'The Policy Of Truth', 'World in My Eyes' and the seductive, 'Waiting for the Night', that features one of the finest duets between lead singer, Dave Gahan and Gore, the band has ever recorded. Stylistically, the band decided to go tougher looking with leather biker jackets and black jeans. The group have shared a long and fruitful partnership with visual expert and video director, Anton Corbijn, who decided that the promo-clips for this albums singles should have a grainy, urban, black and white feel to them with fifties style hair cuts and fashion, as well as some large-finned cars from that period. Depeche Mode had been getting darker with every subsequent release, and 'Violator' was no exception. The influence of the band, and this album in particular, is far reaching from electronic-tinged Death Metallers, Fear Factory, at one end to Coldplay at the other. The band have sold over 100 million records worldwide.