The Singles 86>98 by Depeche Mode
Perhaps The Greatest Singles Band Ever.
So Depeche Mode releases a singles compilation featuring only one
previously unreleased song (Only When I Lose Myself) in anticipation of a
major tour. Sound suspiciously like a shameless cash-in? Sure. But The
Singles, 86-98 needed to be made. This is a worthwhile purchase for
casual admirers and completists alike. The two-disc set contains revamped
versions of the major singles from 1986 to 1998 and a version of Little 15
that was first released only in France. The sets grand finale is the live
recording of Everything Counts, from the 101 album. Although the original
studio version of the Everything Counts single appeared on 1984s People
Are People, DM fudged the chronology to justify including this astounding
live recording on the album (a ploy to psych up concert-ticket buyers?).
The live recording highlights the worshipful crowd applauding, cheering,
and chant-singing The grabbing hands / Grab all they can / Everything
counts in large amounts long after the song has ended. Ka-ching! --Beth
Bessmer
Personal Review: The Singles 86>98 by Depeche Mode
Sure, Beatles fans would stone me to death for that one, but DM were
influential and popular as well. They influenced many a goth/industrial act
as well as popularized electronic music, and it's not just that, the songs are
pretty catchy on the whole. The band's albums are ALL good, but they
work well as a singles band too. This compilation uses the versions of the
songs used as A-sides, so some of the mixes are different than you might
remember them. The songs are all re-mastered here, and the treat for
casual fans is you get to see the lyrics to ALL of the songs in here in the
liner notes. Oh, and look at the price that Amazon's currently selling this at;

if that's not a reason you should be getting this already then I don't know
what would be.
Oh, for the people who are already fans, all that's worth mentioning is that
classics like "Stripped," "Strangelove," "Personal Jesus," "Enjoy the
Silence," "I Feel You," "It's No Good" and "Home" are here. These songs
are more than worth buying "The Singles 86>98," and not only that, this
isn't a bad first move for your collection of the band. This was the real
creative peak for the band. There is only one new song here, "Only When I
Lose Myself" and that one is pretty good. It's a more mellow track from the
group and I think it works fine. You could also look for a used copy of the
single (or if you prefer, the sixth or so singles box set) where you can hear
the Dan the Automator remix, which is possibly better than the track in
here.
"Behind the Wheel," "In Your Room" and "A Question of Time" play in
different versions than on the respective albums that they originate. This
makes a nice additions for the bigger fans like myself, and young ones like
myself who find it hard to get their hands on every last single and box set
of the group. You'll listen to this album and it's no coincidence they have
an album called Music for the Masses. It's rock and only occasionally feels
really rock ("I Feel You"), and while it's dark it is never really whiny or
overly depressing. There is real emotion to the tracks and this collection,
as well as the band selling out the Rose Bowl in Pasedena were things
that they used to successfully bite tongues of the classic rock fans. Even
the "lower" moments from the group are stuff that most bands wish their
finest material could live up to be. "Barrel of a Gun" and "Little 15" are not
personal favorites of mine but work fine enough in this collection.
Feeling nostalgic? Want to hear a catalog of a really great band's music?
Look no further than this compilation and if not you can sell it; many people
will probably want it anyhow.
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