| I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors (review from amazon.com) |
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The evolution of Depeche Mode hit stride when they tackled their fourth album. Instead of the thinly structured synth-pop of the two follow-ups to Speak & Spell, "Some Great Reward" took the plunge into the heart of darkness. They'd gotten caught up with technology, giving the sound a fuller feel, and the lyrical content became more mature and cynical. The Dominance/Submission roleplay of "Master and Servant" (which was the second single) and the sociological blast of "Blasphemous Rumours" picked and cut deeper than before.
This was also the album that made Depeche Mode in the states. "People Are People" got into the American Top 20, and according the liner notes by producer Daniel Miller, the first thing recorded for the album. Egalitarian in tone, DM apparently even tried to darken the sound of the song lest it be construed as too pop. Those three particular songs make "Some Great Reward" on a par with Violator and Black Celebration for consistency.
Like all the reissued back catalog of Depeche Mode, the 5.1 remix of the bonus disc is terrific. It fills the room with both the arena ready music that the Mode was growing into, but emphasizes the industrial samples the band was adding to the music. The clanging metal and factory wheezing leaps from the mix and shows just how ahead of the curve the band was. As for the mini-movie, "You can get away with anything..." chronicles the band working on the LP. I doubt I'll watch it more than twice. A pair of B-Sides and a remix of the lovely "Somebody" round out the package.
Given that Depeche Mode would next reach their emotionally darkest music by the next CD and then blast to superstardom ("Black Celebration," Music for the Masses), this is the CD where you can here it drop into high gear. The remastering alone is worth the extra bills.
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| Some Great Remastered Version of 'Reward on CD & DVD (review from amazon.com) |
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While many fans consider 1986s Black Celebration to be the pinnacle moment when the band crossed over into truly dark territory, it was 1984s Some Great Reward that garnered Depeche Mode worldwide appeal, including for the first time, in the US. The breakthru hit single: People Are People, would cause a massive outcry of interest in the band and lead to another attempt at appeal in the States, that would come true. What's of course ironic today is the fact that the band, including song writer, Martin Gore, no longer particularly care for People Are People anymore, even though it is still one of their all time biggest hits. (To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't been performed live since the famed 101 concert in Pasadena, California.)
With People Are People such a huge success, the task was at hand to come out with a followup single that would be as impressive. Master And Servant would be the song chosen for that task. A song, that would take forever to record, mix and finally finish (one of the longest in recorded DM history), it would not outdo the success of People Are People, but it did do well just the same. But for Depeche Mode and Martin Gore, their third single from Some Great Reward would ultimately become one of their most controversial. That song of course is Blasphemous Rumours. Its premise is basically that universal question: "Why does God allow bad things to happen?" Christian and other religious groups were in an uproar over it, and it was banned from being played in the UK and certain other countries (none of which were the US). The song was released as a double A-side single, with the other song being, Somebody.
Somebody is, without a doubt, the best love song Martin Gore has ever written, and it continues to be performed live in concert as a fan favorite. As many already know, Martin performed the song naked in the recording studio, to give it that very vulnerable feeling that it has. It's honest and straight forward nature, without any pretension, conveys the wants, needs, and desires of a man for a woman, with heartfelt sincerity and true emotion. A wonderful highlight from Some Great Reward.
These Remastered albums of Depeche Mode's back catalog are truly remarkable and a wonderful upgrade from the previous CD editions. The sound quality is so much more clearer and crisp, especially on the DVD's DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround versions. The UK version of this Remastered album also includes an additional Super Audio Compact Disc layer (SACD) on the CD that is also a great listen (unfortunately all US Remastered editions do not include the SACD layer).
Bonuses on the DVD include the remarkable B-sides: In Your Memory (written by Alan Wilder), the catchy (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me, and the single remix of Somebody. Also included are 5 live tracks from the 1984 concerts in Basil and Liverpool, taken from the specific singles of Blasphemous Rumours, Shake The Disease, and A Question Of Lust. They give you a nice feel for what the tour was like during this era, but for a better experience, I'd recommend just picking up "The World We Live In & Live In Hamburg" instead.
And finally we have the Short Film, Depeche Mode: 1984 "You Can Get Away With Anything If You Give It A Good Tune," - A.Wilder. Included is some really wonderful archive film footage of the band working in and around the studio, with Martin explaining how the band samples certain sounds and noises to incorporate into their music (this was still fairly new even in 1984). Also of interest is the realization from the band at how much they still love Lie To Me, and how it almost became part of the setlist for Touring The Angel. One of my favorite moments is seeing Martin scream right into the camera, as he, Dave and Andy leave the studio for a while, to go on holiday. Lots of fun and interesting stories are told, though this time the interviews come less from the band members and more from other contributors, such as Mute's Daniel Miller, and exec. producer, Gareth Jones. That being said, it's still a lot of fun to watch, with additional clips from the music videos for People Are People, Master And Servant, Somebody, and live footage from the Hamburg concert included. Overall, a great 2 disc package.
Some Great Reward (Remastered) - the new romantics who would later become dark gothic techno Gods!
Stay Devoted!
"It Doesn't Matter If This All Shatters. Nothing Lasts Forever. But I'm Praying, That We're Staying...Together." - M.L.Gore
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