The final single from Violator, "World in My Eyes" was also the first song on the album -- out of that context it's still a success, starting from a crisp bassline, building a level of equal tension and beat as it goes. Wilder's arrangement for the song is excellent, adding just enough in the way of strings and other melody lines as he goes, not to mention odd touches like what sounds like backwards piano and other unusual production snippets. Gahan delivers the lead like a charm, while Gore backs him exquisitely at many points throughout. François Kevorkian handled both the single mix of the track, little different from the album version, and the "Oil Tank" mix, fine but not particularly different or gripping. Jon Marsh of the Beloved, meanwhile, created the "Mode to Joy" mix, with openly nods to classic disco, salsa, and more to create a fine synthesis. Two wholly original B-sides appeared here as well, though ironically the original mixes of both were not included. "Sea of Sin" is the lighter of the two pieces, to an extent. While the subject matter is the expected religious/erotic conflation from Gore, Gahan's singing is gentler in comparison, with the tight arrangement and guitar line helping to drive the track on the "Tonal" and "Sensoria" mixes, both done by Kevorkian. "Happiest Girl" is something else entirely -- originally scheduled for inclusion on Violator, it would have fit in perfectly there but is even more gripping on its own, a twisted portrait of someone who apparently shouldn't be happy at all. Gahan's delivery is both sympathetic and aggressive, a fascinating combination. The "Jack" mix from Kevorkian relies on a crisp beat and moody orchestration, while the "Orbital" mix comes courtesy of soon-to-be-kings of ambient groove the Orb, with a shimmering bell/chime rhythm to recommend it.
Depeche Mode
World in My Eyes
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AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett
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