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This is the most polished Depeche Mode album up to this point. For me it is certainly in the top 3 and possibly even the best. It begins with the awesome big stadium sound of Never Let Me Down again, which amongst others paved the way for the follow up live stadium album 101. Music For The Masses is a collection of beautiful music with impeccable production and nice twists with strange instrumentals and the "secret tracks" ending.

Debateably the best studio album the band ever made. I have to mention the albums just before and after, which are on a par with Black Celebration. Some Great Reward was the band's first solid album; excellent from start to finish. Music for the Masses was more refined and also solid. In between Black Celebration was a superb showcase of a dancier sound with dark themes. Some of the lyrics are borderline controversial. The darkness in this album was always framed with energy and hope, unlike later albums which for me are dark and soulless. The first 9 songs on this album are as good as anything else.

This was the album that put Depeche Mode on the map. The previous album Construction Time Again had set the roots with an edgy electronic sound, utilising samples and energetic synth hooks. Some Great Reward honed this new found direction and produced the first solid album from start to finish. People are People was the big hit. It utilised the samples from construction sites with the band's often political side. It was a powerhouse which made us all take notice. But all these years later the song which stands out is Somebody: a slow number with Martin Gore pouring his heart out. An essential album, which I often consider the band's best.

The perfect Depeche Mode album. 101 is a live album compiling most of the best songs from the band's 80s compositions. The sound of the crowd adds to the feeling that this was a special concert to attend. The accompanying documentary was the coolest thing I had ever seen as an 11 year old. Dave Gahan's stage presence was thrilling, as were the big stadium sounds of this awesome electronic pop music. Depeche Mode took their music higher than other pop bands, it was at times slower, plus they had their hard hitting construction samples. This felt like a real band creating something special, and it still does today. Magical!

The debut album from Depeche Mode is a very mixed bag. Some greatness such as Just Can't Get Enough. Some songs are very "Vince Clarke" e.g. "Boys Say Go!", which is quite a specialist taste shall we say. Martin Gore just wrote two songs on the album, neither of which are particularly good- he didn't find his feet until Construction Time Again. Now that we have gone digital I expect I will delete most songs and just keep a few. It was interesting to hear the extended version of the album which we didn't get in the UK- it has extra tracks.

The most important Depeche Mode album follwed their worst. Construction Time again was the ideal title as this was their second attempt at reconstructing the band after Vince Clarke's departure after the debut Speak and Spell. The follow up was literally a Broken Frame and painful to listen to. Construction Time Again is important because this is when the band found their sound. Samples from construction sites and edgy synths combine with Martin Gore creating some wonderful music, really finding his stride as the songwriter. An imperfect but vital album for Depeche Mode fans.

This is a terrible album. There are two tracks which may of made it onto later albums, maybe. This is only relevant for diehard fans of the band who want to hear how the band started. This was the first album after lead songwriter Vince Clarke left. Martin Gore took over writing duties and really struggled. The tinny, thin electronic pop sound is below par in every way. It is almost an irrelevant album, except for the two half decent songs. The band really found their feet with their next album (Construction Time Again) and that is where I consider the band really begun (except Just Can't Get Enough of course from the first album).

This album was the death of Depeche Mode for me. It ended their amazing etheral sound which would never reach the heights showcased on the previous "101" ever again. 101 had been a celebration of everything great and uplifting about the band. From the energetic stadium hits to Martin Gore's heartfelt slow songs. After such an amazing live album/compilation; Violater was a big dissapointment. The songs are good, but they never reach previous heights. They feel restrained. Devoid of emotion. Lacking in soul. For fans of the Mode from the mid to late 80s, this was like a violation of our musical tastes. The end was nigh. The tour was nothing special, I attended in Birmingham. My wall soon had all the Depeche Mode posters taken down and I never bought another album. I have listened to some newer stuff, but it doesn't compare to the glory years before this.