DEPECHE MODE - Songs Of Faith And Devotion

DEPECHE MODE – Songs Of Faith And Devotion – Album Review

Day 17 in my top 50 albums of all time.

One of only five bands that feature twice in my top 50.

What more can you say about Dave Gahan, Martin Gore & co other than they present the entire 360 of what is required to become a worldwide act that stand the test of time and build a devoted fan-base of millions.

Through musicianship, songwriting and stage presence Depeche Mode have never ceased to push the levels of what could be achieved by a band who cross so many spectrums of sound.

I feel very privileged to have seen them a couple of times and have been completely awestruck and emotional by the show they put on each time. I have friends who are proper die hard fans and have followed them around the world, i can totally understand this concept.

During the 80’s i loved their music but was too young to appreciate the entire package, it’s only as you grow older and follow someone like Gahan’s story with his many highs and lows that you build a real connection about how things could have been so much different for them.

Following their previous and absolutely massive album ‘Violator’ was always going to be difficult task, but the addition of a whole heap more dimensions to the production, crunchy new beats and sublime new textures took Songs Of Faith And Devotion on a completely different ride.

‘Condemnation’ is filled with spirituality and hope, while ‘Walking In My Shoes’ is one of the few songs that will give me goosebumps until the day i die, regardless of how many times i hear it. ‘Higher Love’ is bigger than God himself while ‘In Your Room‘ has the power to completely remove the top of your head.

Over the years i have taken entire weeks of bingeing the DM catalogue and getting completely lost in a wall of sound. Their music has the power to pick you up, help you do a lot of soul searching and offer such hope and inspiration.

There will never be another band in the world like Depeche Mode.

Another absolute masterpiece of an album.

RIP Andy Fletcher