Every tune counts (CD-Singles Box Set - Part 2 - Depeche Mode)

Member Name: joybringer

Product:	CD-Singles Box Set - Part 2 - Depeche Mode
Date:	24/09/04 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: DM at their best, Thought provoking, Tuneful

Disadvantages: Mainly for fans, Pricey

This is the second in a series of CD box sets of Depeche Mode singles. Each box contains six CDs and a small booklet. The boxes are well designed and high quality. This particular box covers my favourite period of Depeche Mode - 1983 to 1985. Full of industrial noises and political statements, this music is not to everyone's taste, but it reminds me of OMD at their best, or very early Human League. Slightly experimental, musically fascinating and lyrically challenging.

The CDs contain following tracks:

Get The Balance Right
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"Be responsible, respectable
Stable but gullible
Concerned and caring, help the helpless
But always remain ultimately selfish"

On of my favourite Depeche songs with a great lyric and skillfully played tune

This CD also contains a remix of this song, a song called "The Great Outdoors" and a live version of "Tora, Tora, Tora" which originally appeared on their first album "Speak and Spell."

Everything Counts
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A criticism of capitalist society and a warning against dodgy business contracts. Another great tune. This CD also contains another of my favourite Depeche tracks "Work Hard." This track has many sounds of work in it, factory noise, blacksmith's anvil and typewriter.

"You've got to work hard, if you want anything at all" Excellent stuff. Cd also has remixed versions of both tracks.

Love In Itself (part 2)
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Also contains parts three and four, which are just different versions of the same track. But what a great track it is. Also has tow versions of the song "Fools."

People are People
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The band's anti-racist anthem and a fine traack. "I can't understand what makes a man hate another man." CD also contains a remix version of this and two versions of "In Your Memory".

Master and Servant
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One of my least favourite tracks, this is about a man who is dominated by his woman, both in the bedroom and in life. Again, there's the obligitory remix and two versions of "Remotivate Me."

Blasphemous Rumours
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Originally a double "A" side with the song "Somebody", also included here, I think "Somebody" is by far the superior track. It is seemingly Depeche Mode's attempt at a straight love song, not something you'd expect from them. However, as the lyrics themselves say "Though things like this make me sick, in a case like this I'll get away with it". He does indeed get away with it, and produces a great song. what I also lie about it is that it goes slightly wierd at the end, with what sounds like fairground noises. It gives the impression of a scene from a film. This CD includes live versions of "Told You So" and "Everything Counts".

This box set is a good choice for any fan, or anyone who likes well produced electronic music with thought-provoking lyrics.

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