In 1990, gloomy synth-pop/rock band Depeche Mode released their greatest album. The modern rock darlings had skirted with fame with "People Are People," their first U.S. top 40 single, and their great 1987 album, Music for The Masses, but Violator was the band at their creative and commercial peak. The album is an effective, accessible blend of styles--rock, pop and dance in particular--with the group's trademark dark and synth-driven sound. What it lacks in experimentation, Violator delivers in confidence, kicking off the album with an appropriately downbeat yet upbeat dance pop track, "World in My Eyes." From there we get the moodier and more satisfying "Sweetest Perfection," with its grinding deep synth notes and strings, it's quite a sexy song. It's followed by the grandeur of Western-leaning "Personal Jesus," with its now-famous exhortation to "reach out and touch faith." While it's grainy video got a decent amount of MTV airplay, it was nothing compared to its follow-up, the thoroughly gorgeous "Enjoy the Silence," one of my very favorite singles ever from this group and definitely among my 10 favorite hits of 1990 (keep track of how many times I claim this and once I get to 15, somebody slap me), in fact, it's probably one of my all-time favorite songs ever. Really, really great song. In general, I like the faster songs here, so the strutting "Policy of Truth," another hit single, and sinister "Halo" are also highlights. Slower songs like "Waiting for the Night" and "Clean" are good too, but not standouts. Total as a whole though, this is a very satisfying listen. Good enough to make me a life-long fan of this group. Depression never sounded so good.Best: Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, Personal Jesus, Sweetest Perfection, Halo
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