Depeche Mode: Violator

By 1990, British Synthpop group Depeche Mode had been active for a total of 10 years, having released six studio albums in that time. Their seventh album, 'Violator' came on sale in March 1990, spawning two of the band's best selling singles to date: 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy The Silence.'

Depeche Mode: Violator

The first track on the album, also the fourth single to be released from it, 'World In My Eyes' quickly establishes the slightly dark and surreal nature of the entire album, combining extensive synthetic elements with a strong sequenced groove. This typical use of instrumentation for the band contrasts with the first single from the album, 'Personal Jesus,' which is heavily influenced by blues music and features prominently an electric bass and guitar in lieu of purely synthetic derivation of sounds.

'Waiting For The Night' comes later in the album, exemplifying the brooding and dark quality of the album, not least due to the use of restricted instrumentation and passive accompaniment. This track leads on to the second single to be released from the album, 'Enjoy The Silence,' undoubtedly a highlight of the album. In this track, the band reference some of their earlier work through the initial rhythmic foundation offered by a sequenced synthesiser and sophisticated use of additional electronic elements. The track also ends with a more experimental extended postlude which hails back to the band's earlier work.

At a point in their career in which the band was already well established, such a successful release contributes to the band's long standing successful image. The band's later tour, the Tour Of The Universe also makes use of several tracks from Violator and is reviewed here.

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Enigma: MCMXC A.D.

Released in December 1990, the musical project Enigma's debut album quickly soared to the top of the charts to become the most successful album in the Virgin record label's catalogue at the time. The album has since received more than 60 platinum awards worldwide and by 1994 had already sold 14 million units.

Enigma: MCMXC A.D.

The album begins with 'Hello And Welcome' which features the iconic Enigma horn and the spoken voice bidding the listener a good evening, ushering the listener into a "world of music, spirit and meditation." Instantly noticeable is the New Age approach to music and through the spoken vocal part, a parallel spiritualistic motif.

The next track of the album consists of a medley of 'Sadeness,' 'Principals of Lust,' and a reprisal of 'Sadeness' each crossfaded together to create a continuous work. Throughout, dance beats are married with New Age style musical writing and overt sexual overtones from the vocal line. 'Sadeness' was to become the first single release from the album.

A later track, 'Mea Culpa' is written in a similar style to 'Sadeness,' using gregorian chant alongside dance beats and Shakuhatchi (often thought to be a pan pipe) writing, the style which Enigma used extensively throughout the 90's. The track uses lyrics written in french an latin and, in its single release, was titled 'Mea Cupa (Part 2),' referencing 'Sadeness' as part 1.

For its time and even now, this work was groundbreaking and established Enigma as a unique act with a highly unusual writing style which ultimately led to great commercial success.

For a review of Enigma's later greatest hits album, 'Love Sensuality Devotion,' click here.

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