Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

Depeche Mode's lyrical content, at times impossibly contrived, is a potential source of frustration. "I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours / But I think that God's got a sick sense of humour / And when I die / I expect to find him laughing," goes the chorus of "Blasphemous Rumours," an antireligion song using attempted teenage suicide and fatal car accidents as testimonial. Lyricist Martin Gore always scores points for creative rhyming, but one gets the feeling the choice of subject matter is nearly arbitrary, that the band could write equally depressing songs about a bad hair day--and mean it. But this is the fun, and maybe even the genius, of Depeche Mode. When it comes to patent controversy, they are as self-indulgent as they wanna be. Depeche's first U.S. single, "People Are People," also contained on Some Great Reward, is no less of an eye roller than "Blasphemous Rumours," but its tone is inversely inspiring to the nihilistic picture painted by "Rumours." Two other opposites that attract, the naughty little industrial-lite, S/M-colored "Master and Servant" perfectly juxtaposes the leaning-on-the-windowsill-staring-at-the-moon love song "Somebody." --Beth Bessmer Amazon.com essential recording

Dull, like Construction Time Again

I was a huge fan of DM albums like Music for the Masses, Black Celebration, and Violator. I also enjoyed People are People, some songs on Broken Frame and much of Speak and Spell. But, most of this record never did anything for me. It is rare for me to have had a tape in the 80s that I didn't really try to like from bands I liked. But, a few songs like Lie to Me are good as I recall, but People are People is a stronger "early Mode" post Speak and Spell choice. Stick with Music for the Masses, Violator, Black Celebration, People are People, and Speak and Spell. June 30, 2008

Must have album!

If you like Depeche Mode then buy these 4 albums:

Some Great Reward
Black Celebration
Music for the Masses
Violator

These albums were released between 1985-1990 in consecutive order & have all of their best songs. Their other albums are also good but would only recommend for die hard fans. These 4 albums are their classic albums. November 28, 2007

The most underrated DM song ever

Although this is my 2d fav album of DM, I love it and every once in a while pop into my CD player in the car and jam to it. It amazes me how I've never heard "Lie to Me" anywhere other than when I play it. For me, it's one of their best songs ever. The musical composition is almost perfect. The lyrics, as usual, are deep and mesmerizing.
"Lie to Me" is one of my fav DM songs ever and probably the most underrated song DM has ever made. June 24, 2007

Some Great Reward is Good, Not Great

On this album, fans get to witness Depeche Mode in a strange transition between their older sound ("Something To Do", "If You Want"), their poppy stuff ("People Are People", "Master & Servant"), and a newer, somewhat darker theme ("It Doesn't Matter", "Lie To Me") - which two years later would reach its zenith on Black Celebration. This album also features "Somebody", one of 'schMode's more famous and beautiful songs in which Martin Gore bares his soul. While the songs seem all over the map, they somehow still come together to form one of Depeche Mode's better records. I think whether you're a Top-40, Just Can't Get Enough fan or a gothic, Dressed In Black fan, you'll still find something to enjoy on this CD. May 31, 2007

Mode's first masterpiece.. it's a lot like life

The first three DM albums are okay, but most of the time from here on, works put in perspective the band's actual potential. The debut was fun and catchy even if silly, "Broken Frame" was kind of unfocused but had a couple of highlights, and "Construction Time"'s singles were classics but otherwise was mostly undistinguishable.

23 years later, people can probably still identify with "Some Great Reward." Why is this? Not only is this a classic example of a well-done industrial-pop Mode album, the lyrics are simple and are easy to relate to. In fact, the amazing middle of the record has its trilogy of relationship songs in "It Doesn't Matter," "Stories of Old," and "Somebody." 2 of the 3 selections are sung by Martin. "IDM" is an awesome dreamy song, in a way unlike anything I've even heard from this band since. It's about appreciating the time they have, even if they know it may not last forever. And there's a cynical view on commitment and compromise in relationships on "Stories of Old," possibly my favorite from the record. "Somebody" is one of the more famous tracks from the album, and is well-executed, along with some kind of interesting samples in the mix. It is a beautiful soul-searching track.

That doesn't mean the other 6 songs aren't any good; they are. And perhaps more than that. The weakest cut, by default, is "Lie to Me," and I enjoy that one, as that even has lyrics someone can relate to. Experiences have a lasting impression, and I'm sure we've been around those. The album has an awesome opener with "Something to Do," one of the most stadium-ready songs of DM's early career. The record also has the band's breakthrough hit "People Are People." The band may not like it and the lyrics may be trite, but what's amazing is that several bands today are still covering the song. The clinging pipes on the song totally grab the listener's attention. It was a hit that was meant to happen.

Then there's the awesome Wilder composition "If You Want." The track is electronic and somewhat space-y. The lyrics are simple yet catchy and it makes a nice addition to the album, in between the somewhat shocking (at the time, at least) "Master and Servant" and "Blasphemous Rumors." "Master" starts with a trade-off a cappella with Martin and Dave saying "it's a lot," ending it with "like life." It's a dark song for sure, the first time masochism would be themed in DM songs, and Martin would go to write several more tracks of the theme. Then there's teenage angst and irony in "Blasphemous Rumors," which has kind of interesting samples and electronics. I don't really think it's intended as an anti-religious song so much as it is a track of tragedy, like how everything that can go wrong with someone ends up going wrong. Still, an enjoyable track.

There are no negative reviews for this record and the people who do in the future are probably just trying anyway. This began DM's cult success of the mid-'80's, and rightfully so. Totatlly worth the cheap price, or if you want the re-mastered sound, you could go for the CD/DVD version. March 5, 2007

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