VIOLATOR

As history shows, Depeche Mode achieved mass critical and public success with the release of Violator. It's success and the road that took the band to the peak of the mountain was the perfect illustration of how allowing a band to grow at their own pace without undue record company pressure (take a bow Daniel Miller) can reap the ultimate reward.The ten years and 6 albums that preceded the release of Violator gave DM the license to experiment and develop their own unique sound and style resulting in this, their crowning glory. As with most artists who get to the top of the mountain, it becomes the proverbial albatross around the neck and as hard as the band have tried they haven't quite scaled those heights again. While the preceding two releases, Black Celebration and Music For the Masses, and the album that followed Violator, Songs of Faith & Devotion, were arguably just as strong, there hasn't been another album release that comes close to the front to back quality of what I consider to be their most creative period.In many ways Violator was the building and coming together of the perfect storm: Martin Gore was at his songwriting best, the prolific and always adventurous Flood came in as producer, remix legend Francois Kevorkian was also on board as engineer and Alan Wilder had taken even greater control in the studio, a key component in cultivating the sound of the album. It's no accident that since Wilder left after the release of SOFAD the band have not produced an album to match the sheer quality of the aforementioned sequence of four gold-class classics. Ultra was still good, just not great, while Exciter was excellent and might have earned the classic status if not for the fact that it was probably two or three songs too long*.[* The CD-era brought with it this fascination of trying to fill the disc with as much music as possible, much of it filler. I wonder what songs would have been made the cut on Exciter if consideration was given to ensuring that the music needed to fit on two sides of the record. Just some food for thought...]This release brings together the original album (remastered), documentary, some film clips and the 5.1 mix of Violator. It's a quality set and if I was being picky I wish they'd included another disc containing the many remixes from the single releases. I'm guessing that will happen for the 30th anniversary release in 2020!There is little more to say that hasn't been said a million times about Violator. If you had to own one Depeche Mode album, this would be the one. (I hope I never have to make that decision as I really would find it hard to live without BC, MFTM and SOFAD). Two of the greatest songs of all time (yes, I'm happy to make that call) reside on this album - Personal Jesus (so good that Johnny Cash recorded his own version) and of course the perfect Enjoy The Silence. World In My Eyes is as good a opening track to any album while Halo is a slow build of rhythmic/synth gorgeousness. There isn't a weak track to be found here - it's a combination of brilliant and excellent - but more importantly the album works well as a whole.Highly recommended (obviously).

This is a stunning edition of DM's classic album, beautifully produced in all respects. Sony have quietly released this vinyl version which far exceeds many other so-called "special/limited/luxury etc" editions - just by being an impeccably and competently produced vinyl with a very luxurious feel to it. The cover is splendid, on a special kind of thick paper, neither glossy not mat with a wonderfully tactile texture to it. It is a gatefold cover which also includes a beautifully printed inner sleeve, with lyrics and all imaginable details (just like in the good ole days!). The disc itself is heavy and cleanly cut. The sound impresses more than anything: the grooves are quiet and noise free, and the sound is beautifully detailed and dynamic.All in all, a beautiful, carefully produced vinyl they makes you understand why many people prefer the satisfying feel and experience of vinyl releases over CDs.Kudos to Sony for this achievement - which I warmly recommend.

This is, obviously, one of the most iconic albums of all time and for me marks the pinnacle of DMs recording career although arguably Ultra comes close. Over 30 years old this still sounds fresh and relevant.I bought this on CD when it was first released and, since I got back into vinyl 3 or 4 years ago, it has always been on my wish list but for some reason I never got around to it.. until now and I'm so glad I did.This is already one of my favourite vinyl albums.. the music itself needs no further comment from me. The recording is pristine and the pressing is one of the best sounding I own.. silent between tracks, deep rich bass, solid presence in the midrange, sparkling highs, delicate decays and lightning fast transients.. this is how it's meant to sound.If that weren't enough the Matt black sleeve oozes quality and the artwork is sublime.I would recommend this to anyone. Even if you don't have a record player!

Not my usual thing, recommended to me. Firstly the quality of the pressing from Sony is excellent, it is unbelievably quiet. The album sleeve is robust and professional looking. Finally the music, it is excellent. I found myself reading the entire lyric sheet throughout while the album played.I thought of Depeche Mode as " I just cant get enough" which im not a fan of, this album is darker and harder hitting than the earlier stuff.Give it a try, i loved it.

What can I say, the record that made me the big D.M. Fan I am today. One of my favourite records ever and not one duff track. If you've never listened to this record then do yourself a big big favour and buy it. It is amazing

I hadn't listened to this album for a long time and had forgotten how great it is! All killer, no filler. And the production is superb too. If you're young and not familiar with this album you should give it a go. This is how good an electronic album can sound minus the unnecessary vocoder and over production of more contemporary pieces.

If you're a fan of 90s Depeche Mode, then this is essential listening. Driving rhythms, meaningful lyrics and sheer musicality makes for a powerful package. Music for the mind as well as the ears, with Dave Gahan's rich vocal making the whole thing compelling and intimate. If you never followed DM past their poppy 80s, just try this.

This has got to be one of the best pressings of a vinyl I have come across! Sounds perfect, incredibly clear - just what you expect when you play an album you love on a record player.If it adds any weight to my review, my husband actually works at a record label so we have a house full of records! I would still put this pressing in my top ten.