Music for the Masses

by Depeche Mode

Music for the Masses cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 28 September 1987
  • Label: Mute
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 1:19:22
  • Community rating: 3.99/5 from 28 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Depeche Mode significantly darkened their synthpop formula on 'Music for the Masses', employing heavy, metallic sampling and grandiose, cinematic arrangements. Dave Gahan's commanding baritone explores themes of romantic obsession, submission, and paranoia against a cold, atmospheric backdrop of analog synthesizers. The album's massive, arena-ready sound proved pivotal in establishing their dominance in both the goth and electronic music scenes.

Genres

Descriptors: dance, atmospheric, melodic, rhythmic, synth, synthesizers, polished

Tracklist

  1. Never Let Me Down Again (4:48)
  2. The Things You Said (4:02)
  3. Strangelove (4:54)
  4. Sacred (4:49)
  5. Little 15 (4:18)
  6. Behind the Wheel (5:18)
  7. I Want You Now (3:44)
  8. To Have and to Hold (2:51)
  9. Nothing (4:18)
  10. Pimpf (4:56)
  11. Agent Orange (5:09)
  12. Never Let Me Down Again - Aggro Mix (4:56)
  13. To Have and to Hold - Spanish Taster (2:35)
  14. Pleasure, Little Treasure - Glitter Mix (5:35)
  15. Pleasure, Little Treasure (2:53)
  16. Route 66 (4:10)
  17. Stjarna (4:22)
  18. Sonata No.14 in C#m (Moonlight Sonata) (5:37)

Credits

  • Depeche Mode - primary artist, producer
  • Alan Wilder - band [depeche mode are]
  • Andrew Fletcher - band [depeche mode are]
  • Dave Gahan - band [depeche mode are]
  • Martin Gore - band [depeche mode are], written-by
  • David A. Jones - design, photography by
  • Mark Higenbottam - design, photography by
  • Martyn Atkins - design, photography by
  • David Bascombe - engineer, producer
  • John Dent - lacquer cut by
  • Daniel Miller - producer [additional production], other [help]

More from Depeche Mode: full discography