By Samantha Nwaoshai
Most bands that started in the 1980s never quite make it into the 1990s. Depeche Mode is not one of those bands. In 1990, they came out with what would probably be described as their best work yet, Violator. It’s not like Depeche Mode had changed their sound so much or they did anything different from their previous work, as much as it was the mainstream waking from a stupor. With nine tracks and a run time of about 47 minutes, it’s just long enough to make you happy without droning on like a boring professor.
Each track lyrically can hold its own to the last, and sonically could be an instrumental and still be good, a quality that is extremely rare.
You can’t talk about Violator, without discussing the track “Personal Jesus.” With bluesy guitar riffs mixed with infectious synth hooks, it’s no wonder that the song became their biggest hit. Lyrically the song, to be simply put, is sarcastic. The lines “put me to the test / things on your chest / you need to confess / I will deliver / you know I’m a forgiver” really takes a cynical sting at confession. However, despite being asked to “reach out and touch faith,” the song has very little to do with religion or Jesus. Oddly enough, it’s actually about Priscilla and Elvis Presley’s courtship, only Martin Gore understands how so.
The follow-up single “Enjoy The Silence,” follows the same path as “Personal Jesus.” It starts off resembling a dark synth-ballad, then it becomes increasingly danceable, then ends up sounding gloomy and atmospheric. The song not only sounds dark but is lyrically depressing as well. The track is about the idea of the romanticised illusion of a significant other being lost the more intimate the relationship gets. The lyrics “all I ever wanted / all I ever needed / is here in my arms / words are very unnecessary / they can only do harm” simply highlights the fact that the illusion is better than the reality.
Violator is a classic and showcases Depeche Mode at their sonic, lyrical and critical height. If you were to borrow, buy or download any Depeche Mode album, Violator should be the prime choice.