Hailed as a change in direction in the group’s sound, this 1990 album from Depeche Mode introduced one new element: guitars, or at least better-than-usual samples thereof, in addition to the usual wall of synths and samples. But aside from what instruments were being used, this was a big shift in another way, one that I liked – an emphasis on melody and decent songwriting rather than production techniques and pushing the limits of synths and samples for their own sake. There’s actually decent music on here.
Highlights include the slinky “Sweetest Perfection” and low-key “Waiting For The Night”, along with the hit singles “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy The Silence” (which were followed up by a somewhat smaller hit, “Policy Of Truth”). “Blue Dress” hails back to the lighter, more melodic Depeche Mode of the early 80s, in sound if not in subject matter, and features some of David Gahan’s best vocals in years. Across the board, the vocals on Violator are better than on any Depeche Mode album since Black Celebration.
Martin Gore’s guitar work stands out enough to let us know we’ve been missing out on a decent guitarist ever since Depeche Mode went all-synth.
Also, there are some untitled instrumental interludes hiding after a few of the other tracks, including a 
haunting piece called “Crucify”, which lurks at the end of the “Enjoy The Silence” track.
And finally, the album’s last track, “Clean”, truly becomes an exercise in irony in hindsight, when one considers that lead singer Gahan later went on to attempt suicide and enter drug rehab. (Then again, Gahan didn’t write the song – Martin Gore did.)
- World In My Eyes (4:26)
- Sweetest Perfection (4:44)
- Personal Jesus (4:56)
- Halo (4:30)
- Waiting For The Night (6:07)
- Enjoy The Silence (6:13)
- Policy Of Truth (4:55)
- Blue Dress (5:42)
- Clean (5:28)
Released by: Reprise
Release date: 1990
Total running time: 46:58
