March 23, 2020

1990 - September: Depeche Mode “Violator”

45 minutes

Depeche Mode made a decision to minimize their pre-production work when they created their seventh studio album. It must have worked, becauce Violator would become their breakthrough international album. Keyboardist Andy Fletcher, keyboardist and vocalist Martin Gore, also keyboardist and drum machinist Alan Wilder, and lead man Dave Gahan had previously hit the charts with their 1984 single “People Are People.” This album would see crossover success led by the monster hit “Personal Jesus.” While the album was released in May of 1990, the last single from the album came out in September 1990.

Depeche Mode is best known as a keyboard-powered synth pop band, primarily successful in Europe up until this time. The band name comes from a French fashion magazine, which had at one time considered making the band give up the name — but they decided to leave things alone. The band was bringing more attention to the magazine, so it was a smart decision to let the band continue with the name.

The name of the album was a bit of a joke, poking fun at heavy metal albums of the time. The group had decided to take a break from the extensive pre-planning that had marked the development of their previous albums. Perhaps the increased spontaneity helped propel this album to a crossover success.

We hope you enjoy this album discussion and thoughts on 1990.

World In My Eyes

This lead song was the fourth and final single from the album, and was released in September 1990. Martin Gore liked this song because of its upbeat tone, though “upbeat” might be a rather fluid description. You get a sense of the keyboard-heavy foundation of the band with this song.

Enjoy the Silence

This hit song was originally written by Martin Gore as a ballad, but the producer, Alan Wilder increased the tempo and made it a dance song. The lyrics are dark, but Martin Gore considered the dark lyrics “more authentic.”

Personal Jesus

This is the monster hit from the album, and boasts a rare guitar riff among the keyboards. This top 40 hit has been covered by a number of artists, including Johnny Cash, Marilyn Manson, and Sammy Hagar. The lyrics are about having someone as an idol in your life - dependent upon you in an unhealthy way. David Gahan, after a wild youth, is now a sacramental convert to the Greek Orthodox Church.

Clean

A deeper cut from the album, this track was heavily inspired by Pink Floyd's “One of these Days” from 1971.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince

Will Smith made rap accessible, while starting his career as a celebrity through his acting on this comedy show.

STAFF PICKS:

Fly to the Angels by Slaughter

The band name for Brian's staff pick sounds like a heavy metal name picked out of a hat, but it is actually the name of their frontman, Mark Slaughter. The song is a ballad about a friend who has passed away. The song comes from the 1990 album "Stick It To Ya." Fly to the Angels propelled Slaughter to stardom during a time when the Hair Bands were on their way out and Grunge was on its way in.

Mansion on the Hill by Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Wayne brings us the guy that was grunge before grunge was cool. This song and album was recorded with very little production, which gives it a live feel. The Mansion on the Hill is about a place where “psychedelic music fills the air.”

Thunderstruck by AC/DC

Brian's staff pick is the lead single off AC/DC's 12th studio album (11th international release). Angus Young is playing a single string with no picking, just hammer on and pull offs using the second string. The song name came from a toy made by The Ideal Company called ThunderStreak, which was a wooden hydrofoil boat that was powered with a rubber band wind-up propeller.

Candy by Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson

Rob's pick rounds things out with a crossover alternative rock hit. Iggy Pop tells of a lost love from his perspective in one verse, then Kate Pierson (from the B-52's) picks up the next verse from the lost love's perspective.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

For the Love of God by Steve Vai

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai takes us out on this week's podcast with an eastern influenced instrumental riff.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

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