SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION

For me, those run of albums from 'Black Celebration' up to and including this were Depeche Mode at the top of their game (single wise, they were top of their game from the start). Understandably this isn't quite as good as 'Violator', 'Music For The Masses' and 'Black Celebration', which were exceptionally good. It's also understandable as the band were in turmoil at the time (yet still top of their game). With 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion' it took the band in a new direction by splicing elements of grunge and electronica together - with a little bit of gospel thrown in for good measure. Though overall, it's not as electronic based as previous albums. With gems such as the grunge-like 'I Feel You', the dark and moody 'Walking In My Shoes' (a song I feel that resonates with a lot of people), the gospel sounding 'Condemnation', plus 'One Caress' - with those classy strings and its cinematic sound, and 'Higher Love' makes this well worth having. P.S. 'Playing The Angel' would also be up there in my top 5.

Excellent album, and quick service.

What began with Music for the Mases through to Violator lead to SOFD. Considering the internal problems within the band I view this album as a master stroke and has the talent of Alan Wilder stamped all over it. Sadly with his departure things were never the same, but move on the Mode have. The above three albums showed the maturity of songwriter Martin Gore and were maybe the pinnacle of this line up of DM, but all roads lead to SOFD.. loved it then love it now - essential Depeche Mode

I love the boys from Essex, always have done since the early 80's. For me this is one of their finest albums, I love every track, especially the two non single songs Judas and Higher Love. Brilliant album!

I've never been a huge DM fan but I've quite liked some of their stuff over their years but not in any deep and meaningful way. Until I heard this album!! This really grabbed my attention and I still think it's their best work. Well written songs and great arrangements (although I must admit the mix and production sounds a little odd at times). I think a lot of die hard DM fans were disappointed with this album at the time as it is quite a departure from their previous work. There's certainly no jaunty synth pop in evidence here, its full of impassioned vocals, distorted guitars, strings and gospel choirs. Much more to get your teeth into than yer average DM album!

Great album

This must be in Depeche Mode's Top 5 albums !! A cracker of an album from start to finish, the Vinyl sounds superb imo and has to be in your collection

The 8th studio album - I think - by the lads from DM and the last to feature Alan Wilder as a member. This album is loved my fans of the group, it has a very 'soul-y' feel to it, so if you like soul, you'll be pleasently surprised. 'I Feel You' is a great track, has a similar western-y feel to the famous 'Personal Jesus' from Violator, the previous album. 'Walking In My Shoes' is powerful and moving, in my opinion. My friends agree that 'Mercy in You' has the sexiest guitar riff ever writen, but that's just our opinion! [...] this album is not strictly an electronic one, it features many 'conventional' musical instruments and so would make a fine addition to any music collection. Again, I want to emphasise the soul-nature of the music, so non-electronis fans please don't be afraid to listen! :D There is also a live version of this album; 'Songs of Faith and Devotion Live'.

Sonido fantástico de uno de los mejores trabajos de Depeche Mode

1993年のオリジナル発売当時より星の数ほどの回数視聴した作品ですが、 まるで別のアルバムを聴いているような感動を覚えました。5.1チャンネル音源凄い。 複雑に作り込まれた音がキメ細かく耳に届きます。スタジオでの音の鳴りに近づいたのでしょうね。 「この曲のベースって、別々の音のパーツを繋いで構成されてたんだ！」みたいな発見が随所にあります。 また、他のサウンドと分離されたボーカル、コーラスの美しさ、生々しさを堪能できました。 他の5.1チャンネル音源も聴きたくて我慢できなくなりますよきっと。

Hier hat DM reife Arbeit geleistet! Leider hat Alan Wilder die Band nach diesem Album verlassen, hier kann man sich aber nochmal wirklich gute Kompositionen und Arrangements zu Gemüte führen. Ein durchgehend gutes, wenn auch etwas düsteres, komplex ausgearbeitetes Klangerlebnis. Auch wenn dieses Album vielleicht nicht die bekanntesten Songs enthält, ist es auf jeden Fall ein Hören wert.

A little slow to deliver, but that was more on the shipping side. Great album, great customer service!

Songs Of Faith And Devotion (in and towards the female sexuality) is my overall favorite album of Depeche Mode. Perhaps it contains not quite as many beautiful melodies as Music For The Masses but the music of Songs includes more layers of sound and its complex beauty ends up growing on me more. The progression of sound of Depeche Mode from let's say A Broken Frame (1982) all the way through their latest 2009 album is an art installation in itself. From the raw and simple synthesizer driven melodies to deafening elaborate textures of noise, we have had the taste of everything in between. The songs of Depeche Mode have dealt with the captivity of male spirit by its own desire for female nature for a very long time. That seems to be Martin's overall obsession lyric wise (although their latest album seems to be less dominated by the topic) most likely because the situation affects his personal life quite a bit (and Dave's as well). Martin Gore has dealt with his own conscience on many levels, and has helped many others to face the issue by the power of his songs. Again, most often his exposure reflects upon the areas of body love. His attitude towards the unknown was revealed in a very special way back in 1984 on Blasphemous Rumors, a truly beautiful song. Aside from that single incident the concept of Higher Power according to the lyrics of Depeche Mode had a lot to do with the desire for female warmth and gentleness. Then, in 1997 something else has happened. Martin Gore wrote a song called Insight in which we heard: 'wisdom of ages rush over me heighten my senses, enlighten me lead me on eternally' Only Martin Gore could confirm or reject my sense of his (or perhaps Dave Gahan's, because of the timing of his overdose accident) personal history, but my feeling is that the experience he is fully revealing to us 4 years following Insight on Shine and reconfirming 4 years after that on Suffer Well could have either been the answer to his cry for help carried by the spirit of Insight, or perhaps the spirit of that song is carrying the beginning of Martin's revelation. Search and you will find. Ask and it will be given to you. The laws of our spiritual world and its wisdom of ages are quite different from the ones we usually rely on. Being exposed to one single difference changes your life eternally. We may need some sign from the invisible world, not necessarily on the scale of the experience Martin shares with us. Once we understand our true reality the state of enlightenment is within our reach. My favorite songs by Depeche Mode are the following: When The Body Speaks, Somebody, Judas, Waiting For The Night, Precious, It Doesn't Matter two, Sister Of The Night, Walking In My Shoes, The Things You Said, Useless, Blasphemous Rumours, Sometimes, Shine, Insight, Freestate, Never Let Me Down Again.