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The Singles 81>85 | 
 enlarge | Artist: Depeche Mode
Label: Reprise / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy Used: $1.39
You Save: $12.59 (90%)
New (44) Used (38) Collectible (2) from $1.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 13094
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 47298
UPC: 093624729822
EAN: 0093624729822
ASIN: B00000HY5N
Release Date: January 19, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Complete with original disc(s), case, and artwork. In stock and ships today. Case has some minor damage.
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| Tracks:
| • | Dreaming of Me - Depeche Mode, Clarke, Vince | | • | New Life - Depeche Mode, Clarke, Vince | | • | Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode, Clarke, Vince | | • | See You | | • | The Meaning of Love | | • | Leave in Silence | | • | Get the Balance Right! | | • | Everything Counts | | • | Love in Itself | | • | People Are People | | • | Master and Servant | | • | Rumours | | • | Somebody | | • | Shake the Disease | | • | It's Called a Heart | | • | Photographic - Depeche Mode, Clarke, Vince | | • | Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode, Clarke, Vince |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The question we have to ask is "Why?" Depeche Mode released The Singles, 86-98 because there was no comprehensive singles collection representing 1986 through 1998. But why release a singles compilation covering 1981 through 1985 when Catching Up with Depeche Mode already covers this turf? For one thing, the singles "Leave in Silence," "Everything Counts," and "People Are People," which were absent from Catching Up, are included here. All the songs are digitally remastered, but how much does digital enhancement really do to improve the sound of early-'80s synth-pop, which is so dated? Not much. However, it's natural to release a comprehensive singles collection that nicely coincides with 86-98. Both compilations are great for first-timers. And the two remixes on 81-85 ("Photographic [Some Bizarre Version]" and "Just Can't Get Enough [Schizo Mix]") will snag collectors. But maybe the answer has nothing to do with marketable packaging. DM have always fancied themselves as notorious. The liner notes for 81-85 include one negative review and one positive for each song. Perhaps as an attempt to fend off the specter of "where are they now?" Depeche Mode feel the need to remind us how controversial they are by reminding us how controversial they were. --Beth Bessmer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
 Depending on your Mode October 12, 2008
Others, most, may have more familiarity with Depeche Mode. History and Hysteria. I only bought the export EPs when they came out in the early '80's. Depeche Mode at that time were against the grain of emerging hair metal and had a sense of melody that sounded fresh and fun. + true love of something. Depeche Mode were at the basis, a POP band, and as true of their time as Elvis, Beatles, etc..
This complelation of early singles "gets the balance right". It misses favorites like "Route 66" and extended mixes, but as a bargain toss, "everything counts...."
 i love depeche mode! September 4, 2007
i love depeche mode and this cd offers a sample of some of their best remixes/singles. i highly recommend it!
 Horrible sound quality!! April 16, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Don't misinterpret this review. Depeche Mode is one of my favorite bands, and these songs are absolutely awesome. However, the mastering on this CD is atrocious. ALL the songs are compressed and clipped, ruining the dynamics of each song. If you take a look at the waveforms of the tracks, you'll see what I mean. It sounds TOO loud and distorted.
Do yourself a favor and find yourself the earlier Singles: 81-85 compilation or Catching Up with Depeche Mode if you live in the States ( although you'll be missing Get the Balance Right, People Are People, and Leave in Silence, but those can be found on the People Are People compilation album ).
This also goes for the mastering on the 86-98 compilation.
"How much does digital enhancement really do to improve the sound of early-'80s synth pop?" February 4, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The above editorial review states:
"All the songs are digitally remastered, but how much does digital enhancement really do to improve the sound of early-'80s synth-pop, which is so dated? Not much."
I completely disagree! It's not a matter of the music sounding dated. It's a matter of the actual sound of the music, which has been improved hugely! I've been doing an A/B comparison between the 2006 'The Best Of - Vol 1' Depeche Mode release and this 1998 'Singles 81>85', and the differences are clear. One would think that the 2006 version would sound better since it was released nearly 8 years after the 1998 version. This, however, is not the case at all. The 1998 disc sounds much better than the 2006 disc. That's not to say that the 2006 disc sounds bad. It just isn't up to the 1998 standards.
The differences are simply the result of the mastering engineers. Simon Heyworth mastered the 2006 best of, whereas Mike Marsh and Roland Brown got it right the first time in 1998 on this compilation. Heyworth's mastering seems to be restrained, sticking closely to the original mastering from the 80s without giving the tracks the extra punch and depth as heard in recent masters. The Marsh/Brown collaboration, on the other hand, gives the tracks bass and fullness, making them sound heavy.
With an excellent digital remastering and a solid tracklisting, 'Singles 81>85' is an essential part of any DM fan collection.
Depeche Mode's better half December 31, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is classic Depeche Mode. Before they became Americanized, when they were just 4 English lads playing good synth-pop. Before their music deteriorated after "Music For The Masses". Their later stuff pales in comparison to the earlier thought-provoking music. From the chirpy "Dreaming Of Me" to the brooding,deep "Blasphemous Rumours", this cd scores a big hit. New Depeche Mode fans missed out on this era, and they can now experience what it was like. And people who've followed the band from the early 80's can relive the magic. Classic Mode, where have you gone?
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