Black Celebration

Depeche Mode

Released on 17/03/1986 by Venusnote Ltd.
Main artists: Depeche Mode
Genre: Pop/Rock

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Whether the band felt it was simply the time to move on from its most explicit industrial-pop fusion days, or whether increased success and concurrently larger venues pushed the music into different avenues, Depeche Mode's fifth studio album, Black Celebration, saw the group embarking on a path that in many ways defined their sound to the present: emotionally extreme lyrics matched with amped-up tunes, as much anthemic rock as they are compelling dance, along with stark, low-key ballads. The slow, sneaky build of the opening title track, with a strange distorted vocal sample providing a curious opening hook, sets the tone as David Gahan sings of making it through "another black day" while powerful drums and echoing metallic pings carry the song. Black Celebration is actually heavier on the ballads throughout, many sung by Martin Gore -- the most per album he has yet taken lead on -- with notable dramatic beauties including "Sometimes," with its surprise gospel choir start and rough piano sonics, and the hyper-nihilistic "World Full of Nothing." The various singles from the album remain definite highlights, such as "A Question of Time," a brawling, aggressive number with a solid Gahan vocal, and the romantic/physical politics of "Stripped," featuring particularly sharp arrangements from Alan Wilder. However, with such comparatively lesser-known but equally impressive numbers as the quietly intense romance of "Here Is the House" to boast, Black Celebration is solid through and through.

© Ned Raggett /TiVo

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Black Celebration

Depeche Mode

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Black Celebration

00:04:57

Dave Gahan, Producer - Dave Gahan, Vocals - Martin L. Gore, Producer - Martin L. Gore, Keyboards - Depeche Mode, Assistant Engineer - Gareth Jones, Producer - Peter Schmidt, Assistant Engineer - Richard Sullivan, Assistant Engineer - Daniel Miller, Producer - Andy Fletcher, Producer - Andy Fletcher, Keyboards - Alan Wilder, Producer - Alan Wilder, Keyboards

(P) 1986 Depeche Mode/Mute Records Ltd, a BMG company, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment

Fly On the Windscreen (Final)

00:05:19

Dave Gahan, Producer - Dave Gahan, Vocals - Martin L. Gore, Producer - Martin L. Gore, Keyboards - Depeche Mode, Assistant Engineer - Dave Allen, Recording Engineer - Andy Fletcher, Producer - Andy Fletcher, Keyboards - Alan Wilder, Producer - Alan Wilder, Keyboards