30 Years Of Synth Pop Being Cool: A Reflection On Depeche Mode's Violator
The record is a slick set of winding synth pop songs with effortlessly smooth production and a distinct edge that separated it from the synth pop of old, while keeping the fundamentals in tact. The album is most remembered by its four singles, the first of which is the timeless lambasting of the status quo Personal Jesus. The hard blues inspired riff of the track served as a call to arms when followed by lyrics denoting the weak immediacy of the modern world, and those immaculate chants of "Reach Out And Touch Faith". The albums second single is its most defining moment, and one of the greatest contributions to music they, or any group, have ever made. Enjoy The Silence is a slick up-tempo synth pop number caked in all the drama of love and loss. With the brilliant infectious lead vocals of frontman Dave Gahan the song was an instant classic upon arrival. Like so many other tracks on the record it trades out the generic brevity of some of the genres weakest hits and replaces it with a dense and rewarding composition, that when repeated across the records nine tracks equates to absolute bliss. The albums opener was its final promotional single World In My Eyes and it gets the record started off on an absolute treat as its icy synth notes pair blissfully with the slow developing vocal refrains. The final note on the records singles is played by the incredible Policy Of Truth an absolute banger that refuses to go light on the instrumental for the sake of the listener. Its synth chords crash repeatedly into the songs mix only to be one-upped by the catchy dynamic and immediate hook delivered with an overlay of swagger that songs of this nature rarely see.
Though many of its most acclaimed contributions are among the singles the other half of the record is no less a treat all in its own. From the twangy guitar riffs and defiant love of Sweetest Perfection to the frigid intimacy of Halo the record is filled with treats from start to finish. The latter pleases with driving percussion and a rising vocal passage that helps it guide into effective hooky moments time and time again over a wonderful 5 minutes. At six minutes Waiting For The Night isn't afraid to take its time delivering its punches. As the etched darkness slowly turns into one of the records prettiest moments with breathy vocals and beautiful fluttering synthesizers, the song is proof the band is still more than comfortable combining their new aesthetic with some intimate feelings. The record ends off on yet another pair of fantastic moments starting with the almost alien Blue Dress. The song manages its outerwordly aesthetic with distant warbled synths that back Dave's creepy but painstakingly realized lead vocals. The song also comes out of nowhere to deliver one of the records catchiest hooks with its slow developing but completely intoxicating melody. The closing moment Clean is truly a palette cleanser that lets out everything the band has to offer right before the records end. With booming percussion, angelic synth lines and a cutthroat lead vocal performance the song is a booming outro that leaves no stone unturned by the time you've finished all of Violator.
30 years later the record is as catchy, crisp and cool as it was the day it released. The album is a testament to everyone involved who not only made music that was forward thinking within a popular genre, but did it so effectively that it still sounds so fresh exactly 30 years later. One of the best synth pop records, one of the best albums of the 90's, and the crown jewel of one of Britain's most loved discographies, Violator is the very definition of a classic, and absolutely essential listening still in 2020.
For more classics of British 90's music check out our ranking of the Blur Discography from last year for the 25th anniversary of Parklife here
