DEPECHE MODE - CATCHING UP WITH DEPECHE MODE

This is a weird one because I've more or less stopped listening to Depeche Mode for awhile now.  I've been so disenchanted with their recent material and as such, I've kinda shelved their back catalog.  I was walking past my CD shelf the other day and I reached out and just snatched a random disc to listen to while I was driving.  This was the one.  And after listening to it for a bit, I was reminded how much I loved this band growing up in the 80's and how great this music actually is.

If I remember correctly, "Catching Up With Depeche Mode" was the American version of a singles compilation released in the UK.  The tracklisting on the US and UK versions are quite different.  The US version focuses on the hits, but also includes UK single releases that didn't appear on albums as well as songs the record label felt appealed more to US audiences.  The UK version is essentially a singles collection of all their UK single releases.

Now here's the thing about Depeche Mode...  Over the years, these guys have been masterful at creating a collectible catalog.  Part of what fuels the band are releases and when they don't have anything new in the pipeline, they make sure they stay relevant by re-releasing older material in some way.  They'll update remixes or create a new compilation package.  No matter how they do it, the average Depeche Mode fan will tell you they've bought a song like 'Personal Jesus' or 'People Are People' dozens of times over in their various official incarnations on various official albums, e.p.'s and singles.

For the average collector who just wants the album tracks, most of these releases are redundant; and let me say, this disc is no exception.  Virtually all of this material was released on singles or albums before ending up on this compilation.  Outside of the artwork, there's no real value in this disc whatsoever.  And yet, I bought it.  Way back when.

Because this music shows up on other releases and I'll discuss the songs in depth when I get to those albums, I'm not going to delve into them here.  Let me just say because of this CD, more older Depeche Mode albums have ended up in my CD player of the past couple of weeks and so many memories are returning.  I feel like I've reconnected to a part of my past I'd lost.  It's been a sentimental time.

There's no real reason for me to encourage you to buy this disc and I'm not sure I should.  There are many more greatest hits and singles collections released that more thoroughly document the history of this group.  And with better sound quality.  But there you go...  Here it is and my final words are:  LOVELY MEMORY BRINGER.  LIKE A SPLASH OF COOL, CLEAR WATER ON MY FACE.  GREAT COMPILATION IN ITS DAY.

DEPECHE MODE - CATCHING UP WITH DEPECHE MODE
01. Dreaming Of Me
02. New Life
03. Just Can't Get Enough
04. See You
05. The Meaning Of Love
06. Love In Itself
07. Master And Servant
08. Blasphemous Rumours
09. Somebody
10. Shake The Disease
11. Flexible
12. It's Called A Heart
13. Fly On The Windscreen