The Singles 81>85 cover

The Singles 81>85

Released

Initially released as Catching Up With Depeche Mode, a handy summary of their singles up to that point, the retitled Singles 81-85 compilation, fleshed out with an extra track or two, remains a perfect entry point for the band’s early work, not to mention a clear demonstration of just how quickly and commandingly they came into their own. Besides a slew of stellar singles drawn from various albums, there’s the striking standalone “Get The Balance Right” as well as a couple of then-new songs, including the wonderful moody groove of “Shake the Disease.”

Ned Raggett

Suggestions
Home Is in Your Head cover

Home Is in Your Head

His Name Is Alive
Porcupine cover

Porcupine

Echo & the Bunnymen
Travelogue cover

Travelogue

The Human League
Wild! cover

Wild!

Erasure
Toward the Within cover

Toward the Within

Dead Can Dance
Kaleidoscope cover

Kaleidoscope

Siouxsie & the Banshees
Toy Love cover

Toy Love

Toy Love
Organisation cover

Organisation

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark