Depeche Mode - ViolaterThe first Depeche album to sell over a million copies in the United States, Violator is often regarded as Depeche Mode's finest work. Not only containing the world hits "Personal Jesus" (later beautifully reinterpreted by Johnny Cash) and "Enjoy The Silence" (with its epic video), each and every song on Violator is worthy of mentioning: for instance the beautiful and haunting album closer "Clean", and two further hit singles "Policy Of Truth" and

and accompanied by in-depth sleevenotes from Mojo’s Keith Cameron (based on recent and exclusive interviews with J Mascis)

there we were: five guys in a cellar flat on Earl’s Court

honest songs about everything from breakups to the passing of Ehrlich‰۪s grandfather

the last of which with vocals from his daughter Ruby Parker recorded in Chicago by John McEntire

A’ by Jean Jacques-Perrey

I preferred to find inspiration from the surreality of the mundane

Death and despair shroud the album

the tendency towards existentialism and black humour is nuanced with an almost naive openness and engagement

Follow-up LP ‘Fairweather Friend’ goes a step further – absorbing the sonic attack of their live shows

The album also contains a stunning version of the title track from the live album Time Fades Away that would not surface until later in 1973

The Orchids gained a passionate following: people knew a good thing when they heard it and they hugged it close

The foursome deliver a diverse set consisting of three Henderson originals including the remarkable title track and the Monkish “Isotope