A few darker undertones are already sensible ( Leave In Silence), but most of it just follows the teen synthpop simplicity of its predecessor. Martin Gore tried to step in but surely wasn’t on the genius level we all fell in love with later. Having lost their main songwriter, Vince Clarke, after the first album clearly had an impact. Worst Part Of It: You can sense the transitional character of A Broken Frame through the entire album. Feel free to share your input if you don’t agree with it. Everything counts in large amounts: here’s my definitive ranking.

But it also helps to document the ups and downs in the group’s vital biography. Being a lifelong fan of the group, I ranked all 14 Depeche Mode albums so far from worst to best (including Spirit) and yes, I am very much aware that this isn’t the most objective list. And just in case you are going for the second option, I have you covered.

You can start chronologically or by picking the best ones. Since it’s never too late to discover the band’s almost four-decades-long discography, now might be a good time to do so. Ultra turns 20 while Music For The Masses turns 30. 2017 is also the year when two important records in the band’s discography celebrate big birthdays. Back in March, the British synthpop heavyweights returned with their 14th full-length called Spirit, and it looks like they aren’t interested in retiring just yet they’re now even discovering their political take in these darkened times. 2017 has been another exciting year for all Depeche Mode fans.

Music depeche mode