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Violator is quite possibly Depeche Mode's artistic peak. Within its 47 minutes, the band finally achieve the balance of happy depression that they'd been searching for all these years. Starting out with the appealing World in my Eyes, in which Alan Wilder's musical direction and David Gahan's passionate vocals create a vehicle for Martin Gore's introspective, haunting lyrics.
It is a good track from which to build, and Violator certainly builds. Track 2 (Sweetest Perfection), sung by Gore, is darkly disturbing, in the same way as Question of Time and Question of Lust from Music for the Masses. Harmony vocals from the other three band members, plus an insistent bass line carry the listener to the heart of the band's depression.
For me, the highlight of the album is the pairing of Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth. Missing from their respective singles, these two tracks are separated by a sonic nadir akin to the tuning of instruments in a classical concert. It works well, taking the listener between two songs, both of which combine negative, rebuking lyrics ("You had something to hide / Should have hidden it, shouldn't you" from Policy of Truth), with upbeat, quick, almost happy melodies. Live, these two tracks are fantastic for this very reason.
Violator is one of my favourite albums ever. Certainly my favourite Depeche Mode album, although not by much!
10/10
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