And now, with track six, we have my favorite song on the album, “Enjoy the Silence.” It is a beautiful song with a beautiful message, about how words can often ruin a perfect moment between lovers. Sometimes we just need to learn how to shut up and enjoy the silence. The words of the chorus are pure poetry: “All I ever wanted, All I ever needed is here in my arms / Words are very unnecessary / They can only do harm.”
“Enjoy the Silence” has been covered by numerous bands, and for good reason. It is amazing, end of story. It is the crowning jewel of one of the best albums of 1990. Even if you don’t think Violator is up your alley, at least find this song.
The only other song worthy of mention on Violator is “Policy of Truth.” It has the same catchy synth-pop thing going for it that makes their more upbeat tracks so great.
Unfortunately, the album lags in quality following "Policy of Truth." Don’t get me wrong; the songs are good. They are just not great. But to end my examination of Violator's tunes on a positive note, the first seven tracks are amazing enough to counterbalance the three so-so ones at the end.
Violator is a fun and unique album. You do not even have to even be fan of synth-pop to enjoy it - I certainly wasn't when I bought it. Actually, it is hard to imagine anyone not liking the album after giving it a shot. Despite the uniqueness of the band, Depeche Mode is also highly accessible and they definitely grow on you.
And better yet, practically every song on the album is danceable. That is, if you don’t mind taking a trip back to 1990. But in the case of Violator, that is a trip you will be willing to take fairly often. Four and a half out of five stars.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Nice Review...
With albums like Violator,Songs of Faith & Devotion and Ultra, I've always had a hard time considering them "synth-pop". When I hear that term I think of about a lot of those shallow bands that are disrupting the airwaves nowadays. Plus, they didn't completely rely on synthesizers...They pretty much had a full band (drums,guitar,vocals) They really weren't mainstream either if I recall correctly. They had the freedom of the alternative bands in the 80's & 90's but they also had the ability to break through a few times and it almost always seemed "at will". I, personally, see them as a post Industrial/Electronic band.
Still, Violator is a brilliant piece of work! IMO,their best track is "Halo"
2 - Sabrina
What about Halo? That is probably one of the best songs off that album!
3 - Kyle
Yes I know Halo's amazing! I think I gave it a sentence but at the time I wrote this I couldn't really think of anything to write about it.
4 - Stripped
Good Man, It nice to see the young people are discovering Depeche Mode, Im 40's years old been listening to them since I was 14 back in 1982....
Spread the message to all the youngsters they are fantastic Live
5 - Mary
Depeche Mode belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their breakthroughs in synth-pop, their superstar status, their enduring music and just because they are so damn good. Love them!
Their entire catalogue is worthwhile. Would love to see reviews on all of their albums and I liked this review a lot.
6 - Steve
Such a fantastic review, until the bit about the end tracks - Blasphemy! ;-)
'Clean' is one of the best tracks on the album, along with 'Halo'. For me personally, you can skip 'Sweetest Perfection'.
Fav track :'World In My Eyes'. Dead sexy.