Some Great Reward

Released in September 1984, Some Great Reward marks the definitive transition of Depeche Mode from 'bubblegum' synth-pop stars to serious architects of industrial-pop. Recorded largely at Hansa Mischstudio in West Berlin, the album was heavily influenced by the city's avant-garde scene and the pioneering sampling work of Einstürzende Neubauten. This influence is most evident in the use of the Emulator sampler, which allowed the band to incorporate 'found' sounds like clanging metal, water pipes, and machinery into their rhythmic structures. The album peaked at number five in the UK and served as their breakthrough in the US, fueled by the controversial success of 'People Are People' (though notably absent from some editions, its spirit defines the era). Critics at the time, including those at Melody Maker, noted a 'remarkable development' in the band's maturity. The record is also significant for Alan Wilder's increased technical contributions and the emergence of Martin Gore's more provocative lyrical themes, ranging from the BDSM-tinged 'Master and Servant' to the atheistic inquiry of 'Blasphemous Rumours.'