[.ca] Singles Box 1

Depeche Mode - 1981-82.:
Over a decade ago, Depeche Mode released three limited edition box sets of all their singles from 1981-87. Being the huge Depeche Mode fan that I am, I immediately purchased all of them, and then, for reasons unexplained, I sold them at a used record shop. It was one of the dumbest mistakes I made as a music lover, and I lived to regret it for years. So when I heard that the box sets were going to be re-released (with an additional three more), I was the happiest camper, and I wasted no time buying them again. "Singles Box 1" covers the Mode from 1981-82, and it has their first six singles "Dreaming of Me," "New Life," "Just Can't Get Enough," "See You," "The Meaning of Love," and "Leave in Silence." Each of these singles is featured in its original artwork with the b-sides and/or remixes. I won't comment much on the singles, which are already familiar to many DM fans, but I will comment on other tracks such as the Vince Clarke-penned "Shout!," the frigid "Ice Machine," and the extended version of "The Meaning of Love." The first two songs present a more dark and hard-edged Depeche Mode, and they're a far cry from later mainstream hits like "Enjoy the Silence." As for the booklet, don't expect liner notes or a ton of photos of the band; it only has the tracklisting. Even so, this box set, and the remaining five, are must-own purchases for any fan of the Mode.

• DREAMING OF ME
• ICE MACHINE
• NEW LIFE (Remix)
• SHOUT
• SHOUT (Remix)
• JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH
• ANY SECOND NOW
• JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH (Schizo Mix)
• ANY SECOND NOW (Remix)
• SEE YOU (Extended Version)
• NOW THIS IS FUN
• NOW THIS IS FUN (Remix)
• THE MEANING OF LOVE
• OBERKORN (IT'S A SMALL TOWN)
• THE MEANING OF LOVE (Extended Version)
• OBERKORN (IT'S A SMALL TOWN) (Remix)
• LEAVE IN SILENCE
• (EXCERPT FROM) MY SECRET GARDEN
• LEAVE IN SILENCE (Longer)
• (FURTHER EXCERPTS FROM) MY SECRET GARDEN
• LEAVE IN SILENCE (Quieter)