The Singles 81>85 cover

The Singles 81>85

Released

Initially released as Catching Up With Depeche Mode, a handy summary of their singles up to that point, the retitled Singles 81-85 compilation, fleshed out with an extra track or two, remains a perfect entry point for the band’s early work, not to mention a clear demonstration of just how quickly and commandingly they came into their own. Besides a slew of stellar singles drawn from various albums, there’s the striking standalone “Get The Balance Right” as well as a couple of then-new songs, including the wonderful moody groove of “Shake the Disease.”

Ned Raggett

Suggestions
Cowboy cover

Cowboy

Erasure
Micro-Phonies cover

Micro-Phonies

Cabaret Voltaire
Filigree and Shadow cover

Filigree and Shadow

This Mortal Coil
Toy Love cover

Toy Love

Toy Love
Killing Joke cover

Killing Joke

Killing Joke
Too Young to Die cover

Too Young to Die

Saint Etienne
Gothic Halloween cover

Gothic Halloween

Various Artists
Republic cover

Republic

New Order
Anastasis cover

Anastasis

Dead Can Dance
Duality cover

Duality

Lisa Gerrard, Pieter Bourke
Closer cover

Closer

Joy Division