Depeche Mode is right up there with The Cure for me, and they have really stood the test of time.  Some of their songs are really dark, like Blasphemous Rumours and little Fifteen, but some of them are just really beautiful, like Somebody. They also sound really great live.

Alternative to what? Listening to static is much more enjoyable than this crap. Never have and never will do any thing worth listening to.

Ah...DM reminds me of junior high. Not that that's a great thing, but those goth/waver/synth pop chicks sure were cute. Catching Up, Violator and Music for the Masses are all you really need from DM though (+ maybe 101). Anything post-Violator must be purged from your music collection. I mean it!

... DEPECHE MODE UBER ALLES ...

Simply the best ;o)

When they were good they were REALLY good. No one can cover a stage and sell a song like David Gahan. One of the best bands of the 80s.

Depeche Mode is one of those bands I am a bit hesitant to rate as my experience is primarily via the band's singles and compilations. Given the fanaticism of the fan base for the band, Depeche Mode could be considered the Grateful Dead of the alternative/synth pop genre. For the more casual fan or one just starting to approach Depeche Mode, the obvious place to start are the two compilations Catching Up With Depeche Mode (or better yet The Singles 81>85) and The Singles 86>98, the latter of which includes some of my personal favorites, namely Never Let Me Down Again, Personal Jesus, and Barrel Of A Gun. For those wondering, depeche mode is French for fast fashion.

If one gets past the new wave goth visuals they'll find this band to be exceptional. The music is dark, sexy, and crisp. The song writing and musicianship is superb. Try out Music for the Masses, and Black Celebration. Recommended.

I like some of their hits (Policy of Truth, World in My Eyes, etc.) but some of their music is a little too weird. I have to be in the mood for it.

Words cannot express how great Depeche Mode is and was ! Especially their early 80's work. It is a band you either love or hate. And I LOVE them. People Are People is probably their best song ever. I recommend them to everyone. I also recommend Just Can't Get Enough and Question of Time...great songs....very clubby and danceable !

FANTASTIC. THEIR "TRY WALKIN MY SHOES" IS 1 OF THE BEST SONGS EVER.

Better than The Beatles, perhaps???

for surviving suicide, 5 great songs at least and almost 25 yrs in the biz major kudos!

Good for what it was.

Early stuff was good, Violator was immense, Songs of Faith was superb, in decline since. Too many slow songs on their last tour - but I'll be there next time.

One of my favourite bands ever. Great allround act that are superb live, with great energy and prescence from frontman Dave Gahan. Took drugs and drink taking to true rock excesses, and have cleaned up their act today. Check out 'Violator' 1990 for proof of talent.

their lyrics and music are poetry

I had always heard of Depeche Mode and been aware they exsisted. I had no idea how beautiful and amazing their music was until my sophmore year of high school. They are masters of incapsuling romance,heartache,lust and dark beauty within all each and every album with untouchable perfection.These guys deserve to be superstars, but they aren't. That's fine by me. They seem cool with it as well. They are in it for the art and that's all that matters. Depeche Mode is an astonishing band and should be given a shot if you haven't listened to one of their albums in its entirity. I recommend Black Celebration. It is my favorite and in my opinion their best album. Especially the songs Fly on the Windscreen and Stripped. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This has to be one of my favorite bands of all time. It's rare that a band can continue making truly good music after a considerable amount of time. Especially music as good as Depeche Mode's. The music made in the early 80's is just as good as the music made in the late 80's which is just as good as the music made in the 90's and 2000's. I had their album of singles (and promptly lost it) and I absolutley ADORED it. I had to go out and buy the single of 'stripped' which is, in my opinion, the best D.P. song. I also have Exciter, which is an exceptional album. Martin Gore is such a gifted songwriter and Dave Gahan's voice is so emotional and resounding. I love songs like "Enjoy the Silence", "Everything Counts", "People are People", "It's No Good"(there are many more, I just can't remember them at the moment:S)..god so much wonderful music. A classic, amazing band.

If it wasn't for the fact they sold out, I would still consider them my all time favorite.

I love all their music and Dave Gahan's voice it so soothing.

They were my favorite band in highschool. Now, no. They can still play a good tune or two though.

Innovative, intelligent, sensitive, sexy, charismatic! Stamina that's lasted 20 years strong with never-ending creativity and solid songs throughout. My favorite band EVER!!!!

I am so lucky to have discovered the music of Depeche Mode about 2 years ago. They are brilliant artists who write the most dark, hear-felt songs. Listening to their music, I sink into another world... a better world. I urge all depeche mode fans to check them out live on their upcoming tour this summer. It is sure to be a blast!

DM are the best band EVER!!!!. How I feel when i listen to their songs?, ummm... I don't know, I feel into another world!!!. I love DM, I will always love DM.

I have been in love with this band for almost 20 years! I remember watching their very first video, "People are People" on MTV (am I showing my age or what?) I especially love David Gahan, too bad he couldn't wait around for me to grow up and marry-LOL. And so what if his neck is too long? That beautiful voice that comes out of it is what makes me melt! I even had my husband play "Music for the Masses" while I was giving birth to my son! They are the greatest band in the world and they're still making great music. Most other '80's bands were just one-hit wonders but not my guys! Their music just keeps getting better and better. Way to go DM!

Dave's voice is beautiful, sometimes haunting, melodic, chilling and warm all at once. Martin was the greatest songwriter in the 80s and early 90s...with the best leather skirts money could buy ;o) *laughs* Alan was the serious pianist, and a damn good one at that. And Andrew...my sweet gorgeous beautiful Andrew...as he put it...just "messed around". MY FAVORITE BAND OF ALL TIME!!!!!

They were ALL I listened to as a teenager!

They changed my point of view about music. I want to explain how I feel when I´m listening to some songs of them, but I can't.... (it's very close and personal)

Depeche Mode are the only band capable of turning a dark, (monotonous?), serious tune into a song of pure beauty. They're the best Synthpop band to come out of the 80's. And "Enjoy the silence" is a masterpiece. ADVICE: Try listening more than once to their songs, before forming an opinion, their music will grow on you, and trust me that'll be worth it!

DEPECHE MODE IS THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD. It's true! I have never been so enthusiastic and completely enamored with a music group until Depeche Mode came into my life! The most moody, delicious, sexy, beautiful, dark songs imaginable all performed by the most moody, delicious, sexy, adorable guys EVER!! It's too much for a young girl's heart. Go out and buy all Depeche Mode's cd's right now! You won't be sorry. I LOVE DEPECHE MODE and so can you!

DM is the best pop-rock group in the world!Gore is genius about creating music.They are not like this shi.s like Backsteet Boys and Boyzone etc. BTW: Ultra is very dark album and I like it so...

Wussy sensitive artists!

This band is my salvation!!! Dave Gahan is the only man who can pull off a pair of white jeans. This was the first band I fell in love with and the love affair has lasted 10 years. I only wish they would tour again. Please fall in love with them!!!

Pretentious and Dave Gahan's neck is too long

don't sing

This was my favorite band in High School. Also, the very best concert I have ever been to was their 1999 tour "the best of" in Phoenix.

I'd have to agree with anonymous to a certain extent, but blasphemous rumours is great. The best track has to be enjoy the silence.

Great band - I remember dying my hair with Sun-In in the front to look like Dave Gahan back when i was in 8th grade. Great live band even though they played their synthesizers for the whole show. Poor dave seems to be a little mixed up these days - one of the biggest fan followings for a non-mainstream band for their time.

I recommend DM's Greatest hits from 1980-1985. Some great catchy tunes on there, as well as some not so catchy, great songs (eg Blasphemous Rumors).