A pricey but rewarding collection of early singles
Josh | Boston, NY USA | 07/17/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While not all of the remixes and b-sides on this collection exactly stand out, this is a great buy for fans and collectors. The singles themselves and even a few b-sides can be found on their original albums or singles compilations, so the main reason to buy this box set is for the b-sides and remixes."Ice Machine" and "Shout" are two definite standout b-sides, also available as bonus tracks on a newer import version of Speak & Spell. "Ice Machine" is a slower meloncholy track, while "Shout" is accent by odd electronic rhythms and a great upbeat chorus section. Both are as good as, if not better than, much of the album material from this period of the band's history.Also of note are the instrumental "Oberkorn" and schizo remix of "Just Can't Get Enough", which adds a great dark instrumental section to the original track.Most of the other remixes don't really stand out, but are decent. Overall, the material here is obviously heavily rooted in the bands early 80s synthpop roots, while it has a nice balance of very upbeat singles and more meloncholy material. It's a good collection that is definitely worth getting for hardcore fans, but most casual fans wouldn't want to spend this kind of money to get the few b-sides and standard remixes."
Early DM Singles Collection Still Shines!
Mr. | USA | 04/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Box Set takes place around the early 80's and gives us the unique beginnings of one of technos most influential (if not the most influential) bands in history. Depeche Mode have always had their own sound. Everyone else just copied off of it. What you get here are the first six official singles that DM ever released, used on their first two albums, Speak And Spell & A Broken Frame, beginning with Dreaming Of Me, on through to Leave In Silence. Those disappointed that the B-sides and remixes are very few (only about 11 tracks of material not already available on their albums) should note that DM were just experimenting with remixes during this era and wouldn't get into it full swing till around their third album, Construction Time Again. Some standout tracks are Ice Machine (don't know why it wasn't on Speak And Spell), Shout (Rio Mix), the instrumental Oberkorn (It's A Small Town) (very nice), and a fairly odd mix of The Meaning Of Love. A special note to Mute Records: How about re-releasing this Box Set (as well as the other two) in the USA? I was very disappointed that I had to order these as Imports when they were originally released in the US to begin with. This really makes me think you don't have much faith in American Fans! We're here, believe me.
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Track Listings (21) - Disc #1