This album would arguably upon its release set the new standard for electronica music as we know. Up until this album, nothing that I know of- or had personally heard- had such a level of not only complexity in its build of songs, but that level of advanced production in terms of the quality of sound. Electronica as we knew it had in the blink of an eye not only grown up, but reached a new level of etherealism and advancements. Wow!!!! And, it's my humble opinion that furthermore, the more particular sound of all snare drums as we've since heard them was firmly established on this album... (and it started with the subtle, yet so effective change at the beginning of Policy of Truth). That little nuance along was something I'd never heard before. If you find this to be true as I did back when it came out, you too will never listen to anything -made post Violator- the same again. Brilliantly and masterfully crafted song writing ever slightly so much further than Black Celebration... and bam, we've got ourselves a landmark piece of music composition!!!! I'll again credit the production side and the complexities of what Depeche were able to put forth... and I too will agree with the review on the home page of Depeche and say I totally agree with Derrick May citing Depeche Mode "as a major influence." Why?? Because of this album... period!!!!