Depeche Mode ‎– Violator

21 Year's old today, March 19 2011. Though time has been unkind to many records released in the 1990's this is one album that has stood the test of time. Thanks in large part, no doubt, to the production skills of Flood in tandem with Alan Wilders skills as a musician and Martin L. Gore's talent as a song writer.

The trio's talents came together, in what now seems to be some sort of miraculous feat, and honed an album that has more than stood the test of time, but also serves as an example and often as a template to all producers and artists, in the bedroom or in a multi million dollar studio, of how to make an electronic album that doesn't sound electronic, a rock record that doesn't sound like rock, an ambient album that isn't ambient and first and foremost an album that doesn't tell you where its come from or where its going to.

These are all the feats that came together over a 12 month period somewhere in Denmark, Italy and London and made by four men that forever has left a mark on the international musical landscape. At 12 million + sales, Depeche Mode's Violator can't be wrong.

One of the best and most influencial synthpop records of all time. This marked the apex of DM's career, and the music reflects their self-enduced renaissance. The music is dark and volatile, while still poppy and dancy. The lyrics are moody and pessimistic, which helps convey the themes of love, mistrust, and abandoned hope.