The 12" Singles

Well, I don't get the curation of the whole series...
Because non album single Get The Balance Right was a part of the third box, I assumed that the series will include all standard (commercial) European singles. In that case, some top important releases are missing:
Bong 8: Shake The Disease
Bong 9: It's Called A Heart
But also:
Bong 16: Everything Counts - live (by the way from 101 album)
Bong 29: Only When I Lose Myself
Bong 34: Enjoy The Silence 04
Bong 39: Martyr
Bong 43: Personal Jesus 2011
On the other hand, there are a few pleasant surprises:
Dreaming Of Me first time on 12", flexipop 011 split Sometimes Sometimes Wish I Was Dead, promo versions of World In My Eyes or Playing The Angel album. And even so far unreleased The Highline Sessions will be included in announced Spirit 12" Singles box (as bong 50).
Strange, strange, strange...

I am merging stuff and noticing something that isn't a huge surprise since they aren't attached to albums as listed in the singles boxset. The singles and b-sides of It's Called a Heart and Shake the Disease Singles/EPs are missing which includes some mixes of things like Fly on the Windscreen that also didn't make it in the Black Celebration singles. I am sure I will find more like that, although I am more into stuff that is before Music for the Masses.

“Anyone want to hazard a guess at how much the Violator box will cost?” – Jarren.

That (was and is) an interesting question. And now we know ($140 at time of sale). The interesting thing is how quickly that box sold out and the price is going up on its collectability. I suppose Violator was always going to be the dearheart of these boxes. It’s a strong album, tore through America like wildfire. But why should the American value system dictate what is the peak of Depeche Mode Britpop band? I wouldn’t state Violator is my favourite album and can get a bit tired of hearing it. Depeche Mode had done so much before Violator. The Germans hugely appreciated the electronic progress of the pre-Violator albums.

As a fan, I love all the albums before Violator for different reasons and I even like “What’s Your Name”, I really don’t understand why it’s not cool to say that – it’s a funny ditty and is part of a wide DM catalogue. I could see it perfectly suiting a film, suddenly becoming a number one, with the safety of numbers people would be raving.

Then, A Broken Frame. Such magisterial beauty, every track is stunning – some tracks seem totally forgotten in time (My Secret Garden and The Sun and the Rainfall). For pure music pleasure, I might pick this album as a favourite, but that would dismiss the importance of how DM evolved with their electronic sound through Construction Time, to Black Celebration (fantastically dark) and Music for the Masses. With each album DM would evolve and truly surprise, their movement, change and progress made them great (possibly the greatest of what they do).

So, an interesting thing is the saleability of such an expensive endeavour (buying ALL the 12”s by the box, at a price higher than the singles originally were). An edition of 16,000 boxes selling out! I don't think the other 80s Britpop elites (U2, Siouxsie Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen . . .) could do this so successfully. And I’m glad really – Depeche Mode have done well, the song writing, the music, it deserves to be played and ed as some of the best music of its time and beyond. That the music sells is a testament of their enduring quality. And the strong song writing means other artists can cover them . . .

I’m glad as a fan, I bought the singles all as they came out, so don’t need these new boxes (or have the space for them). And yes, I took care of them. I’m a bit envious of the new boxes, including the 2020 “MODE” box, but whatever, good to see DM appreciated.

Anyone want to hazard a guess at how much the Violator box will cost?

After seeing the prices for CTA / SGR I'm out. I really can't justify paying $$$ for music that I already have, perfectly fine original copies.

Yes, the mastering sounds fantastic. I've read that the live tracks from the L12 sets have been noticeably improved.

But honestly, I'm not going to spend triple figures for less hum on some live recordings.

And as the series continues, I find less interest. Especially post-Violator, who really wants all those outhouse remixes again?

And when will this series conclude? Will we go all the way up to Spirit? Personally, although I'm not buying this series, I think it should end at Violator.

Release BC / MFTM next spring, then Violator in the summer. A 9x12" behemoth, priced at $200 (there's my guess). You'll need a dedicated square on your Expedit shelves just to hold it.

/rant