Songs of Faith and Devotion

by Depeche Mode

Overview

In between Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion, a lot happened: Nirvana rewrote the ideas of what "alternative" was supposed to be, while Nine Inch Nails hit the airwaves as the most clearly Depeche-influenced new hit band around. In the meantime, the band went through some high-profile arguing as David Gahan turned into a long-haired, leather-clad rocker and pushed for a more guitar-oriented sound. Yet the odd thing about Songs of Faith and Devotion is that it sounds pretty much like a Depeche Mode album, only with some new sonic tricks courtesy of Alan Wilder and co-producer Flood. Perhaps even odder is the fact that it works incredibly well all the same. "I Feel You," opening with a screech of feedback, works its live drums well, but when the heavy synth bass kicks in with the wailing backing vocals, even most rockers might find it hard to compete. Martin Gore's lyrical bent, as per the title, ponders relationships through distinctly religious imagery; while the gambit is hardly new, on songs like the centerpiece "In Your Room," the combination of personal and spiritual love blends perfectly. Outside musicians appear for the first time, including female backing singers on a couple of tracks, most notably the gospel-flavored "Condemnation" and the uilleann pipes on "Judas," providing a lovely intro to the underrated song (later covered by Tricky). "Rush" is the biggest misstep, a too obvious sign that Nine Inch Nails was a recording-session favorite to unwind to. But with other numbers such as "Walking in My Shoes" and "The Mercy in You" to recommend it, Songs of Faith and Devotion continues the Depeche Mode winning streak. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	04/04/2025
Label:	Sony Legacy
UPC:	0198028412223

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Depeche Mode   Primary Artist
Dave Gahan   Band,Vocals
Hildia Campbell   Vocals
Hildia Cambell   Vocals
Basil Meade   Vocals
Wil Malone   Strings,Conductor,String Conductor
Bazil Meade   Vocals
Andy Fletcher   Band,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Martin Gore   Band,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Steafan Hannigan   Pipe,Uillean Pipes
Samantha Smith   Vocals
Anton Corbijn   Director
Alan Wilder   Band,Drums,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Butch Vig   Remix Engineer,Mixing Engineer,Mixing,Producer
Dave Gahan   Group,Mixing,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Marc Dieter Einstmann   Engineer
Daryl Bamonte   Production Coordination
Mark Stent   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Hildia Cambell   Producer,Vocal Producer
Wil Malone   String Arrangements
Bazil Meade   Producer,Vocal Producer
Volke Schneider   Engineer
Shaun DeFeo   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Paul Kendall   Engineer
Kevin Metcalfe   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Jeremy Wheatley   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Flood   Mixing,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Andy Fletcher   Group,Mixing,Producer,Group Member,Mixing Engineer
Mark "Spike" Stent   Mixing
Depeche Mode   Mixing,Producer
Markus Dravs   Engineer
Martin Gore   Group,Mixing,Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Group Member,Mixing Engineer
Samantha Smith   Producer,Vocal Producer
Anton Corbijn   Visuals,Art Direction,Sleeve Design
Alan Wilder   Group,Mixing,Producer,Remixing,Group Member,Remix Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Brian Eno   Remixing,Remix Engineer
Steve Lyon   Engineer,Producer,Remixing,Remix Engineer
Chris Dickie   Engineer