I'm listening to this album right now to remind myself how good it was. I know, the synth-heavy stuff like Violator and Music for the Masses will always be the most memorable, but Ultra might be their most underrated effort.

Call me crazy, but they might be one of the most consistent bands of the past two decades. I don't think they released a single bad album from 1985-2005. Well, Exciter was a bit mediocre, but it certainly wasn't bad.

Yeah, I'd have to agree. Like Bowie, there's always a few stand-out, must listen to tracks on every album.

This album has its high points for me: Home, Useless, Freestate, Insight.


For some reason Ultra is my perfect driving the car at night album.

name me a depeche mode album that sucked?

Well, none sucked, but the departure of Vince Clarke certainly helped.

The gay got darker after that.

thanks hehehehehheh

I have always been a big fan. Saw them on the Music for the Masses, Violator, and Songs of Faith tours, and in my opinion, Songs of Faith and Devotion is their poorest effort. There are a few good songs, but it never caught me like Ultra, Violator, Some Great Reward, etc...

I must admit, I was a big DM fan back in the 80s. I don't know, around Violator or so, the sad ol' shtick got boring to me and I dropped them. Ultra ain't exaclty an "up" record either, but it was the first post-Violator album I actually purchased and still enjoy to this day. "Home" and "Useless" are great tracks, and I think "Love Thieves" is the best.