[Back in the Frame] -- Forty years ago this week, Depeche Mode released their second studio album, A Broken Frame (September 27, 1982). This was the band's first record after the departure of Vincent Clarke, who wrote most of the songs for the debut album. This time around, Martin Gore stepped up to write all the songs on this album, which Depeche Mode recorded as a trio.
A Broken Frame peaked at #1 in the UK Independent Albums chart, and #177 on the US Billboard 200. Not quite as light in tone as their previous release, this second album received mixed feedback, though it has gained a better reputation over time (perhaps that is a retrospective view). Gore's compositions with Dave Gahan's lead vocals don't exactly aspire to a single concept, but Gore has lamented what he calls "that sickly boy-next-door stuff" of his earlier songwriting efforts ("Sin Machine," NME, London, pp. 34–35, February 1990). The three singles – "See You," "The Meaning of Love," and "Leave in Silence" – did well in Europe, but none of them charted in the US. Despite said lack of hits, these songs, and A Broken Frame in general, are still quite popular with fans here in the states. At least, I'd like to think so as I still quite enjoy them.
Do you have any favorites from this album?
Flashback #1: A Broken Frame (9/27/1982)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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