A singles collection chronicling the band's first five years, Catching Up with Depeche Mode is the perfect primer for would-be fans. The first three tracks feature Vince Clarke's inimitable brand of bubble-gum synth pop, brimming with catchy counterpoint and wonderfully predictable chord progressions. The remaining songs chart Martin Gore's evolution as a composer, his earlier Clarke-esque material gradually transforming into the darker, noisier synth works that characterized mid-to-late-'80s Depeche Mode. The band's other defining elements, i.e. Gore's fragile vocals contrasted with David Gahan's resonant baritone are well represented, although the hits "Everything Counts" and "People are People" are notably absent. --Michael A. Massa

this compilation is really good.there are some songs wich are not included in albums,like flexible and its called heart.and this compilation is good starting point for people who discovers depeche mode for the first time.

the title is self explanatory.

Although it's no longer necessary, this was collection of early DM songs was essential when it was released. Depeche Mode had little exposure in America during the early 80s, and most of their albums were unavailable. After the release of the American only album, People are People became a big sucess, Sire decided to release a compilation of early DM singles, both for the benefit of American fans and to cash in. The result is Catching Up With Depeche Mode, an outdated but fun compilation.

The songs are all pretty great, but that's a given with Depeche Mode. The first three songs, Dreaming of Me, New Life, and Just Can't Get Enough, are vintage Vince Clark synth pop, which can be grating upon first listen, but definitely grow on you upon repeated listens. These songs are noticeably more happy sounding than most of the ones that were written by Martin Gore.

Next we have See You and The Meaning of Love, which were some of Martin's earliest compositions. At this point he was only trying to copy Vince's style, and many people dislike these songs. Personally, I think they're maybe even better than Vince's singles, and certainly on par with them.

At this point in Depeche Mode's career, Martin started to develop his own style, writing moodier songs with deeper lyrics. Love In Itself and Master and Servant are both upbeat songs and very catchy. Blasphemous Rumors is a song about the unfortunate things that happen to people. Somebody is a piano ballad, and possibly my favorite song in DM's catalog.

The last four tracks were single-only releases and showed what was going to come on Black Celebration. First we have Shake the Disease and its b-side Flexible. Shake the Disease is one of the darkest singles DM released, and another favorite of mine. Flexible is a very fun, dancy song. Next we have It's Called A Heart and its b-side Fly on the Windscreen. I'm not a huge fan of It's Called a Heart, but it is kind of catchy. Fly on the Windscreen had several versions, one of which appeared on the aforementioned Black Celebration. It is one of their best songs and is about the fragility of life. I believe it should have been the single instead of It's Called a Heart.

A lot of people complain about the fact that this collection lacks various singles of the era, including Everything Counts and People are People, which are no doubt two of their best songs from the period. However, this was meant to be a companion compilation to People are People. Those two songs, and several other singles, make up the bulk of that album, though, curiously, Love in Itself appears on both compilations.

Since Catching Up was released, The Singles 81-85 was released, which is a bit more comprehensive than this. But if you pair this with People are People, you'll have all the tracks on that compilation and then some. This album is also very cheap, despite being out of print, and some people may prefer the tracklisting. I would probably recommend The Singles 81-85 over this, but if you're on a tight budget, you might get this one instead.

there's something beating here inside this album and its called a drum machine and sequencer.

it all sounds dated, sure - the new stuff sounds dated the day it hits the streets.

but what you can hear, if you listen just one step past the production and the synthesizers, are some really awesome songs.

it is a dream of mine to record a handful of my personal faves of depeche mode in a guitar/bass/voice format, give them some of the rock energy they lacked and the gutsy tactile feel of a guitar. i recorded halo last summer, it sounds awesome except for the guitar solo at the end was whacked out. anyways... why not? after all - ask yourself, is it a sin... to be flexible? when the ship comes in?

Depeche Mode scored their first hit in the United States shortly before the release of this collection, when "People Are People" went to #13 on the Top 100. However, the group had been having hits for years in the U.K. and on U.S. college-rock stations. "Catching Up with Depeche Mode" was thus released so that late-comers could hear the group's excellent early work. Some of the highlights include:

Dreaming of Me - My introduction to the group and still one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs. This song is perhaps their most "new-wave" sounding record and signaled the beginning of a major talent.

Just Can't Get Enough - Has an incredible intro synth line that's impossible to forget, as well as a great chorus. This song is one of their most playful (UK peak - #8 in 1981).

Master and Servant - One of their best-known and most memorable early songs. This song really previewed the direction the group would take with a fuller sound and intriguing lyrics (UK peak - #9 in 1984)

Blasphemous Rumours - Took the group in a new direction - one they'd continue with "Personal Jesus." It includes some of their best lyrics - I don't want to start/ Any blasphemous rumours/ But I think that God's/ Got a sick sense of humour/ And when I die/ I expect to find Him laughing.

Somebody - perhaps their most beautiful ballad ever with an effective heart-beat sound effect (Released with "Blasphemous Rumours" as a two-sided single; UK peak - #16 in 1984)

Overall, this CD collection is first-rate, early 80s synth-pop. However, the group later released "Singles 81-85," a re-mastered CD which includes most of the songs here as well as "Leave in Silence," "Everything Counts," and "People Are People." I don't own "Singles 81-85," so I suggest that you check out the reviews for that CD as well before deciding which (or both) to purchase.