Dated and unnecessary compilation (Rating: 2 out of 5) "People Are People" was the "album" made for the US when the title song broke the band through stateside and served a purpose to get people into the group. However, the best one-disc representation of the group is The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1, which has a span of the group's 25-year career (by that point). You may not own those, but just get the remastered versions of A Broken Frame and Construction Time Again. That being said, most of this can be recommended, but this is irrelevant in 2007. I will never completely vilify anything with "Everything Counts" on it, so I won't give anything with that song 1 stars. Besides, it isn't THAT bad, but it's just not worth it considering what else is out there.
People are People (Rating: 5 out of 5) Depeche Mode's CD/album(and other ones as well) "People are People", is very mesmerizing and ahead of its time. Ive followed their music for about fifteen years. They still sound just as good today, even though Im in a new chapter in life.These musicians are incredibly gifted with a sound very much their own. I would encourage anyone who is not familiar with "Depeche Mode", to take a risk and listen. You will experiance a good sound that resonates more than you can imagine.
"Now This Is Fun". (Rating: 4 out of 5) This is actually an early 80's collection, that I'm suprised is still in print. I have it on both vinyl and cassette, and still play it often. The bigger tracks here are "Get The Balance Right", "Everything Counts", and of course "People Are People". But to be honest, I like "Now This Is Fun" and "Love In Itself" just as much. As I said, this is still a great album, but at this point you may just want "Singles 81>85", as it's longer and includes much of what's here. Also, nothing beats live Mode, "101".
An Excellent array!!! (Rating: 5 out of 5) When People are People first came out in 1984, it was just a compilation of a few earlier songs on previous albums, several b-sides from earlier singles, and two new songs. It is an excellent CD that is wonderfully put together. The songs all flow into eachother naturally. Each song is terrific:
1. People Are People - When this originally came out, this was a new single (since "Some Great Reward" wouldn't be released for a couple of months). It is the title song and one of the bands better known.
2. Now This Is Fun - Originally a B-side, this song is exactly what the name says, it is a fun song. The rhythm and beat are extremely catchy. This is one of my favorite songs on the CD.
3. Love In Itself - Originally a single off of the "Construction Time Again" album, this song fits in with the compilation that DM put together here.
4. Work Hard - Originally the B-side for "Everything Counts", this is an excellent song with a beat that is very punkish. This song can pump you up and you find it stuck in your head for days.
5. Told You So - Another song straight off the "Construction Time Again" album, this is a wonderful follow-up to "Work Hard", having a very strong beat and punkish sound.
6. Get The Balance Right - The second new song released on this record. It was a new single that was supposed to help sell the album. It is a wonderfully gloomy song that I would consider my favorite song on the CD.
7. Leave in Silence - The oldest song on the record, it was originally released on "A Broken Frame" and as a single. It's softer approach is a great transition between "Get the Balance Right" and "Pipeline".
8. Pipeline - The third song taken straight from the "Construction Time Again" album. This is a slow song with some wonderful lyrics. It is used to transition into "Everything Counts".
9. Everything Counts - This is the extended version of the popular single from the "Construction Time Again" album. This is my favorite version of the song and is the best way to finish an album. The melody fading out at the end gives wonderful closure to the record.
All in all this is a great album that is often overlooked, because most of the songs you can get from other things, but the compilation of all of them together is what makes it great. I highly recommend it.
When Depeche Mode was fun (Rating: 5 out of 5) This is my favorite of all their albums. I bought this tape 15, 18 years ago. It's lively with great synthesizer work. Great songs like Get the Balance right, and Everything Counts, makes you think but not too hard. This is a fun album. I guess after this one things start to get dark for them which is evident in their later albums.