Songs Of Faith And Devotion could be Depeche Mode's most underrated album to date. A common misconception about SOFAD is that it was a sell-out to the grunge movement of its time. The only song on the album that might pass as being grunge, however, is "I Feel You," and only for its hard edge and raw emotion. The rest of the album has too much depth and complexity, both musically and lyrically, to be classified as a sub-genre of grunge music. Although the album contained some raunchy sounds, it maintained a spiritual aura from start to finish. In a year when bands like Pearl Jam and The Spin Doctors dominated the scene, Depeche Mode held themselves to a higher standard and forged a completely different sound.

Also somewhat of a misconception was that Depeche Mode abandoned their roots on this album. It was a departure in the sense that live drums and more guitars were incorporated into the music, but SOFAD was still part of the band's evolutionary process. Martin Gore had actually started sneaking guitars into the mix on Music For The Masses, with the guitar work becoming more pronounced on Violater. SOFAD became a bigger outlet for this side of the band. Also, the album elaborated on typical Depeche Mode themes. Lyrically speaking, it's arguably Martin Gore's most inspired songwriting.

I consider SOFAD to be my favorite DM album. That's a strong statement coming from someone who loves everything from Speak & Spell onwards. Unfortunately, SOFAD wasn't well received by the general public and many DM fans alike. Martin Gore stated at the time of its release that they wanted to challenge their listeners. It's not the kind of album everyone's supposed to like (DM fans included), but most people weren't up to the challenge.

When Depeche Mode's 1993 album "Songs of Faith and Devotion" begins with screaching vinyl scratches of its opener and first single, "I Feel You", it becomes clear that there will be no room for enjoying the silence on this record.

When the album hit, dedicated fans of the group's earlier releases were shocked by the band's new harder, alternative rock sound, a far departure from the days of "People Are People". The thing is they made the mistake of misjudging the album for something that is not, and that is a standard rock record.

Even the band's most fierce song, "I Feel You", is layered with lots of synths, from the processed distorted blues guitar riff, to the digitally effected live drums, to the trademark Depeche Mode atmospheric synth lines.

But this album, much like most other Depeche releases, does not rely on a few singles, but is best heard in album form. When given a full listening, "Songs Of Faith and Devotion" (SOFAD) is arguably Depeche Mode's most challenging and powerful album.

From the crying gospel of "Condemnation" to the somber ballad "Judas", the album tackles faith and devotion as relating to humanity, as opposed to religiously.

One of the album's biggest strengths is the larger contribution from each member; Martin L. Gore's writing is more refined, Alan Wilder's arrangements are borderline perfection, and Dave Gahan's vocals are his best and most organic. He really lets loose on tracks like the bouncy rocker "Mercy In You" and the epic "Higher Love".

Epic is a word often used (especially in this review) to describe this album, and it is because the sounds are so powerful that this might even be thought of as a sonic concept album, as the mood and pacing are so well synched.

The Martin L. Gore sung "Judas" progresses into the large build up of "In Your Room", which is widely believed to be one of the band's best tracks. All those doubting the band's change in image can look right to that track, all the band's trademarks --- swirling synths, fierce beats, and Gahan's emotional vocals--- are all here.

The band's production also shows an improvement on that of "Violator" by Flood with songs like the hip-hop flavored "Get Right With Me" and the rave pace of "Rush".

Sure, the band show some modern influences (Nine Inch Nails, Grunge rock), but this album is not at all a sell out (which some argue due to its #1 charting). This album is all Depeche Mode, all emotion, and you could not call yourself a fan of the band without owning it.

For those of you that love rock, pop, synth, or all combined, you can find it here, in one of the most inspiring albums of the 90's.

While this is The Album that pushed DM (and Alan Wilder) over the emotional edge, the tension certainly wasn't put to waste. I truly hated this album upon first hearing. After riding the sweet aural waves of "Black Celebration", "Music For The Masses" and "Violator", nothing could be farther from that bliss than "SOFAD". I did find, however, that as I matured, so did my taste for the subject matter on this album. The lyrics are from the heart. The production and sounds are rich & layered. Gahan's vocals have true grit, hardship & pain. You simply cannot fake this. Put your headphones on and listen to this album in it's entirety. You'll likely hear something different every time you do. 13 years later and I'm still discovering the intricacies of this great album.

I am a chill, nonconfrontational guy. But when I see people dissing this album here on Amazon, my blood boils and I want a way to meet them and have a very heated conversation disagreeing with them and telling them they are complete and utter idiots for not liking the album. It is Depeche Mode's best work to date. The sound has not aged at all, and if it was released today, no one would raise eyebrows wondering if it was really made in present time. The entire sound is completely original and unique. Everything comes together...guitar, synth, vocals, everything. The sound is incredibly edgy and melodic and amazing at the same time. Just incredible. The music has true emotion and heart, nothing sounds fake or routine or contrived or badly programmed. It's real and a perfect emotional overflow of genius. Even all the remixed and b-sides from this era are great. The maxi singles are worth your money. As for the album at hand, songs like "Walking In My Shoes," "Mercy In You," "In Your Room," "Rush," and "Higher Love" are my favorites. But everything's great. A+ with a bar on top of the + to make it infinite. Out of 900 something CDs I currently own, this one has been played the most by far. Can never get sick of it, never gets old. Has held its own ever since I bought it when i was 14 back in July of '95. HOLLLAAA. Once again, Depeche Mode's best work. But, if you're new to Depeche Mode, I actually recommend starting with Black Celebration and Music For The Masses, then Violator, and then this album. This will give you the chance to see a progression. Then buy some earlier albums like A Broken Frame, Construction Time Again, and Some Great Reward, to see where they truly started, and then buy their later albums like Ultra and Exciter. Finish your buying off with 101 and everything else they have released. As far as Speak & Spell...ehhh...Vince Clarke...let's just say he's no Martin Gore...I consider the TRUE Depeche Mode starting with A Broken Frame. But there are still come catchy tunes on Speak & Spell and I'm not dissing Vince, he's done a lot for music. But it's not the dark and edgy Depeche Mode we all love. HOLLLAAA.

Songs of Faith and Devotion is Depeche Mode's second official 90's release. The first being "Violator" released in early 1990. Violator is complimented by "Songs" quite well.

Where the previous album was more synthesizers, this one is more emphasized on guitars. The songwriting for Songs was also equally as crafted as on Violator. Again, DM teams with hit producer Flood (Mark Ellis) (who's worked with NIN, Pop Will Eat Itself, and U2 and produced Depeche Mode's Violator). Songs lives up to it's general idea as DM did with Violator.

A lot had changed in the music scene between 1990 and 1993. Unfortuantely, DM began to encounter problems with drugs and sex, and then the need to have those addcitions revealed and forgiven by God. This was mostly due to DM's obligation to behave as other groups during the early 90's grunge-movement so they could be just as "cool". In my opinion, they needent have done this since they already were cool.

"Rush" sounds like something that NIN helped record and is just as fast-paced and angry.

"Mercy in you" is my favorite song and feels more religous and inspiring than most artists could hope to be. Has that heavy-weighed synth which was evident during Halo.

"I feel you" sounds like a hard version of an INXS song. The guitars are put to the test here, just as they were with Personal Jesus.

"Walking in my Shoes" marks a scar for singer David Gahans pain of drug addiction at the time. Lyricist and Vocalist Martin Gore must've known just how he felt too.