For fans of DM, this is a real treat. If you're not the type who likes remixes, don't bother with this - many of these songs are remixed beyond recognition. The early remixes staying truer to the originals than the newer ones, as technology advances and lets the remixer strip the tracks down to nothing and re-construct, rather than simply extend the songs. Martin Gore, songwriter for DM, has been quoted as saying he's not a big fan of having some outside person remixing finished tracks, and Vince Clarke, their original songwriter, has the same feeling. I am inclined to believe this is more a record company release, than something the members of Depeche Mode would have had a direct hand in. Nontheless, this is a nice collection, a real history of modern electronic dance music in one handy box. Buy the limited edition version, it has an entire bonus disc of extremely rare and new remixes. ( I pre-ordered mine and got it the day it was released in the US - thanks again AMAZON !! )

Remix albums often compile throwaway dance versions of old hits, and they're usually released to milk cash out of diehard fans who clamor for their favorite band's next studio effort. But the exception to the rule is Depeche Mode's "The Remixes 81-04." Not only is this collection justified, but it's a necessity for any Depeche Mode fan. Collecting new, rare, and previously released material, this 3 disc set compiles nearly 4 hours worth of hits over a span of 23 years. (A single disc is also available) House reworkings of "World in My Eyes," "It's No Good," and "Policy of Truth" sound not a day older than their date of release, while Air's chilled transformation of "Home," William Orbit's makeover of "Walk in My Shoes," and Rex the Dog's electro working of "Photographic" command rewinds. Some personal favorites (the 12-inch version of "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" and FC Catalan's "Surrender") are missing, but what DOES appear definitely earns the disc five stars. Enjoy the silence? No way. Turn up the volume and start dancing.

First off let me say that IF you don't already own the depeche mode back cataloge of singles then this is a FIVE star collection. Some of these mixes are absolute classics. especially the violator and songs of faith and devotion era tunes. There are also some rarities, the On-U sound mix of master and servant was only available on the DJ only 12" that cost around 30 to 40 bucks in the records stores. So for new commers to the depeche mode remix cannon this is a great buy with stuff that as a collector i spent years discovering. However, I don't think that anyone who isn't a depeche mode completist would be interested in this CD. for someone who wants to get to know depeche mode I think that the singles collection from a few years back is a much better "best of" hits. because let me tell you MOST of the mixes are not the "best of". The mix they choose of freelove is almost unlistenable, for example. And as far as the new mixes on the third disc, well I would say that they are at best adequate and at worst a laughably mediocure effort. Goldfrap sings along on her mix...as if it were a kareoke mix, the Nothing remix sounds like Dave Gahan is fronting The Strokes, and Clean is given the weakest, toothless treatment of any song since the paint by numbers house mixes of dream on, a plooding souless dirge of a song that was one of the jewels of Violator. don't get me wrong. I love depeche mode. and I love remixes. I have spent hundreds of dollars on wierd ass remix singles from all around the globe. I salivated over this release for months...but it is all for not. This CD is not worth the money...I'd suggest buying a single box set instead...or just wait and buy the differnt import versions of Enjoy the silence, as all the new mixes from this CD appear on those different discs. I will add that I was so excited to see a photographic remix...I love that song...I always have and have waited for new versions...but 30 dollars is too much to pay for such a milk toast effort.

Depeche Mode has been my favorite band since 1985. I eagerly anticipate anything and everything new that comes out directly from them and even tribute albums. As one of the bands who pioneered the creation and inclusion of remixes, you'd think they'd have higher standards than this. Way too many of these remixes are just 6-8 minutes of drum beat with the lead vocal track sort of distorted in the background. Little if anything new or revulolutionary in terms of approaches to these songs to be heard here. Not horrible, a few good ones, but mainly a bunch of mediocre re-treads. I agree that for many of these songs, there are MUCH better remixes to be had. Not sure why they didn't get included here.

Depeche Mode has had so many remixes done over the years, that I was interested to see what they picked for this collection. Here is my overview of the three-disc set.

I'm pretty familiar with most of the selections on Disc One. I especially like Air's re-working of "Home" and Jack Danger's mix of "Rush". In both cases, the song works well with the guest artist's style. In contrast, Renegade Soundwave and Underworld don't really do much with "I Feel You" and "Barrel Of A Gun" respectively. Other personal favorites on this disc are "Never Let Me Down Again", "Policy Of Truth", "Freelove", and The Beatmasters' working Name That Tune into "Route 66".

Of the three discs, Disc Two had the most moments that had me thinking "I've heard better mixes of this song". The mixes chosen for "Everything Counts", "Dream On" and "It's No Good" are particularly bland. On the plus side, I enjoyed the mixes chosen here for "Useless", "In Your Room", "Master And Servant" and "World In My Eyes". Consider this disc a 50/50 split.

Disc Three is easily my favorite disc. I have to give points for including Adrian Sherwood's Bizarro World version of "People Are People" titled "Are People People?" The main attractions here, though, are the new remixes. Rex The Dog's Dub mix of "Photographic" actually works quite well in spite of the lack of vocals here. "Little 15" and "Halo" both have spare arrangements that work well with the song, and I got a kick out of Headcleanr's rock mix of "Nothing". Closing the disc, Mike Shinoda's remix of "Enjoy The Silence" has to be considered a pleasant surprise. One wonders what Linkin Park might sound like with a different singer (yeah, I know, never gonna happen).

With the exception of A Broken Frame all of Depeche Mode's albums are represented on the set. I have to give points for including some of Vince Clarke's contributions besides the arbitrary "Just Can't Get Enough". Overall, a very nice collection.