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Useless
Artist: Depeche Mode
Album: Ultra
Year: 1997
♥: First of all -- I definitely agree that we need to revisit this theme, because there are just so many gems I didn't even have the chance to consider (and so many mix CDs I didn't even look at!). So many options, many of which were so deliciously embarrassing I really want the excuse to post them at a later date (...I never realized how much pop-punk I collected as a teenager).

Depeche Mode. Ugh.
My Depeche Mode discography was Abandoned at Mom's for a very specific reason: the band reminded me of a period in my life to which I really don't care to return. It's too bad, though, because I really love them -- their brand of synthpop/rock is exactly my style. Catchy hooks, some really smart lyrics, layers of melodies and electronics, just enough goth cred to be 'cool.' While digging through my CDs last week, I instantly flipped over these with a shudder...then paused, my mouth screwing into a strange expression somewhere in the middle of my left cheek. Could I, finally, after three years, be ready to listen to them again?

I popped Songs of Faith and Devotion, the real test, into my CD player...and to my shock and delight, 'Judas' and 'In Your Room' had nothing close to the effect they once had. Instead of being horrible throwbacks to a person I wasn't, or even nostalgic wonderings at a person I begrudgingly was, they were just good songs. GASP! Time, what an effect you can have! So, excitedly, I dug through the stack as if it were brand new. Playing the Angel! I blared 'Precious' until V came in wondering what my problem was.

It took forever to pick the song, but the album was a no-brainer. Ultra was always my favourite DM album -- the tracks are long and electric, and the hooks dig deep. But one song to encompass all of Depeche Mode? Impossible. The best I can do is 'Useless.' It's got everything I love about this band -- lilting hooks, guitar riffs coupled with beepy synths (and even some piano keys), lyrics that hit pretty hard ("you should see how it feels / with your feet on the ground"), and something inexplicably honest. Like 'Teargas,' I played this when I was angry -- usually with myself. There is something written into this song that always made me feel alive.


So, Depeche Mode, back in my aural consciousness -- who would've thought! The CDs themselves will stay abandoned at mom's...but oh my god, how ecstatic am I that I can listen to them again.