Depeche Mode albums get the royal treatment from Rhino

By M&C News Jul 19, 2007, 14:18 GMT

Depeche Mode has inspired faith and devotion among fans and critics alike for 25 years with its acclaimed and influential body of work. Graduating from underground heroes to alternative music icons, the group continues to be one of rock's most obsessed about bands. Rhino concludes its campaign to re-master and expand the group's studio albums with a pair of modern classics.

Deluxe version of ‘Ultra’ and ‘Exciter’ will now be available October 2 (instead of the originally announced July 24 release date) at all retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $24.98 each.

In keeping with the previous Depeche Mode reissues, both albums will be released as two-disc (CD/DVD) sets that feature the original album on CD. The DVD includes 5.1 Audio and Enhanced Stereo mixes of the original album along with b-sides, remixes and live performances. Each DVD also contains a short film about the album featuring current interviews with band members. The deluxe packaging presents a booklet filled with lyrics, rare photos and more.

Rhino picks up the band's story at a crossroads with 1997's ‘Ultra.’ On their first album in 14 years without Alan Wilder, the core trio of vocalist Dave Gahan, guitarist/keyboardist Martin Gore and keyboardists Andrew Fletcher returned with 11 songs that mark a new beginning. Lean and polished, the album spawned a bevy of singles including "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good."

The non-album hit, "Only When I Lose Myself," shines among the eight bonus songs, which also include a stellar selection of b-sides - "Painkiller," "Slowblow" and "Headstar." The bonus music also features a trio of live performance from 1997 recorded in London including "Barrel of a Gun," "It's No Good" and "Useless."

The group's follow-up, ‘Exciter,’ was released four years later in 2001. Working with producer Mark Bell (Björk), Gahan, Gore and Fletcher recorded 13 songs that refined Depeche Mode's stunning mix of anthemic hooks, delicate arrangements and passionate songwriting. Hailed by fans as one of the band's best since the classic ‘Violator,’ ‘Exciter’ delivered several strong singles including "Dream On," "I Feel Loved" and "Freelove."

The deluxe version of ‘Exciter’ contains 10 bonus tracks with more than half coming from an October 2001 concert in Paris including performances of "The Dead of Night," "The Sweetest Condition," "Dream On," "Freelove" and more. Also featured is the full version of "Easy Tiger" and an acoustic take on "When the Body Speaks," along with a pair of b-sides - "Zenstation" and a cover of The Stooges' "Dirt."