This is pretty damn cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5hXBbEbvPg

This is a big week for Depeche Mode. First, they finally got their first Grammy nomination for one of their albums. "SOTU" is up for Best Alternative album. And "Wrong" got a nomination for best video. In December 2006, Depeche Mode were nominated for a Grammy Award, for Best Dance Recording, for "Suffer Well." This was their third Grammy Award nomination. The first being a Best Long Form Music Video award in 1995 for Devotional and the second being for Best Dance Recording for "I Feel Loved".

Also today, DM collects their ninth No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs, as "Perfect" jumps from #2 to #1. Among duos or groups in the chart's history, the venerable modern rock/dance band trails only Pet Shop Boys for most No. 1s by one; the latter act maintained its lead when "Did You See Me Coming?" became its 10th topper last month.

Here is a recap of Depeche Mode's nine No. 1s on Dance/Club Play Songs. For a band with a discography covering multiple Billboard charts dating to 1981, it's notable that seven of its nine Dance/Club Play champs have reigned this decade:

1987, "Strangelove" (three weeks)
1997, "It's No Good" (one week)
2001, "Dream On" (one week)
2001, "I Feel Loved" (two weeks)
2002, "Freelove" (one week)
2005, "Precious" (two weeks)
2006, "Suffer Well" (one week)
2009, "Wrong" (one week)
2009, "Perfect" (one week to date)

Depeche Mode's biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit, 1990's No. 8-peaking "Enjoy the Silence," reached No. 6 on Dance/Club Play Songs.

I'm kind of amazed they never had any hot 100 singles reach number one. Did they ever have any number one albums in the US?

I don't think any number one albums, but I think all their albums since Violator has debuted in the top 10.

I was pretty surprised to see their album get nominated.

Something to check out on YouTube are the recent concerts overseas, where Gore has been performing songs such as "Insight," "Dressed in Black," and "One Caress."

"Songs of Faith and Devotion" debuted at number #1 on Billboard. It sold something like 1.5 million. "Violator" only reached around #7 or #8 on the charts but sold 4M. All of their albums since "SOFAD" have debuted in the Top 10. "SOTU" reaching #3 this past Spring. And "Enjoy the Silence" is Depeche Mode's ONLY Top 10 hit, reaching number #8. Unbelievable.

interesting that all but two of their dance #1's have come from this decade. Surprising that Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence didn't go #1 on that chart.

While I do like "Wrong", after having plenty of time to digest the album, I'm a little underwhelmed with this project. It sounds incredible. But it's lacking in the catchiness department.

I didn't think the album was great on first listen, but after seven or eight months, I think it's probably their best since Ultra easily. It wasn't as boring as Exciting and it managed to keep my attention longer than Playing The Angel did.

It's definitely in my best of the year. I still listen to it all the time. In fact, I'd say it's their best album this decade.

Love the different opinions! I think Playing The Angel is their best album since Violator (thus, their best this decade).

Speaking of different opinions, I actually know a younger Depeche Mode fan who HATES the Alan Wilder era, he considers it cheesy 1980's pop music (to put things into perspective, he adores Britney and Christina... so he's one to call something cheese LOL)... but he loves their stuff this decade. That's so messed up, it'd be like hating old Cure music but loving their last two albums, or thinking Prince sucked in the 1980's but think Planet Earth was brilliant.

Okay, I just found a killer deal on the SOTU boxed set so it is waiting for me under the Christmas tree. It took everything I had not to open it early. I have to say I wasn't into the album at first, but over time I think the songs work really well together. Much better than Exciter (which wasn't necessarily a bad album, either), and just about on par with PWTA.

Seriously!? Are you saying you think this is the album of the year?? I still play this album several times a week and even though I loved it out of the gate, I think it just keeps getting better with each listen. And even though it lacks any stand out singles like "Playing the Angel" ("Wrong" aside) it's a solid album that needs to be listened to from start to finish to really appreciate. Like "Black Celebration". Another album that didn't have any obvious singles.

And oh....have you seen the official video for "Fragile Tension"? I really like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD87Hbm9mrI

It's in my best of the year, no doubt. As far as album of the year, I'd have to think about it. I also really liked Lily Allen's album this year, and I'm sure there are some others I'm forgetting.

Edit: This year's Dirty Projectors and Decemberists albums would also give it a run for its money.

Absolutely...that's exactly how I feel about SOTU. I think what turned some fans off from this CD, is that WRONG came out as the first single. That song could arguably be called the best thing they ever did. Going into a listen of the entire CD after that, it's obviously going to come up short. But compare anything on SOTU to Exciter, and now you have a masterpiece.

Just my 2 cents...

"Wrong" could only be called the best song they ever did if you ignore their output from 1984 to 1990.

I have to admit that though I love DM. Ive gotten quite annoyed with the 'noise' in their music. It starts off the last 2 CDs and its just an ugly distortion that they keep putting in. It really puts me off to listenting to their new stuff. However I will agree that its their best release after Ultra.

Just saw the Fragile Tension vid, and I like it alot

I think ultimately Depeche Mode has been much more consistent with albums of late...I loved the Alan Wilder era but let's face it musically speaking Depeche Mode IS Martin Gore, and he hasn't lost his touch yet. Every album from Black Celebration on up has been a masterpiece (save for the poorly titled 'Exciter' which was anything but) - The Cure has not been so fortunate. After 'Wish' the only album that could rub shoulders with their 80's output would be the brilliant 'Bloodflowers'. The opening song on '4:13 Dream' is incredible but the rest sounds something like 'Wild Mood Swings'.
And Prince, well he's good for a song or two per album. I'd say he lost the magic to make a great "album" a long time ago, yet was pleasantly surprised with 'Musicology' which reminded me of his later 80's work. He again hasn't followed up on that level with his last couple of albums though.
Anyway Depeche Mode has had 3 albums this decade and 2 really great albums ain't too bad. I even enjoyed parts of David Gahans 2 solo albums as well. Here's hoping Depeche Mode have it in them to make 1 or 2 more albums, and sooner than later. I'd be stoked for another new album in 2011 on par with PTA and SOTU.

PTA and especially SOTU are good albums, but it is surprising to find someone who considers themselves a DM fan to outright dismiss Black Celebration or Music For The Masses as "1980's pop cheese", especially if the same person adores Britney. SOTU is my #2 album of the year but I don't see how anyone can blast their 1984-1990 material, which IMO is truly their finest work. Everything since has just been icing on the cake. Between Some Great Reward and Violator, there was barely a filler track on those albums. SOFAD, Ultra and PTA, while largely good, had their filler tracks that harm them as a whole IMO. I can almost see where "Strangelove" can be dismissed as 80's pop cheese (and a couple other singles on a track by track basis), but it's odd to see someone who champions Britney Spears to say that he won't listen to Black Celebration because its cheesy pop music.

I completely agree. Black Celebration, to me, was the start of the Depeche Mode sound that I really enjoy. Before that, it was pretty generic 80s 'new wave' sounding. I also complete agree with your assement of The Cure. Underneath The Stars was CLASSIC cure, but the rest of 4:13 Dream seriouslessly lacks (like most everything after Bloodflowers).

The only generic 80's new wave sounding album DM ever made was "Speak and Spell". The rest? No. "Construction Time Again" was probably their most experimental. And "Some Great Reward" took that in a more commercial direction. "Black Celebration" was and is their masterpiece IMO. And not commercial at all.

Wouldn't that be great. I'd be stoked for any type of album from these guys in 2011. But, sadly, DM have slowed way way down in between albums these past 15 years, as we all know. Wish they could take a page from U2's book, who are currently working on their next album. Given Depeche Mode's track record in the last decade, we could probably expect a new album from them (if they do one at all) in 2013.

"Speak And Spell" is really the only "generic" DM album, but hell they were only 19-20 year olds at the time. Even though Some Great Reward is known for being that album with People Are People, there are songs on it like Something To Do and Blasphemous Rumours that easily could've fit in on Black Celebration IMO.

Speak and Spell only feels generic because of how many synth pop albums have come out since 1980. But at the time the album was pretty revolutionary.

I always preferred Some Great Reward over Black Celebration, although the latter is still among their best. You really can't go wrong with any song they released from 1984-1990, as other have said.