Album of the Day

BLACK CELEBRATION drew mixed reviews on its initial 1986 release; only in hindsight is it clear that it marked a turning point for Depeche Mode. While the British quartet continues to serve up melodic synth-pop, the lyrical themes have grown darker - note the album's title - and the performances more intense. The public was quicker to embrace the collection than critics, and the set was a U.K. Top 10 hit that many fans still cite as their favorite Depeche disc. Martin L. Gore penned all the songs, including such favorites as “A Question of Time,” “Stripped” and “A Question of Lust,” and vocalist Dave Gahan wrings every drop of emotion from them. As this is Gahan's birthday, we'll stage a BLACK CELEBRATION with another spin of the Gold-certified album.