Album of the Day

Depeche Mode songwriter Martin Gore may have described the British band's sixth studio album as “anything but music for the masses,” but the 1987 collection's tongue-in-cheek title had more than a little truth to it. MUSIC FOR THE MASSES ventures into darker goth territory than some of the group's earlier work, with such tracks as “Pimpf” showing off their experimental side, but given such hook-filled songs as opener “Never Let Me Down Again,” “Behind the Wheel” and “Strangelove,” the stadium-filling success of the supporting tour seems inevitable. Greeted with critical acclaim as well as a platinum RIAA certification, MUSIC FOR THE MASSES was a major breakthrough for Depeche Mode, and we'll give it another spin now to wish lead singer David Gahan a happy birthday.