What was the last album you listened to?

Artist: Depeche Mode
Album: Music for the Masses
Genre: Synthpop and New Wave
Year: 1987
Standout tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, The Things You Said, Behind the Wheel and Nothing

I remember loving the opening number very much back in summer 2006 but cannot remember if I ever actually sat down and heard through the entire album, so I sure do hope that the wait is well worth it, as I am very curious to see if this one might top Black Celebration (1986) which for me stands out, right now as their most solid 80s release.

01. Never Let Me Down Again - Not much introduction is needed for this fantastic album opener and surely one of their finest songs ever recorder. 
It is one of those classics which manages within only a few seconds of time to hook me right in and one which really do live  up to its name by never letting me down, ever again.

02. The Things You Said - An icy and haunting follow up to the far more upbeat and melodic opener, still this is a very beautiful number and one where Martin Gore once more sings in a very soothing but calm way, with I guess Dave behind him on the backing vocals

03. Strangelove - And this is where I felt like I was loosing touch with some of the material on this album, specially since coming up after two such impressive cuts as the ones above, Strangelove sounds a bit too "happy" and where the production, lyrics and music never really boost my interest the way I had hoped for.
Not a bad song in any way, but still it is one of those that is easily forgotten than remembered, at least for me that is.

04. Sacred - Once again, another letdown for my part. Neither very memorable or melodic and having gone through the album several times this week, I still cannot seem to warmen up to this one either.

05. Little 15 - A much calmer and moodier cut, but once again it just ends up as another one which goes me by and without ever coming close of capturing my interest at all. 

06. Behind the Wheel - And finally things are taking a change for the positive, with a more upbeat and melodic number and while not even close of the album opener, this is surely much better and memorable stuff than the three snorefests which came sadly in a row and almost put me to sleep.

07. I Want You Now - Well that went well, not. Back to yet another downer which does absoutely nothing for me and I am getting very frustrated as I am now closing in on the albums length and still I just cannot seem to get into this record.

08. To Have and to Hold - Most likely the darkest cut of this album, and one which I really enjoyed. Sadly it does not last longer as it had so much more to offer, or so I think.

09. Nothing - A little too late but finally this album hands out a song which is up there in the same way as the first two cuts from it. If only there were a bit more of this calibre included.

10. Pimpf - Instead of going out with a bang, it is right back to another sleeper, sadly.

I really, really wanted to love this album, and have for this week heard it somewhere between 8-10 times over but it just do not seem to hold my interest or even come close of living up my expecations, which of course did not exactly help me out much either knowing how well recieved it is by fans and critics, and going through reviews of the album, seeing only postive writings all over the place.
Compared to Black Celebration, Music for the Masses never even came close of capturing me in the same way, as when you open with such a strong act then it is followed by mostly forgettable and very anonymous tracks which not matter how many times over I might have to heard them again, they will not do anything for me, beside frustrate me that is.

A very uneven and disappointing release, and one that I right now feel very much "finished" with for now. There is a limit to how many times I can "force" myself upon an album and when it does not work or get any better, I just do not have either time or interest in continuing with further listens.
But then again, who knows, maybe in a year or so, I might pick it up again and love it and think of how much of a fool I was who did not get it the first time, but right now the best  I can give it is a generous:

5,5/10