Hello fellow music lovers and welcome to Way Back Wednesday, where I shed some light on some artists and jams from way back in the day.

During the 1990s, my musical taste began to broaden and Depeche Mode was one of the first bands to open the gateway to other genres. If I never again saw the video for "Enjoy The Silence," I'd still be able to picture frontman Dave Gahan roaming around in his jaunty crown and robe. Both the video and song made a deep imprint, and remain my
favorite of all Depeche Mode's output.

Background: Depeche Mode emerged at forefront of the '80s-era British New Wave phenomenon, forming in 1980, a few years after The Cure and around the same time as other soon-to-be-popular English bands like New Order and The Smiths. The band had four members originally, but after 13 years, the foursome became a trio. Lead singer Dave Gahan is by far the most renown member. His near-fatal drug abuse has been the stuff of news stories for years, and rumors about how difficult he is to work with abound. Gahan has enjoyed some success in his solo career, releasing two studio albums, and one collab. He's also regarded as one of the most dynamic frontmen in the music biz.

Notable albums: DM released nine successful albums prior to 2000, no easy feat. I caught wind via 1987 LP, Music For The Masses. "Strangelove" was my introduction. Then I heard 1990's Violator and became a full-blown fan. The album was anchored by four hit singles: "Personal Jesus," "Policy Of Truth," "World In My Eyes" and "Enjoy The Silence."

The group earned worldwide popularity and acclaim, and all seemed well until a string of ill-fated circumstances — the departure of much-relied-upon member Alan Wilder, Gahan's failed attempt at suicide, then an overdose that stopped his heart for nearly two minutes — seemed to brings things to a halt. Gahan spent much of 1996 in rehab, and many speculated that Depeche Mode would dissolve, though 1997 proved to be a better year with the release of Ultra, their ninth record and first minus Wilder. It was also the first album recorded with only three band members since 1982, and it helped to put to rest the break-up rumors that surrounded DM prior to its release.

Since 2000, Depeche Mode has recorded and released four albums, the most recent 2013's Delta Machine. The band is currently working on their 14th record, set to drop in 2016. Early reports have claimed the album is a back-to-roots/return to early form sound. I'm be looking forward to hearing it…

"New Life"