This tribute album to Depeche Mode, featuring interpretations of their songs by their rocker peers, arrives on our shelves at the same time as ‘The Singles 86-98’, the double "best of" Depeche Mode compilation. The recent years have not been kind to these synth-gothers despite their ever-growing global fan base. Attempting to perform for as many of these fans as possible almost saw the demise of the band and specifically their lead singer Dave Gahan.

Gahan’s much publicised battle with various addictions nearly saw their new ‘Singles’ collection becoming a nostalgic swansong. But these boys are survivors and these two albums will provide a well-needed catharsis before they begin the next stage of their careers, beginning with their upcoming US arena tour. Depeche Mode’s music mostly features simple synthesizer riffs and sequencer-driven tunes with deep and dark vocals, so there was no shortage of similar bands willing to interpret these songs.

The Smashing Pumpkins lead off with Billy Corgan squeaking out ‘Never Let Me Down Again’. The Cure turn ‘World In My Eyes’ into a shimmering noise fest and Apollo Four Forty slowly build ‘ I Feel You’ to a thundering climax. German heavies Rammstein add squalling guitars to deep-throated vocals on ‘Stripped’ (their first attempt at an English lyric). Trance-pop newies Hooverphonic, however, turn the fierce ‘Shake The Disease’ into a toothless disco ramble that would seem more appropriate on an Ace Of Base album.

Other notable contributors include Dishwalla (‘Policy of Truth’), Veruca Salt (‘Somebody’), Gus Gus (‘Monument’) and Deftones (‘To Have And To Hold’).

While the esoteric nature of ‘For The MASSES’ will appeal to the more serious Depeche Mode fans, there is always the new double ‘Singles 86-98’ collection to appease all those fans who would still prefer the original versions.

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