Ultra - The 12" Singles

Depeche Modes 12 singles march continues with the deluxe treatment for their ninth album, 1997s Ultra. As with previous collectors editions, this eight-vinyl box set compiles the original LPs official singles -- Barrel of a Gun, Its No Good, Home, and Useless -- and all the era B-sides (Painkiller and Slowblow) and remixes in one convenient package, serving two 12 records for each of the albums official singles, mastered from the original tapes, with vinyl sleeves featuring the original CD single artwork. Understandably, this effort is mainly for the die-hard completionists, so to that end, its a fine collection of everything from this haunted era in the bands history. It also serves as a sonic snapshot of what was in vogue at the time in the late-90s alternative and electronic worlds, especially with the drumnbass and jungle remixes. Fans of Depeche Modes deep remix catalog will have much to dig through, whether its straightforward interpretations that dont veer too far off course -- Its No Good Hardfloor Mix, Darren Prices Slowblow, LFOs Home, and Useless (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2!) are standouts -- or more exciting takes that strip the originals to the bone or pump them up to frenzied levels. Of the more atmospheric remixes, Underworlds soft mix of Barrel of a Gun; the One Inch Punch mix of Barrel of a Gun; Airs gorgeous Around the Golf mix of Home; and the Plastikman mix of Painkiller are blissed-out forays into the cosmos. On the energetic side, Underworlds hard mix of Barrel of a Gun and CJ Bollands Funky Sub Mix of Useless are nostalgic pleasures complete with crazy breakbeats and techno-trance flair. While previous singles sets yielded more unique B-sides and a wider array of songs, the Ultra 12 Singles collection is a wealth of deep cuts for the cross-section of fans who are well-versed in 90s electronic music. ~ Neil Z. Yeung