Construction Time Again cover

Construction Time Again

Depeche Mode · 1983

49 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock · new wave · synth-pop

A bold fusion of industrial beats and melodic synths that critiques modernity with a somber undertone.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady pacing with climactic moments
  • somber reflections on modernity
  • focused listening for introspective moods
  • engaging narrative through cohesive flow

Maybe skip if you want

  • seek instant gratification tracks
  • prefer standalone upbeat singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Marks a significant shift in sound with industrial influences, diverging from earlier work.
Themes
corporate exploitation· modernity's disillusionment· industrial landscapes· societal constraints
Career context
Released on August 22, 1983, 'Construction Time Again' was Depeche Mode's third studio album, following their breakthrough record 'Speak & Spell'. This album marked a significant shift in their sound, embracing more complex themes and incorporating industrial elements, which set the stage for their darker, more mature work in the years to follow.
Stylistic neighbors
New Order· The Cure· Pet Shop Boys
If this clicks, go next to
People Are People — Continues the exploration of societal themes with a similar blend of synth and industrial sounds.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails — Shares industrial soundscapes and themes of disillusionment with modern society.
Computer World by Kraftwerk — Explores the intersection of technology and society, echoing similar critiques of modernity.
With Sympathy by Ministry — Combines synth-driven melodies with dark lyrical themes related to industrial life.

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Love, in Itself".

  • 1 Love, in Itself Start here 4:29
  • 2 More Than a Party 4:45
  • 3 Pipeline 5:54
  • 4 Everything Counts 4:22
  • 5 Two Minute Warning 4:13
  • 6 Shame 3:51
  • 7 The Landscape Is Changing 4:49
  • 8 Told You So 4:27
  • 9 And Then… / [Everything Counts (reprise)] 5:42
  • 10 Everything Counts (long version) 7:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata