Released in 1984, "Some great reward" captures the band at its creative crossroads: standing between the minimal kraftwerk-inspired synthpop-future pop of their early albums and singles, and the richly-produced electro-pop of their later phase. The album reflects both aspects, and lays the basic structures in compositions, arrangements and production that Depeche Mode would follow in their next efforts that led them to stardom.

The opener "Something to do" is a clear proof of their redefined sound. Though it is hinted at airplay as much as the previous album's opener "Love in itself", it is arranged in a mechanized, almost industrial style, with effects and aggressive lines from the synth and sequencers. It could easily find its way in a Cabaret Voltaire album, and the whole attitude seems to point at that direction. Gahan sings in a steady yet full-of-passion style, and the bleak lyrics seem to be more appropriate than ever.

"Lie to me" is slower,and in much more spacious textures, Gahan's now soft voice expressing his painful irony to his lover:"come on and lay with me, come on and lie to me, tell me you love me, say i'm your only one" and the moody keys create the equally effective soundscape. Depeche Mode achieve eerie moods that have been attempted before (in BROKEN FRAME mostly) but never before in such complete and convincing fashion.

Still they do not abandon their charting efforts, and "People are people" is a testament to this. Upbeat, back-to-the roots 80s anthem with driving keyboard lines and up-tone singing from an excellent Gahan. Not so deep lyrically, but it keeps all balances and for all purposes, is much more well-crafted than other 80s pop hits.

"It does not matter" moves in more gentle textures, with effects that interfere with the song and create a strong impression that DM had been, at the time, under heavy influence from the New York underground (most obviously Suicide) and other proto-industrial pioneers like the aforementioned Cabaret Voltaire.

"Somebody" is a great piano-based ballad with suitable lyrics and singing,but for all purposes we should not forget the minimal electro beats of "Stories of old",with its gradual building and sound that provides the necessary leadership to Gahan's striking vocals.

And what we are left with is a series of electro anthems in the shape of "Master and Servant", "If you want" and "Blasphemous rumours". The first one is an excellent synth number with lyrics dealing the themes of S/M. "We call it, master and servant" and even though it is not so clear (to say the least) if the narrator speaks as the master or the servant (lol), the mood is quite convincing and the groove quite danceable. "Let's play master and servant" therefore!

"If you want" is rather weird, slow tempo being suddenly enhanced by bursts of sequencers and other synth-produced effects that strongly remind of proto-industrial acts and soundscapes.

"Blasphemous rumours" is just like "Master and Servant", a danceable and upbeat declaration fo provocative themes, this one dealing with religion, in a rather incompatible way (yet we love it!).

To sum it up, SOME GREAT REWARD is a great album where all tendencies of the DM catalog fall together to form a new style, with its own distinctive personality clearly showing its teeth, and benefiting from it. It holds all the key elements that would be fully developed later on in BLACK CELEBRATION and the supreme MUSIC FOR THE MASSES and for all those reasons, it is a highly recommended sample of 80s electro/synth. Most people already own it, the rest should check it out. Still here?