Ultra (Depeche Mode album)

Untitled

Ultra is Depeche Mode's ninth full-length album, which was released by Mute Records on April 14, 1997 (1997-04-14). The album is the first after the departure of Alan Wilder from the band, who left to focus on his solo project Recoil.

Ultra keeps the rock sound of their previous album and has a considerably darker and more ambient sound than Depeche Mode's previous releases.

The long time that separates this album from the previous was due to David Gahan's near death and recovery from addiction to drugs. These two events caused many to speculate the end of Depeche Mode, but this turned out not to be the case.

Instead, Ultra was eventually released, reaching #1 in the UK Albums Chart, #5 in the Billboard 200 and producing several hit singles. As of 2009, Ultra has sold more than 750,000 units in the U.S. Although that the project was initially focused on being an EP, Ultra became the second longest album of the band, clocking in at one hour, behind only Sounds of the Universe.

To promote the album the band played two short concerts in London and Los Angeles, these shows are known as the Ultra Parties.

The remastered album was released on "deluxe" vinyl March 30, 2007 (2007-03-30) in Germany and October 1, 2007 (2007-10-01) internationally.

2007 re-release

On October 2, 2007 (October 3 in North America) Ultra was re-released in a two-disc set, along with Exciter, completing the Depeche Mode Collectors Edition catalogue. The first disc is a remastered version of the original album, on a SACD/CD hybrid (except for in the U.S., where it's a CD only). The second disc is a DVD which features the album in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM Stereo. The b-sides from the album's singles can be listened to as well, including the stand-alone single "Only When I Lose Myself" and its b-sides.

Finally, like the other albums, there is a documentary on the making of Ultra titled "Depeche Mode 95-98 (Oh well, that's the end of the band...)", the subtitle of which comes from Martin Gore's thoughts about Alan Wilder's departure. The documentary begins with discussion from all parties of Wilder's departure before moving on to early album sessions despite Dave Gahan's drug issues present. Eventually, it moves on to Gahan's "death" and rehab. The documentary then covers the recording of Ultra and ends with a discussion on The Singles 86>98 and its corresponding singles tour. The documentary is around 45 minutes to an hour long. The whole band is interviewed, along with Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, producer Tim Simenon, Mute executives, Peter Gordeno, Christian Eigner, Anton Corbijn and others.

Track listing

All songs written by Martin L Gore.

1. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:35
2. "The Love Thieves" – 6:34
3. "Home" – 5:42
4. "It's No Good" – 5:58
5. "Uselink" – 2:21
6. "Useless" – 5:12
7. "Sister of Night" – 6:04
8. "Jazz Thieves" – 2:54
9. "Freestate" – 6:44
10. "The Bottom Line" – 4:26
11. "Insight" – 6:26
12. "Junior Painkiller" – 2:11 (hidden track)

• A ninety second pause separates "Junior Painkiller" from "Insight", which is actually only around five minutes in length.
• Martin takes lead vocals on "Home" and "The Bottom Line", while Dave Gahan sings the rest. "Uselink", "Jazz Thieves", and "Junior Painkiller" are instrumental interludes.

2007 re-release: (CD/SACD)

• Disc 1 is a hybrid SACD/CD with a multi-channel SACD layer.
• Disc 2 is a DVD which includes "Ultra" in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM Stereo plus the following bonus material:

Live tracks in London, April 1997 (in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM Stereo)

1. "Barrel of a Gun"
2. "It's No Good"
3. "Useless"

Bonus tracks (in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM Stereo)

1. "Painkiller"
2. "Slowblow"
3. "Only When I Lose Myself"
4. "Surrender"
5. "Headstar"

Additional Material

• "Depeche Mode 95-98 (Oh well, that's the end of the band...)" (50 minute documentary)

Singles

1. "Barrel Of A Gun" (3 February 1997)
2. "It's No Good" (31 March 1997)
3. "Home" (16 June 1997)
4. "Useless" (20 October 1997)

Personnel

• David Gahan - lead vocals
• Andrew Fletcher - keyboards, programming
• Martin Gore - keyboards, guitar, backing vocals

• Additional musicians:
  • Victor Indrizzo (misspelled in the credits as "Endrizzio"), percussion: "Barrel of a Gun" & "It's No Good".
  • Jaki Liebezeit, percussion: "The Bottom Line".
  • BJ Cole, pedal steel guitar: "The Bottom Line".
  • Gota Yashiki, drums: "Useless".
  • Keith Le Blanc, drums: "Useless".
  • Danny Cummings, percussion: "Useless" & "Freestate".
  • Doug Wimbish, bass: "Useless".
  • Daniel Miller, System700: "Uselink".

• Vocal coach: Evelyn Halus.

• "Uselink" & "Jazz Thieves": Mixed by Tim Simenon & Gareth Jones.

• "Home", "Love Thieves" & "Freestate": Additional vocals engineered by Gareth Jones at RAK Studios

• "Home":
  • Strings arranged by Dave Clayton;
  • Strings scored by Richard Niles;
  • Strings coordinated by Graham Perkins.

• Produced by Tim Simenon.
• Mixed by Tim Simenon & Q.
• Engineered by Q.
• Programming on all tracks by Kerry Hopwood.
• Keyboards & Keyboard Programming on all tracks by Dave Clayton.
• Recorded at:
  • Abbey Road - Eastcote - Westside - Strongroom - RAK, London
  • Electric Lady, New York
  • Larrabee West, Los Angeles
• Assisted by Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Lee Fitzgerald, Tom Rixton, Gary Forde, Lee Phillips, Jamie Campbell, Jim, Greg, Audie Chamberlain, Robbie Kazandjian.
• Mastered by Mike Marsh at The Exchange.

• Art direction, photography & front cover - Anton Corbijn.
• Color prints - Brian Dowling.
• Sleeve design - Richard Smith[1], Area.

Chart positions

Chart (1997)	Peak position	Certification	Sales
Australian Albums Chart	7
Austrian Albums Chart	5		20,000+
Canada	2		100,000+
Finland			15,000+
France Albums Chart	2		175,000+
German Albums Chart	1	Gold	400,000+
Italy	2		175,000+
Netherlands Albums Chart	15		25,000+
New Zealand Albums Chart	25
Norwegian Albums Chart	2
Spanish Albums Chart	75		125,000+
Swedish Albums Chart	1		90,000+
Swiss Albums Chart	4		35,000+
UK Albums Chart	1	Gold	160,000+
US Billboard 200	5	Gold	750,000+
Europe Sales			1,470,000+
Worldwide Sales			4,000,000+