It took Depeche Mode only four years to assemble their first singles compilation, but 12 to assemble The Singles 86>98. Appropriately, the second set was much more ambitious than The Singles 81>85, spanning two discs and 20 songs, plus a live version of "Everything Counts." The Singles 86>98 was an album that many fans, both casual and hardcore, waited patiently for, and for good reason -- Depeche Mode were always more effective as a singles band than as album artists. That's not to say that the double-disc compilation is perfect. DM's output fluctuated wildly during those 12 years, as the group hit both career highs and lows. It's possible to hear it all on this set, from "Strangelove" and "Never Let Me Down Again," through "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence," to "I Feel You" and "Barrel of a Gun." It's possible that some casual listeners will find that the collection meanders a bit too much for their tastes, but the end result is definitive and, along with The Singles 81>85, ranks as Depeche Mode's best, most listenable album.

Tracklist:

Depeche Mode - The Singles 86 -98 (1998) CD 1

01. Stripped 03:51
02. A Question Of Lust 04:30
03. A Question Of Time 04:00
04. Strangelove 03:47
05. Never Let Me Down Again 04:22
06. Behind The Wheel 04:02
07. Personal Jesus 03:46
08. Enjoy The Silence 04:17
09. Policy Of Truth 05:14
10. World In My Eyes 03:57

Depeche Mode - The Singles 86 -98 (1998) CD 2

01. I Feel You 04:35
02. Walking In My Shoes 05:02
03. Condemnation 03:23
04. In Your Room 04:50
05. Barrel Of A Gun 05:27
06. It's No Good 05:59
07. Home 05:46
08. Useless 04:53
09. Only When I Lose Myself 04:41
10. Little 15 04:13
11. Everything Counts (Live) 06:38