"Some Great Reward" is the fourth studio album by Depeche Mode, released on September 24, 1984, by Mute Records. The album peaked at number five in the UK and reached number 51 in the US, supported by the Some Great Reward Tour.
Musically, it continued the band's use of samplers, a technique they began exploring in their previous album, "Construction Time Again," and maintained in future works like "Black Celebration" and "Music for the Masses." Lyrically, the album tackled more personal and provocative themes, including sexual politics in "Master and Servant," infidelity in "Lie to Me," and concepts of divine justice in "Blasphemous Rumours," the latter of which was released as a double A-side with "Somebody."
Notably, "Some Great Reward" marked Depeche Mode's first significant chart success in the US with the single "People Are People," which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-1985 and was a Top 20 hit in Canada. It also achieved notable success in Germany, where it peaked at No. 1, highlighting the band's growing international appeal.
The Some Great Reward Tour was Depeche Mode's longest tour to date. A notable concert from the tour, held at Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg, West Germany, was recorded and released as a video titled "The World We Live In and Live in Hamburg" in 1985. The European release featured 16 songs, while the North American version included 11 tracks. As of now, the video has not been released on DVD.
During the North American leg of the tour, the American synth-pop band Book of Love served as the opening act for all 15 dates, further showcasing the vibrant electronic music scene of the time.
