Depeche Mode - Construction Time Again | The 12" Singles is a deluxe audiophile box set released by Sony Music on 14 December 2018. It marks the third installment in the band's chronological campaign to reissue their entire 12-inch catalog on high-quality vinyl. Every track in this collection was meticulously remastered from the original studio master tapes at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The set serves as a definitive sonic archive of the band's pivotal transition into industrial pop during the early 1980s.
The collection features six individual 12-inch vinyl discs pressed on heavy 180-gram wax. It includes the standard and limited-edition configurations for the hit singles "Everything Counts" and "Love, In Itself". Additionally, the box set includes the non-album transitional single "Get The Balance Right!", which bridged the gap between their second and third studio albums. The tracking lists preserve the extended mixes, dub versions, and rare B-sides that defined the band's dancefloor presence in 1983.
A major highlight for collectors is the inclusion of extensive live material across three of the limited-edition discs. These tracks were captured live at the London Hammersmith Odeon on 25 October 1982 during the See You tour. They showcase energetic, raw synth-pop performances of early staples like "New Life", "Just Can't Get Enough", and "Photographic". This addition transforms the box set from a simple singles collection into an important historical document of their early live era.
The physical presentation matches the premium nature of the audio. The outer slipcase features a street-art inspired design that complements the industrial themes of the original album. Each vinyl is housed in a sleeve that precisely replicates the original artwork, textures, and labels from the 1983 UK releases. To complete the premium package, Sony Music included a rare, full-sized reproduction of the original promotional marketing poster from the era.
Depeche Mode - Construction Time Again | The 12" Singles stands as a triumphant, archival masterclass for collectors, effectively charting the moment the band shed their pure synth-pop skin for industrial experimentation. By grouping the original UK maxis alongside their rare, limited-edition counterparts, this box set offers a cohesive look at a vital transitional era. Musically, it showcases a band brimming with youthful idealism, aggressively pushing the boundaries of early sampling technology and political lyricism.
The absolute crown jewel of this collection is the unparalleled sonic preservation. Remastered at Abbey Road Studios, tracks like "Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)" deliver a punchy, pristine low-end and crisp percussive clangs that sound far superior to aging 1980s pressings. The inclusion of the non-album bridge single "Get The Balance Right!" is a brilliant curatorial choice. It perfectly demonstrates the exact musical stepping stone between the naive melodies of A Broken Frame and the metallic soundscapes of Construction Time Again.
For hardcore enthusiasts, the true value lies in the three limited-edition discs stacked with live recordings from the 1982 Hammersmith Odeon concert. Hearing early hits like "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Photographic" performed live with raw, high-energy enthusiasm provides a wonderful contrast to the sterile perfection of studio tracks. These live B-sides elevate the box set from a simple nostalgic reissue to an important, immersive historical document of the band's stage evolution.
The physical presentation is equally flawless, though it comes at a steep financial cost that may deter casual listeners. Sony Music spared no expense with the attention to detail; the jackets feature the exact original textures, Brian Griffin's iconic worker iconography, and replicated labels. While the premium retail price is a heavy investment, the archival audio quality and beautiful packaging make this an essential centerpiece for any serious Depeche Mode vinyl archivist.
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Get The Balance Right! (12BONG 2)
Side A:"Get The Balance Right! (Combination Mix)" – 7:57
Side B:"The Great Outdoors!" – 5:02
"Tora! Tora! Tora! (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:00
Get The Balance Right! (L12BONG 2)
Side A:"Get The Balance Right! (Original Mix)" – 3:12
Side B:"My Secret Garden (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 7:28
"See You (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:11
"Satellite (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:28
"Tora! Tora! Tora! (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:00
Everything Counts (12BONG 3)
Side A:"Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)" – 7:18
Side B:"Work Hard (East End Mix)" – 6:58
Everything Counts (L12BONG 3)
Side A:"Everything Counts (Original 7" Mix)" – 3:58
Side B:"New Life (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:12
"Boys Say Go! (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 2:36
"Nothing To Fear (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:28
"The Meaning Of Love (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 3:14
Love, In Itself (12BONG 4)
Side A:"Love In Itself • 3" – 7:15
Side B:"Fools (Bigger)" – 7:35"Love In Itself • 4" – 4:38
Love, In Itself (L12BONG 4)
Side A:"Love In Itself • 2" – 4:17
Side B:"Just Can't Get Enough (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 5:35
"A Photograph Of You (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 3:21
"Shout! (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:39
"Photographic (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 25 Oct 1982)" – 4:44
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