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Speak & Spell
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
This 1981 debut is the only album with the founder Vince Clarke, who wrote most of the songs, while Martin Gore contributed two. The group consisted of synthesizer players: Clarke, Gore, Andrew Fletcher and the singer Dave Gahan. They signed with Daniel Miller's Mute Records, and Miller co-produced the album with the band. After the singles Dreaming of Me and New Life, the group recorded the rest at Blackwing Studios in London. Because the studio had only eight tracks, it was recorded almost live, with an ARP 2600 and a sequencer. Miller wanted a good electronic pop sound that was not a copy of anything else. Clarke said his lyrics had no message: he thought the sound of the words more important. The title refers to the toy Speak & Spell.
The album reached number ten in England.
Listening
Track list
- 1New Life3:44Apple Music ↗
- 2I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead2:17Apple Music ↗
- 3Puppets3:56Apple Music ↗
- 4Boys Say Go!3:05Apple Music ↗
- 5Nodisco4:13Apple Music ↗
- 6What's Your Name?2:42Apple Music ↗
- 7Photographic4:43Apple Music ↗
- 8Tora! Tora! Tora!4:32Apple Music ↗
- 9Big Muff4:21Apple Music ↗
- 10Any Second Now (Voices)2:35Apple Music ↗
- 11Just Can't Get Enough3:41Apple Music ↗
- 12Dreaming of Me4:02Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗