Ultra came together under difficult circumstances: Alan Wilder had left the group in 1995 and Dave Gahan barely survived an overdose in 1996. The ninth studio album, originally from 1997, was produced by Tim Simenon, who added strings, hip-hop leaning beats, and heavy bass to the band's sound. Barrel of a Gun opens grim and lopsided, It's No Good turns on a slow, sticky groove, and on Home Martin Gore takes the lead vocal himself. Short instrumental pieces such as Uselink and Jazz Thieves hold the whole together. No tour followed this time. This edition is an LP reissue.