Rating: Summary: The Exciter Tour is a "Snoozer Tour" Review: I saw Depeche Mode live when they toured for "Music for the Masses, Violator, and Songs of Faith and Devotion" (saw them twice for SFD)". Violator was by far the best concert out of four. I tell you this because the Depeche Mode that sings on the "One Night in Paris" DVD is a hollow shell of the old band. David Gahan's vocals are gone (probably too much alcohol and heroin). Along with David's vocals went the budget for their stage show. Dave couldn't dance in the 80's and 90's but at least you had a dazzling video and light production to cover that up. On this DVD, David is center stage with his bad singing, bad dancing, and bad lighting and nothing to distract you from those facts. The only thing good I can say about this DVD is that Martin Gore still sounds good if you are a Martin Gore fan, however anything with David as the lead vocal should been left on the cutting room floor when putting this DVD together. Save your money or buy their video "Devotional" when David still had a voice and a budget for the stage show
Rating: Summary: Depeche Mode: Gods Favorite Band? Could be... Review: As a video producer/director/creative director for Electric Light Orchestra Pt2 (Access All Areas) and The Orchestra I am humbled by this absolutely inspired and astonishing masterpiece. The only way to honestly describe Depeche Modes One Night In Paris is to say it's a near religious experience. What Anton Corbijn manages to capture over the course of this soaring visual and musical feast leaves me truly speechless and is a testament to the power, sincerity, depth and charisma of Depeche Mode. And with each moment that slips by, Mr. Corbijns' vision and craft as a filmmaker clearly illustrates why Depeche Mode (along with so many other bands) have stayed loyal to his vision for so many years. I was fortunate to the have witnessed this show first hand in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and can tell you in hind sight I wished I'd paid for front row tickets (why didn't I? Well to be honest and it's embarrassing to say I was trying to save a buck) and I deeply regret now that I didn't go for the better seats. Needless to say I've spent a lot of time in the wings at concerts but this show was a truly stunning exhibition in person and on DVD. Dave Gahan's soulful vocal pleas and commanding, aerobic stage presence are like an evangelical preacher exalting the crowd in one breath and taunting the powers of hell in another. His performance like a musical Svengali is all at once heartbreaking and exhilarating, joyful and gut wrenching. And it's through his masterful handling of the notes that we are witness to the true genius of Martin Gores' talents as a song writer. Never before (and I mean never) have audiences been exposed to a more intimate revealing of one mans soul through words and music. If Martin is simply trying to find words that rhyme he's a poetic magician, if the words do in fact come from out there somewhere, then he's nothing short of touched by the very hand of God. I suspect we may be witnesses to a bit of both. Technically the DVD is gorgeous; pictures on a small screen have never appeared so larger than life. As an art director Anton is a true craftsman and visionary, unlike anyone in the industry he has the uncanny ability to paint light and images on a stage and TV screen with the delicate touch of an artist painting with oils or the pounding relentlessness of a mental patient tearing a canvas to shreds with a ballpoint pen. The sound is thick and razor sharp, the performances are tight and explosive and the extras on disc 2 (consisting of interviews and production art and videos) are quirky, revealing and a very nice touch indeed. One Night In Paris is so radiant, honest and inspired, that you may want to pause and thank God Dave Gahan beat his demons so we mere mortals can bare witness to such humbly offered greatness. Maybe in my next life I'll be lucky enough to have another Depeche Mode to work with and a One Night In Paris to put in the DVD player and call my very own, until then however I guess I'll just have to find satisfaction in the fact that something so great can be had for such a small price.
Rating: Summary: Smokin' hot Mode for everyone you love Review: It is hard to put a DVD together that represents the Mode. This DVD does that and does it well. The DVD is very entertaining. It's got classic Mode, new Mode, and it has got some mode that you always knew was awesome but never was "mainstream." The interviews with the fans are great. It even has the "impersonators". Any of you who have been to a Mode concert know about these guys. They are at every show. The concert itself is just great. The crowd are totally into the show as always and capturing that on film is always a treat. There are also interviews with the band. These are good too and allow people to see that the Mode are every day people that make some damn good music. If you have never heard or seen the Mode - this DVD is for you. This will leave you want to more. If you have been a mode fan or are still one, this DVD is a must for your collection. You can't even call yourself a fan without owning this one. GREAT DVD - A STEAL AT ANY PRICE.
Rating: Summary: Since 101 isn't on DVD (yet)... Review: ...One Night in Paris will have to do. And it does quite well indeed; the energy of the live performance transfers well onto this disc. Gahan's vocals are raw yet measured, offering a new twist on old and new favorites. For me, the highlights were "Dream On," "Personal Jesus," and "Home." I was most impressed with Gore's handling of "Breathe," and the constant camera shifts and lighting changes throughout add to the atmosphere of "being there." The majority of the camera's attention was on the band (obviously Gahan and Gore received the most screen time) and not on the audience's reactions and screaming, which adds to the concert effect (and, frankly, who cares about the nameless faces in the audience? We paid to see the band, not a random Parisian jumping up and down in excitement). Disc Two is worth a spin as it contains two extra videos not seen on the main disc. The behind-the-scenes footage is also a nifty addition. This is worth getting, if only to tide you over until 101 gets released--but rest assured, you'll be glad you picked it up.
Rating: Summary: Horrid!!! Review: I really liked Depeche Mode. I bought almost all of their albums (give or take a couple) and have a few of their singles. One thing I admired about them was David Gahan's sublime voice. Here was finally a rock star who could sing on key and who had a generous vocal range. Songs like "Enjoy the Silence", "Strangelove", and "Here is the House" show a tremendous vocal talent, and the live 101 album showed how great Dave sounded live, whereas most other rock stars would likely sing in monotone. However, Dave's singing on this DVD is absolutely horrid. He is most of the time OFF KEY and he strains the vocals too much, even on delicate songs like "Waiting for the Night". I can't even listen to an entire song on this DVD in its entirety. It's really that bad. I say this sadly, as I was hoping for a great live performance as in 101. I guess the years have finally taken their toll on David, unfortuneatly...
Rating: Summary: A must have !!!! Review: Excellent, brilliant, incredible, the sound could be improved but that's OK, get it fast if you are a true fan. David Gahan is [great]!
Rating: Summary: Black Celebration Review: DM proves once again that the combination of wonderfully crafted songs with solid songwriting - all delivered with conviction - is highly, highly entertaining. It is good to see Gahan so strong and DM thriving after all they've experienced. One should not forget that DM set the standard for bands that strike out on their own with utmost originality, stay true to their form and bring audience appreciation up to their level. I saw Gahan at a Bowie show last year and he proved that at heart he's a real music fan, like many of us. Depeche Mode rules!
Rating: Summary: It's OK Review: I think ever since Depeche Mode brought out Violator DM have been more than a little bit patchy. Songs Of Faith And Devotion was an album which was fairly poor because some of the songs were just a tad bit too pompous and it revealed a few too many weaknesses. Ultra was a fine album and although near the end it kinda loses it's momentum it was a fine testimony that Depeche Mode could still be up there with the best of them however Exciter was at best your sleeping partner for those insomniac nights. This video charts DM's first major tour since the Devotional Tour and it's fair to say that it's not a great concert they picked. You get the feeling with this video that what you are watching is synth pop's Rolling Stones belting out those classics one more time. In fact you kinda cringe when Dave Gahan quips " Marty's still got the moves ". The songs themselves cannot be touched upon. They're good but in some cases Dave's voice sounds like it's going to give way. Anton's effects though are truly mesmerising, there's no denying that. It is the highlight of this video which is unfortunate as when you buy a video like this what you want is a little more than stunning visuals that hypnotize you. In fact the visuals seem more of a distraction than anything else. In short it's not the best Depeche Mode video there is but then again if you want everything that they made then you might as well get it. Stick to the videos where they show you their rather filmy " promotional videos " as they tend to be a lot more interesting. If you still want a live concert video of DM then go with 101 or Devotional. Perhaps they are better than this one
Rating: Summary: Better Lighting Would Help! Review: I'm a big Demode Fan but, come on! These people filming these concerts need to learn how to impress the fan buying these videos! I loved the music but! some of footage was so poor that it was a blur. One of the best songs "Never Let Me Down" sounded so gooood but looked so poor! I would recomend this video to all as long as you except some of the poor quality footage!
Rating: Summary: A must have for depeche fans Review: After growing up with this ban since their inception. They have reached new and unchartered heights in the music industry. This dvd show's that they have shed their purely synth sound and became a full sounding rock experience. They cover old favorites and ad new twists to new ones. How cool is it to see Martin Gore play a guitar. The photography/lighting is simply spectacular. Enough said! GO BUY THIS DVD NOW!
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