Rating: Summary: Time to call it quits Review: I am a recovering Depeche Mode fan, so take this review with a grain of salt. I feel that ever since Alan Wilder left, DM has lost their focus and direction. Their music seems to take on the sound of whomever is producing that particular album instead of portraying the band's artistic intention. Nevertheless, I purchased this DVD because I went to the Exciter concert, and I thought it would be a good addition to my collection-BIG MISTAKE! I found the audio quality to be below par as well as the band's performance (Dave could hardly carry a note). I wouldn't even recommend this DVD to diehard fans-save your money, or better yet purchase the U2 Elevation tour if you want to see true excellence on stage.
Rating: Summary: Excellent show and DVD. Review: Wow. This live show is captured with all the verve of Mode on stage and all the eloquence Anton Corbijn's lens can muster. Gahan and Co. play an electrifying and emotional set; the sound is incredible and best heard LOUD. Not much else can be said but BUY THIS. One thing though: the product description says there's some song rehearsal in some dressing room? I couldn't find it. Maybe it's a 'hidden feature.' Oh well. Lotsa bang for your buck anyway. Now they need to release a dvd of the full Devotional show... another great Corbijn film.
Rating: Summary: UK's (or the world's?) best kept secret... Review: This DVD set is an amazing collection and a perfect proof of DM's superiority in today's musical world. You can enjoy several of their all-time favorites along with a few less known songs performed in a brilliant way, captured through Anton Corbijn's eyes, who has been the main determinant of DM's visuals since the mid-80s, providing a perfect contribution to their songs. You can be sure that they will never let you down! Their live performances are some of the most remarkable you have ever witnessed, whether you are a huge fan or not. With 20+ years of experience they simply can not go wrong. See with your own eyes why they have become the best band of this era, influencing almost every alternative band in the world. Hopefully some day even "officially" they will be recognized for their timeless contribution to Music. Enjoy & spread the news!!
Rating: Summary: Depeche still going strong! Review: For me, Depeche Mode has been the best live concert yet, and I'm estatic to own this DVD. I gave it a five-star rating simply for Martin Gore's vocals on "Sister of Night", and the energy of Dave and Martin.( Martin is the most underrated singer AND songwriter, and he deserves the praise). Dave's antics on stage always makes for good viewing, he's so charismatic and energetic...and the blend of those two make great music. Yes, Dave sounds strained, but after months of touring, it should be no suprise. Personally, I think they should have recorded a live show earlier in their tour, but overall, I love this DVD. However, I've seen where there is supposed to be a scene with Martin "singing in his dressing room"...but maybe that is only on the DVD from the UK?
Rating: Summary: this is what depeche mode is all about Review: deep colors, deep emotions...these are the things that make up a depeche mode concert. and these elements come together incredibly on this dvd. the use of colors is amazing. the cinematography is fantastic. anton uses very innovative shots of the band. the colors used correspond with the feeling of the songs being performed very well. in a song like walking in my shoes, there is a lot of blue because the song projects a very 'blue mood.'the performance is extremely energetic, yet it is also very intimate. songs like when the body speaks, waiting for the night, breathe, freelove, and it doesn't matter two come across with a lot of feeling...a lot of soul. and songs like enjoy the silence, i feel you, personal jesus, the sweetest condition, and the dead of night just give you a good kick in the butt and really wake you up. you just feel like dancing! one major complaint i had was the sound. when i popped in the dvd and my system was set to dolby digital 5.1, the amount of echo coming from the rear speakers totally overwhelmed the sound from the front, thus creating a very unnatural presence. the drums were hardly there at all. and depeche mode tours with one of the best drummers i've seen in a long time. i then switched to stereo, and the sound was too perfect. the drums were crystal clear and so was dave's voice. but the audience was inaudible. it sounded like a studio recording. my ideal sound mix is all the music from the front channels, and audience sound from the rear mixed in with very slight echo of the music from the rear as well. perhaps i will set my speakers to the 'large' setting and see what happens. the bonus disc was cool. it was interesting to watch the first time. i don't think i'll watch it again for a very long time to come. a big thank you to mute and univeral for putting out such a visually stunning dvd. and a gigantic thank you to depeche mode for putting on a mindblowing performance. great job guys!!!
Rating: Summary: LET'S HAVE A BLACK CELEBRATION!!!...TONIGHT!!! Review: WOW!!! A great DVD - not to mention a big improvement over The Videos 86>98 compilation, which suffered from a grainy picture quality and terrible sound mastering. Not so this DVD - the sound is great (mastered in Dolby 5.1 surround sound) and the picture quality is pretty good. My only complaints is that they didn't perform a longer show (given their long list of classic songs) and that they didn't include the promo videos for the songs from EXCITER. Other than that, this is a great concert. I saw them on the "Exciter" tour in Houston, TX (July 14, 2001 at the Woodlands Pavilion), and along with seeing U2 on the PopMart tour in 1997, ranks as one of the best concerts I've ever experienced. Also, like U2, Depeche Mode truly have a special connection with their loyal fans, and it really shows in this phenomenal concert. P.S. - this is addressed to the band and their label - please re-release all of their classic recordings with bonus tracks, lyrics, pictures and a digitally remastered sound. Also, why not re-release the classic 101 live video/concert movie as well as the DEVOTIONAL video on DVD? Oh well, just a suggestion. Anyway, great live DVD - go out and buy it, and enjoy the silence...AND THE NOISE!!!
Rating: Summary: A Longtime Crazed Fan Says..... Review: I followed the Exciter tour straight through (including the warm up shows), and having first seen the ppv special, then the DVD, I am so happy that I will have a constant reminder of how great their live show really is. There are, of course, a few songs they did live that don't appear on the dvd, but I'm really happy they included "Sister of Night" (it's incredible) which they only did a few times. Buy this DVD! If you were lucky enough to see them live, you can emerge yourself in all the great memories. If you missed them, it's not the same, but it's a great alternative.
Rating: Summary: Depeche mode Forever! Review: I have not seen this DVD but I attended the show in Paris therefore I already know it is a 5+. I have been a huge Depeche Mode fan since I was about eleven years old and have gone to all of the shows in Denver since then. I have a friend in France who shares my love for the band and he bought me two tickets to the show in Paris, so my friend and I took a two week European vacation and finished the trip with the mode show the night before our flight home. What a way to end an awesome trip. The fact that the stadium was literally packed full of Depeche Mode fans from all over the world felt so awesome, everyone singing along, that is definately an experience that I will never forget. Although I had seen the mode several times at home, the energy that they put out for this show was amazing. The vibe of the whole place was inexplicable. My new goal is to see Depeche Mode in Europe each time they tour, so I hope they tour soon because I need another vacation!
Rating: Summary: CAN NOT WAIT! Review: I saw this tour in Mountain View, California, and it was my first concert ever. I was in the back on the lawn, but the visuals on the back drop and what i could see (which was alot) drilled the show into my memory, always wanting to see it again, now heres the chance, One Night in Paris. This is a must addition for a collection! I can't wait another minute to get this DVD! Note: Dave and Martin each are working on solo projects to be released 2003 some time.
Rating: Summary: One demerit for a glowing omission! Review: Let me first say what an incredible live show I witnessed on this tour in Mansfield, MA last summer! While it helped to be able to sneak down toward the front of the venue and see the show up-close, the concert itself was spectacular! Dave Gahan was like a man possessed - his voice and stage presence convinced me (reminded me?) that he is one of rock's greatest frontmen. The live backup band added a deep texture that was so missing on the Devotional tour (and subsequent concert video)- not to mention how drugged-out Dave looked and sounded during that period. The song selection as well as the performances themselves made for one of the best shows I've ever seen, and I've seen hundreds of great shows (including DM's last two tours)! But then, toward the end of the show, begins the haunting synth-loop from Violator's "Clean"!! To hear Dave stand there in front of me looking and sounding better than he possibly ever has, singing 11-year-old lyrics about being clean-and-drug-free again, well, the moment sent shivers! So what do they do with the DVD release of the tour? They leave that one song off in favor of another boring take on the ineffectual-at-this-moment-of-the-show "Condemnation" instead! I almost cried when I saw that omission on this otherwise excellent concert vid! All in all, a great capturing of a great band playing a great show! (Q: Name me another band out of the 80's who can get a crowd on its feet for almost every song as DM does! U2. That's about it!)
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