DEPECHE MODE 101 DVD MUTE, PLAYGROUND, RHINO RELEASE: NOVEMBER 10, 2003 (UK, SCANDINAVIA), NOVEMBER 11, 2003 (USA) REVIEW: NOVEMBER 14, 2003

The Gothenburg stop on the "Music for the Masses Tour" was my very first Depeche Mode live experience. That special night is one of the reasons I'm a serious music addict and run Release. 15 years have passed but this Depeche Mode era, when they seemed to make everything right like no other, still means a lot to me.
Many of the "Music for the Masses Tour" versions like "Never Let Me Down Again", "Everything Counts" and "Behind the Wheel" always sends shivers down my spine. The songs and live show (not the entire "101" movie though) is just perfect. This is simply as good as it gets.
Disc one holds the technically updated "101" movie with three sound tracks: stereo, 5.1 surround and a truly interesting commentary track with the voices from the filmmakers and all band members, except for Alan Wilder. His importance to the band is mentioned more than once by the remaining Mode men. They look back at the exciting times 15 years ago and the images generates many unique comments.
Disc two first and foremost serves pure live takes of twelve songs. Three concert songs are missing but we get two songs not included in "101". We are also given the "Everything Counts" live video clip and eight short interviews from 2003. Martin Gore invites us to his Santa Barbara home and shows his little child, and I can't decide if that clip is nice or simply too much.
I don't like everything about the "101" movie and this DVD release, but it is no-doubt a must-have nevertheless.

MIKAEL KAHRLE