DEPECHE MODE TOURING THE ANGEL: LIVE IN MILAN DOUBLE DVD+CD MUTE, EMI RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 27, 2006

Depeche Mode has gone from strength to strength since the release of “Playing the Angel” in 2005. The album has sold over three million copies worldwide, and the extensive world tour has been a tremendous success. This fabulous return to form is now documented on a live DVD, filmed in Milan during the spring indoor part of the tour.

I caught the band on both the indoor and outdoor legs of the tour, and while I prefer the set list of the outdoor summer tour – where you had “Photographic” and “Nothing’s Impossible” for example – they both showed the band at its best.

The promo DVD EMI gave me does not have Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, and apparently the audio isn’t even mastered, but I can say that even in this state, it sounds great. The live version of “Home” with Martin Gore by the mic gets me every time I listen to it. It’s one of the best songs they’ve ever written in my opinion, and to see Martin Gore take the stage with such confidence and joy is fantastic. The group has really grown as performers.

The gig is beautifully shot, with many different camera angles and visual lens effects, which might detract from the experience for some, but I think it works. The crowd is incorporated well, both sonically in sing-a-longs and visually with camera fly-bys.

In terms of bonus material, there's a live CD and the extra DVD with a documentary about the tour, set design and so on, featuring interviews with the band, Anton Corbijn and others. Interesting, but pretty short. We also get the backdrop films that were shown behind the band on stage. Boring stuff according to me, but there might be some people out there who enjoy it.

This is a valuable reminder of this great period in Depeche history, and it’s nice to see the band more up close and personal on stage.

Note that there is also a limited edition of this release, with just the live DVD.

JOHAN CARLSSON

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