DEPECHE MODE THE VIDEOS 86>98+ DOUBLE DVD MUTE, PLAYGROUND, REPRISE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 25, 2002 (EUROPE), NOVEMBER 26, 2002 (NORTH AMERICA) REVIEW: NOVEMBER 22, 2002

It does certainly not come as a surprise when Mute and Depeche Mode once again confuse their fans. "The Videos 86>98" was first released on VHS in 1998 and then on DVD in 1999. Now, the DVD is released once again, when the format is far more popular than last time. A plus sign has been added and this is called a "Deluxe Edition".
It comes with a new package and an interesting bonus disc, but the rest is the same. It could have been released in this deluxe fashion the first time. I'm not sure what fans who spent their money on the first version are supposed to do. They didn't know a better version was to come and you could say they are punished for being good customers.
This must be one of the best music DVD:s to own, though. If you're into Depeche Mode in some way or another of course, that is. Most 25 (!) videos are cool - I don't need to tell you that. Depeche Mode have more fine videos in store than most other bands around. Pretty cool for a band that dislikes video making. Let me put it like this, even the worst Depeche Mode clips on this DVD beat much of the stuff from others.
The new disc has four US videos: the embarrassing"But Not Tonight" made in connection with the Tamra Davis movie "Modern Girls", the quite good looking US promo for "Strangelove" and finally the odd DM tunes "One Caress" and "Condemnation (Paris Mix)". Videos made after 1998 are of course nowhere to be found, but I don't like them much anyway. Maybe they will show up on "The Videos 99>12"?
The second disc also has three interesting Electronic Press Kits. It was not difficult for Mute to throw them in here. These "EPK":s have been made previously for us journalists. We get to see them when the record companies remember to send them out. They are naturally good viewing, but PR products designed to show Depeche Mode only in a good light. This is an almost spotless band and one will find it difficult to criticise much anyway. There are also two short films on the main disc: a nice intro piece and "Depeche Mode - a Short Film".
The "Deluxe" packaging design is wonderful, in the same line as the previous "Singles" and "Videos" releases. To access all this material on DVD instead of VHS, with all its quality and options is great.
There is no surround mixing to be found and the 2.0 audio has flaws here and there. Disc one is 126 minutes and number two 87 minutes. So, regardless of how you look at it, this release offers great value.

MIKAEL KAHRLE