Depeche Mode
One Night in Paris (Mute/Hip-O) Image and fashion have always been integral elements of Depeche Mode — French for “fast fashion” — and the band’s longtime friend, photographer, and video director Anton Corbijn is a huge reason why. Corbijn has worked with acts ranging from Bryan Adams to Bauhaus, but it’s his work with Depeche Mode that’s defined his career. This DM, captured live in Paris during 2001’s Exciter tour, is older and wiser than the phenoms who starred in D.A. Pennebaker’s 1988 tour documentary, 101, probably the decade’s finest. Though 95% of the band’s best material was recorded in the Eighties, only a pair of pre-Violator cuts appear in Paris. Still, David Gahan and Martin L. Gore prove that they’re far from done, from the compelling intro of Exciter highlight “Dream On” to the closing spectacle of “Never Let Me Down Again.” One Night in Paris finds Gore decked out in make-up and a white silken shirt with feather boa, quite often with a guitar in his hand. It’s a funny sight, especially when he tears into an out-of-the-blue wah-wah fest during “Enjoy the Silence.” Corbijn wisely leaves the spotlight to the high-energy Gahan much of the time, but when he puts up projections behind the band, they’re generally visual stunners. “Black Celebration” features shifty black-and-white stick figures and crosses in a vintage Corbijn display. The big winner here is a beautiful rendition of Violator‘s “Waiting for the Night.” Shimmering pellets of pure light rain out of the sky behind Gahan to intoxicating effect. The second disc features, along with requisite shots of raving fans, Corbijn’s projection shows, alone on the screen, tracked with the live songs. Also here is an interview segment, casual yet revealing, hosted off-camera by Corbijn himself. For a really fashionable viewing experience, turn on the Italian or French subtitles during this part.This article appears in June 28 • 2002.