Despite their 20-plus years in the music business One Night in Paris demonstrates that Depeche Mode are by no means dinosaurs of synth-infused rock. While they could have easily ended up on the retro tour conveyor belt, as many of their early-80s contemporaries have, they have always managed to remain relevant. Directed by long-time artistic collaborator Anton Corbijn the concert footage concisely captures the atmosphere of the show which was seen by over 1.5 millions fans in 2001. Though there is an obsessive focus on the half-naked Gahan and the "fallen-angel" Gore throughout, at various points the camera withdraws to expose a huge screen at the back of the stage. Combined with the angry stage lighting, the projection films (which include footage of a goldfish swimming in a tank for "In Your Room") provide an added epic feel. Predominantly made up of songs from Exciter, the track-listing also includes old favourites such as "Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus". On the DVD: One Night in Paris' visual and audio material is of an excellent quality, which further enriches the strong live performances. The bonus material on the second disc (particularly the interviews with the band and tour crew) neatly complements the material on the first disc. However, the 50-minute commentary (which is more like a short-course on the practicalities of photography) by Corbijn is dull and over-indulgent. Watched independently of the concert footage, the stage projections also make lacklustre viewing. If the bonus material had been selected more sparingly all of the items could have been combined on one disc making a more succinct package. --John Galilee
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