Depeche Mode Artificial, Mediocre
[L.A. Life, 23rd November 1993. Words: Adam St. James.]
Representing the utmost in musical artificial intelligence, Depeche Mode brings its largely artificial music to the Forum for five nights, capping the U.S. leg of an 18-month world tour.
Sunday’s show was, unfortunately, mediocre, yet at times strangely interesting.
An imposing stage set, which perched the group’s three keyboardists high above singer David Gahan, made Gahan look like a solo artist. His suggestive dancing and crotch grabbing were the highlight of the show, judging from the reaction of the screaming girls in the far-from-capacity crowd.
The concept of capacity may be another mystery regarding this band’s popularity.
All of the concerts are labeled a sell-out, but the hundreds of empty seats Sunday left us wondering: Is the term sell-out being attached arbitrarily to concerts simply for promotional hype?
The show began dramatically enough, with the four musicians silhouetted against sheer curtains that hid them from the crowd as the sounds of their synthetic music pulsed through the PA system. Eventually, they showed their faces and bedazzled the audience with the bizarre video imagery that accompanied many of their songs.
“Walking In My Shoes” featured a woman in a strange bird-like costume, while “Condemnation” started a trilogy of religious-themed videos/songs during which the band was joined by two gospel-tinged background singers.
Keyboardist Martin Gore also played guitar and handled lead vocals on a couple of songs. Towards the end of the show, a drum kit was set up, and group member Alan Wilder provided real percussion, adding energy to the otherwise bland sound.
“I Feel You,” from the group’s latest album, “Songs of Faith and Devotion”, benefitted from this arrangement.
[L.A. Life, 23rd November 1993. Words: Adam St. James.]
Representing the utmost in musical artificial intelligence, Depeche Mode brings its largely artificial music to the Forum for five nights, capping the U.S. leg of an 18-month world tour.
Sunday’s show was, unfortunately, mediocre, yet at times strangely interesting.
An imposing stage set, which perched the group’s three keyboardists high above singer David Gahan, made Gahan look like a solo artist. His suggestive dancing and crotch grabbing were the highlight of the show, judging from the reaction of the screaming girls in the far-from-capacity crowd.
The concept of capacity may be another mystery regarding this band’s popularity.
All of the concerts are labeled a sell-out, but the hundreds of empty seats Sunday left us wondering: Is the term sell-out being attached arbitrarily to concerts simply for promotional hype?
The show began dramatically enough, with the four musicians silhouetted against sheer curtains that hid them from the crowd as the sounds of their synthetic music pulsed through the PA system. Eventually, they showed their faces and bedazzled the audience with the bizarre video imagery that accompanied many of their songs.
“Walking In My Shoes” featured a woman in a strange bird-like costume, while “Condemnation” started a trilogy of religious-themed videos/songs during which the band was joined by two gospel-tinged background singers.
Keyboardist Martin Gore also played guitar and handled lead vocals on a couple of songs. Towards the end of the show, a drum kit was set up, and group member Alan Wilder provided real percussion, adding energy to the otherwise bland sound.
“I Feel You,” from the group’s latest album, “Songs of Faith and Devotion”, benefitted from this arrangement.