Great Balls of Fire: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Good Vibrations Maybe Baby Ain’t That a Shame : DEPECHE MODE “101.” Sire

Irony is this British techno-pop band’s main mode, but the joke is strictly on the fans during the finale of this double-live set recorded last June at the Rose Bowl. When a stadium horde chants, “Everything counts in large amounts” over and over--mouthing the sarcastic refrain to a song lampooning the greed of mass marketing--well, who is getting hoist on what petard?

Depeche Mode might be laughing all the way to the bank (they practically admit as much on the cover, which shows band souvenirs for sale), but judging from the album’s nearly continual low crowd roar, the fans didn’t mind being objects for Depeche Mode’s marketing-for-the-masses.

The first two sides of “101” suffer from a sameness of dark, world-weary sonorities. But the second half’s livelier material highlights the band’s knack for catchy pop hooks. That makes this concert-film sound track a reasonable choice for those seeking an overview of Depeche Mode hits; fans who have the studio versions needn’t bother, unless they want to dish out for yet another expensive concert souvenir.