Over the span of six studio albums, a tour with Bon Jovi, and a sold-out overseas stadium tour, Delirious has become one of the most respected English imports. Much of the band's appeal stems from its blend of anthemic guitars, memorable choruses, and front man Martin Smith's commanding stage presence. Aside from raising the artistic bar for Christian acts, Delirious has also improved how the mainstream market perceives bands of faith. Whether following the progress of
The bulk of this DVD—the futuristically packaged and themed
On the less appealing front, there's the relatively plain soundstage setting of "Everything," the sluggish prodding of "It's OK" and the rooftop shooting location for "Deeper." Though "Deeper" itself is enjoyable as a single, that framing idea has been tried countless times before, starting with The Beatles and moving on to U2 and Limp Bizkit. Meanwhile, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" includes shots of the band at play and on the road mixed with candid crowd photos—an unfortunate distraction from the spiritual lyrics.
The DVD gives fans a personal look at the band. The "View from the Terraces" menu offers behind the scenes footage, plus alternative visuals and camera angles. "D:Facts" provides exhaustive biography information on each group member and factual tidbits that would typically be found in a band's press kit. Even more exciting for diehards is "Pro Mode," which features the promotional films released to media and retail to spread the word about the band's past albums. In addition, the "Live Visuals" section puts computer generated and live graphics to some of the best love songs from last year's concert double disc recording
With all the different segments and song selections Archived has to offer, it's an absolute must purchase for any Delirious fan. And for those who haven't caught the wave yet, this is a multi-sensory introduction to the creative twists and musical turns of these critically acclaimed Brits. All in all,