In an ideal world, Depeche Mode [ tickets ]'s Dave Gahan and Martin Gore would be happy and content to play to each other's strengths. That translates to Gahan singing Gore's songs. But--as proven by the fact that people keep letting Vin Diesel make movies--this is hardly an ideal world.

Gahan wants to write more songs and Gore, who deeply suffers from the songwriter's version of short man's complex, keeps singing despite a wealth of evidence that points toward it being a very bad idea.

The situation neared a boiling point after 2001's "Exciter," which featured all Gore-penned tracks, when Gahan reportedly drew a line in the sand and said he wouldn't do another Depeche Mode album unless he could write half the tracks. A compromise was struck and "Playing the Angel," which contains three Gahan numbers, was released last month.

Yet, from reading recent band interviews, it's easy to see that the balance of power is still an issue in Depeche Mode. Call it a friendly rivalry and, well, let's just see how long it remains friendly.

Whether intended or not, that sense of competition definitely carried over to the band's performance on Friday (11/18) at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. And, if there's a competition, there's usually a clear winner. On this evening, it was clearly Gahan.

The 43-year-old vocalist did a far superior job performing the songs he wrote than the 44-year-old Gore did with his too-frequent turns at the microphone. In fact, the Gahan-penned numbers featured from the new album--"Suffer Well" and "I Want It All"--were among the true highlights of the evening. On the flipside, the Gore-sung tracks were, without exception, the low points of the concert.

Following The Raveonettes' short opening set, the seminal synth-pop act responsible for such hits as "People are People" and "Master and Servant" took its place on a futuristic stage set that resembled what one might see by flipping on the SciFi Channel at 3 a.m.

Instead of initially sweating to the oldies, Gahan began his aerobic rock routine with a double-shot of new songs "A Pain That I'm Used To" and "John the Revelator," which also happen to be the first two tracks on "Playing the Angel."

The vocalist, who came across on stage as a mesmerizing mix of Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry and Perry Farrell, continued on like a caffeine junkie as he (literally) whirled his way through "A Question of Time," from 1986's "Black Celebration."

The band, which also features keyboardist Andy Fletcher, then slowed it down with "Policy of Truth" (from 1990's "Violator"), "Precious" (from "Playing the Angel") and "Walking in My Shoes" (from 1993's "Songs of Faith and Devotion"). All three numbers were enjoyable, especially "Walking in My Shoes," which featured some shiny David Gilmour-esque guitar work from Gore.

Gore didn't have nearly as much luck as he took over on lead vocals for the "Playing the Angel"-track "Damaged People" and "Home," which hails from 1997's "Ultra." Technically, Gore might be a better singer than Gahan--at least that's the assessment that the casting director for "Jesus Christ Superstar" might make. But his over-the-top Broadway approach is ill suited for rock and roll. He sings each number like he's trying for a spot on "American Idol." His rendition of "Somebody," for example, was truly more Fantasia than fantastic.

Fortunately, Gahan did most of the singing. And, as one would expect, he was at his best when he was crooning Gore's songs. Tracks such as "Behind the Wheel," "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" were as powerful at this show in San Jose as when they were first recorded.

The best song of the night was the jittery, New Romantic-era anthem "Just Can't Get Enough." That track--which was featured on the band's 1981 debut, "Speak and Spell"--was indeed powerful enough to make these fans believe in the possibility of an ideal world.

Setlist:
"A Pain that I'm Used To"
"John the Revelator"
"A Question of Time"
"Policy of Truth"
"Precious"
"Walking in My Shoes"
"Suffer Well"
"Damaged People"
"Home"
"I Want It All"
"The Sinner in Me"
"I Feel You"
"Behind the Wheel"
"World in My Eyes"
"Personal Jesus"
"Enjoy the Silence"

Encore 1:
"Somebody"
"Just Can't Get Enough"
"Everything Counts"

Encore 2:
"Never Let Me Down Again"
"Goodnight Lovers"