Search - Depeche Mode :: Wrong Pt. 1 (Incl. Non-Album track)

Nothing Wrong With Depeche Mode's First Single For 2009

Mr. | USA | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gearing up for their upcoming 12th original studio release, "Sounds Of The Universe," DM are back again with an all new track, the enigmatically dark toned single, "Wrong." The song has an obvious worse-case-scenario theme to it with the viewpoint focusing on all the negative choices and outcomes in a person's life and how these choices ultimately affect our own self-confidence and outlook, psychologically speaking. Written by Martin L. Gore and sung with magnetic fervor by lead singer, Dave Gahan, "Wrong" is a mix of electronic murkiness & dread with an added R&B flavor and a nice percussive beat, which propels each listener into a world of electronic apathy.





As the song opens, you're immediately greeted with a unified chanting of the title name, four times in a row, until Dave Gahan's voice explodes into the first verse ("I was born with the wrong sign, in the wrong house, with the wrong ascendancy") subjecting the listener to a torrent of negative outcries ("I took the wrong road that lead to the wrong tendencies") and self-deprecations ("There's something wrong with me chemically, something wrong with me inherently") that signify an essence of decay and hopelessness ("I was marching to the wrong drum, with the wrong scum, pissing out the wrong energy") yet is still able to retain that one bleak glow of hopefulness ("With the wrong tune played till it sounded alright, yeah!") that rings true. The word, "Wrong," is actually used a total of 72 times (including backing vocals) on this original studio version. It's got a fast groove with a heavy techno backbeat that'll have you singing along and dancing to your heart's content.





There are two different releases of the "Wrong" single, including the 2trk version (CDBONG40) which has a great B-side on it: Oh Well (Black Light Odyssey Remix). It's a very cool song about trusting in others close to you ("Listen to what she's trying to tell you, she could be the one who's trying to save you") and how scary this simple act can be in life. ("There's nothing to feel ashamed about, nothing I can complain about...oh well") "Oh Well" represents one of the first song collaborations between Martin Gore and Dave Gahan. The story goes that Dave heard an instrumental piece of music that Martin had written and loved it so much that he wrote lyrics for it, which became "Oh Well." This remix version is available exclusively on this 2 track single and is definitely worth picking up.





The other release available is the 5 track CD version which includes four remixes of the title track. The standout of these mixes has got to be the Trentmueller Remix (6:55). It expands on the basic elements of the original album version and adds additional electronic elements & beats that make for a terrific sounding dance track. This mix is a killer on the dance floor and will have you moving to the beat in no time. Next comes the Thin White Duke Remix (7:41) that is also quite a cool track, with a bit of a fun, though short-lived, riff on the word: ascendancy. It has a bit of a quiet break somewhere in the middle but picks back up towards the end. Magda's Scallop Funk Remix (6:23) is more on the experimental side that riffs on some of the lyrics with an echo effect - ["Wrong sign (Wrong sign), In the wrong house (In the wrong house), Took the wrong road (Took the wrong road), At the wrong time (At the wrong time).] Last, but not least, is the DIM Vs. Boys Noize Remix (5:09), which is also more on the experimental side and plays around with samples of certain sounds and vocals but mainly just uses the word: Wrong, as its main focal point. What's nice about the mix is that once it gets going it really has a great beat to it that's very danceable and fun to listen to. A few other mixes were produced (Frankie's Bromantic Club Mix, Peter Rauhofer Vocal Mix) but they are only available as promos. The Caspa Remix is available on the "Sounds Of The Universe" Deluxe Edition.





You may notice two different versions of this 5 track CD that are available on Amazon. The difference in price is due to the fact that the UK edition (LCDBONG40) is housed in a lightweight cardboard sleeve, while the more expensive German import (GLCDBONG40) is housed in a regular, more traditional, jewel case that's much sturdier. I highly recommend the German import because of this fact, but if you're only interested in just getting all the tracks cheap, the UK edition is the way to go.





"Wrong" is another great single from the best electronic band in the world. Pick it up now and lose yourself in the dark blissfulness that is Depeche Mode.





"Wrong": Self Deprecation Never Sounded So Good.





Stay Devoted!





"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time

For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme

On the wrong day at the wrong week

I used the wrong method with the wrong technique

Wrong"

- M.L.Gore"

Good CD

David Skinner | 05/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Trentemoller Remix and the Thin White Duke Remix is very good. Magda's Scallop Funk Remix is good but not great. The Boys Noize Remix is my least favorite. There is a lot of half word bits in that Remix simular to The Bitstream Threshold Remix of A Pain That I'm Used To."