Depeche Mode - 'Wrong'
Post categories: Reviews
| 15:52 UK time, Friday, 27 March 2009
In the process of researching this review (honestly, I do research these, even if it doesn't always seem like it), I discovered that Depeche Mode are, in terms of UK chart success if not in outright length of band's existence, only a few months younger than I am. I'm torn between being thoroughly impressed by their longevity and just feeling incredibly old.
Anyway, while the legacy of Depeche Mode lives on in the charts thanks to The Saturdays and their charity cover of 'Just Can't Get Enough', DM themselves have been busy coming up with some new material in the form of this bleakly amazing electroblast.
I try to avoid referencing old and/or famous singles in reviews because it's sort of lazy, but I think here it's valid: the song opens with a sparse, monotonous refrain of the title that has echoes of 'Personal Jesus' about it, which sets up ideas in your head about where the song is likely to go, and yet when the melody kicks in properly it heads in completely the opposite direction, which is a very nice little misdirection, intentional or otherwise. Rather than bursting into an epically loud electrostomper of that mould, it builds gradually into a quieter, more depressive, reflective piece.
Admittedly "depressive" probably doesn't sound that brilliant a recommendation, but stay with me here: the theme of the song is about a feeling of remoteness and not belonging, and it achieves that brilliantly, with its discordant melody and measured, detached vocals. Ultimately this is unlikely to make it onto your Top 100 feelgood songs playlist, but in terms of depth, intelligence and outright effect there's a lot going on here.
Download: Out now
CD Released:April 6th
(Steve Perkins)
Comment number 1.
At 27th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:Excellent review VICKI you capture the song perfectly.
Their new album SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE is out soon and will go top ten.
This band are responsible for a lot of excellent songs !
MY favourites are;
ENJOY THE SILENCE
IT'S NO GOOD
BARREL OF A GUN
PERSONAL JESUS
IN YOUR ROOM
WALKING IN MY SHOES
BLASPHEMOUS RUMOURS
Good to have you back guys !
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Comment number 2.
At 28th Mar 2009, Vicki wrote:Oh no, I can't take credit for this sadly! This review is all down to mister Steve Perkins (it's got my name at the top because I put the review into the software). DARN IT.
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Comment number 3.
At 30th Mar 2009, thranjax wrote:"91Èȱ¬" is one of my favourite of their songs as well Spirit Warrior.
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Comment number 4.
At 30th Mar 2009, thranjax wrote:I think one of the reasons I love them so much is their blurring of boundaries - their main album for me was Violator which was such a heavy metal stylee title but for an electro pop album. They above all showed that electronic music could be heavy - in sound and intent and meaning.
Of course they are not my favourite electronic/keyboard focused band - that would be the Blue Nile! but that's another story....
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Comment number 5.
At 30th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:OH JAX ......THE BLUE NILE......
TINSELTOWN IN THE RAIN is one of my all time favourite songs.
I COULD WAX LYRICAL ABOUT DEPECHE MODE ALL NIGHT !
I could have listed another twenty songs but OK you pushed me... heres another ten of my fave DEPECHE tracks.
PRECIOUS
USELESS
LEAVE IN SILENCE
MASTER AND SERVANT
NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN
TORA ! TORA ! TORA !
STRANGELOVE
STRIPPED
WORLD IN MY EYES
BEHIND THE WHEEL
ps JAX what do u think of WRONG ?
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Comment number 6.
At 30th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:OH VICKI
How do I join the STEVE PERKINS FAN CLUB ?
AND WHY DOESN'T HE DO MORE REVIEWS THE DEPECHE MODE ONE IS TOP DRAWER FIVE STARS !
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Mar 2009, thranjax wrote:Hello,
Wrong is an excellent song. It twists and turns and slides like something really is wrong, and it does indeed echo earlier tracks without being a carbon copy or inferior.
Which bodes well for the album.
Thranjax
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Comment number 8.
At 8th Apr 2009, ellisha21 wrote:what a cracking song, back to form, and good to have them back. great video goes with song. just like a saw film.
been into DM since the early days (God makes me feel old!!!!) top ten DM songs difficult one.. but here goes, in no order
1) only when i lose myself
2) shine
3) sun and the rainfall
4) in your memory
5) shake the disease
6) higher love
7) enjoy the silence
8) halo
9) if you want
10) sister of night
they have done some great B sides and album tracks, as well as great singles.
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Comment number 9.
At 8th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:ELLISHA.... GREAT SONGS you listed and wow...
SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE OUT SOON !
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Comment number 10.
At 13th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:WRONG into the charts at number 24 !
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Comment number 11.
At 13th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:If anyone out there hasn,t seen the video to WRONG..... DO TRY TO......... its one of those you will remember !
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Comment number 12.
At 15th Apr 2009, strangedepeche101 wrote:Its refreshing to see a good review of an Excellent British band that has re-invented itself through the ages and come out the other side stronger. Depeche Mode has never been given the recognition it deserves, maybe now, people will realise that Depeche Mode are up there with the U2's and even the Stones!
Yet again Depeche Mode have produced another great album!! Too many great songs to name but 3 great albums worth a listen to are Black Celebration, Music for the Masses and Violator.... Dave, Martin and Andy are gods!!!
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Comment number 13.
At 15th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:hey nice to hear from you STANGEDDEPECHE101.... Can you entertain us with your top 10 DEPECHE MODE songs ?
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Comment number 14.
At 22nd Apr 2009, spirit wrote:The smart money is on Depeche Mode to have the number one album on SUNDAY with Sounds of the Universe.
Come on guys.... make me rich !!!!
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Comment number 15.
At 26th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Oh well guys you gained a creditable NUMBER 2 album..
Lady Gaga with her "love glue gunnin" just beat you to it.
Good luck with your Tour of the Universe !
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Comment number 16.
At 15th May 2009, dominicsparks wrote:Wrong is an excellent song. I wouldn't describe it depressive, plus (and maybe only the hardcore DM fans get this) there is often a degree of humour in DM songs. Wrong is no exception, and it's also lyrically very clever.
Does anyone know of any other songs that have the song title in every single line? (at least, songs with proper lyrics...)
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Comment number 17.
At 24th Nov 2009, Hannah Squires wrote:The new Depeche Mode album is awesome. I've read some negative comments about "wrong", and all I can say is, those posting their comments are WRONG! It's great and classic DM. It's brilliant to see Dave Gahan looking and sounding fabulous. Can't wait to see them next month in Birmingham. I last saw them on their "Faith and Devotion" tour, which was superb. I get a sense of Construction Time Again coming through on some of the tracks??. Britain seems to pass over the brilliance of DM, something I've never understood?.... A class band, who's live performances are second to none. Keep doing what you do so brilliantly boys. A real joy to hear you back!
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