Saturday, November 7, 2009

fragile single solutions

It appears that Depeche Mode, after much waffling, have chosen the next single from their magnificent album, "Sounds Of The Universe". Oh yes, my lovelies. You read that correctly. I dared to lavish praise on their current longplayer!

The boys from Basildon have opted for a chart ineligible, double a-side configuration. On December 7, "Fragile Tension"/"Hole To Feed" will be issued as a digital bundle, CD single and double 12" single. The tracklisting for each, complete with requisite, custom, BONG selection number, was announced on their website today.

CD single (CDBONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Radio Mix)
2. Hole To Feed (Radio Mix)
3. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
4. Come Back (SixToes Remix)
5. Fragile Tension (Laidback Luke Remix)
6. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)
7. Fragile Tension (Peter Bjorn And John Remix)
8. Hole To Feed (Joebot Remix)

digital download (iBONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Radio Mix)
2. Hole To Feed (Radio Mix)
3. Come Back (SixToes Remix)
4. Perfect (Ralphi & Craig Club Remix)
5. Fragile Tension (Stephan Bodzin Remix)
6. Hole To Feed (Paul Woolford's Easyfun Ethereal Disco Mix)
7. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
8. Fragile Tension (Solo Loves Panorama Remix)
9. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)

double vinyl 12" (12BONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Stephan Bodzin Remix)
2. Fragile Tension (Kris Menace's Love On Laserdisc Remix)
3. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)
4. Hole To Feed (Paul Woolford's Easyfun Ethereal Disco Mix)
5. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
6. Perfect (Ralphi Rosario Dub)
7. Peace (Herve's "Warehouse Frequencies" Remix)
8. Peace (Sander Van Doorn Remix)

As usual, if you purchase the download from iTunes, you'll get a bonus track. For this single, the extra track is featured in the shape of the Ralphi & Jody Club Remix of "Perfect".

Good thing this special single isn't chart eligible since "Peace", the second single from the album, could barely scrape to #57. That was the lowest chart placing for a Depeche Mode single since their debut, "Dreaming Of Me", way back in 1981 which peaked at the same, exact position. Spooky! "Peace" is also the band's first single not to be issued on 12" vinyl. And boy are their fans pissed off!

I think we're going to see more of this type of special release, much like the forthcoming "Christmas" EP from Pet Shop Boys, as it becomes increasingly difficult for heritage acts to sell singles beyond their fanbases and the singles chart becomes increasingly irrelevant.

3 comments:

  1. As always in regards to Depeche Mode, Stephan Bodzin comes through HUGE. His Fragile Tension remix is just disgusting. His Everything Counts dub with Oliver Huntemann several years back was epic as well.

    In respect to all these remixes, Stephan Bodzin seems to be the lone remixer who pays any mind to the Mode's sound. Granted each of them have received the .wavs (parts) of the respected original, but Bodzin's seem to go that extra step further. The track is clever, jacks like a mutha, is dark and could be played possibly ANYWHERE- from France's Rex Cub, to NYC's Cielo, and back to Berlin's Panaramabar/Berghain.

    I've seen Bodzin live a few times and can speak first hand of his musical prowess- MASSIVE. Everything the man does is well-thought out and meticulously executed.

    -Dan

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  2. @Anonymous - Hey Dan. Great comment. I love it that you use the word "disgusting" in the same manner as I do. So good it's filthy! :)

    I've heard a lot about the Rex Club. Must check that out next time I'm in France.

    Stephen is quite adept at producing a mix that effortlessly straddles genres. Not many can come up with the goods in such a way that everyone can spin his stuff.

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  3. Looking forward to hearing the Popof mix.

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