Fragile Tension/Hole to Feed [Single]

The Mode are at it again with what is presumably their final single from "Sounds Of The Universe," the double A-side: Fragile Tension / Hole To Feed 8-track Mixes EP. This CD import release includes 3 mixes of both "Fragile Tension" & "Hole To Feed" (including Radio Mixes) along with additional mixes of the songs "Perfect" & "Come Back."

"Fragile Tension" is a wonderful song that discusses the positive chemistry that makes up a strong and long lasting relationship between two people, ("There's a fragile tension that's keeping us going. It may not last forever, but oh when it's flowing") and the strength and power it exudes as a result. Despite the problems and difficulties that people face, the strength and power of the right match always helps to pull us closer together in the end. The song has a strongly positive and powerful message with a great beat, a wonderful guitar performance by Martin Gore, as well as a beautiful vocal job by Dave Gahan. ("There's something magical in the air, something so tragic, we have to care") The Radio Mix of "Fragile Tension" is your basic album edit, with some additional audio elements added here and there, including a whooosh effect that adds a little more kick to an already impressive track. At 3 minutes & 37 seconds, compared to the original album version which ran 4 minutes & 9 seconds, Fragile Tension was always a great choice for a single, IMHO, and the Radio Mix only makes this realization that much more clearer. The Peter Bjorn and John Remix (3:35) uses a xylophone instrument, with a nice percussive beat, as well as some additional fun with Martin's harmonized vocals that make for a terrific sounding mix overall. The Laidback Luke Remix is much more grandiose, with a 7 minute, 52 second run time. It's a nicely put together dance track, with a heavily driven beat, and extravagant sound interpretation that gives the mix this BIG feeling about it, which is something Depeche Mode has always been known for. There's some experimentation here and there, but the mix just keeps moving and grooving throughout. I found myself coming back to this one quite a bit.

"Hole To Feed," which was written by Dave Gahan (along with Christian Eigner & Andrew Phillpott) opens with a cool little beat and an array of retro electric laser beam sounds, as it's formatted interestingly in a chorus-verse-chorus motif. The song centers on the maintaining of a serious and meaningful relationship. ("We are here, we can love. We share something. I'm sure that you mean the world to me.") But with all relationships, there are pros ("You opened my eyes to a world that I could believe.") and there are cons. ("When you get what you need, there's no way of knowing what you'll have is another hole to feed") The real point here is that real love takes hard work and dedication, and it doesn't always turn out quite the same way we expect it to be. While it's not my favorite Dave Gahan song from the album (that would be "Come Back"), "Hole To Feed" is a nice tune with a very poignant message that's a decent inclusion for this single. As with the Radio Mix of "Fragile Tension," "Hole To Feed"s Radio Mix tightens things up a bit, shortening the track from its 4 minute album version to a leaner 3:28, including a few additional audio elements throughout the mix. The other two mixes (Joebot Remix [6:43] & Popof Vocal Mix [8:42]) are pretty good, with Joebot being the standout of the two.

While "Peace" was the 2nd official single from "Sounds Of The Universe" in the UK, "Perfect," at one time, had been considered for the 2nd single here in the US, as a digital download. Unfortunately this never happened, though there are still DJ Promos floating around to be had. The "Perfect" Roger Sanchez Mix (7:24) was originally put together for that digital download release, but since we didn't get that, it's nice to have it included here on this CD. The mix explodes with electric energy and raw urgency, as Dave Gahan's voice gets a bit of an electronic echoing effect during some spots, and the vibes you get from listening to it will keep your toe tapping time and again. Great mix! SixToes has already given us great mixes of "Jezebel" & "Peace," and does so again with "Come Back" (4:56). Just like those other mixes, SixToes does his thing by incorporating stringed instruments (like the cello, acoustic guitar, banjo, etc) as the main focus for his more laid back mixes. It's a peaceful and tranquil track, that's never dull or boring...just beautifully done and executed.

Housed in a standard jewel case, instead of the usual paper thin cardboard sleeve that the more recent DM singles had come out in, this CD is definitely worth picking up and worth every penny. There were a few more mixes that I would have liked to have seen included, like the Kris Menace's Universe Remix, but this is still great value just the same. For me, "Fragile Tension" has always been a favorite song of mine from the album, and I'm very glad to see it become a single. Overall I'm happy with the singles chosen from "Sounds Of The Universe," though I still wish "In Sympathy" had also been picked too. Grab this CD and enjoy all 8 tracks. You'll be glad you did.

"Fragile Tension / Hole To Feed" - Depeche Mode continue to Wow us all.

Stay Devoted!

"Oh, when we're teetering on the edge of collapse, nothing can keep us down"
- M.L.Gore

Also Recommended:
Wrong Pt. 1 & Pt. 2
Peace
Sounds of the Universe (CD + DVD)
Sounds of the Universe Deluxe Box Set (3 CDs/DVD/2 Books)

If you do know Depeche Mode and Depeche Mode's music and how great their mixes are you know what I'm talking about. The CD is as good as any other!

Depeche Mode are known for their remixes, and this one delivers. 4 tracks off their 'Sounds of the Universe' album have been remixed by todays hottest DJ's.