The Bottom Line Only moderately good, I recommend this to people who already like Moby or who enjoy the genre. Not for everybody.
Full Review
Long before Moby became popular by selling every song possible to movies, advertising, and television, he came out with this album. "Everything Is Wrong." When I first purchased this CD, I wasn't sure what to expect. As a heavy metal, rock fan, the music didn't really fit well into my collection. Fortunately, this album grew on me as the techno, dance, etc... genre made it into the mainstream. It's a fun, interesting album. One in which Moby should be proud of...it was something different when it was released in 1995.
Of course, this music isn't for everybody. There aren't any of the traditional riffs associated with either pop or rock. Rather, as most of us well know, Moby creates music that is entertaining and in most cases very different than anything you've ever heard. Listen up.
1. HYMN
Beautiful song that begins with a repeating pattern on the piano. It's almost magical, out of the world. Without a doubt, "Hymn" hint directly at new age music. There are definite electronic elements. Things that aren't created on anything but synthesizers and computers. Despite this element, it's important to note that it doesn't sound forced. Rather, Moby has put together a beautiful, relaxing, musical gem. It's not rok music by a long shot. Rather, it's new age music at it's best.
2. FEELING SO REAL
This song is very much in contrast to the first. It's loud with a repeating Jamaican voice followed by synth keyboards and a beautiful voice repeating the simple lyric "I'm feeling so real, I'm feeling so real..." To be quite honest, this is more the Moby that America came to love in the late 90's through today. It's a gorgeous, driving, diverse song with many elements ranging from loud synthesizers to an apparently real piano. There are inhuman notes in the background and that absolutely interesting Jamaican voice. Great song. Great. A definite must-listen that appeals more to the mainstream than does the first.
3. ALL THAT I NEEd IS TO BE LOVED
Starting out with drums, feedback and a hard rock edge, this song immediately appeals to this rock girl. This song pays homage to punk rock without a doubt. If it wasn't for the occassional and increasing amounts of electronic music, this song would seem completely in contrast to the other songs on this album. The title of the song accounts for nearly all of the lyrics. A great tune, one that many people like me can appreciate. Moby's done something special and something different with this...
4. LET'S GO FREE
This is just a brief interlude. It's not really interesting or creative. In fact, it sounds very much like other dance songs from the early 90's...especially those of Jesus Jones (I did a review of their "Doubt). At less than 40 seconds, it doesn't require anything else to be said.
5. EVERYTIME YOU TOUCH ME
This song has very much the same elements as the second track. This isn't a bad thing. I think that man with the beautiful Jamaican accent could be on every track. But, anyway this song is very catchy. In fact, if I'm not mistaken this song and/or the tune has been used in advertising. There is some real "Shaggy-esque" sounding reggae in this song surrounded by the beautiful female voice that sings the chorous and everything else. I like this song, as it's a standout on the album. A bit repetitive, but my interest still holds somehow.
6. BRING BACK MY HAPPINESS
"It's hard to let you go" is repeated many times in the beginning of this song while scads of electronic noise and distortion shades the song with a different color. I like it, although the amount of distortion is kind of annoying. I would prefer to hear the singer's actual voice rather than the changed that Moby made. Kind of loud. Kind of annoying. If you're going to skip this track, I'd suggest this one.
7. WHAT LOVE
Interesting song that starts with a sort of lo-tech, intentionally badly recorded voice. It's soft, but then the song goes a totally different direction. One that is almost shocking in comparison to the rest. It's loud, screaming, intentionally obnoxious electronica. It's fast and furious. Not for the weak of heart, but in my case the noise is a welcomed reminder as to why I like loud, obnoxious music. Pretty strong, but not for everybody.
8. FIRST COOL HIVE
This song echos of the same sounds that popularized new age pop group "Enigma." The beast are all electronic and there is a very interesting and feminine voice driving the song. It's got industrial elements also, but the main genre that this fits into is that of new age. I can see this song as a theme for an advertising campaign. With that said, it's not one of my favorites. It's a bit repetitive, a bit boring for me. Alright, but not Moby's best.
9. INTO THE BLUE
I can almost hear the beginning of this song as being in a Vegas lounge act. But, that same voice that was featured in the last song gets some more needed attention. There are some "real" instruments. A guitar and drums are apparent. But, I have to say that this is another tune that can be skipped. I don't like it. It's annoying at best and should be skipped immediately. I realize that this is new age music (I think), but that isn't a license to sing bad.
10. ANTHEM
Finally, a good one. This is a fun, driving dance club medley. I can fel that this song would be fun to dance to. It's totally electronic, and the woman's voice has only a minor part on the track. In fact, the voice is only secondary to the synthesizers and actual music. Also of note is the odd use of suggesting sounds laid over the sounds of children. Like I said, fun song. Where some of the other songs fell short, this one is indicitive of Moby's talent.
11. EVERYTHING IS WRONG
This song is brief at just over a minute. But, obviously Moby felt something special for it. It's largely a piece of piano music. It's gentle, soothing, and lacks the pure driving force as associated with many of Moby's other pieces. A good song, but so brief that there isn't a climax. Just repeated notes.
12. GOD MOVING OVER THE FACE OF THE WATERS
Again, this song begins with some great piano work. It's complicated, yet manages to become more complex as more and more elements are added to the mix. Somehow this song seems different than many of the others. It seems almost as if some of the other efforts were only half-hearted and that this one is the completed version of about four of his other songs. It's good, but also very long to say the least. It could have been shorter.
13. WHEN IT'S COLD I'D LIKE TO DIE
This, the last song of Moby's album is also just so-so. It's soft and delicate for much of the time. There's the only-moderately talented female voice from the 9th track. I wish it were another voice. If Moby had used somebody else I would say that I like this track. As it is, this is a moderately bad way to end this album.
_______________________________
"Everything Is Wrong" is just an okay album. It's nothing special to say the least. If you are a Moby fan, I'd suggest this to you. If you like the genres I spoke about, I'd also suggest it. Although, if you are looking for an entertaining album in which to listen to, don't worry about getting this one. I'd get another Moby album any day over this one. There are some shining moments as with "Hymn," "Anthem," "What Love," and "All that I Need is to Loved."
This is an "okay" album. Not great, so I'm just giving it three stars. I'll recommend it, but only half-heartedly. It's only for the hardcore fans of Moby and the genre. It's likely that nobody else will appreciate it as a whole.
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