Wang Chung - Clear Light / Dark Matter

[drivel]

Clear Light, Dark Matter is a career retrospective that reveals the many layers of Wang Chung's music. This exclusive double CD set spans the band's four-decade career, featuring a carefully curated selection of their greatest hits and hidden gems. More than just a collection of tracks, the album showcases the duality that defines Wang Chung: the upbeat, infectious energy of songs like "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Dance Hall Days" balanced with deeper, complex rhythms and experimental production techniques.

The album title, Clear Light, Dark Matter, reflects the band's ability to bridge different musical worlds effortlessly. Tracks like "Dance Hall Days" blend African Burundi shuffle rhythms with electronic elements and rock instrumentation. At the same time, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" intertwines a Motown-inspired chord structure with modern dance production. These songs reveal Wang Chung's penchant for blending styles such as funk, pop, rock, and even prog elements. Often within a single track, creating a rich, multilayered soundscape. With its mix of radio hits and deeper cuts, this collection is a testament to the band's influence and innovation across multiple genres.

"Our songs often have an accessible front end, but there's always a deeper layer beneath the surface—whether it's lyrically or musically. Clear Light, Dark Matter reflects that balance between the light and the dark, the yin and yang, or as we like to say, the Wang and the Chung of what we do." - Nick Feldman.


Disc 1 (44:17)
1. Dance Hall Days (03:56)
2. Everybody Have Fun Tonight (04:43)
3. Let's Go (04:30)
4. Praying To A New God (04:01)
5. Fire In The Twilight (Live At The El Mocambo) (04:59)
6. Don't Let Go (04:21)
7. To Live And Die In L.A. (04:53)
8. Wait (04:25)
9. Hypnotize Me (04:35)
10. Space Junk (03:54)

Disc 2 (44:45)
1. Isn't It About Time We Were On TV? (02:49)
2. Separate Lives (03:17)
3. Dance Hall Days (Demo) (03:49)
4. Ti Na Na (04:22)
5. True Love (Demo) (03:29)
6. The Waves (Instrumental) (04:38)
7. This One's For You (03:42)
8. Ornamental Elephant (04:05)
9. To Live And Die In L.A. (Demo) (05:27)
10. Eyes Of The Girl (Demo) (04:36)
11. Everybody Have Fun Tonight (Eric Kupper Remix Edit) (04:31)

Total length: 01:29:02

More information: https://www.discogs.com/release/33951963-Wang-Chung-Clear-Light-Dark-Matter

[ZippY]

What a pity ... the single China is not included!

[drivel]

What a pity ... the single China is not included!

This anthology is also released in a 2 LP format, which obviously restricted the number of tracks included.

However some CDs came with a code for a 24bit/96kHz digital download of this anthology, which strongly suggests that this release is a teaser for future Wang Chung album reissues (Huang Chung having been recently released on streaming services).

[moni]

This release is a joke not containing the single versions as well missing quite a few out. I haven't bought it after hearing the sound is very compressed as well as it being an import. Their reissue campaign has been a joke from day one and i wonder what vinny vero has done with those master tapes.

[drivel]

The credits say that this release was mastered by Harry Hess (Vinny Vero only has a minor shared credit for inner panel artwork).

As for the dynamic range 'Clear Light / Dark Matter' CD1=DR 8 + CD2=DR 7 isn't great but isn't appalling ('Huang Chung' is DR9). But I'm pleased to finally be able to listen to some of Wang Chung's unreleased tracks.

[Kilbey]

The credits say that this release was mastered by Harry Hess (Vinny Vero only has a minor shared credit for inner panel artwork).

As for the dynamic range 'Clear Light / Dark Matter' CD1=DR 8 + CD2=DR 7 isn't great but isn't appalling ('Huang Chung' is DR9). But I'm pleased to finally be able to listen to some of Wang Chung's unreleased tracks.

For some people (myself included) the dynamic range below 10 IS appalling and 7 is borderline unlistenable. Thanks for the warning. The original CDs have the DR 12-14, by the way.

[ROXYMUZAK]

I m very interested in updates about the much rumoured reissues/remastered editions of their discography...

[drivel]

I'm guessing that Wang Chung are keeping news about reissues quiet to not draw attention away from Clear Light / Dark Matter. I also expect that any reissues will also be available in multiple formats like Clear Light / Dark Matter (which will take more time to manufacture): https://singmarket.com/market/creator/0x90d268d3f0b500a5d3f1e44d361c2544b1b1ad30