New Order - Technique

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is what's playing right now in my living room. I think it's a terrific record but I can't say why exactly. Can you? I could have called this thread "Say Something Interesting About Technique", I suppose. It came out at the start of 1989 - Select magazine once called it the best album of the 80s. At the back of my mind there's a nagging feeling we've had a thread on it before (I know we've had lots on the people who made it) but it seems weirdly undiscussable.

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 13:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

Takes the vague lyrics NO thing a bit far, and might not be the best album of the eighties, but is IMHO the best NO LP (singles band, innit).

Enrique (Enrique), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:02 (twenty-one years ago) link

Come now. The best New Order LP is assuredly Power, Corruption & Lies. That said, Technique is an amazing album and was, for a while, the preeminent album with which to test-drive speaker systems (notably the opening notes of "Fine Time").

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

Haha Tom we have instantly turned your thread into "rank the New Order albums AGAIN"!

_Technique_ is wonderful and fantastic. I was dubious about "Run" for a long time, but even that song has now won me over. ("All The Way" has taken its place as the dubious track.)

"Guilty Partner" is possibly their most underrated song.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

This was my college NO album and I loved it to bits. Run is just great once the lyrics stop*, a wonderful duelling guitar line at the end. creamy. Which is the track that has the "love will tear us apart" medley line sneaked in there?

I played the first Electronic album again recently. How MUCH better is it than anything they did subsequently? A couple of duff tracks but the rest are joyful AND triumphant.

*as per on any NO track generally

Alan (Alan), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:24 (twenty-one years ago) link

The first Electronic album is GODLY. "Ganster", "Tighten Up", "Get The Message", "Reality" and "Patience Of A Saint" have all been recent additions to my work playlist.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mmm, such a fine album. It was the first one that came out after I had gotten into them, so I was just waiting for it to finally appear -- and it did, and it was great, and so was the tour. Happy Ned. Probably the album of theirs I still listen to the most.

That Electronic album is pretty good. Maybe a bit overhyped at the time, though. Oddly enough, I just heard "Soviet" last week while watching a football news story at Martin's place. "Patience of a Saint" is a beauty and a half.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

i vote for lowlife and the first side of brotherhood myself.

seanp (seanp), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 14:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

The first Electronic album is GODLY. "Ganster", "Tighten Up", "Get The Message", "Reality" and "Patience Of A Saint" have all been recent additions to my work playlist.

Yeah, I think this album has ended up being underrated by people because of how meh the rest of Electronic's output has been.

With Technique, I think one of the things that makes it great is its consistency -- it seems very seamless and cohesive, something that just plays well as an album.

Nicolars (Nicole), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 15:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

That whole period when it came out was a great time to be getting into music on a serious basis. They're was so much great stuff just around the corner.

David Gunnip (David Gunnip), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 16:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

That Melody Maker of them on the cover in early 89 is the first issue I got that made me go out and buy it on a regular basis. What did it was not neccessarily the New Order feature if I remember correctly but just the buzz I got from the great writing. Hence I tend to get a bit teary eyed nostalgic whenever I hear Technique

David Gunnip (David Gunnip), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

Technique may well be the best album of the 80s. It may as well be. In Feb '89 I listened to it on my Walkman each morning on the bus to Redditch, I always remember the piercing winter sunlight being strobed as we passed the bare tree-lined, frosty fields. For New Order's TOTP appearance Barney mimed the "sophisticated laydeeee" bit in Fine Time, that was quite amusing. It sounds so colourful and crisp. I love this album.

David Merryweather (DavidM), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 18:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

For what it's worth, I wrote an essay for a friends zine, called Twenty Years Too Late, all about her Joy Division/New Order obsession. My essay was primarily about New Order's relationship to club culture. My comment on Technique was it was the first album where they were not influencing dance culture, but picking up from it, referencing all the acid house/chicago house/techno that had emerged circa 1985-1989, all of which, of course, owed a large debt to New Order's earlier records. Just a thought.

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 20:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

I read some weird dismissal of it somewhere recently. I was like 'I thought everyone realised this was the best New Order album??' They seemed to be implying that one just needed a couple of tracks from it.

The whole point of it for me is that it's a whole album. I adore the sweep of it. It's all of a piece. With grinning confidence it introduces itself in the hi-hats of the glorious 'this is where we all are' Fine Time, sets the emotional 'this is where we've come from' note with All The Way and then spins through five perfect whirls of sun-bleached pop, feet never hitting the floor. Is Vanishing Point a shining pinnacle or the comedown? Depends on whether I'm dancing, maybe. Either way, it's the brilliant heart of the album. Then Dream Attack comes along to shoot you through the heart again, an epilogue, the most beautiful of all mornings after.

N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 21 October 2003 22:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

Easily my favourite New Order LP, has a sublime mix of electronic dancier type stuff and more guitary/band stuff also. And who could resist "Run" with that gorgeous break down in the middle?

steve, Tuesday, 21 October 2003 23:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

I adore the rock songs, but really have to be in the mood for the dance stuff - pretty much my attitude towards most New Order music post-PC&L, but this LP particularly.

It took a long time, but a few years ago I realized just how good "Run" really is.

Kent Burt (lingereffect), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:25 (twenty-one years ago) link

um, just twisting the topic slightly...was listening to the radio yesterday. i heard this:


I don't know if I told you, but I'm seeking sanctuary
You'll never guess the things that I do
I'll have the devil round for tea
Don't you know that I'm here beside you
Can't you see that I can't relax
When I saw you in my rearview
You could've stopped me in my tracks

I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
'Cos I'll be there for you when you want me to

You can take me to an island, ride across the stormy sea
We can worship pagan idols, there together you and me
Why don't you run over here and rescue me?
You can drive down in your car
Why don't we both take a ride and turn that key
We'll drive at 60 miles an hour

they are the most banal, senseless and cringy lyrics ever. in fact i think bernard is one of the worst lyricists of all time. at least other amateurs can do 'dumb' and sound cool, but this is sub-oasis. actually, the more i think about it, new order get far too much kudos. they're old, boring and earnest. fuck em.

paulhw (paulhw), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

Your complaints are noted.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:01 (twenty-one years ago) link

appreciated...

paulhw (paulhw), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:04 (twenty-one years ago) link

They won't be acted upon, though.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

yeah, but if i can just make one person cringe when they listen to new order's lyrics...and if that one person checks him/herself before ever buying another new order album....success!

paulhw (paulhw), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

Hm. I have other goals.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

I've heard that one a lot: "But the lyrics are so bad!" *yawn* Next...

steve, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

Everybody upthread is OTM.
While, 'Power, Corruption and Lies' may have (barely) higher highs, 'Technique' is supremely consistent and one of the best sequenced album I've heard. The closing 'Vanishing Point' - 'Dream Attack' combo is just godly. I could do without 'Fine Time' which doesn't really go anywhere but it works as an opening salvo.

Baaderist (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 06:32 (twenty-one years ago) link

I totally agree on Technique's consistency, and also on its crispy, autumn-y sound. This is one of my fave albums ever, let alone one of the best of the '80s. I really like the kind of dreamy serenity of this album, a band who've accomplished so much and now just concentrate on their strenghts. And, as said a couple of times upthread, the closing couple of "VP"-"DA" is heaven.

Janne (Janne), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 06:58 (twenty-one years ago) link

I first hear it on a train from Waterloo and as the power stations and football pitches fly past, I want to get out and race the train to the sound of this perfect, perfect music.

The day before this record came out I had a very lucid dream that I was listening to it and it was the most fantastic thing I had ever heard. When I woke up I ran straight to the record shop to buy it and ran straight home again... and it WAS!

Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Power, Corruption And Lies" and "Sub Culture" are the best New Order albums

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

That would be "Low Life", not "Sub Culture" (which is the best track on that album anyway though)

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

"absolutely brimming over with wrongability"

Alan (Alan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

"60 MPH" is a fantastic song and _Get Ready_ is their second-best album after _Movement_ (_Technique_ is third).

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:11 (twenty-one years ago) link

60 MPH is indeed awesome, but Technique is def. up there. What about PCL?

Baaderist (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

_PCL_ is fourth.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

the best pop album ever made. it's as simple as that.
can't say why. isnt that what's great though about the greats ?

bernard butler's favourite album of all time too.

other thoughts :
http?//ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=1086897

piscesboy, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

yanno, i still can't get my head around why people rate the first Electronic album so highly. actually, of the three albums they put out, i favour it the least. and have been known to have (admittedly slightly piss-taking) conversations with people about the merits of the other two, and specifically how Raise the Pressure would be a boy-band album shot straight to number one in an alternate universe. XD

Technique is a great album, no question. probably their best whole album, in fact. it's consistently good all the way through. as to complaints about Bernard's questionable lyrical ability, i've argued before that with NO, it' s the whole package moreso than individual components. admittedly some lyrics do make me cringe (i think it's a B-side from one of the "60 MPH" singles that contains the line "you keep me feeling fresh; we're driving down that highway" which always makes me think it belongs in a commercial for feminine hygiene products), but for the most part, i don't see how they're torn apart so often and with such abandon. i wouldn't say they're brilliant, but that doesn't mean they don't work a good portion of the time.

and although i'd argue that it's technical perfection, i wouldn't say Technique is my favourite, because Low-Life is. despite the sinful truncation of "The Perfect Kiss" and "Elegia" edits which are onboard. and probably mostly because of "Face Up," which never fails to amuse me. mmm, Bernard sounding psychotically gleeful. :)

janni (janni), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 18:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

the lyrics from 60MPH don't just make me cringe, (especially that bit about having the devil round for tea) they practically bring on an epileptic fit
despite that, New Order are my favourite band of all time. Vanishing Point is so unbearably sad and beautiful, it rarely fails to bring tears to my eyes.

Neil FC (Neil FC), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 21:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

Technique is great, I wonder if it'll stand the test of time though (I'm sure it will), just that it's wrapped up in what was going on at the time. It doesn't sound like New Order before then either which is good. "Fine Time" is the best ever New Order single. My Granfather liked "Round and Round" when it was on Top of the Pops.

Keith Watson (kmw), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 21:45 (twenty-one years ago) link

60 MPH" is a fantastic song and _Get Ready_ is their second-best album after _Movement_ (_Technique_ is third).

Took me a while to get into 60 MPH, honestly. Liked Crystal and Rock The Shack better, poss. due to Bobby Gillespie on backing vocal.

No doubt Technique is class. Rates second for me, as there isn't a dud song in the bunch.

Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 22:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

thats the beauty of new order. you can listen to every album all the way through with no problems. i cant say the same thing about most other artists..

bill stevens (bscrubbins), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 22:45 (twenty-one years ago) link

you can listen to every album all the way through with no problems.

MAYBE YOU CAN. Whenever I hit "The PErfect Kiss" or "Sub-Culture" on _Low-Life_, all I can think is "FOR FUCK'S SAKE WHY CAN'T THIS MAN CARRY A TUNE??????"

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 23 October 2003 02:20 (twenty-one years ago) link

right after I wrote that I thought to myself 'however, that subculture is one piece of garbage' but perfect kiss!? thats in my personal top 5.

but still.. one out of 60-75 aint bad.

bill stevens (bscrubbins), Thursday, 23 October 2003 02:58 (twenty-one years ago) link

i never understood the rabid dislike for "subculture" and "state of the nation". when i first heard the Substance double-disc set at the tender age of 13 i didn't hear a single dud track.

the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 23 October 2003 03:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

(second CD i ever owned fact fans)

the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 23 October 2003 03:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

Jim is OTM. The Sub-Culture remix on Substance is fantastic, Robie outdid himself on the breakdown.

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 23 October 2003 03:52 (twenty-one years ago) link

Subculture is pretty good, but 'State of the Nation'?? That one is truly unbearable.

Baaderist (Fabfunk), Thursday, 23 October 2003 06:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

Vague Technique facts...

The Other Two wrote the theme for a TV drama called"Making Out" (on telly 88ish based aroudn the workers in a small Manchester electronics factory) featuring Keith Allen as the boss. The theme was expanded upon and became... was it Vanishing Point. anyone better able to remember the theme and able to tally Technique trax with titles?

Alan (Alan), Thursday, 23 October 2003 10:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

Surely it was the other way around? "Making out"'s first series used "Vanishing point" as it's main theme and occasional background music and everyone loved it so much that the BBC commisioned the Other Two to do incidental music for the second series.

Rob M (Rob M), Thursday, 23 October 2003 11:12 (twenty-one years ago) link

Technique is superb. Fine Time not only is the best tune to check out new speakers, it's also a great way to check out whether your double glazing shakes. But no, not their best LP, because none of them are their best, each has its merits and majesty. Dan, Ned & Tom will know how I feel about NO so I'll shut up, but everyone who's written something nice about any NO LP is right. Everyone else should try listening again.
"Ibiza, Menorca, and Benidorm too...."

Rob Wosley, Thursday, 23 October 2003 11:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

Rob W! Good to see you here.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 23 October 2003 12:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

I think the TV series was before the album, because when the record came out the BBC put out some kind of press release saying it was their music and New Order replied saying no it wasn't. Something like that. It was in the NME or MM. Let's ask Jerry the Nipper, he'll know.

I listened to what used to be side 2 of Technique yesterday, and it was very good but... I don't know. It is FUNNY and SAD at the same time. Back in the block party era I though Fine Time was great and everything else came a long way behind. I think I was right.

PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 23 October 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

I re-listened to it too, and Fine Time, to me, is still the same, the silly bit of (grebt) fun at the start of a much stronger album. Sad to say I am twee enough that the breakdown at the end of Run had me a teensy little moist round the eyes (approx when the synth line finishes its first run)

Alan (Alan), Thursday, 23 October 2003 12:34 (twenty-one years ago) link

I played Technique on LP over the Christmas Break. It's still my favorite album.

RE: Electronic, did those who would be interested get the great Greg Wilson edit of Getting Away With It? it's 11mins long!

brotherlovesdub, Monday, 2 January 2012 17:58 (twelve years ago) link

never heard of that Greg Wilson edit, where can I hear it?

I am using your worlds, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 00:12 (twelve years ago) link

?

Mark G, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 07:56 (twelve years ago) link

There's a .wav on Wilson's Soundcloud, along with extensive sleevenotes: http://soundcloud.com/gregwilson/electronic-getting-away-with

Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Tuesday, 3 January 2012 10:16 (twelve years ago) link

nine months pass...

Friend of mine just got this vanity plate (Technique's catalogue #)

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/541319_10100638086042477_1700186350_n.jpg

Bummed I didn't think of it first.

Bout to go Jethro TULL on that ass (Johnny Fever), Tuesday, 30 October 2012 20:07 (twelve years ago) link

some distant memory is also a favorite of mine. the electronic album is the best thing sumner was ever involved in, in my opinion. absolute masterpiece.

― zingzing, Sunday, January 1, 2012 6:30 PM (9 months ago)

Can't agree with the second and third sentences but otm x 1000 on the second.

the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 30 October 2012 20:10 (twelve years ago) link

?

Mark G, Tuesday, 30 October 2012 20:40 (twelve years ago) link

*the FIRST that is

the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 30 October 2012 21:02 (twelve years ago) link

Spotted a one-line mention in this months Mojo that New Order are about to go back into the studio to work on an "electronic" album. I assume the style, not the side project.

michaellambert, Tuesday, 30 October 2012 23:30 (twelve years ago) link

Bernard has most of an album written with Stuart Price producing. Wonder if any of that will turn up on this as New Order rather than the solo project.

brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 31 October 2012 02:27 (twelve years ago) link

why did my mind briefly think you'd said 'stuart murdoch' and actually start wondering what that would be like

whining boom (electricsound), Wednesday, 31 October 2012 02:28 (twelve years ago) link

six months pass...

still have very distinct memories of buying this on cassette at a strip-mall record store in 1989.

flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:21 (eleven years ago) link

in los angeles IIRC

flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:21 (eleven years ago) link

I remember buying this on cassette from the local indie shop and not even realising it was released. To this day I still don't know if I got it early.

And then I proceeded to play it at least once a day for months.

Culture Cub (I am using your worlds), Thursday, 30 May 2013 01:36 (eleven years ago) link

eight months pass...

Repurposing a post above in part, plus other stuff, and...

http://thequietus.com/articles/14359-new-order-technique-review

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 30 January 2014 15:37 (ten years ago) link

I have probably said this upthread somewhere, but this album coincided with the height of my New Order obsession (& drugs intake) and I even had a dalmation named Barney at this point and I used to sing "you got class, you got style, you got... SPOT technique!" at him.

(lovely dog but he was totally vicious and there was p much no one in the local scene he hadn't bitten, in the end)

Will read yr take when I'm on a laptop again, Ned.

these birches is awful (Branwell Bell), Thursday, 30 January 2014 15:47 (ten years ago) link

Thanks. I figured loading in a specific bunch of SoCal context/content was the way to go to give this an anchor, especially for a UK-based publication.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 30 January 2014 15:53 (ten years ago) link

Very nice. Technique was the first NO album I ever got. I've heard the ones before it but haven't yet ventured past that point. But right now I feel like Technique was where they were able to at least minimize the band's weak points (the singing and the production) for long enough to make the classic album they'd always been capable of. I noticed the same thing as you, it is a surprisingly brisk listen - I don't think the album is too short by their standards (about 40 minutes isn't it?) but it does play very much like a "greatest hits".

frogbs, Thursday, 30 January 2014 16:11 (ten years ago) link

I already new before I read Ned's piece that it was going to be one of my favourite pieces of writing about music ever, but it exceeded expectations and made me feel 25 years younger. Thanks!

Rotating prince game (I am using your worlds), Thursday, 30 January 2014 16:51 (ten years ago) link

Well, thanks very kindly for that indeed!

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 30 January 2014 16:53 (ten years ago) link

It also made me realise that it was 25 years ago today that I walked into my local indie shop and saw it on the shelves, not realising it was out - in fact thinking it was out the following week - and buying it in cassette and taking it home to listen to on repeat. The following months I listened to it at least once daily, not really knowing anything about the band, trying to construct an idea if them from the Saville artwork and what I'd decoded from Substance. Every button was pushed. I wanted 12" singles for all 9 tracks. This music is in my DNA

Rotating prince game (I am using your worlds), Thursday, 30 January 2014 17:28 (ten years ago) link

25 years.

*wibbles*

*gibbers*

*quakes*

*is unable to cope*

But yeah, I accidentally image-bombed myself with this, this morning, so I'm just going to leave this here and pretend we're both still that young.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/8b5fd149acfc8a058ddede50527868b1/tumblr_n06iv6oPkk1rjw8sqo1_1280.jpg

these birches is awful (Branwell Bell), Thursday, 30 January 2014 18:55 (ten years ago) link

Turning point album for me. Personal Top 10 4eva.

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Thursday, 30 January 2014 18:56 (ten years ago) link

one year passes...

Then Play Long reaches New Order at long last: http://nobilliards.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/new-order-technique.html

agincourtgirl, Sunday, 21 June 2015 17:00 (nine years ago) link

Loved that write up, thanks.

It also made me listen to Bummed again

I am using your worlds, Monday, 22 June 2015 01:10 (nine years ago) link

two years pass...

Random New Order question that doesn't seem appropriate for any particular thread or worthy of creating its own so I'll use this one dedicated to this remarkable album.

Does anyone know who the person was who actually did the inscribing of hidden messages on the New Order vinyls in the 80's?

yesca, Monday, 24 July 2017 01:15 (seven years ago) link

I'm surprised, I must admit, that Sumner didn't write lyrics by himself before this album. Guess this explains why they're so much sharper here than usual.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 24 July 2017 01:22 (seven years ago) link

Is this the one that seemed from ... self-medication?

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 24 July 2017 01:24 (seven years ago) link

Every album was.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 24 July 2017 01:29 (seven years ago) link

Maybe I'm thinking of "Republic?" There's one album where Sumner supposedly set a regiment of maybe ecstasy to help him break his lyric writer's block (which lol lyric's block with this guy), not recreationally but almost medicinally. Maybe it was the second Electronic record? I can't remember.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 24 July 2017 11:45 (seven years ago) link

In the 1990s, he took part in some BBC documentary about the effect of Prozac on creativity. I remember him talking about how it cured his writer's block. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 24 July 2017 12:01 (seven years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDCHhULhN0

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 24 July 2017 12:02 (seven years ago) link

The second Electronic album.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 24 July 2017 12:12 (seven years ago) link

Aha, that's it! Technique was the divorce album. Love was the drug I was thinking of.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 24 July 2017 15:34 (seven years ago) link

Raise the Pressure, by no means a masterpiece but under-rated I think, Forbidden City is lovely

André Ryu (Neil S), Monday, 24 July 2017 15:37 (seven years ago) link

That second Electronic album has some decent moments on it, but it's mostly dull, IMO - there's about 2 or 3 tracks I'd keep, but even then...

The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Monday, 24 July 2017 16:00 (seven years ago) link

I'd go as high as maybe 6 if you include some b-sides from that album, but Raise the Pressure is pretty poor overall. Bizarre that the vinyl is so expensive on the 2nd hand market.

brotherlovesdub, Monday, 24 July 2017 21:59 (seven years ago) link

I remember those Prozac articles. If anything they were harbingers of the often bland rock pop that was to come for New Order for ages.

yesca, Tuesday, 25 July 2017 04:20 (seven years ago) link

Does anyone know who the person was who actually did the inscribing of hidden messages on the New Order vinyls in the 80's?

Here's the description from Peter Hook's New Order bio:

"The run-out groove messages were our way of tantalising the listener with a little puzzle or lyrics from the song that was coming next, inspired by Porky Prime Cuts, a mastering plant in London. Porky (George Peckham), a record cutting engineer, was famous for scratching little missives into the run-out groove of his mastered records".

NoTimeBeforeTime, Tuesday, 25 July 2017 21:18 (seven years ago) link

Ha, yeah... I've got a lot of records that were mastered by Porky Peckham, they usually have 'A Porky Prime Cut' in the run-out groove. His cuts were top notch.

The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Wednesday, 26 July 2017 07:21 (seven years ago) link

four years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrSL6f3NMmY

Maresn3st, Tuesday, 22 March 2022 19:30 (two years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ11hvuiHbQ

Maresn3st, Tuesday, 22 March 2022 19:30 (two years ago) link

These guys could be brilliant live. They could also be dismal.

immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 23 March 2022 00:30 (two years ago) link

They could also be dismal.

The performance of "Run," for starters. I can't tell if the sound people mixed Hook's bass too high, or if Gilbert didn't know her guitar part. At best I'll say it's February and they're still getting to know the new material.

So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 23 March 2022 00:36 (two years ago) link

That was exactly what made me post that.

I think you're onto something with the idea of new material. I saw them in 85, touring for Low Life, pretty well into the tour. One of the three best shows I've ever seen. The next year, they came to town for Brotherhood. Fucking awful. I also think Barney in particular was/is very picky about the sound system.

immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 23 March 2022 00:38 (two years ago) link

the "run" performance" just sounds like a terrible mix, everything except the bass and vocals is drowned out

ufo, Wednesday, 23 March 2022 01:17 (two years ago) link

one year passes...

And most of all...

Happy 35th.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 30 January 2024 16:25 (ten months ago) link

Happy birthday to the greatest album ever recorded.

Annnd here's Ned's 30th anniversary piece published a decade ago: https://thequietus.com/articles/14359-new-order-technique-review

poppers fueled buttsex crescendo (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 30 January 2024 17:33 (ten months ago) link

nine months pass...

That's cool, wish it had a FAC number!

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 23 November 2024 15:23 (two weeks ago) link


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