Regret V Crystal

Yes so its been done before, who cares!

This is a classic battle between 2 timeless masterpieces.

I actually prefer ‘Crystal’.

I’m not that keen on either song as a single on its own, but both make for very solid starts to very good albums.

And I like that more!

In a more forward-looking vein, will they be able to make it a peerless hat-trick of killer first-singles-off-the-album with the latest offering??? Surely by now the idea of the first tune being the highlight is so ingrained in the New Order fan's psyche that it's nigh-on unimaginable to expect anything less!!!????

Crystal. By a massive distance.

Regret is a pop track, really. Crystal, album edit, is an exceptional track.

Originally posted by Doctor Clayhead Surely by now the idea of the first tune being the highlight is so ingrained in the New Order fan's psyche that it's nigh-on unimaginable to expect anything less!!!????

Yeah, why not make it a hat-trick, once again choose the first track of the new album as the first single and open the gigs with it. How original.

As for the poll, I went with "Crystal". It's not as "adult-sounding" as Neil Tennant would have it. ;) "Regret" could pass off as a PSB tune (like most of Republic), if not for the instrumentation which is prime NO. A close call for me too, though.

Originally posted by ShugZV© > Originally posted by Fogface> "Regret" could pass off as a PSB tune I really couldn't disagree more. Regret = A PSB Tune?.....I'm aff fer a lay down!

I mean the vocal melody (which doesn't make up the entire song, I know), it sounds like something Tennant could sing as well. No surprise to me, considering what they had been up to at the time. The rest of the track though, Hooky's bass in particular, nothing to do with PSB.

Difficult choice. Musically, Crystal is better. But once you listen to the lyrics... Herm... It's like honney, fucking stickey, too much candy, gives you caries... O my goddy, sounds so silly...

Anyway, my vote goes to Crystal. I've always found Regret to be a little overrated. It's just the best song of a very average album.

Watch Reading 98 and Regret is up there with Atmosphere as a performance of the 90's by NewOrder.

Its impact in 93 after their absence seems to have been forgotten, it was HUGE and even Hasselhoff got in on the act

Crystal is fantastic and i still find it hard to believe that they created such a masterpiece after that long absence between albums, but call me nostalgic but im going to stick up for Regret

Oh man, this was hard for me to decide but I think it's Crystal, definitely Crystal. Maybe only because I prefer Get Ready. I mean, I looooooooooooooveeeeeeeeeee Regret but it doesn't belong to Republic cause Republic is NO lowest album in my opinion.

REGRET for me!I just loved this song when it came out and those FIRE ISLAND remixes(all one of em!).CRYSTAL is still a GREAT album track getting the GET READY sound to start perfectly.Also i liked the video for REGRET,the LIVE appearence on THE BEACH and all things SUNNY. Greetings from PLANET BALLSUP-i didn't see it coming.

Crystal. Dancier I supposed. Feels more powerful. Seems more NO. Less lyrics more boom and blasting. Both great tracks but hey, I like Crystal.

Regret for me, without a doubt. I find it uplifting and i'ts up there with my all time favourites

CRYSTAL just beacause I first heard it at Liverpool Olympia. I first heard Regret on the radio. A lame reason really.

Regret

The head says "Crystal",but my heart is screaming "Regret" (probably cos its part of my young-ish days!). I`ll sit on the fence on this one...

I'm going for Regret here, it's just a classic.

crystal for me! starts off with the sombre piano then BANG!!!!!! me love you long time!

Two of my favourite songs. Both great "comeback" singles.

Crystal drags on a bit and the chorus is a bit weak, but the intro and the bass are top drawer. The same comments apply to Regret except the chorus is good and it doesn't drag.

My conclusion is that they are both fantastic.

Regret for me :D

I hope it is not associated with the PSB's errrrr

regret: the intro, the chorus, and the bassline throughout, especially near the end after barney sings 'just before they fall apart.' simply a fantastic tune.

Regret as a tune has grown old to my ears, and Crystal hasn't. Now if we were going to decide between the two videos, then I would have to choose Regret.

Crystal by a millimetre. Just because its rockier and rougher Regret is still a fantastic epic song

:bag:

Crystal. Regret has always been overrated. The best single from Republic is World.

Regret is the clear winner for me. Fantastic intro into a great arrangement. One of the strongest opening lines I can think of even if it's follwed by something less powerful. The mix is warm, full, balanced and well produced. So why not Crystal? It definitely rocks but just doesn't quite sound like New Order to me. The biggest issue I have is the fact that Barney's vocal is slightly distorted in a harsh unpleasant manner and the whole tune has a "gritty" sound that leaves me feeling as if someone jabbed me in the ear with a screwdriver. In fact, Get Ready kinda has that same tonal quality all over it. I didn't begin to appreciate Crystal until I had heard live versions of the song which seemed to have more power and fullness than the one on the album. Anyway, I'll still take Regret over Crystal any day.

The only aspect of Regret that is far superior to Crystal is the remixes. The fire island mix of Regret is better than the original, while there were no good remixes of Crystal. In fact, the club remix, or Digweed and Muir mix, that had a video with it in the US was one of the worst remixes of a song I have ever heard. All of the instrumentation was gone and only the vocals were intact. But, that mix makes you really appreciate the backing vocals. Without them, the song kind of sounds hollow.

Both are excellent tracks but I prefer 'Regret'.