My track-by-track review of the album...

I've got a bad feeling that this album will be a disappointment:(

i disagree with 90% of the previously supplied review. the album is a gem, an album that might not strike you immediately but will stick to your bones for years to come. it's a bonafide New Order classic, straight through. Perhaps their most solid album to date.

Originally posted by Andrew I've got a bad feeling that this album will be a disappointment:(

i think there's always that thought at the back of everyone's mind but this is only one person's view.

i really hope its a grower and not totally immediate. im not too keen on krafty but ive got a good feeling that the album will be better. finger's crossed!

I'm sorry, but I hope this is the review of really picky human being.

Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid i disagree with 90% of the previously supplied review. the album is a gem, an album that might not strike you immediately but will stick to your bones for years to come. it's a bonafide New Order classic, straight through. Perhaps their most solid album to date.

Well this is BLOODY interesting now!Hope it is released in CHORLEY before i get released!

What do you really expect from someone who prefers Depeche Mode, The Pet Ssop Boys and The C*** to New Order? Arse and elbow spring readily to mind.

now now children! i've heard 3 tracks and i think they're all a lot better than krafty,and wftsc is a classic new order song,just my opinion mind

Not had that much chance to give it a proper listen. Immediate thoughts are that I don't absolutely love anything on it. Turn is definitely nice. The one with the acoustic guitar is as well but doesn't sound very original, in the way that Krafty doesn't, very Techniquey. The ones that do sound more original, just sound a bit odd to me so far. Nothing in them grabs me. J-E-T- lyric is cringeworthy, I could grow to dislike that. I don't hate anything as badly as Rock The Shack or 60mph either. I don't think there's a single track were I thought the lyrics sounded good. Quite a few I thought

Edit: acoustic one is Turn.

Originally posted by lee stephens now now children! i've heard 3 tracks and i think they're all a lot better than krafty,and wftsc is a classic new order song,just my opinion mind

track 3,your right lee,its up there with,and almost a cross between love vigilanties and regret,like i said in the email i sent you,imagine this one live.i can see them playing it in my mind's eye.what a beautiful prospect.no way will they leave this out of the set.its classic order and class.f%%kin lusciousbest one ive heard so far,by a mile,off the new album

Originally posted by A Siren's Touch It's a great album if you can cope with the sissy tracks.Sissy tracks for sissy old monkeys

like jetstream,nightmare if this is a single as rumoured

Have only got hold of "Who`s Joe?" (Lordsy) so far.It was a bit New Order- by- numbers on first listen but like it a lot now.

The review above is from a guy who is stuck in the 80's and thinks everthing should be Blt and Blue Monday. The fact that he says Guilt Is A Useless Emotion is the best track, says everything I need to know.

Now I admitt I'm more of a Guitar new order fan, so here is what I think. (I took the cd to work and listen to it 7 times in 8 hours)

Lordsy = Who’s Joe?: I love this song, It did take me a couple times to get it. I must play for their concerts this year. Clasic New Order. 9/10

Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing: I found the hook right away and starting singing to it. Great song. Love the guitar. 9/10

Waiting For The Sirens’ Call: The first couple times I found myself thinking "Is this the greatest New Order song ever?" Well it's not. I even agree it should not be single. Turn is much better. Well that was yesterday, and today I love it. I so get it. 8/10

Krafty: I love this song. Great first single 10/10

I Told You So: It's ok, 3rd worst on the cd. The song will never be at the begining og my mixed cd, But its a good middle song. 7/10

Pop1 = Morning Night And Day: The best dance song on the cd. I liked it on first listen. 9/10

Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle: I wanted to like this song, but really I dont. The worst song on the cd. 4/10

Jet = Jetstream: I think this is going to be a hit for them. So radio friendly. The beginnig is very boring, but as soon as the chorus start, the song rules. 9/10 (Lost a point for the intro)

Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion: Take out the bass and put it in the middle of the first Electronic cd and you would never know. I do like the song but I still say its the 2nd worst song on the cd. 6/10.

Turn: My favorite song on the cd. I fell in love and her name is Turn. The perfect song. 10/10

Working Overtime: At first I was thinking am I going to like this song? And the answer is yes. Put it right next to Rock the shack! 7/10

My god! I can't believe all this close scrutiny of the new WFTSC, all these threads from Saville's artwork or the new songs. I don't know if that's good or a bad thing and it's still very early.

I've heard "Krafty" so far and wasn't too impressed but it could be a grower. Since I've been a long time fan I should at least be patience and be open minded with the new album, NO only deserves that. I'm hopeing this is a combo of "Republic" and Technique and it seems like it is from people's reviews.....cuz, "get ready" sucked (except Cystal)....personally, being stuck in the eighties is not a bad thing!

Who's Joe: Great track with a good opening bass line, good bass backing the chorus. 9/10

Hey Now What You Doing: Annoying guitar opener, but the bass is superb at the start. Fits very well with the first track, and the vocals are very good. 8.5/10

WFTSC: Other than the enticing synth opening, meh, eh, blah, pretty good, nothing striking; very sweet and radio friendly. 8/10

Krafty: Awful choice for a single considering the many other superior tracks on this album. The beginning synth is ok but is a little bothersome, and the entire track seems saccharine. 7/10

I Told You So: Very good vocals, sounds like somehting Barney would have done with Electronic. 8/10

Morning Night and Day: I really like the opening synth and drums. Very upbeat but with a backbone. Good guitar work. 9.5/10

Dracula's Castle: Retarded usage of the piano at the start, the synth could be toned down a little bit, the backing vocals are a bit annoying; nevertheless the osng is still very good overall except for the lyrics. Why Dracula's castle??? 8/10

Jetstream: Excellent track except for when J-E-T is spelled out. Good job by the gal from the Scissor Sisters. 9/10

Guilt Is A Useless Emotion: This album needed a dance track and this is perfect on many levels. My favorite track. 10/10

Turn: I like the lyrics and everything else about this song. 10/10

Working Overtime: Bullcrap. By itself it's not too bad, but it doesn't fit in with this album and should have been a b-side most definitely. IMO this album stops at track 10. 6/10

of course it's all subjective!

I'm just surprised how people here often dislike something immediately based on the impression of what "style" they stereotype it. People dislike guitar, or house, or its too 80s or not 80s enough... its just silly New Order has always been a hybrid, always fed off the indie dance scene, always has flirted with pop music in their own dorky way, and everybody should know that the Stooges were one of the earliest influences

When I first heard the new album, I had similar thoughts to Seb and some others I’ve read. I thought it was decent enough but nothing stood out except for the lack of dance tracks after it was being touted as a dancey record. They all sounded like Get Ready B-Sides or our fantasy Electronic songs with Hooky rumbling below the surface. For 2 days I’ve been obsessively listening to the album. Always in order, always in it’s entirety. My knee-jerk reaction to Jet and Working Overtime was soon replaced with mild enjoyment. Perhaps the biggest factor is realizing New Order are not in the mid-80’s churning out synth-led dance/pop anthems anymore. Writing music like that isn’t a very communal experience since a lot of studio work can be done individually. WFTSC sounds like what it is…a group of guys who know each other inside/out jamming together, writing music and most importantly, enjoying themselves. They aren’t out to prove anything to anyone anymore. I personally despise groups who continue to wallow in their misery even though they are quite happy, very wealthy and long removed from what made them sad/lonely in the first place. New Order sound better than ever in 2005. They aren't breaking new ground or turning out dancefloor masterpieces…they’ve got remixers to do that these days. DJ’s have a deep love for New Order and the Manchester lad’s will never be forgotten in Clubs around the world. This new album is a collection of the best New Order tracks they’ve released since Technique. Remember the joy you had thinking you were the only person to like Weirdo or Lonesome Tonight or Dream Attack? Well, WFTSC is full of those types of songs. Nothing that sounds like any of those but the best songs on this album are not going to jump out and grab you. Your favorite newOrder songs are songs that you have a history with; songs you’ve hummed to yourself when you’re all alone, at work, on the road. Songs that you listen to in your new car/home/apartment to check out the stereo. Songs you listened to when your lover left you. Give these songs the same time those songs got and you’ll find 6-8 new favorite New Order tunes collected on one disc. Waiting For The Sirens’ Call.

Hey Joe: Classic New Order intro: Stings, chimes, wobbly noises and Steve’s rattling cymbals lead us into what has now become the new sound of New Order. Bernard has done a great job on his vocals on this LP. I didn’t care for the “Hey Joe” part of the lyric but it doesn’t bother me anymore. The really great part of this song is what I think is called the middle 8. It’s the bit that starts: I Looked For You/I’ll get you home etc. Primitive Notion flashbacks in so far as the rush I feel during that part. After that break, the acoustic guitar returns over Bernard’s lyrics and suddenly, it clicks. This is a brilliant “album track”. The kind of song you can call your own. Not the single, not the catchy one in the middle everyone else will love immediately. The guitar in this song is superb and I typically hate guitars. Overall, this song rates 9/10. I can’t find anything wrong except that it’s called Hey Joe and Bernard says Hey Joe a few times…that’s petty though. Great song.

Hey Now, What You Doing: This song is all about the way Bernard sings the chorus. I find myself singing this all day. Sounds like they conviced Johnny Marr to add guitar to this song but I know it’s just Bernard stealing Johnny’s licks. The lyrics slightly remind me of an answer to 1963 and Close Range. Perhaps the person singing to “Johnny” in 1963 was the same person “lying on the floor” in Close Range. If so, Hey Now, is the sun breaking through the clouds, allowing that person the opportunity to make a change and get his life back on track. It’s almost written from that person’s subconscious, reminding him not to go down the “Road To Ruin”. The only thing wrong with this song is it should be titled Road To Ruin on the final release. HNWYD is a terrible title. Points out of 10 = 8.

Waiting For the Sirens’ Call: I’m hearing Bernard come to terms with his past in how he treated himself and those who loved him all over this album. This finishes the opening trifecta of songs that don’t grab you immediately but you grow to love with repeated listens. I love the lyrics, the music is gorgeous and I’m left smiling every time it finishes. “I don’t know where to turn when your gone”…this will bring some of us to tears when the situation arises in our lives to give this song personal meaning. It’s beautiful. I won’t be dogging Bernard’s lyrics for a long time after this. 9/10

Krafty: Loved the music immediately, hated the lyrics with a passion for about 36hrs, then started to accept it for what it is…then got the album and in context, it made a lot more sense. It’s not what we wanted from a first single ala Crystal and Regret but it’s a good song. Not great, not terrible but like Vietnam, it has grown on me and I’m sure when summer comes, I’ll be blasting this with the windows down and loving every second of it. The lyrics are simple and a bit clichéd, at first I was thinking he had totally lost it but when I heard the rest of the album, his angle on this song made perfect sense. Tracks 3 and 4 are love songs to the person who’s turned his life around and nothing could be more appropriate in my eyes. The same thing has happened to me and it’s an amazing feeling. I know where he’s coming from and it feels so good. Have you ever told someone how you feel about them when the love is overwhelming? You probably didn’t sound like Shakespeare either so think about what you would say and then put yourself in Bernard’s shoes. It’s not easy to do but his emotion is clear and when it comes right down to it, that’s all that matters.. The part about people driving their cars is dodgy but geez, it’s a sugary love song, not The Perfect Kiss. Plus, I love that instrumental break and its looking like it’s going to come with some great mixes. 7/10

I Told You So: Who said Ace of Base? You almost ruined my moment…for a minute I was singing “All That She Wants/Is Another Baby” but I straightened out again when Bernard came in. I gotta say, I dig this song. I liked Liar too so maybe I’m easy to please. I love the way Bernard sings the chorus the second time. Lyrics are great on this song too and I can imagine some cool mixes coming out of this song. I’d be very happy if New Order would put out versions of these songs in place of B-Sides or endless mixes of the singles. This one could kill remixed by Justin Robertson, Dabrye or Massive Attack. Is this the only song Dawn Zee is on? They’ve done a good job limiting the backing vocals on the album and I swear I heard Hooky sing along with Bernard for 1 “I Told You So”. Love it. Cool drums. Good lyrics. Not a classic but a good track. Would be someone’s favorite if it would have been the B-Side to 60 Miles an Hour. 7/10

Morning Night and Day: Don’t know what he means by saying “One time didn’t do it/Two times didn’t feel quite right” but I like it! Hooky lays down a great baseline and everyone jams out. This song is good but it’s not my favorite. It’s better than 50% of Get Ready but on this album it doesn’t stand out. NEW RATING: 7/10

Dracula’s Castle: Another great lyric from Bernard. He really shines on this album. I love his humor when he sings “I work hard just to be with you every day and almost every night”..CLASSIC! Another song that should retain it’s working title. The instrumental break at 2:25 or so sounds like it could have been produced and arranged a little better. That’s my only complaint though cuz we get a beautiful finish. 2plus minutes of newOrder jamming to the end. I think Gillian snuck into the studio for this one! 9/10

Jet: HATED this when I first heard it. Emailed a couple people to bitch even. Rode the bus home today with this on the headphones and I was bobbing along happily and even sing the chorus out loud, causing some other people to stare and point. Still recovering. It’s catchy, it’s stupid, its fun. Skip it if it bothers you or just burn a disc with Player in the League in it’s place and your set. 6/10

Guilt Is A Useless Emotion: Seriously disappointed first few listens but gave it time and sure enough, I love it. His Holiness asked me if anything sounded like Here To Stay and I said no, but I think this is close. The backing vocals should annoy me but they’re layered well in the mix so they don’t SCREAM at you the way the do in World. I hope Stuart Price remixes this one. White label Dub mix PLEASE. PLEASE. Mixes by Chicken Lips, Metro Area, Felix Da Housecat and Rex The Dog, NOW! Love this song so much. 9/10

Turn: As I said somewhere else, this one would break into the US rock charts with any kind of push. It sounds like the Railway Children with Chris Isaac lead guitar for a moment and I mean that in the best possible way. This song is so gorgeous. I wish they would have ended the album with this song. If they ever encore with this song, every person will leave in tears of joy. Dream Attack 2. I know that’s unfair but it makes me feel warm and loved like Dream Attack did. I’m in heaven at this point in the album. rates: 10/10

Working Overtime: Whats the code for that smiley that’s scratching his head? I’d insert that hear if I did smilies. I was pissed for a while but I’ve gotten over it. It’s Rock the Shack mixed with Lust for Life. Some will love it, some will hate it. I’ve listened to it more times already than I’ve heard Slow Jam. I guess that says something. Weakest track IMHO, shoulda ended with Turn. This is B-Side material or even something you give to Q Magazine for and exclusive. 5/10

BLT:

Great review. I haven't heard tracks 1 and 3, but pretty much agree with you on the others. To me, Dracula's Castle is really a standout track....

Great review BLT. I've only heard Krafty but I can't wait to hear the rest now. Thanks alot.:)

How does the album compare to Pre Republic material. I wouldn't expect it to come near Low-Life but how about Technique or Brotherhood ?

Republic was too happy for me, and I've never been a big fan of Background female vocs I hope they did not flood this album with that.

"Hey Now, What You Doing"... wow!..., this is prolly the most straight forward rock song New Order/ Joy Division has ever done. sort of like "Forbidden City" but harder, even has a real guitar solo (very un-new orderly!) Is it Phil or just Stephen street's influence? A couple of moments sound just like Marr in the Smiths (an homage?) but the song structure is very different from the Smiths. unique and interesting, solid production.

Here's my two cents...

Overall, its a good album. Definetly gives us several songs that I can to when I want to listen to New Order when I don't feel like listening to their older stuff, but that is every bit as good as much of the older stuff. This is all, I think, anyone could reasonably hope for. Still, If I'm dissapointed at all, its only in that I was hoping for something truely groundbreaking, maybe even something that would inspire other bands to copy New Order (again) - not sure that this is really that albumn, though.

In any case, here's what I wrote about each song during my third or fourth listen to each.

Lordy

The guitar here reminds me a lot of Marr on Electronic's first album. Not really sure what else to compare it to - its not some sort of huge departure or anything like that, I just can't pin down another song that it really reminds me of. The whole song definetly have that New Order sound, Hooky's base shining through the layered guitars, its quite nice. If I had to choose a past albumn that this would most fit with, I'd have to say Low Life.

Rating: A-

Road to Ruin

This would definetly belong on Technique, right after Dream Attack. The breakdown reminds me a lot of a guitar version of the piano breakdown on Dream Attack, in fact. Blissful, but maybe a bit more mellow than the rest of Technique - doesn't quite sound like it was written on Ibiza during a sun / ecstacy drenched summer - maybe quite not that happy a song. Still, its another guitar based song and its quite good. Except, WTF is with the full on electric guitar bit at the end?

Rating: B+

Krafty

This song sounds like albumn filler, not something that should be the first single. Its very upbeat and happy, almost artificially so. Sequenced drums, some synths, some guitar, some bass. The lyrics - well, they've never been NO's strength, huh? More than any other song it reminds me of Here To Stay - the music, the tone, the feel, the lyrics.

Rating: B

I Told You So

Sounds half like Ace of Bass, and half like raw sewage. I'm not sure what the heck this was supposed to be. I can't even describe this well. It doesn't really have a melody - more like a rythm track with a hodge podge of sounds all mixed in, none of them very good. Who knows, maybe it will grow on me, but for now, sorry, I just don't get this one.

Rating: D-

Pop 1

Heavy on the synths, especially at the beginning, lots of guitars too. Hooky's bass is mostly notable during two solos which sound fine but nothing that exciting either. Overall, the song sounds pretty good, yet uninspired. Especially the lyrics - musically its good - but take away Barney's vocals, and except for Hooky's solo you'd have absolutely no idea at all it was NO. Put Barney's vocals back in - well, his vocals are fine but the lyrics are not.

Rating: C+ / B -

Minidisc

Piano / synth intro, then Hooky's bass comes in, counter balances the synth melody - nice. Reminds me of the song on Get Ready, whose name escapes me but "We're having the time of our lives..." is the lyrics from that one. Hooky's bass runs through most of the song - backing instrument but clearly heard. Plenty of guitar too. Piano / Hooky bass duet - great! Parts of the song again remind me of Technique - Dream Attack comes to mind, again. Probably could fit in somewhere half way through Technique. Ok, but staccato synth violin plucks towards the end - a bit odd.

Rating: B+

Jet

The first few seconds remind me of the intro(s) on both CD's of Sasha's Global Underground: San Fransisco album, for those of you familiar with Sasha - sort of a recording of street sounds. Piano / synths / bass lead us into the song again, slower tempo than Minidisc. Mostly synth / electronic driven at the beginning. "PA" type voiceovers of airport announcements. The lyrics are just too, I don't know, contrived - "J-E-T You are so good for me. You are my Jet Stream lover. You're how I want to be..." The chick from Scissor Sisters works - a good choice. Hooky bass solo (not his greatest) after first chorus. Not much at all for guitars on this song. The song works, though. If you don't like female vocals mixed with your NO you won't like this. For the rest of us, its pretty good, though maybe slightly unlike what we might expect from NO.

And, the first time we've heard jets in a New Order song since Blue Monday.

Rating: B+ / A-

Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (Stuart Price)

OMFG! Finally! I've been waiting since Regret for this. New Order is back - truely back. Folks, this is it! Their best song as New Order since Regret, at least. Forget Hybrid's True to Form - this is New Order's Return to Form. The best thing any of them have been involved with in ages, IMHO.

I liked Get Ready - thought Crystal was really good, loved Close the Range, but all and all that album wasn't quite what I had hoped for - maybe it focused too much on NO's acoustic / guitar side and not enough on the synths, but for whatever reason there just wasn't a single moment there that really did it for me the way they had done in the past.

But this - this is New Order. This is the New Order we all know and love. This is the band 12 years after Regret - more mature, more skilled, more developed - not just a bunch of over the hill, past-their-prime ex-rockers going through the motions, phoning it in and trying to make a buck off of their name.

It sounds like New Order - but like a more modern, updated New Order. It sounds like classic NO, but its sooooo fresh too! its got a catchy beat, a catchy chorus, a synth oriented song with plenty of Hooky's bass. The way things were meant to be! Thank you Barney! Thank you Peter! Thank you god!

I love how Hooky's bass comes in at the start of the 2nd verse. For once they've done a song with synths as the primary instrument, but Hooky's bass part isn't there just because "well, we're New Order and we've got Peter Hook and he's going to play on this song and that's just fucking that".

It is my hope of all hopes that what appears on the album is a butchered version of the song, the way Perfect Kiss on Low Life was chopped up, and maybe one day we'll get the full version on Substance 2007 (well, I wish anyway).

Rating: A+

Turn

Guitar based. Upbeat yet melancholy. Barney almost doesn't sound like Barney. Almost a different texture to his voice here. Sounds a bit like Regret to me, musically, but again another one that might not be out of place on Technique. Can't really hear Hooky much - he's there but playing in lower registers - can only hear him during one solo. Guitar again reminds me a bit of Marr on first Electronic albumn.

This should have been the last track on the albumn. A perfect way to end. What follows is, well, not. (see below)

Working Overtime

WTF? This sounds like what might have happened had Quinten Tarrantino asked New Order to contribute a song to the soundtrack of Kill Bill Vol. 1 It sounds like jangly country rock - its not bad, I don't want to give that impression, but I'm as shocked as I was the first time I heard the harmonica in Love Vigilantees - like it just doesn't seem like something I'd have ever expected New Order to do. Also, not to criticize it, but not sure it really belongs on this album because the style is so different than the rest of it.

Rating: C

I do believe I almost agree with Brian. This can only have happened three times ever. My only differences on this promo (and we don't know they are the finished mixes or anything like that....) would be that I rather like Working Overtime, which will be a cracking live tune, and that Morning Night and Day would score higher in my ratings.

Make no mistake, this is a superb album, far more depth to the production than ever before, Bernard sounds happy with himself at last, the album is full of little nods of respect to acts that have been an influence at some stage. Krafty makes a lot more sense in the context of the rest of the album. Guilt Is A Worthless Emotion (or whatever it's called) may turn out to hit my New Order Top 5 by the end of the week, and no track has done that since 1985!

A new day a new dawn. First four tracks in, I'm thinking it's just perfect pop music. Maybe I thought I wanted more than that from New Order but perhaps I was wrong. The Ace Of Bass track is on now and it's by no means good but not awful.

Originally posted by almansonemesis i won´t comment each and every song because i´m one who thinks every experience listening music is unique. so i really believe nobody cares for my point of view anyway. so i´ll just put them in order of preference:Turn (by far the best one. simple and beautiful)Who´s JoeHey Now...Waiting... (those 3 are together, anyone could be on top of the other depending the day)Working... (this should´ve been a hidden track and let Turn be the final one IMO)Morning... (the most powerful besides Working...)Jetstream (a sure hit but somehow not fully my taste)Dracula´s (an ok-middle-of-the-album-song)Krafty (another one, i still don´t get why a single)Guilt... (i don´t like these kind of tracks anymore, they just don´t touch my nerve)I Told... (it´s here because i still didn´t chew it enough, i think. maybe it´ll grow, maybe not)

It's amazing isn't it? You could invert your list to come up with mine! Just goes to show how diverse this band is and how they reach so many people with so much. For me, the real grower is I Told You So, it is such a clever song and one that I can't see me tiring of. Then again, I love a lot of Caribbean rhythms and stuff, I can feel the influences here.

It does feel a lot like Technique after a few listens. Production wise it has that Balearic shimmer. A lot of the playing styles that sound like rehashes after the first listen are all from that period. A few have commented on Technique not being a dance album. It's not Dertroit techno but Balearic was always a poppy ecelectic down tempo sound, which Technique encapsulated. As much about day-time chilling in the sun as night-time adrenaline packed antics. It's pissing all-over Get Ready and Republic for me and it still doesn't have a track as good as Regret or Crystal on it.

It's got a totally different feel to it. Republic had Regret, three or four other decent songs and a load of filler, Get Ready had Crystal, three or four other decent songs and a load of filler. WFTSC has eleven worthy songs, drawing together a range of different influences and something for all fans of the band. Not everyone will like every track necessarily, but everyone will find something for them in there.

Originally posted by A Siren's Touch

Krafty (John Leckie)

Classic New Order sound. Maybe too much classic New Order sound, because it sounds a bit like a reheated meal.

I have never read a better or more succinct review of Krafty! It is a hybrid of several songs/song ideas that they used in the past, but a lot better than any of the other songs. It's the song Weirdo and Way of Life never quite became.

Originally posted by oldmonkey > Originally posted by A Siren's Touch

Krafty (John Leckie)

Classic New Order sound. Maybe too much classic New Order sound, because it sounds a bit like a reheated meal.

I have never read a better or more succinct review of Krafty! It is a hybrid of several songs/song ideas that they used in the past, but a lot better than any of the other songs. It's the song Weirdo and Way of Life never quite became.

It kind of suffers from and benefits from it's reference points in equal measure.

So, after 3 ratings this is the situation: Lordsy = Who’s Joe? (7 9 9) 25 3= Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing (4 9 8.5) 21.5 10 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call (6 8 8) 22 9 Single Krafty (8 10 7) 25 3= Single I Told You So (7 7 8) 22 7= Pop1 = Morning Night And Day (5 9 9.5) 23.5 6 Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle (6 4 8) 18 11 Jet = Jetstream (7 9 9) 25 3= Single Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (10 6 10) 26 1= Turn (6 10 10) 26 1= Working Overtime (9 7 6) 22 7=

Anyone else in a position to rate (any of) the songs?

all you lucky people out there... all of a sudden everybody seems to have (at least) a (promotional) copy of the album... all by agreement from Warner or what.... :(

BLT - could you put in a rating for Turn so I can add your figures to the first 3?

Almanso & Marvin, could you change your ratings to marks out of 10 so we can get a rating of everyones favourites please?

I know it dosent matter - but at the moment this is all the rest of us have to go on with until March - so all reviews are greatfully received

My ratings:

Who’s Joe? 7 Hey Now What You Doing 7 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 8 Krafty 8 I Told You So 8 Morning Night And Day 7 Dracula’s Castle 7 Jetstream 8 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 9 Turn 7 Working Overtime 7

Updated with OldMonkey: Lordsy = Who’s Joe? (7 9 9 7) 32 5 Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing (4 9 8.5 7) 28.5 10 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call (6 8 8 8) 30 7= Single Krafty (8 10 7 8) 33 2= Single I Told You So (7 7 8 8) 30 7= Pop1 = Morning Night And Day (5 9 9.5 7) 30.5 6 Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle (6 4 8 7) 25 11 Jet = Jetstream (7 9 9 8) 33 2= Single Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (10 6 10 9) 35 1 Turn (6 10 10 7) 33 2= Working Overtime (9 7 6 7) 29 9

Its early days yet though . . .

I think we need a SWINGOMETER here and possible a PETER SNOW! Doing a good job though CUANAD.

BLT's review is good stuff. As for reviewing it from a 'dance' or 'guitar' p-o-v, well how can you NOT review it with *some sort* of preconception?

But why rank tracks on the album? It's not a compilation - it's an ALBUM. How do the tracks work together? What's the overall impression?

I haven't fully absorbed it yet, but I fear that the glory days may have gone for good.

I think the album is rollinice. Rolli rollinice indeed.

Feel free to delete, Spot!

listened to it a few times and i feel that certain tracks have been 'over cooked'.The Whos joe?..is typical example ...great music ..hooks you ..then loses you with verses that could easily lose two lines ..and the over the top 'hey joe'....this song would certainly benefit from a radio edit .Same goes for Hey now,what you ..doing track .Alittle long winded..good song but way to long .I know we ve been brought up on 7,8 minute classics in the past but these songs need to be short and sharp .Also a lot of needless incidental music ...they should stick with beat ..not chop and change throughout ..seems to lose their way a bit.The title track is a good example of this ..starts at a great pace and continues throughout right to the end ..well and truly hooked .Great song..good beat ..flowin .Krafty benefits from beefin up (regarding the radio edit)..quite a catchy little ditty ..dont like the I Told You So ..horrible. Morning night and day ok.Jetstream Lover..?i dont think so ...Working Overtime ..i love it .As for the rest ..still tryin to get me head around them .. P.S..Has Bernard gone " travel" mad!!...all throughout the album we have... Walk ,Run .Car,Cab,Train ,Plane ,Ship,sail....just get Fooked listening to it ...

Originally posted by Al Jarvis Another one for CuanaD - Who’s Joe? 8Hey Now What You Doing 7Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 8Krafty 7I Told You So 5Morning Night And Day 7Dracula’s Castle 6Jetstream 6Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 6Turn 9Working Overtime 7Think I'm gonna have to start sticking these on random playback, getting a bit 'used' to this runnin order now, feels a bit like a 'comfort zone'.

I'm pretty close to these scores at the moment. I'd go lower on Working Overtime, higher on Krafty. Not 100% sure on a few others.

Right, I've added in those ratings given in other-than-out-of-ten - in other words, I've guessed at what was meant by A- c+ etc.

So, this is the current standing after Al's contribution: 67 (2nd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 7 8 9 9 61 (5th=) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 7 7 8.5 9 64 (4th) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 8 8 8 9 Single 60.5 (7th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 8 5.5 Single 50.5 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 4 4.5 58.5 (8th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 6 7 7 7 8 54.5 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8.5 6 61 (5th=) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 9 7 Single 65 (3rd) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 71 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 7 9 9 10 55.5 (9th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 6 8.5

Looks at the moment as if Turn / Guilt & whos Joe should be the real singles (?)

Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

Originally posted by NObabe Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

Anyways, thanks for the reviews. You know reading about them songs and listening to them is the same fooking thing.

I should stress at this point that I have absolutely no idea what any of these songs sound like, besides Krafty. I am going on the fact that I know the tastes of some of the posters on here and know when I like the same stuff as them!

Originally posted by NObabe Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

NO

most of us are feeding off scraps - it'll be interesting to compare our own ideas with these 'promo-people' when we finally get to hear the album

Actually, I'm surprised at the ammount of people who have got a promo copy, up until this thread it seemed as if only 2-3 people had got it - some of you have been v.quiet - good to see no one has leaked it out to the downloaders yet

Originally posted by NObabe Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

Yeah! Me too! :(

Just one thought ...the ahem, version of the album that the majority of people have "heard"..do you think this is the finished article or a promo like GetReady..its just that the version i have seen/heard keeps chuckin up the original titles ..like Lordsy etc ..

Originally posted by Marco Pleil > Originally posted by NObabe> Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

Yeah! Me too! :(

No my dog hasn't heard but she is DEAF!

Originally posted by Howie 5 O Just one thought ...the ahem, version of the album that the majority of people have "heard"..do you think this is the finished article or a promo like GetReady..its just that the version i have seen/heard keeps chuckin up the original titles ..like Lordsy etc ..

Think you'll find that most here who have, ahem, *allegedly* heard a copy of the album have *allegedly* got the working titles only. Not hard to then apply the true titles. Some of the tracks *allegedly* sound a fraction unfinished but this is very close to the *alleged* real thing.

:\pimp3: *Allegedly*

"Guilt" seems too much as a stereotypical dance club anthem, but I guess thats what they wanted. it won't play well in some circles in the USA... sounds too "gay club" or maybe too Abercrombie & Fitch, the US is very resistant to crossing genre barriers. "Guilt" already sounds like a remix to me, New Order diluted by Stuart Price, they should have saved this for a remix single and had a more "new-orderly" production on the album. the beats and chorus are too "by the book/ current club" for me, hardly groundbreaking but it is nice solid production, the New Order moments are too subtle for me, but there if you listen hard between the "chorus".

"Jetstream" is interesting, I'm sure they will remix the heck out of this for the single, but this does seem like it has a leftfield chance to be a big mainstream pop hit maybe for the 20-30 something demo, interesting to see how they promote this

"Hey Joe"/ "Krafty"/ "Turn" /"How now-road 2 Ruin" (the most surprising track to me as far as being unexpected) could all get airplay on alternative flavoured radio. I think thats why they chose "Krafty" for a single because it sounds so much like New Order, but could still be remixed well for the dance floor, its a good choice. I really couldnt see any of these songs being played on mainstream pop or rock radio in the US. all nice solid tracks, thou the actual real guitar solo in "How now" seems so un-New order

"Dracula's Castle" and "Morning Night and Day" have not really grown on me yet. "Dracula's Castle" is probably the most stereotypical New Order song to me in the group.

"I Told You So" is bonkers like they said. It's funny and fun.

"Working Overtime" is tighter produced and better written than "Rock the Shack". the Iggy reference is right on, but the song really seems to be in the vein of the pseudo-garage glam rock that has been popular in the last couple of years

i have yet to hear the title track, hopefully it is a corker

that New Order, in their late 40s, could be putting out such a lively, confident record in 2005 is damn cool.

Interesting reviews PFD & Nick;

But what are your marks out of 10 for each track?

(please)

Well... :bag: joining the club! i'm into first listen and i'm... speechless ! i'll post my review after i've calmed down a bit!

Fuckin' 'ell!

From these reviews by the veterans and the newbies, this does sound like a goddamn good album, compared to the palty reviews Get Ready got. I want to thank you all for TORTURING me until the UK release (I'm trying to not to give in to...temptation ). And after ordering it and having it mailed to my trembling hands, I'll have to buy the US version to help boost the sales. I'll even recommend it to all my friends (if I get any by then ) if I like it half as much as you all do.

Thanks in advance, Barney, Hooky, Steven and Gill...errr, Phil

CuanaD asked me to post my numerical ratings of the songs, on a scale of 1-10:

Lordy / Hey Joe = 8.5 Road To Ruin = 8 Krafty = 7 I Told You So = 1.5 Pop 1 = 6.5 Minidisc = 8 Jet = 8.25 Guilt is a Useless Emotion = 10+ Turn = 9 Working Overtime = 5.5

Also, A Siren's Touch, I completely agree about Guilt is a Useless Emotion - it should be extended a few minutes for a Perfect Kiss style 'jam' ending with Hooky's bass.

Originally posted by Marco Pleil Well... :bag: joining the club! i'm into first listen and i'm... speechless ! i'll post my review after i've calmed down a bit!

Whats going on? How have you suddenly received a copy?

Up until now I was happy to wait until March for my first listen (& no matter what happens I will BUY a copy in the 1st week of release) but now I feel like I'm sitting outside an exclusive club with everyone laughing out the window at me:( Not that that has ever happened to me before or anything . .

as S.Morris says "I'm not a bitter man", but how come everyone else is on the guest list & I have to pay

Originally posted by CuanaD > Originally posted by Marco Pleil> Well... :bag: joining the club! i'm into first listen and i'm... speechless ! i'll post my review after i've calmed down a bit!

Whats going on? How have you suddenly received a copy? Up until now I was happy to wait until March for my first listen (& no matter what happens I will BUY a copy in the 1st week of release) but now I feel like I'm sitting outside an exclusive club with everyone laughing out the window at me:( Not that that has ever happened to me before or anything . . as S.Morris says "I'm not a bitter man", but how come everyone else is on the guest list & I have to pay

well... let's say i have the opportunity to listen to it and i am at this very moment... for the 2nd time! and i will buy loads of copies 'cos it's worth it every minute! more words on this in my review coming up! cheers

Who's Joe 9 Hey Now What You Doing 7 WFTSC 10 Krafty 8 I Told You So 6 Morning Night And Day 8 Dracula's Castle 6 Jetstream 7 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 8
Turn 9 Working Overtime 8

I Told You So = Visit Me (Electronic "Raise The Pressure")... nearly the same drum- and keysamples!

WFTSC is the best song they've written since 1983. I can't stop playing it over and over, it's THAT good.

Now I just can't wait to hear a non-crappily-encoded version!

drew

Originally posted by Marvin Kay CuanaD asked me to post my numerical ratings of the songs, on a scale of 1-10:Lordy / Hey Joe = 8.5 Road To Ruin = 8 Krafty = 7I Told You So = 1.5Pop 1 = 6.5Minidisc = 8Jet = 8.25Guilt is a Useless Emotion = 10+Turn = 9Working Overtime = 5.5Also, A Siren's Touch, I completely agree about Guilt is a Useless Emotion - it should be extended a few minutes for a Perfect Kiss style 'jam' ending with Hooky's bass.

Thanks Marvin, What about the song 'Sirens'? You havent reviewed or rated it.

After 10 reviews - here is the latest update:

83 (2nd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 7 8 8.5 9 9 7.5 74 (7th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 7 7 8 9 7 6.5 81.5 (3rd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 8 8 7 9 10 8.5 Single 76 (5th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 5.5 8 8.5 Single 60 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4.5 6 6 73 (8th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 8 8 6 67 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 74.25 (6th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 7 7 7 Single 81 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 88 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 7 9 9 10 9 8

70 (9th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 8.5 8 7

Hopefully the figures are right - I have guessed Almanso's from the review he gave, & stuck in a 7 for MrKay for WFTSC, otherwise the figures should be right.

Not that any of this will influence NO, but its interesting that the singles seem to be rated as average album tracks (except WFTSC) wheras TURN seems to be the standout track for many.

I'd like to find out the reactions of NON-No fans to these tracks - Which ones could appeal to the casual singles buyers out there? (or girls, as they are usually called)

Who's Joe 9 Hey Now What You Doing 9 WFTSC 8 Krafty 8 I Told You So 6 Morning Night And Day 8 Dracula's Castle 6 Jetstream 8 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 7 Turn 9 Working Overtime 7

Anyone else picked up the whistling to the Banana Splits tune at the start of Jetstream Lover?

Good innit Shug?

Mondays fans will love the classic Mondays-stylee end to I Told You So

And Road To Ruin kicks in with an almighty Oasis guitar riff!

& then there were 12 . . .

102 (2nd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 7 8 8.5 9 9 7.5 9 10 92 (6th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 7 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 98.5 (3rd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 8 8 7 9 10 8.5 8 9 Single 93.5 (5th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 5.5 8 8.5 8 9.5 Single 72 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4.5 6 6 6 6 89 (8th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 8 8 6 8 8 80 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 90.25 (7th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 7 7 7 8 8 Single 96.5 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 107 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 7 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 87 (9th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 8.5 8 7 7 10

Who’s Joe? 7 Hey Now What You Doing 6 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 7 Krafty 4 I Told You So 3 Morning Night And Day 5 Dracula’s Castle 5 Jetstream 4 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 4 Turn 6 Working Overtime 8

Decent album. That's about all I can say. I know I'm not comparing an apple with an apple here and I'm conscious of the fact I've been quite negative of late but has anyone downloaded the new Doves album yet?

It's a major coincidence that two of my favourite bands have release dates so close to each other and that I've come into posession of their albums within days of each other but the contrast between the two is significant.

One band are at the peak of their powers having produced an album which surpasses their last two outstanding offerings. The other band are New Order.

And I 'm confused by the "at least it's it's better than Get Ready" line. If I was to compare it to any previous New Order album it would be Get Ready! Although like it or not it actually sounds more like Electronic.

I think thats fair to compare the new album to Raise the pressure and Twisted Tenderness, and the two Monaco albums. I think the band is more comfortable this time, Get Ready was learning to work together again after a decade... Barney's song writing is more comfortable this time around, and its not like Electronic never happenned, Barney poured himself into those last two albums with no other outlet, its no surprise that his writing is similar.

loving your diverse reviews people,and order lovers.seeing as you all can't see me,i can tell you,the title track,had a lot for me to relate to, and i wept,for the first time in years.and then smiled.such power,i don't say this lightly,it was unbelievable.i just needed it louder.i am a complete music lover,and i know this is a classic in the making,for all music, not just new order.and on a lighter note, anyone who does'nt is a cunt

theres no way i will cryin at the giggs tho,c'mon!!:D

consistently exellent,new order sounds filling the room,down the years they have been the best

Originally posted by NObabe > Originally posted by NObabe> Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet?

Anyways, thanks for the reviews. You know reading about them songs and listening to them is the same fooking thing.

Seems like the girls are out in the cold! :(

Don't worry April, you'll hear it in APRIL, me in MAY

Originally posted by April Berhow > Originally posted by NObabe> > > > Originally posted by NObabe> > Am I the only one 'round here who hasn't got it yet? >

Anyways, thanks for the reviews. You know reading about them songs and listening to them is the same fooking thing.

Seems like the girls are out in the cold! :(

com'on in the warm;)

by checking your mail regularly april

Where in the blue f*** are you guys hearing the entire album from!?!

This is gonna be one hell of a summer - the NOOL posse out in force. Any kidney transplant volunteers, get yer blood types posted up here now!

The album is really superb and it seems to be growing on me every time I listen to it again. Since I've listened just a few times, I will not review it now, but 2 funny things I've just noticed: "I Told You So": I seriously see a bit of Ace of Base / Dr. Alban style of beats/arrangements in that track. "Morning Night And Day / Pop 1": sounds more like a Twisted Tenderness track than any New Order track ever in my opinion. And in fact I don't see anything bad in this, the both tracks are fantastic and I love Twisted Tenderness, my favourite Electronic album in fact - and I really think Ace of Base has done a lot of perfect pop tracks.

My ratings for the album:

1 Who's Joe? - 7 2 Hey Now What You Doing - 9 3 Waiting For The Sirens' Call - 9.5 4 Krafty - 9 5 I Told You So - 7 6 Morning Night And Day - 8 7 Dracula's Castle - 7 8 Jetstream - 8 9 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion - 8.5 10 Turn - 9.5 11 Working Overtime - 8

I will do a full review in due course but suffice to say it didnt knock me out when I first heard it...

That may surprise some people but the signature new order sound and Barneys voice (which seems more chirpy and electronic era than Grrready) is slowly sinking in and it does indeed look like we are in for yet another classic!

Originally posted by oldmonkey My ratings:Who’s Joe? 7Hey Now What You Doing 7Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 8Krafty 8I Told You So 8Morning Night And Day 7Dracula’s Castle 7Jetstream 8Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 9Turn 7Working Overtime 7

After about ten further listens, the oldmonkey votes have changed slightly:

Who's Joe 8.5 Hey Now What You Doing 8 Waiting For The Sirens Call 9 Krafty 8 I Told You So 8 Morning Night And Day 7 Dracula's Castle 7 Jetstream 8 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 9 Turn 9 Working Overtime 7

The guitar tracks just blew me away last night.

Hello again, After 14 reviews:

116 (2nd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 7 8 8.5 9 9 7.5 9 10 7 7 107 (5th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 7 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 6 9 115 (3rd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 8 8 7 9 10 8.5 8 9 7 9.5 Single 106.5 (6th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 5.5 8 8.5 8 9.5 4 9 Single 82 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4.5 6 6 6 6 3 7 102 (9th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 8 8 6 8 8 5 8 92 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 102.25 (8th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 7 7 7 8 8 4 8 Single 109 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 4 8.5 122.5 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 7 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 6 9.5 103 (7th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 8.5 8 7 7 10 8 8

Turn is obviously the favourite (only 2 didnt like it) and 'I told you so' & 'Draculas Castle' are getting the generally

I see the 1st 3 and Turn have grown on you OldMonkey,

I've altered the stats accordingly:

117.5 (2nd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 8.5 8 8.5 9 9 7.5 9 10 7 7 108 (5th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 8 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 6 9 116 (3rd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 9 8 7 9 10 8.5 8 9 7 9.5 Single 106.5 (6th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 5.5 8 8.5 8 9.5 4 9 Single 82 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4.5 6 6 6 6 3 7 102 (9th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 8 8 6 8 8 5 8 92 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 102.25 (8th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 7 7 7 8 8 4 8 Single 109 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 4 8.5 124.5 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 6 9.5 103 (7th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 8.5 8 7 7 10 8 8

If you believe the stats there are 3 class songs (led by Turn), 6 decent tunes, and 2 that shouldnt have been let out

Everyone's voting against I Told You So though because it is the Order daring to be different, and nobody accepts things that are different to begin with, do they? It'll grow on you, that's for sure. Those of us who are already fans of music with a Caribbean influence have a headstart!

Originally posted by oldmonkey Everyone's voting against I Told You So though because it is the Order daring to be different, and nobody accepts things that are different to begin with, do they? It'll grow on you, that's for sure. Those of us who are already fans of music with a Caribbean influence have a headstart!

I must've missed The Fall's "Dancehall" period! When was it?

Who’s Joe? (I hate Joe. 1/10) Hey Now What You Doing (Similar to "60MPH". 7/10) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call (Oh! It's a brand new classic!! 9/10) Krafty (WOW!! It's a brand new classic!! Part II. 10/10) I Told You So (Not so BAD. Similar to "Ruined in a day" or "Vicious Streak", I think. 3/10) Morning Night And Day (So So track. 7/10) Dracula’s Castle (So So track Part II. but John Leckie's great job! 5/10) Jetstream (Big Big diappointed. I like Gwen's one 1/10) Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (Similar to We In Music's"Grandlife". Massive full on choooon. 9/10) Turn (Is this Monaco? mmm...but so good. 8/10) Working Overtime (This is New Order. 0/10 or 10/10:D)

Most of Japanese like ultra pop "Krafty". Because we can not understand English. We are lucky human race! haha!

No time for a song-by-sog review, but I can give my impressions after several listening sessions.

First, this album certainly doesn't sound techniquey, except for Turn, which is also one of the best tracks.

The opening track, Who's Joe, is also one of the best tracks. Classic sound, even though, I dare say, NO never sounded as much as The Cure as they do on this track.

I regret a lack of homogeneity in the production. You can *hear* that no less than four different producers have been involved, all with different ideas on what the sound should be... but you can also guess that NO have been co-producing most tracks in an attempt to keep the homogeneity. The result is an album with a sound that is half homogeneous, half creative. Rather disppointing, imo. The last song, Working Overtime, which is very good in its own style but which shouldn't be part of this album, and Told You So, which is also of a complteley other style, contribute to this feeling. Eventually, Krafty turns out to be one of the best produced songs of this album.

Since Get Ready, heavy guitars have been introduced in NO's music. I regret this. Take Who's Joe: very good song, and then, suddenly, this new guitar sound is introduced at 4'30. I don't like it.

Most songs are, imo, very average. The album lacks catchy tunes. Told You So is, imo, the worst song NO have ever released. Dracula's Castle is boring. Even the title makes me despise it. Can you imagine that a band that once wrote songs entitled "Everything's Gone Green", "Thieves Like Us", "Dream Attack", etc., has released a song called "Dracula's Castle"? This is a Pet Shop Boys title but, and I'm pretty sure the PSBs would have made a great song with such a title. Unfortunately, NO didn't.

You have understood it: I am very disappointed with this album. I secretely hoped that they would have followed the path of Here to Stay and made a synth-based, dance album. But WFTSC is nothing like this. It sounds like a mix of Electronic and Monaco songs, a missed opportunity to give NO's unique sound a new direction. All in all, this album is the one I like least in the whole NO discography.

Also what do you think the chances of the band playing a couple of proper venues? im pissed off with spendng a fortune to travel to festivals to see just one band. Maybe i was spoiled the last time around Get Ready when i was able to see them in loads of different venues.

Originally posted by Spotnick Sorry for the cleanup here, but guys (and gal), take his matter in private if you want, but right now, I can't let it in the public forum.I'll tolerate reviews, but otherwise, I can't stop you from sending emails, but I won't let a discussion on this subject, we are watched ;)

Nicolas, I think you have misunderstood some of us. I haven't heard the album; I haven't made any attempts to hear the album. I haven't asked anyone to do anything that might allow me to hear the album. All I've heard is the versions of Krafty that have been made available by the record company at their various websites.

Originally posted by Ben No time for a song-by-sog review, but I can give my impressions after several listening sessions.First, this album certainly doesn't sound techniquey, except for Turn, which is also one of the best tracks.The opening track, Who's Joe, is also one of the best tracks. Classic sound, even though, I dare say, NO never sounded as much as The Cure as they do on this track.I regret a lack of homogeneity in the production. You can *hear* that no less than four different producers have been involved, all with different ideas on what the sound should be... but you can also guess that NO have been co-producing most tracks in an attempt to keep the homogeneity. The result is an album with a sound that is half homogeneous, half creative. Rather disppointing, imo. The last song, Working Overtime, which is very good in its own style but which shouldn't be part of this album, and Told You So, which is also of a complteley other style, contribute to this feeling. Eventually, Krafty turns out to be one of the best produced songs of this album.Since Get Ready, heavy guitars have been introduced in NO's music. I regret this. Take Who's Joe: very good song, and then, suddenly, this new guitar sound is introduced at 4'30. I don't like it.Most songs are, imo, very average. The album lacks catchy tunes. Told You So is, imo, the worst song NO have ever released. Dracula's Castle is boring. Even the title makes me despise it. Can you imagine that a band that once wrote songs entitled "Everything's Gone Green", "Thieves Like Us", "Dream Attack", etc., has released a song called "Dracula's Castle"? This is a Pet Shop Boys title but, and I'm pretty sure the PSBs would have made a great song with such a title. Unfortunately, NO didn't.You have understood it: I am very disappointed with this album. I secretely hoped that they would have followed the path of Here to Stay and made a synth-based, dance album. But WFTSC is nothing like this. It sounds like a mix of Electronic and Monaco songs, a missed opportunity to give NO's unique sound a new direction. All in all, this album is the one I like least in the whole NO discography.

That's kind of how I felt after a couple of listens.

Please EXPLAIN.Is it an offence to mention that you haven't GOT IT?If so fair enough.Otherewise don't go CENSORING posteres for the sake of it whilst letting THOSE WITH speak freely.TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS. A right kerfuffle!

Originally posted by Rocket Mick Please EXPLAIN.Is it an offence to mention that you haven't GOT IT?If so fair enough.Otherewise don't go CENSORING posteres for the sake of it whilst letting THOSE WITH speak freely.TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS.A right kerfuffle!

I completely agree, RM. Makes no sense whatever.

Originally posted by Patrick > Originally posted by Rocket Mick> Please EXPLAIN.Is it an offence to mention that you haven't GOT IT?If so fair enough.Otherewise don't go CENSORING > posteres for the sake of it whilst letting THOSE WITH speak freely.TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS.> A right kerfuffle!

I completely agree, RM. Makes no sense whatever. Times like these you realise we ARE NOT a COMMUNITY!

Thanks Almanso

Heres the latest update: 119 (3rd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 8.5 8 8.5 9.5 9 7.5 9 10 7 7 1 115 (6th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 8 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 6 9 7 125.5 (2nd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 9 8 7 9.5 10 8.5 8 9 7 9.5 9 Single 117 (5th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 6 8 8.5 8 9.5 4 9 10 Single 84.5 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4 6 6 6 6 3 7 3 108.5 (8th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 7.5 8 6 8 8 5 8 7 97 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 5 104.75 (9th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 8.5 7 7 8 8 4 8 1 Single 118 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 4 8.5 9 132.5 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 6 9.5 8 113.5 (7th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 9 8 7 7 10 8 8 10

This only leaves Marvin Kay to confirm his rating for WFTSC (the song) - I put him in for a 7

Otherwise none of this is my own doing (I havent heard it myself:( Im just listening to the 2 Community cds to keep me going thanks Tim)

Roll on March the 20somethingth.

Dr. Clayhead says: the record is lovely.

Everyone else can fuck off.

Originally posted by Doctor Clayhead Dr. Clayhead says: the record is lovely.Everyone else can fuck off.

At last a little honesty.Now where can i get a copy of this ere WAITING FOR THE SHIT TO HIT THE FAN?.

Oh, and if anyone "in the know" knows roughly when the "secret" warm-up gig will be, could they send me a quick email.

Ta!!;)

I think its funny that the one song that sounds the most "80s", "I Told You So", people are ranking last.

this song sounds the most like an old NO song in production, they just threw practically everything in there just for fun... and like Barney said, the guitar in the second half sounds just like 1969 era Velvet Underground. silly.

and are these tracks not the final mix, for sure? if it is, thats cool.
then it will be like a "beta" release with software, people get to preview an early version, so we can want to buy the final product and delete the beta (i'm rationalizing here)

I haven't heard any of the songs yet but going on the reviews of I Told You So perhaps we should keep in mind Hooky did spend a couple of years growing up in Jamaica. ;)

Originally posted by CuanaD Whats going on? How have you suddenly received a copy? Up until now I was happy to wait until March for my first listen (& no matter what happens I will BUY a copy in the 1st week of release) but now I feel like I'm sitting outside an exclusive club with everyone laughing out the window at me:(

*I feel about the same... I mean, not laughed at ( are you? - only kiddin :D ) but I just thought I'd wait to have the actual CD to hear the whole album but all these reviews, though very interesting, make it very hard. It's almost as if the album was already in the shops but I couldn't buy it... no good... I read all these comments and those titles that they were just titles now are... well, songs that are out there but I can't hear... Yeah, it would spoil a bit when I finally play the CD on my stereo, but how the hell do you think I can wait, how long, 50 days?... how can I wait NOW? It's hard because it's not like the songs are just on P2P networks, I know it's a paradox but it'd be easy to wait in this case, it's hard because I've read so much about them, from many different people, and I'd like to make an opinion of my own now... I admit I'd like to hear all the tracks now, I'd think at it as an anticipated release, and then I'd buy the CD for my collection of course.

Originally posted by Mick Aneworderfan It's almost as if the album was already in the shops but I couldn't buy it... no good...

Exactly

At this stage, if anyone would email me (Nick & Tim have my address) to let me in on the secret, it might put me out of my misery & stop me spending 12-18 hours a day on the net looking hopefull - I might be able to work then

Alternatively, Nick could lock me out of NOOL for the next 6 weeks - that could sort me out.

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Doctor Clayhead> Oh, and if anyone "in the know" knows roughly when the "secret" warm-up gig will be, could they send me a quick email.> > Ta!!;)

London.

Is that clear enough?

Can't really confirm anything, as they probably don't even know themselves yet...

Well, yeah, even someone as dense as me had picked up on that: was hoping for a date, or even better an idea when tickets will go on sale. If I miss out I'll spend weeks crying into my beer, and we wouldn't want that, would we??

Originally posted by michael brown by checking your mail regularly april

I LOVE YOU!!!

(don't tell my boyfriend... hehe)

Originally posted by Grahame Ferguson > Originally posted by oldmonkey Everyone's voting against I Told You So though because it is the Order daring to be different, and nobody accepts things that are different to begin with, do they? It'll grow on you, that's for sure. Those of us who are already fans of music with a Caribbean influence have a headstart!

I must've missed The Fall's "Dancehall" period! When was it?

Dragnet-uh.....the Psykick Dancehall. Get on board for ESP-medium dischord!

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Rocket Mick> Please EXPLAIN.Is it an offence to mention that you haven't GOT IT?If so fair enough.Otherewise don't go CENSORING > posteres for the sake of it whilst letting THOSE WITH speak freely.TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS.> A right kerfuffle!

It's not your message Mick, it was the quote from Mario that I was trying to delete.

Sorry, next time I'll only edit the part where people are begging for it.

Sorry Sorry Sorry!!!

No offence:)my mistake:D

1 Who's Joe? - 8 2 Hey Now What You Doing - 9 3 Waiting For The Sirens' Call - 9.5 4 Krafty - 8.5 5 I Told You So - 9.5 6 Morning Night And Day - 9.5 7 Dracula's Castle - 9 8 Jetstream - 8 .5 9 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion - 9 10 Turn - 7 11 Working Overtime - 7

IMHO counting all votes like this won't mean anything. Just as a track by the best band on Earth I can't consider as being less than 5. Someone give a 1 and the track and f**ks it all.

Who's Joe - 8.5 Hey now... - 8 Waiting... - 8 Krafty - 5 I Told You So - 6 Morning Night And Day - 8.5 Dracula's Castle - 6 Jetstream - 7 Guilt... - 6 Turn - 9 Working Overtime - 6.5

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Rocket Mick> Please EXPLAIN.Is it an offence to mention that you haven't GOT IT?If so fair enough.Otherewise don't go CENSORING > posteres for the sake of it whilst letting THOSE WITH speak freely.TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS.> A right kerfuffle!

It's not your message Mick, it was the quote from Mario that I was trying to delete.

Sorry, next time I'll only edit the part where people are begging for it.

Sorry Sorry Sorry!!!

But why? What are the record company/management/Hooky's German Shepherd gonna do to NOOL and does anybody believe that they actually give two hoots about what goes on here? I'm sensing an exaggerated sense of importance here.

This is the internet, and this is (was) a fan site. It's untouchable. It's punk rock! As I mentioned before, sucking up the record company's arse to get free records/ exclusive info (two days after f***in Teletext!!)/ or some sense of being important is laughable. Grow some balls Nic. You've done more to promote New Order in the last 5 years than anybody at Warners. Tell 'em to go fuck themselves.

PS THERE IS NO NEED TO DELETE THIS POST! BE STRONG

Whos Joe? is a classic up there with Love Vigilantes and Age Of Consent.WFTSC is another classic .I love Bernards guitar riffing on I Told You So.Found myself singing J-E-T at work today.Dracs Castle should not be on the album.Guilt is a good dance track if thats what you like but i prefer Whos Joe? the production is superb.

I ORIGINALLY WROTE A TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW BUT WHEN I POSTED I HAD TIMED OUT OR SOMETHING AND CANT BE ARSED TO AGAIN

Dracula's Castle is ACE. I keep singing "So Goodbye Love, You Were Not Real" awesome lyric, sung beautifully by BS.

Give it some time and you'll love it too.

Lordsy 9 Road To Ruin 7 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 10 Krafty 8 I Told You So 9 Pop 1 7 Minidisk2 9 Jet 7 Fast Synth 9 Turn 9 Working Overtime 9

Great stuff, a couple of songs have definitely grown on me. Guilt, or Fast Synth, is one that I didn't care for at first, the lyrics mostly, and I couldn't make it through Jet the first time without hitting the stop button. Now, like Brian, found myself singing along with it after a couple of days. Good job lads

here goes, after maybe 12 listens are becoming familiar fast.
hey joe 6 road to ruin 7 siren's 11(and i'm a tight marker) Krafty 9 told you so 6(like the end instrumental alot, as i always do with the order,nice tilt at the mondays there aswell.song sucks tho) morning night and day 6 draculas castle 8 jetstream 0(nuff said) fast synth 7 turn 9 working overtime 5

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

I have spent the whole day queueing to download the whole piece at 8:00 PM and I fucked it up by changing the names of these fucking mp4 and thus corrupted the files !!!!

All I could save was the title track (mp3) and my memory of Lordsy, which I had the time to play 10 times while downloading the rest and renaming it.

Well, I must admit I have never been much into Electronic, just listened once to Twisted Tenderness (not bad) but I am not able to compare the two albums in details.

Then my short review is as follows :

1 - Lordsy A very good opening song, a well-crafted chorus, a catchy tune : it was a real relief after the deeply disappointing Krafty. The fact is that it makes me think of the late Simple Minds, namely during the guitar solo - and I am not trying to sell my avatar (but have a good look at it, d'you know the boy ?). I don't mind cause I like SM, and anyway Hooky's bass makes the difference. I just find it funny. I REALLY like this song : 8/10.

3 WFTSC WAOW. What a song. Simply Beautiful. Fine lyrics, bitter-sweet atmosphere, poppy tune, a really well written masterpiece. I think this one could be the anthem of the contemporary New Order, whose technical maturity and composing art is used here to express the nuances of human depth. I'm simply impressed here. It's not a single, but it is really the great song of a legendary band at its peak, one of their best ever, to me. And it's a grower. And it's the perfect song for the times when you're in love and for the times when you've just been dumped, as well. Got it ? Kinda fast "Run wild"... It almost makes me cry. :) 10/10

4. Krafty Well, here... It's a different class. I must admit it's a grower and the chorus is catchy. But the whole is a bit weak for a single (I've already written too much about it in other threads). 6/10

See you later for more reviews from a f*** newbie
(if I ever understand how to use mp4...)

I just heard portions of the album but Dracula's Castle in its entirety.( I removed it from my p2p file afterward and yes im buying the album)

Here's a review for ya....

Dracula's Castle 10 out of 10

If New Order releases this as a single in North America it will hit number one and show Usher, Avril, Nickelback, Chingy, and whoever else how amazing music is made. Its dark, has awesome rising action all throughout, amazing synths, very hip lyrics, Hook's base is there and sounds great. It is like vanishing point with an over-sized adrenal gland.

I might buy two albums to support this kind of work. One for the house, one for the car, and maybe a few for presents.

Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid Dracula's Castle is ACE. I keep singing "So Goodbye Love, You Were Not Real" awesome lyric, sung beautifully by BS.Give it some time and you'll love it too.

That's what I'm saying...although I was for it about 1 minute in!

Originally posted by April Berhow > Originally posted by michael brown> by checking your mail regularly april

I LOVE YOU!!!

(don't tell my boyfriend... hehe)

rate it here after 20 listens,i dont think there has been many female reviews, if any,would be good to read some.i think it is one for the ages,that should be shared and heard personally

6 more weeks to wait - I will seriously have to take a break from this site or I will go insane reading about all these NEW NO songs that I can't hear yet.

Originally posted by dub 6 more weeks to wait - I will seriously have to take a break from this site or I will go insane reading about all these NEW NO songs that I can't hear yet.

Dubby, where abouts are you in Melbourne?

CTB may be able to help you out. I stress the word MAY because if he's having a bad day with the diplodocus bones or they've sold out of Chiko rolls at the canteen there could be hell to pay.

:\pimp3:

Originally posted by michael brown > Originally posted by April Berhow> > > > Originally posted by michael brown> > by checking your mail regularly april>

I LOVE YOU!!!

(don't tell my boyfriend... hehe)

Alright, give me 18 more listens. After the first, I like it, but it is not single material... YET... 18 more to go!

rate it here after 20 listens,i dont think there has been many female reviews, if any,would be good to read some.i think it is one for the ages,that should be shared and heard personally :D

Originally posted by michael brown > Originally posted by April Berhow> > > > Originally posted by michael brown> > by checking your mail regularly april>

I LOVE YOU!!!

(don't tell my boyfriend... hehe)

rate it here after 20 listens,i dont think there has been many female reviews, if any,would be good to read some.i think it is one for the ages,that should be shared and heard personally

Ok, give me 18 more listens. After one though, I think it is a good song, but not a single... but 18 more to go!

That's the title track, by the way.

:D

Saw 5 or 6 tracks.

It's not the old NO, as many said here. Better than Get Ready, tough.

WFTSC is so so. Lordsy/Who's Joe is the only one till now that reminds me old NO style.

Toooooooooo many guitar, where's Hooky's bass? His solos?

Originally posted by Server Error in "/" Application Saw 5 or 6 tracks.It's not the old NO, as many said here. Better than Get Ready, tough.WFTSC is so so. Lordsy/Who's Joe is the only one till now that reminds me old NO style.Toooooooooo many guitar, where's Hooky's bass? His solos?

Or am I misunderstanding JD with "old NO"?

Naaah...

Sorry for not posting my score for this earlier:

Waiting for the Sirens Call - 8.5

Thanks Marvin

Heres the updated list:

150.5 (3rd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 8.5 8 8.5 9.5 9 7.5 9 10 7 7 1 8 8.5 9 6 146 (6th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 8 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 6 9 7 9 8 7 7 164.5 (2nd) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 9 8 8.5 9.5 10 8.5 8 9 7 9.5 9 9.5 8 10 10 Single 147.5 (5th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 6 8 8.5 8 9.5 4 9 10 8.5 5 8 9 Single 115 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4 6 6 6 6 3 7 3 9.5 6 9 6 139.5 (8th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 7.5 8 6 8 8 5 8 7 9.5 8.5 7 6 129 (9th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 5 9 6 9 8 127.25 (10th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 8.5 7 7 8 8 4 8 1 8.5 7 7 0 Single 149 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 4 8.5 9 9 6 9 7 166.5 (1st) Turn 6 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 6 9.5 8 7 9 9 9 141 (7th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 9 8 7 7 10 8 8 10 7 6.5 9 5

NOT much now between 1st & 2nd!

Also Dracula has overtaken JET near the bottom

Originally posted by dub 6 more weeks to wait - I will seriously have to take a break from this site or I will go insane reading about all these NEW NO songs that I can't hear yet.

Now I know whats going on anyway; the only stuff stopping me joining in is the few morals I have left - & at the moment they are winning! Weird that

Lordsy/Who's Joe? 8 Road To Ruin 9 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 9 Krafty 8 I Told You So 6 Pop 1 7 Dracula's Castle 10 Jet 6 Fast Synth 6 Turn 10 Working Overtime 10

Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid Dracula's Castle is ACE. I keep singing "So Goodbye Love, You Were Not Real" awesome lyric, sung beautifully by BS.Give it some time and you'll love it too.

A man of sense!, thank you Brian!! I totally agree!! took a few listens for me to "get it" but when i did it very swiftly turned into one of my faves!!

Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid Dracula's Castle is ACE. I keep singing "So Goodbye Love, You Were Not Real" awesome lyric, sung beautifully by BS.Give it some time and you'll love it too.

Will you stop agreeing with me please? People will talk ;)

Originally posted by Jackson Withrow I just heard portions of the album but Dracula's Castle in its entirety.( I removed it from my p2p file afterward and yes im buying the album)Here's a review for ya....Dracula's Castle 10 out of 10If New Order releases this as a single in North America it will hit number one and show Usher, Avril, Nickelback, Chingy, and whoever else how amazing music is made. Its dark, has awesome rising action all throughout, amazing synths, very hip lyrics, Hook's base is there and sounds great. It is like vanishing point with an over-sized adrenal gland. I might buy two albums to support this kind of work. One for the house, one for the car, and maybe a few for presents.

Fangs for that!

Originally posted by April Berhow > Originally posted by michael brown> > > > Originally posted by April Berhow> > > > > > > Originally posted by michael brown> > > by checking your mail regularly april> > >

I LOVE YOU!!!

(don't tell my boyfriend... hehe)

rate it here after 20 listens,i dont think there has been many female reviews, if any,would be good to read some.i think it is one for the ages,that should be shared and heard personally

Ok, give me 18 more listens. After one though, I think it is a good song, but not a single... but 18 more to go!

That's the title track, by the way.

:D play it louder!or i might tell your boyfriend after all:D its THE most beautifully crafted song, of the last ten years.i should get my girls take on it before long,dont tell her, you heard it first aswell she is not big into new order,so i suppose she won't grumble too much.

Finally joining the ever growing club of the lucky bastards! :) Hearing it now for the fourth time, I adore it and will write soon a review. About sharing, the very moment Warners gives promos to anyone, they must know it will be shared... more than a blind anti-sharing policy, it would be better to adopt a policy of educating to conscious sharing. I know that people outside this forum are getting this album, between them many won't buy the album once they'll have the tracks, and this is no good at all. All Warners can do now is to think quick at an enhanced release featuring a second CD (or DVD) of tracks not included in the promo (be it live, remixed or unreleased tracks)... many other bands did it and it worked. Anyway things like this are happening from a long time by now so I don't understand every time the scandal as if this was the first time ever... bands like U2 and Radiohead are always bootleged in advance, and they've learnt to survive anyway... This doesn't change that it's extremely wrong that people who won't buy the album are getting the songs, so do your best to avoid it. If you ever gonna share this album on a P2P (I'm not saying I'll do, nor that you should, but just in case some of you wanna do it even if it's wrong at least we can limit the damage) keep the tracks out of the shared folder and only send them (from another folder) to users you know and trust (you can do it, just like on messengers). Send the tracks only to people who will contact you in private chat and ask them, and only if you'll recognize them as members of the NewOrderOnline.com forum before the 1st of February 2005 (to avoid late comers who join just to get the songs) and if you're sure they'll buy the album... Finally I don't understand all this criticism about Nicolas trying to keep a balance with Warners, what do you expect? That he may get in serious trouble by organising a sharing tree on the forum? It's all there between the lines, nobody said anything in public (if you think about it, this is the only thing Nicolas is opposing to, and can you blame him when you remember a Ceremony member had his site shut down just for streaming Crystal?) about sharing but somehow we're having the album anyway... We all must always remember this is not the official site, but it's the closest thing to that and we must not cause any trouble to this unique site... One last thing: if you had the album in these unforgettable wonderful days (it's just history in the making) and you don't buy it when it's released (especially since it's so wonderful it's really worthy to be bought) you deserve to never show again your shitface round here, you'll always know you've got nothing to do with us true fans.

First, the ratings for the chart, then the comments:

01 Who's Joe? (Lordsy) 9 02 Hey Now What You Doing (Road To Ruin) 9 03 Waiting For The Sirens Call 9 04 Krafty 8 05 I Told You So 7 06 Morning Night And Day (Pop 1) 9 07 Dracula's Castle (Minidisk 2) 8 08 Jetstream (Jet) 9 09 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (Fast Synth) 10 10 Turn 9 11 Working Overtime 6

Average [maths] rating: 8.45 - Actual personal rating: 9

New Albums Top 10:

01 Power, Corruption And Lies 02 Technique 03 Waiting For The Sirens Call 04 Get Ready 05 Brotherhood 06 Low Life 07 Republic 08 Movement

New Best Of: "A Quarter Of Century With New Order" ;) 1980 Ceremony 1981 Mesh (the 12" only track) 1982 Temptation 1983 Blue Monday 1984 Thieves Like Us 1985 The Perfect Kiss 1986 Bizarre Love Triangle 1987 True Faith 1988 Fine Time 1989 Vanishing Point 1990 World In Motion 1993 Chemical 1994 Let's Go (Nothing For Me) 1995 Blue Monday 95 (Hardfloor) 1998 Isolation (Peel Session) 2000 Brutal 2001 Vicious Streak 2002 Here To Stay 2003 Vietnam 2004 True Faith (Peel Session) 2005 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion

Mick,

IMHO, for Warner there are two issues: a) people getting the album ahead of time and b) people getting the album without paying for it.

In this day and age, I think its safe to say that 'b' is going to happen no matter what, either before the official release or after. Not sure that there's much they can do about that.

Regarding 'a', I imagine that the main problem with 'a' for Warner is that they can't necessarily control the pre-release buzz and hype as well as they might want to, by limitting pre-release distribution to their chosen audience.

One of two things can happen - the bootleggers / pirates / P2P people may think the album sucks and the word will get out that its not that good. Or they will think its good and positive word will spread. So, it can be both good and bad for Warners, but if the pre-release distribution of the album is confined to their control, they can help ensure that the pre-release buzz is positive.

In that case they must choose their poison - give the album out to no one ahead of time and seriously hamper their ability to generate pre-release buzz, or let it out knowing full well that its going to circulate around, and hope that the resulting buzz is positive.

I would have to say that, at least as far as this site goes, the reaction of most folks has been generally positive, although certainly with some dissent.

01 Who's Joe? (Lordsy) First there was the rumour that New Order were going back to a rawer and darker sound, to their Joy Division roots, then that they were going back to more dance songs and it sounded like Technique. Well, they were both true, this album was made in different moments and purposedly gives different feelings, there's something for everyone and it's fantastic. Who's Joe is the kind of song Electronic could have meade if they listened to a lot of Joy Division before doing Tighten Up, with the added value of a wonderful bass by Hooky. Bernard is even more a consummate songwriter, with the charming attack "Hey Joe, what you doin?". If the guitar coming at 04.39 is Phil, I can't be happier he has joined the band properly. Anyway I'm sure his work is essential to at least some of the excellent guitar parts we have in the whole album. (9)

02 Hey Now What You Doing (Road To Ruin) Talking about great guitars, here we have an extraordinary start of a song. Is Phil the Johnny Marr of the 21st Century, or has Bernard been taking lessons from his old mate? Fantastic vocals here, in both the verse and chorus, I love how Barney sings "You've gotta hold - your head - up high". (9)

03 Waiting For The Sirens Call My God, what a start for this album, these three tracks are between their best ever and are all stuck here... you can begin to understand why I think this album is even better than Get Ready and it's just there under Power, Corruption And Lies and Technique in my list. Anyway I was already a huge New Order fan and the releases of this century so far have made me an even bigger fan. Bernard's vocal tune in the verse is amazing: "What does this ship bring to me"... it's such a simple and effective melody, only him can write masterpieces so effortlessly. If the chorus was as good it would be the best of the album. (9)

04 Krafty I've already reviewed this track, it definitely did grow on me and it's just nice it comes after the previous three forming a great quartet of fabulous guitar pop. New Order are the true New Beatles. (8)

05 I Told You So Comparisons with Ace Of Base have been greatly exaggerated and seem a bit offensive when you discover that the track is actually trying to experiment with Caribbean dub. That kind of keyboard is used everywhere in that genre. Nice how it blends with guitar and the metronomic keyboard emerging in instrumental parts which even recalls Video 586! At some point, and towards the ending too, it sounds like what the Happy Mondays should have been doing at the Barbados if they didn't destroy themselves with crack. So, great self-production. Street, Leckie and Price have all made a great job (can't complain about anyone really), but New Order prove they can still produce themselves, this seems the job of a top requested producer. The only small problem of this song is the vocal tune which is a bit weak. (7)

06 Morning Night And Day (Pop 1) Wow, this is a strong track! Great chorus on a pumped up electro base, the verse is a bit generic but then explodes into this powerful chorus: "It happens - It always seems to happen" (with the ghost of Johnny Marr here and there), and what a fabulous instrumental part... underrated by the reviewers so far... (9)

07 Dracula's Castle (Minidisk 2) This is the electro-goth version of Dream Attack remixed by Revenge. It sounds good, it does. Great bass, and the chorus is fabulous. Nice to notice how they've roughly made the same trick of Brotherhood, splitting the album in two parts, with four guitar songs, five electronic/dance songs (they really are electronic, it's not like someone said that the only keyboards are in the middle of Krafty), with the difference of going back to the guitar for the final two. As for the music, almost all the tunes are so easy and at the same time magnificent, this happened on Get Ready and Republic, but not that often, so I think it's fair to see Sirens as the album of the 21st century New Order looking back to the Technique formula... Back on this song, so far I just think there's something missing to make it one of the best, but it's still a great track. (8)

08 Jetstream (Jet) Hey, come on, I was expecting something really embarassing, but how on earth you don't understand this funky pop gem? You see, I couldn't wait until the release just for this reason: I had read all these reviews and some were disappointed and I just wanted to hear myself if those tracks were actually so disappointing. Well, the good news is they aren't. Listen to Jet with an open mind and you'll enjoy it, and it could sell well as a single. It works, it's dead sexy... come on, let's sing along "J - E - T! You are so good for me!". Great production here, I adore the keyboard chords before the chorus. Shaun Ryder would sell his soul to God to release something like this! ;)

09 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (Fast Synth) Now, now we're in front of the huge song of the album... some of the other come so close, but this is the one that slightly (but definitely) makes it. It's like reworking World In Motion from the stadium to the disco 15 years later. Amazing rhythm, wonderful keyboard, and what a tune when Barney sings "Just another day of the week" (even better the second time when Hooky also appears)... another fantastic descending melody like the one on the title track... how comes he can compose stuff like that more than once on the same album, 50 years old?! Genius! Another lesson for the young wankers out there. The chorus is alright, it works, it's not their best ever, but it fits well in a powerful disco anthem. Another potential single, would be played much on prime time radio... (10)

10 Turn Oh yeah, definitely one of the best, I agree. And, WARNERS SPIES PLEASE NOTE IF YOU WANNA GET SOME MONEY BACK: GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, SINGLE FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET!!!!!!!. Believe me, it would be the biggest relaunch of a career we've ever seen on that side of the Atlantic. It would be used for TV series, ads, radio, MTV, movies, sports, everywhere. The Americans are just waiting for this tune! "Turn and your eyes follow me - it's time for me to go" and the Americans will fall in love with this song! Myself I adore the beginning "It's a haaaard - way, to come home". Touching. Hey mates, do you realise how many great tunes Barney sings on this album? Last time we had something like this was Technique... I loved Get Ready, but my favourite songs of that album are Crystal, Vicious Streak and Someone Like You, and here we have at least nine songs of that level, and certainly Turn is one of them... (9)

11 Working Overtime What a silly way to finish an otherwise almost perfect album... this would have made sense from Warsaw, now it sounds just like "Let show The Strokes how garage rock should be made". And actually it pisses all over any contemporary band of this genre. The song itself is not bad, but it just doesn't fit anywhere on this album, and it shouldn't be a single, absolutely, it would be a huge mistake. Turn would have been the perfect ending of the album (which should have been opened by the title track), I'd have left this for the B side of Krafty. (6)

Anyway hats off to New Order for this excellent album, if they really aren't releasing any B side I certainly look forward to the next album which shouldn't take too long to make with the songs left out of this album... Waiting For The Sirens Call leaves me happy and with no nostalgia for Low Life which was released 20 years ago. I like that, but Sirens is even better, and when a band sound better at 50 than at 30, you know it's a great band. Actually, it's the best ever.

1.Who`s Joe

Classic.Great chorus and great production.9/10

2.Road To Ruin Grown on me since first listen.Good song 7/10

3.Waiting For The Sirens Call Different to what i expected but is one of their best ever songs9/10

4.Krafty Great drumming by Steve.Love the wobbly bit,the chimy bit and Barney`s guitar work is classic sounding New Order 8/10

5.I Told You So

Nobody seems to mention the Velvets style guitar riffing on this but i love that riff 8/10

6.Morning Night And Day

Great druumming and a good song 7/10

7.Draculas Castle Like the intro but taking a while to like this song so far but will eventually6/10

8.Jetstream A bit of fun and i like the Scissors chick`s vocal parts.Been singing J-E-T at work again today 8/10

9.Guilt Is A Useless Emotion Great if you like the dancey stuff.Love the backing vocals 8/10

10.Turn Gorgeous!.A classic.Chorus sends shivers big time.Should have been final track 10/10

11.Working Overtime Good Stooges workout but does it fit on the album? 7/10

Originally posted by Mick Aneworderfan About sharing, the very moment Warners gives promos to anyone, they must know it will be shared... more than a blind anti-sharing policy, it would be better to adopt a policy of educating to conscious sharing.This doesn't change that it's extremely wrong that people who won't buy the album are getting the songs, so do your best to avoid it.

Thank you so much for your highly sensible post about sharing the new album, Mick. I am exactly in the same state of mind as you. It's very fine to have access to this material 2 months (my God...) in advance, but I can't see exactly how NO will sort it out because the responsible guys will be the fewer ones...

Who's Joe - 5/10

Great intro, but it didn't lead to much. Sounds like an average Twisted Tenderness track (verses remind me of a faster Flicker). Good chorus though.

Hey Now What You Doing - 6/10

Another average Twisted Tenderness soundalike. Not offensive, not great. Middling. I like the "writing songs on your computer" line though :) These first 2 tracks don't sound like New Order at all to me. I blame that chap Cunningham! ;)

Waiting for the Sirens' Call - 8/10

I'm liking the intro a lot. Finally, some Hooky bass. And this is the first track where I can feel the Technique comparisons. I don't think it is "one of the best New Order songs ever" but it is pretty good.

Krafty - 10/10

I love this track. My favorite on the album. Infectious. Absolutely gorgeous verse vocals, melody and chords. Anthemic chorus. Perfect first single (though it seems I am in the minority on this one!).

I Told You So - 7/10

Ha! If you can get your mind off Ace of Base, this is pretty jammin. I get a bit of a Republic vibe here.

Morning Night and Day - 8/10

Woah, that bass made me immediately think of Material Girl. Nice fat sound though. Rockin a Get Ready vibe.

Dracula's Castle - 2/10

Hideous. This is one of the worst New Order songs I have ever heard. Is there a melody here? Is there a point? Messily and muddily produced. It would have been a 1, but there are a couple nice synth sounds, and I am feeling generous :)

Jetstream - 9/10

Can't wait to hear a nice edit that cleans it up (it does need some tidying, especially in the beginning). But there is no denying this song... come on! J E T! Haha. This is the first "holy crap, is this New Order?" song... great risk, great payoff. Good vocals by Ana Matronic.

Guilt Is a Useless Emotion - 9/10

Hot synths. Good vocals. Danciest track on the record, and very well produced. Not much to say -- it's just straight up electro-disco pop.

Turn - 9/10

I feel like a lot of the New Order/Electronic rock tracks over the past several years have sounded very samey and nursery-rhymish (see Who's Joe and Hey Now for current examples). This song is a more mature guitar song, a nice evolution. Smarter. A true descendant of Technique. Gorgeous chorus.

Working Overtime - 8/10

The second "holy crap, is this New Order" song. Another risk, another payoff. Well done Iggy cum Hooky track.

So in order, my ratings:

1. Krafty
2. Guilt Is a Useless Emotion
3. Jetstream
4. Turn
5. When the Sirens' Call
6. Morning Night and Day
7. Working Overtime
8. I Told You So
9. Hey Now What You Want
10. Who's Joe
11. Dracula's Castle

Originally posted by michael brown :D play it louder!or i might tell your boyfriend after all:D its THE most beautifully crafted song, of the last ten years.i should get my girls take on it before long,dont tell her, you heard it first aswell she is not big into new order,so i suppose she won't grumble too much.

Ok, got the other files and I have to say GREAT ALBUM so far!!!

I do hear the Electronic sound though... the band that is... hehe

Originally posted by Jackson Withrow I just heard portions of the album but Dracula's Castle in its entirety.( I removed it from my p2p file afterward and yes im buying the album)Here's a review for ya....Dracula's Castle 10 out of 10If New Order releases this as a single in North America it will hit number one and show Usher, Avril, Nickelback, Chingy, and whoever else how amazing music is made. Its dark, has awesome rising action all throughout, amazing synths, very hip lyrics, Hook's base is there and sounds great. It is like vanishing point with an over-sized adrenal gland. I might buy two albums to support this kind of work. One for the house, one for the car, and maybe a few for presents.

Let an actual American correct you here. :)

Dracula's Castle would bomb here for a million and one reasons, not the least of which is that it is pants.

I guess I am a different kind of New Order fan. I posted my review without reading most of the others' reviews. I cannot fathom the high marks for Who's Joe and Dracula's Castle and the low marks for Krafty. Boggles the mind!

I finally made it to the comic mp4s.

1. Lordsy Great song. 8/10

2. Road to ruin A grower, I didn't get it at 1st. 7/10

3. WFTSC B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Very Techniquey in the end (something of Dream Attack perhaps). 10/10 anyway.

4. Krafty Ok, that's a grower and it wasn't such a bad single after all. But it was a sequel of Such a good thing, for sure. 8/10

5. I told you so :D I like this one. Besides the fun they must have had while writing it, it's really creative and definitely a grower. Weak vocal tune, though. 7/10 to start with.

6. Morning Night & Day WOOOOO-HOOOOO !!!! This one is a MAJOR SONG in the eve of a MASSIVE SUCCESS. I challenge any DJ to fail to make a crowd go MENTAL with it. This IS THE single of this album. I can't believe it. Wonderful. And more. 10/10

7. Dracula's Castle A minor song on a major album. The pumping synth at the end is a reminder of "Papa don't preach", I love that kind of reference :D As a whole, this track would have fit perfectly on Republic. Sooooo cheeesy, maaaan, rip that joint and relaaaax... :) 6/10

8. Jetstream That is not what I expected at all, but it's a great song. The chorus is an instant classic... maybe the verses are not so strong. A dance-floor killer, and a fertile field for remixes. 9/10

9. Guilt is a... Errrrr... Well, well. Did NO want THAT MUCH to be played in night-clubs again ?? A commercial tune on a classic disco synth. I have never been into it. Anyway, it should be a massive disco hit. But I bet here it won't be looked back at as an historical track, so sorry but : 4/10.

10. Turn "All the way", remove your mask ! I've heard your bass ! :D I prefer the original version. This one is not bad, but really not original, the guitar must have been sucked from I don't know where. Rather weak. 6/10

11. Working overtime It is true it hasn't anything to do with the rest of the album but it's a good track in its rocky-stoogy style and deserves a good mark. 8/10

All in all, this is a very good album, and maybe more.

I CAN'T BELIEVE that these guys manage to sound THAT good at their age and after 20 years in the music industry. Compared to Cure, U2 and so many who fail both to sound as they did in the 80s and to reinvent themselves, NewOrder shines as an eternal diamond on which time has no effect but refining.

I really like how only certain members are deemed "good enough" to hear the album demo, when the rest of us aren't? No offense, but what gives? Forgive me if I seem a tad pissed off, but that's kind of in poor taste in my opinion. Hardly seems like the same people who organized the Community project.

Dracula's Castle is easily my favorite, and I already think the rest of the songs are great. This is maybe their best album. Funny how people either love or hate Dracula's Castle so far. I think it should be a single because I do believe it is top notch and the remixes for it would rock.

Although, any track could be a single off this gem of an album.

Originally posted by Jackson Withrow Dracula's Castle is easily my favorite, and I already think the rest of the songs are great. This is maybe their best album. Funny how people either love or hate Dracula's Castle so far. I think it should be a single because I do believe it is top notch and the remixes for it would rock.Although, any track could be a single off this gem of an album.

Agreed, great song! Just finishing my last listen!

Originally posted by April Berhow > Originally posted by Jackson Withrow> Dracula's Castle is easily my favorite, and I already think the rest of the songs are great. This is maybe their best album. Funny how people either love or hate Dracula's Castle so far. I think it should be a single because I do believe it is top notch and the remixes for it would rock.> > Although, any track could be a single off this gem of an album.

Agreed, great song! Just finishing my first listen!

God I love my stats They are STILL keeping me going without having to LISTEN to the album myselfAnyway, here is the update:189.5 (3rd) Lordsy = Who’s Joe? 7 9 9 9 8.5 8 8.5 9.5 9 7.5 9 10 7 7 1 8 8.5 9 6 8 8 9 9 5 184 (6th) Road To Ruin = Hey Now What You Doing 4 9 8.5 8 8 7 8 9 7 6.5 9 9 6 9 7 9 8 7 7 7 9 9 7 6 209.5 (1st=) Waiting For The Sirens’ Call 6 8 8 9 9 8 8.5 9.5 10 8.5 8 9 7 9.5 9 9.5 8 10 10 10 9 9 9 8 Single 188.5 (5th) Krafty 8 10 7 7 8 7 7 6 8 8.5 8 9.5 4 9 10 8.5 5 8 9 8 7 8 8 10 Single 150 (11th) I Told You So 7 7 8 7 8 5 1.5 4 6 6 6 6 3 7 3 9.5 6 9 6 7 6 7 8 7 182.5 (7th) Pop1 = Morning Night And Day 5 9 9.5 7 7 7 6.5 7.5 8 6 8 8 5 8 7 9.5 8.5 7 6 10 9 9 7 8 160 (10th) Minidisc2 = Dracula’s Castle 6 4 8 9 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 5 9 6 9 8 6 9 8 6 2 170.25 (9th) Jet = Jetstream 7 9 9 6 8 6 8.25 8.5 7 7 8 8 4 8 1 8.5 7 7 0 9 8 9 8 9 Single 189 (4th) Fast Synth = Guilt Is A Useless Emotion 10 6 10 9 9 6 10 5 8 8 7 8.5 4 8.5 9 9 6 9 7 4 9 10 8 9 209.5 (1st=) Turn 6 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 9 8 9 10 6 9.5 8 7 9 9 9 6 9 9 10 9 180 (8th) Working Overtime 9 7 6 5 7 7 5.5 9 8 7 7 10 8 8 10 7 6.5 9 5 8 10 6 7 8 . . . and there have been some changes; after 24 reviews we have a TIE for 1st place!

if that wasnt enough only ONE POINT seperates 3rd, 4th & 5th

(BTW the 3 reported singles are 1st=; 5th; and 9th Looks like the fan's choices for singles would be Turn, Sirens & one other from Whos Joe/Krafty/Guilt)

Now, I wonder what they sound like Only 6 more weeks . . . .

Has anyone noticed how much Barney sounds like Billy Corgan on "Turn" ? (is there a link with a title BTW ?...)

Originally posted by Archi Has anyone noticed how much Barney sounds like Billy Corgan on "Turn" ? (is there a link with a title BTW ?...)

Funny you mention that. I was thinking, while listening to Turn for the 12 billionth time in the past couple days, that it really sounds like the best song Smashing Pumpkins wished they wrote. It's as if New Order took the Pumpkins' "1979" and said, "see, this is how you do it".

Those who say it would be a cracking single in the US market... the last really big hit the Pumpkins had was "1979" as far as I recall. But that was almost 10 years ago.

drew

Originally posted by drewc > Originally posted by Archi> Has anyone noticed how much Barney sounds like Billy Corgan on "Turn" ? (is there a link with a title BTW ?...)> >

Funny you mention that. I was thinking, while listening to Turn for the 12 billionth time in the past couple days, that it really sounds like the best song Smashing Pumpkins wished they wrote. It's as if New Order took the Pumpkins' "1979" and said, "see, this is how you do it".

Those who say it would be a cracking single in the US market... the last really big hit the Pumpkins had was "1979" as far as I recall. But that was almost 10 years ago.

drew

I like 1979...

by the way, I can't delete or edit any comments... grrr

Originally posted by April Berhow > Originally posted by drewc> > > > Originally posted by Archi> > Has anyone noticed how much Barney sounds like Billy Corgan on "Turn" ? (is there a link with a title BTW ?...)> > > > >

Funny you mention that. I was thinking, while listening to Turn for the 12 billionth time in the past couple days, that it really sounds like the best song Smashing Pumpkins wished they wrote. It's as if New Order took the Pumpkins' "1979" and said, "see, this is how you do it".

Those who say it would be a cracking single in the US market... the last really big hit the Pumpkins had was "1979" as far as I recall. But that was almost 10 years ago.

drew

I like 1979...

by the way, I can't delete or edit any comments... grrr Oh, I love "1979" - it's probably my favorite Pumpkins song. I'd love to hear NO cover it too... Anyhow, my whole point was that "Turn"'s similarity to "1979" might point to it being a hit in the US, if it's at all possible in today's US musical climate for NO to have a hit in it...

drew

Originally posted by drewc > Originally posted by April Berhow> > > > Originally posted by drewc> > > > > > > Originally posted by Archi> > > Has anyone noticed how much Barney sounds like Billy Corgan on "Turn" ? (is there a link with a title BTW ?...)> > > > > > > > >

Funny you mention that. I was thinking, while listening to Turn for the 12 billionth time in the past couple days, that it really sounds like the best song Smashing Pumpkins wished they wrote. It's as if New Order took the Pumpkins' "1979" and said, "see, this is how you do it".

Those who say it would be a cracking single in the US market... the last really big hit the Pumpkins had was "1979" as far as I recall. But that was almost 10 years ago.

drew

I like 1979...

by the way, I can't delete or edit any comments... grrr Oh, I love "1979" - it's probably my favorite Pumpkins song. I'd love to hear NO cover it too... Anyhow, my whole point was that "Turn"'s similarity to "1979" might point to it being a hit in the US, if it's at all possible in today's US musical climate for NO to have a hit in it...

drew

;)

Originally posted by drewc Those who say it would be a cracking single in the US market... the last really big hit the Pumpkins had was "1979" as far as I recall. But that was almost 10 years ago.

I dunno about the US market, but I can't see it as a major hit in Europe. It's a good song but, as you mention, tastes are not the same as in 1994. Anyway, with Barney singing as Corgan on Turn and Cunningham sounding as Marr on most tracks, we have a guess about one of Barney's feature : he learns his lessons well ;) That said, all influences are both greatly used -and- overcome: WFTSC is an excellent album.

IMO, the 3 worthy singles of the album are :

• Morning Night & Day (I'm amazed that few people are enthusiastic about it, it is a dance-floor killer or nothing is)
• Fast Synth (I don't like it but it's a good song to dance to as well)
• Krafty (yes, but really the least powerful of the three and THE OPENING SYNTH BASS IS THE SAME AS IN WFTSC !!! )

But WFTSC definitely stands out in this album as a major song in NO work as a whole (yes, from the start...)

WFTSC: The Review (a.k.a. "Whither Goest, New Order?")

Dateline--Bellingham, WA, the US of A

Well, at first I was not pleased with the new album. I found it too much of departure from the traditional New Order "sound" (whatever that is). Krafty was an okay single, but certainly nothing the caliber of Here to Stay or even Crystal. I miss the Joy Division influence that could still be heard on Get Ready (Primitive Notion, anyone?), and many of the songs on the new album lack the very dense layering that I love most in New Order's music (also found on the last album in songs like Someone Like You). The new songs have a much more traditional rock sound and, though I found myself liking some of the songs (such as the first 2), I wondered if I would really appreciate those songs if they had been done by any other rock band (I decided I probably wouldn't, since I'm a stubborn ass when it comes to new music). I don't really see why everyone compares it to Technique so much, but oh well. It's more a mix of Brotherhood, Republic, and a little Get Ready.

Much of my reluctance to various songs on the album was the lack of a really top-notch single like Here to Stay or even Crystal. I found myself listening to individual songs instead of the album as a whole, and that made for more difficult listening since it makes the album really seem like a mish-mash of different sounds. It isn't split into fairly neat sides of the band's sound (guitar and synth) like on Brotherhood and Technique. The lack of a strong electronic element was another source of great displeasure for me at first. But then I began to listen to the album as a whole and it really began growing on me, including the songs that I initially disliked and felt didn't fit in. So now WFTSC and I are on good terms and I'm greatly looking forward to buying the finished copy once it's out. But until then, here is my song-by-song review:

Who's Joe:

Very nice geetar song. I like the stings at the beginning. Barney's lyrics are very good on this album for the most part, even surprisingly good (for him at least). 8.0

Hey Now What You Doing:

Whoever said this has a Neil Young sound to it is right. Doesn't help much that the first line of lyrics is virtually identical to the first line of the previous song, but hey--the album's supposed to FLOW, right? They should've kept the original title. Good guitar song, anyway. Doesn't sound like anything NO have really done before. 7.5

WFTSC:

Fooking classic! Easily one of THE best songs on the album, if not the best. Very melancholy. Totally makes me think of Brotherhood...has As It Is When It Was written all over it (minus the LWTUA bassline from the earlier song). Nice synths. Very good lyrics. Can't go wrong with sailing cliches--er, metaphors. 9.0

Krafty:

This song isn't Here to Stay....which is really too bad, because the album could use a Here to Stay. However, it is a catchy song once you get past the Turn My Way-style lyrics. This one has more serious synths than most on the album, but it's just too happy poppy for me to really dig it the way I should. Again, it's no Here to Stay. No surprise why it was picked as the first single, as it sounds most like the recognizable New Order vibe than most all other tracks on the album. Still, this fact alone doesn't make it as good as a number of the others. 8.0

I Told You So:

I was very hesistant to like this at first. Too much unlike New Order. Reminded me way too much of a certain filthy terrible song from Republic, so I half expected Barney to start singing about children running in Port Royal Town. Then I started to really groove on the electronic beats, especially as it becomes more of a rock song. Now it's one of my faves on the album. 8.5

Morning, Night, and Day:

Other than Krafty, this one sounds the closest to an older New Order sound to my ears. Love the synths on it, though they aren't terribly layered. Also like older Order, we have some weak lyrics. But dancable and very catchy. Definitely one of the best tracks on the album. Some twangy guitars courtesy of Mr. Marr's influence, I'd say. This one would've made a great single. 9.0

Dracula's Castle:

Piss-poor title. This one has a sound very reminiscent of Get Ready to me. The synth line is decent, but not nearly prominent enough (as on most songs on the album). So goodbye, love. Once the synths come to the fore between verses and at the end of the song, it's much nicer. I like this song. 7.5

Jetstream:

Tristan can attest that I HATED this song at first. Idiotic pop garbage. I mean, the chorus has me thinking that Scissor person was going to be replaced by Aretha Franklin singing "J-E-T...find out what it means to me!" So corny. But eventually...after a long while...it finally started growing on me. Long! Live! Love! I even started liking the backing vocals, even though I've never heard anything by the Scissor Sisters. Oh well, TIMES CHANGE. 8.0

Guilt is a Useless Emotion:

I wanted this one to be so GOOD. I really did. I wanted it to be the synth paradise I was waiting for. Instead, it's more of a typical Eurotrash disco track (like PSB). I think the cheesy female vocal samples threw me. Sounds rather like Electronic, which I'm not much partial to. But after quite a long time also, this one started growing on me as well (surprise!). Good dance track, but not the typical New Order dance sound. Hum. 8.0

Turn:

Again, tearing a page out of the songbook of Neil (and I don't mean Tennant this time)--I half expected Barney to start singing "Keep on rockin' in the free world" when I heard the first guitar line. This one does have a bit of Dream Attack feel to it (minus the lush synths I so love). Nicely melancholy like the first 3 tracks (if this album was structured more like Brotherhood or Technique, this song would be clumped in with those other tracks). Not enough synths, but decent enough. A very good track. 8.5

Working Overtime:

I like this song, though it sounds nothing like anything New Order has done before. It certainly has that Stooges garage-rock sound to it. I just don't know that it fits at the end of the album. Turn could've made a better final track, but this one leaves us "rocking," as they say. At least Barney punctuates the lines in this with "heys" instead of "whoops." Time will tell what he does in the live situation.... 7.0

All in all, the "flow" (god, I hate that term) of the album is very nice. The first 3 tracks obviously belong together, Krafty moves us on to an upbeat NO-ish single with more dancy synths, then further into electronic land with the next few tracks (with more of a guitar interjection by Dracula's Castle), some more pop fuzz with Jetstream and the Eurotrash Guilt, then back into geetars with the last two tracks.

Props to New Order on a quality new product! I look forward to these songs being repackaged into the next "Best Of" disc.

Oups... Just hesitating between Fast Synth and J-E-T as a 2d single... The latter is my favourite; it may need a "single remix" implying a shorter intro, but it is a really catchy song with 2 good tunes to remember. And it would surf on Scissor Sisters' tad (which could also justify that it can't be released as a single... OH WELL: NO management, do your job !)

The album really has grown on me. First time on, I thought "Oh well, decent effort ..." but many plays later I think WFTSC, Krafty and Fast Synth thing are well on the way to being real favourites that stand comparison with neworder at their best. It's the little touches, deceptively simple synth lines and interplay of bass and lead guitar, that do it.

One comparison few if any people have made yet is with Brotherhood - the album has a similar feel to me, with a mix of keyboard and guitar based sounds and trebley synth bits. In both cases, the songs are all more like 5 mins plus than 3-4. I can't remember if Brotherhood was all written in the studio too.

I still am not converted to the qualities of Hey Joe - seems OK but not exceptional to me so far.

I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!

Bloody HELL.............here is MUFFY!How you doing?Nice to hear from you.First HUNTSMAN then MUFFY.We only need MARTIN and it will be the RETURN OF THE THREE WISE MEN!Beggars BELIEF. Will we see you at a gig is the BIG ISSUE? Regards Rocket Mick

Originally posted by Rocket Mick Bloody HELL.............here is MUFFY!How you doing?Nice to hear from you.First HUNTMAN then MUFFY.We only need MARTIN and it will be the RETURN OF THE THREE WISE MEN!Beggars BELIEF.Will we see you at a gig is the BIG ISSUE?Regards Rocket Mick

How's things buckethead? Feel like chicken tonight??

New album's GASH, eh?

After 10 or so listens...

Who’s Joe – 8 A key element in most good New Order song is the intro. The subtle textures before the vocals are just what an opening track should have, teasing you gradually in to the tune to come, in particular those classic No synthesised strings. Very much in the story telling style of Love Vigilantes and 1963, with Barney doing his bit for the Salvation Army helping Joe get off the streets (?). Definitely not a single but a great aperitif for the main course to follow.

Hey Now What You Doing? – 7.5 One thing to note about this album is that it pulls all the best influences from Electronic’s past (guitar led and euro-pop). Maybe Mr C had something to do with that, with a sudden injection of Marr style licks to the classic No sound.

WFTSC – 9 Classic, classic melancholy…think Love Less and Dream Attack infused in to one, but not stopping there. Loads of bouncebackability shown here…definitely the Technique echos are present but this a classic from 2005 and in 10 years nobody will mention that it could have come from the 1989 era. But this demonstrates that No are timeless!!! The female vocals at the end are the most subtly used vocals on any No track…not sure who provides them but a hint of that Astrid(?) off Vivid. It would sound great live in an intimate atmosphere (Britxton or smaller), so Glastonbury might not do it justice.

Krafty – 8.5 Talking of Glastonbury, if they started (most probable) with this perfect No pop guitar stylee in their set it would soon get the adrenalin a pumping. The lyrics are certainly not as emotionally attachable as Regret but all the No elements are their, and to be honest once the tune is firmly stuck in your noggin it wouldn’t matter if it was sung in deepest darkest Welsh. Yes I was a convert to this song and not ashamed to admit it. Possibly the most powerful drumming than any single that has preceded it. The drums possibly louder in the mix than Murder!!!

I Told You So – 7.5 If you do not expect too much from the choruses of Barney’s singing (too high pitched even for him) this is the evolved “Turn the Heater on” for 2005. It cant even be pinned down as dance hall or reggae because those Velvet-esque rambling guitar riffs give it a new style that I don’t even think the Mondays ever achieved. Hat’s off to them for trying this kind of style…certainly one to turn up loud when in your car on a hot summers day with a rum and coke (whilst not at the wheel of course).

Morning, Night and Day – 7.5 Again a nod to the Electronic guitar style however with a great blend of Hooky. Close to a live anthem I would say but maybe a couple of ingredients missing for an absolute classic. It certainly has got a good pulsing beat to it…but does not stand up against the best on the album.

Dracula’s Castle – 7 This is a grower but leans on a couple of Raise the Pressure vocal tunes for inspiration. Musically there are some Vanishing Point flavours near the end but prior to that it is a little directionless, but as a grower I may change my mind when the sun is blazing come June.

Jetstream – 6.5 Throw-away Pop! Anamatronixnova certainly didn’t ruin it, but I expected this to be a faster beast. Maybe that will come with the remixes when it is a single. It might be a remix that actually propels it further up the chart similar to the way K-Klass mainstream danced it up for Ruined In a Day. Unfortunately catchy and you know it when you wake up with it ringing around your head at 6am on a Saturday morning. Grrr! Will it run out of aviation BP unleaded….only time will tell?

Guilt is a Useless Emotion – 5 Maybe I’m going to be Un-PC here……. but this is GAY euro dance! Weakest song on the album. A dance classic…..capital NO! Trying to sound like mainstream dance circa 1994…..YES! Wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Electronic’s debut, but would have been the weak link there. Annoying vocals both by Mr S’s and some shiela. Next >

Turn – 9.5 The best CLASSIC song since Regret (but actually maybe Dream Attack), which if anything is more worthy of being a single than the album title track. It has to be said I haven’t had shivers down my spine and my emotions stirred like this since (some of WFTSC and) Dream Attack. Never has Barney given so much emotion to his vocals and really meant them! What ever music the UK and the rest of the WORLD’s public are in to I challenge them not to be affected by the music, vocals and lyrics on this. Yes, I did shed a tear when I first heard it. May be a 10 if they it didn't end it so abruptly (but hey this might be the promo version).

Working Overtime – 8 Well it doesn’t really fit in to the album this garage rock stomper however who know’s this might be a “hidden” delayed track at the end of Turn. It would be a first for No to do this but there are some uncharistically un-No moments on this album anyway. Nirvana’s Nevermind took the piss with its hidden track but a 30 second delay after Turn might work out for the better. The song itself, well it’s a mature, tighter Rock the Shack and a great way to end a concert I reckon, similar to Sister Ray’s endless jamming. A departure musically but I can’t keep still in my car to this and that’s a good sign.

OVERALL 8/10 (Yes, it is the best album since Technique!)

I have been really ILL for about 4 days.When i received the album i only played it TWICE.My ears were hurting.Nothing to do with the album,just part of the illness.I am HAVING A GOOD RUN OF BAD LUCK.So too early to comment on FOGHORN.But as you know the ROCKET WILL LAUNCH.You can't keep a bad man down! Great to see your comments.That will stir things here! I truly hope you are well and i was glad to hear all about you from SHUGZV when you met HOOKY!You still gathering THE KNOWLEDGE?I am out of work but only for a few days probably.I have to do some right crap now to get my money.Not been drinking (well once) this year.So i am not the OLD ROCKET but OLD ROCKET if you get my drift.Hang around this time...don't run off.I need the EXPERIENCE and classic stories you provide.KEEP THE FAITH J.E.T ROCKET LOVER -they even named a track after ME!The cads! :D

Barney's vocals ain't loud enough, apart from that it is growing on me

Originally posted by 777 Diggy Mike 777 Barney's vocals ain't loud enough, apart from that it is growing on me

You actually LISTEN to studio albums then.JUDAS!:D

Barney sounds like he's having runny nose

Originally posted by Muffy I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!

Alright, trust you're in the rudest of health. How many listens have you given it?

Lordsy - 9 Road To Ruin - 9.5 Waiting For The Sirens' Call - 10.0 (a classic, it has to be a single, probably their best song since Round & Round) Krafty - 8.5 I Told You So - 6 (oh I thought that was just me spotting these Ace Of Base connections) Pop 1 - 8 Minidisc 2 - 7.5 Jet - 6.5 Fast Synth - 7.5 (the song is fantastic until the lady starts to sing in the chorus) Turn - 8.5 Working Overtime - 7

Originally posted by Muffy I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!

Very good to see a few words from you, Sir M. Hope you've been well.

Since I haven't heard the album, I can only hope that this is in the same vein as the Muffy who pretended to like Slow Jam.

personally i don't take much notice of pre-release review as from experience people where raving about republic and it was a hell of a disappointment when i heard it. Similiarly get ready was panned pre-release and i loved it.

to be honest i think those who've heard it, should shut the fook up as its rather like someone dangling a bag of heroin in front of a junkie

So far 4 songs are fooking ACE: Joe, Dracula, Working Overtime and Turn.

On the other hand, Guilt is an useless emotion and I told you so are BS.

Originally posted by john carrington to be honest i think those who've heard it, should shut the fook up as its rather like someone dangling a bag of heroin in front of a junkie

Perhaps you should just stop reading this thread if you don't want to be hurt, pal...

Well noticed. I love the guitary side of NO.

I've only heard a few of the tracks but Who's Joe? is fooking fantastic!!

Turn reminds me of Watch Me Bleed by Tears For Fears

Originally posted by Hank Wiseass© > Originally posted by Muffy> I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!> >

Alright, trust you're in the rudest of health. How many listens have you given it?

How do Hanky! I'm always in rude health, as you know. Twenty plus listens i'd say. They just don't cut it no more in my book, and i'm not going to treat this shoddy effort like it was the second coming of Christ just because it's a New Order album. Truth is, it's just an average album. Completely unremarkable. I wish they hadn't bothered.

Originally posted by Patrick > Originally posted by Muffy> I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!> >

Very good to see a few words from you, Sir M. Hope you've been well.

Since I haven't heard the album, I can only hope that this is in the same vein as the Muffy who pretended to like Slow Jam.

Hi there G Man! Hope you are well too. And safe!

Unfortunately, on this occassion, my comments are entirely based on the overwhelming feeling of disappointment that comes when you realise that something you once saw as unique and fresh is now plain ordinary and bland. This new album is a duffer! It'll be filling the bargain buckets at a Wallmart near you soon!

Originally posted by Muffy > Originally posted by Hank Wiseass© > Originally posted by Muffy> I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!> >

Alright, trust you're in the rudest of health. How many listens have you given it?

How do Hanky! I'm always in rude health, as you know. Twenty plus listens i'd say. They just don't cut it no more in my book, and i'm not going to treat this shoddy effort like it was the second coming of Christ just because it's a New Order album. Truth is, it's just an average album. Completely unremarkable. I wish they hadn't bothered.

Fair enough, I was totally underwhelmed at first. Sounds like it's not an initial reaction. Are you gonna bother with any concerts?

listen carefully to title track's final part. Back vocal by Gillian?!?!

Who's Joe- Am I the only one who thinks the chorus to this is a Hendrix reference? Big, sweeping, creeping pseudo-orchestral opening. Somewhat similar to the dragging opening of Crystal except without someone groaning and moaning over it. The opening verses are a bit flaccid, but it evens out once the bridge to the first chorus starts up. Pretty good instrumentals, even with that abrupt guitar wailing at 4:30. Love Vigilantes 2.
7 out of 10

Hey Now What You Doing- God, the dog opens up sounding like a fuggin Aerosmith track. Lyrics alternate between Bernard-clever and Bernard-braindead. Synths make a few token appearances in between the Britpop guitar walls to remind you that yes, in fact, this is a New Order joint. 7 out of 10

Title track- Imagine Technique's All The Way or Love Less reinterpreted by some bunch of britpop neophytes. Sentimental yet still rocky, Technique-lovers will be hooked on this one and it has much promise as a live anthem. 8 out of 10

Krafty- Such a Good Thing and Way of Life's bastard lovechild. Catchy to the brink of insipidness and tightly composed, using this as the first single suggests that indeed, Get Ready is dead. Let's hear it live. 8 out of 10

I Told You So- Like many others have said, this is the first "What the flying FUCK?" moment of this album. This track sounds as if it were donated to NO by a co-op between Ace of Base and Maxi Priest. I could have sworn the last line of the chorus was "And we'll all get, high down in Kingston Town". Take out the verses and leave only the choruses in and maybe you have a decent track. 5 out of 10

Morning Night and Day- How the hell does 'drunken haze' rhyme with 'window pane'? Catchy yet forgettable. It's like the entire repetoire of Blur. 6 out of 10

Dracula's Castle- Cool synths punctuated by Hooky's somewhat-muffled bass and a twangy indie rock guitar sound that sounds nicked from The Music's Cessation. There's just something about the synths here, the closing chords sound downright like the classic keyboard tapping at the end of Dream Attack. 9 out of 10

Jetstream- Fucking lame. Unbearable lyrics and boring, processed synthesizer loops that all sound almost good until the chorus kicks in. Then you're desperately fumbling for the controls to skip the bloody track. They should have given this to Stefani. 4 out of 10

Guilt is a Useless Emotion- An improvement over J-E-T Jetstream Fucker. I knew NO were originally inspired by Italo disco and Summers, but this is ludicrous. I hate it every 1st time I listen to it and then like it on every other playing. This will be a massive discotheque hit on both sides of the Atlantic; Japan will eat it up. 6 out of 10

Turn- Ladies and Gentlemen, say hello to the Order's new live powerhouse tune. Turn sounds like all of Brotherhood rolled into a single 4 minute track. The chorus makes the bugger incredibly radio friendly. I can almost hear this being played on shopping mall PA systems already. 9 out of 10

Working Overtime- Please Lord don't end the album with this. Sounds as if Barney had 45 minutes to think up the lyrics. Just like Rock the Shack, except less embarassing. "It's 1969 for me and you..." 5 out of 10

Fantastic. Almost 50 years old with some 30 years in the music business and they can still surprise us. I think some are disappointed because it is so unlike what they were expecting, but then that is what NewOrder have shown to be best at--evolving.

A couple of minor complaints: the guitar around the 4.30 mark of Who's Joe? doesn't really flow with the song; Hooky's bass is too low at times; Working Overtime should have been in the middle of the album as Turn would have ended it on a real high note.

One MAJOR complaint: I won't get to see the bastards live.

I don't want to rate songs individually yet as it is too early (listened to it ~5 times in the last day) and it is better to look at WFTSC as a whole. A wonderful album which puts Get Ready in the shade--songs I can enjoy without trying.

Well done lads and I look forward to getting my hands on the real thing in March!

I am breaking the rules by not going track by track, but I do want to comment on the new lp:

It reminds me of the very glossy produced British pop stuff of the 80s and 90s, and I think is going to be a hit with the more mature British audience (as opposed to the kids)....

It reminds me of my trips to England listening to pop radio in the rental cars.... something about the sound, hard to explain, like Pet Shop Boys, like a lot of Republic was... it is very opposite from say LowLife or Getready....

I see this lp as being very Top 40 in England. I live in the US and am not sure what stations would play it here. It is not really edgy enough for the alternative US stations... (by the way I hate our US alt rock stations...)

I personally LOVE this lp, but do think it has a gloss, a professional sheen, that may turn off some folks who were expecting more of the Joy Division side of New Order...

Originally posted by Muffy Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!

*It may be true, the most of the album has a mainstream sound. But it's the quality that's totally different, the quality of the sound and the tune. For example Franz Ferdinand may sound like, say, Gang Of Four, but there's an abyss in quality between these two bands. And anyway it's New Order who invented pop, so maybe it's the mainstream which is inspired by New Order, and not the opposite. But I'm still not sure, because you can hear days and days of mainstream radio and you'll never hear anything half as good as the title track or Guilt (fookin long titles...), and nothing with a bass like Hooky's, or drums like Steve's... so what happened? Just that New Order are more commercial... but they don't sound like the mainstream at all... and luckily so because if the mainstream was as good I'd spend my whole wage on records! :D

Something I've noticed better lately: there are some weird noises on this album, which is cool! Who's Joe around 05.26 (I like how the most of the songs are more than 5 minutes long) or I Told You So 05.32 (fookin hell, what's this? the gregorian choir sampled on Blue Monday?), the whistling sample at the beginning of Jet, the shoegazing guitar feedback low in the mix but present in Guilt!

BTW, once again, Turn must be single! It would mean millions and getting back some of the money lost in the Hacienda which Hooky still moans about even after all the Warners cash... ;)

And I'm also in love with the female vocals in the final of the title track!

um, a few observations about this thread...

what is up with people needing to assign art with numbers?

seems oddly obsessional.... and sad. especially, considering most of us like lowlife one week, then republic the next.... my top ten list would change weekly... so what is the point?

++++++++

before i heard the lp, i purposely avoided this thread. if you have not yet figured out how to obtain the songs (hint, it involves using a modem and your computer) then just avoid any threads regarding the new lp! i did for days. I personally HATE spoilers and avoid them... so should you!

and, we are all hardcore fans and WILL be purchasing at least one copy of the final release. I cannot even imagine how much cash I have invested in New Order over the years. I think it is ok for some of us to sneak a listen....

speaking of which, with even more listens, I can confirm this lp IS a grower, like the best lps are, and reminds me of Twisted Tenderness but better... in fact, it reminds of when Electronic was putting out lps and we all said 'electronic would be so much better with hook and stephen' - well , here is that wish fulfilled... but it is also like Monaco with Sumner and Morris.... I guess I would say this lp sounds like New Order..... yeah.

I assign it a 9.475, no, a 9.3, no wait, a 9,.... no, a 9.9.... 9.3141...

p.s. I HATE the title of Draculas Castle.... embarrassingly pathetic... I can barely even listen to the song cause I think of Count Chocula cereal or some goth cartoon or something.... my non new order friends are gonna harass me about that song title....

Originally posted by Muffy > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > Originally posted by Muffy> > I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!> > > > >

Very good to see a few words from you, Sir M. Hope you've been well.

Since I haven't heard the album, I can only hope that this is in the same vein as the Muffy who pretended to like Slow Jam.

Hi there G Man! Hope you are well too. And safe!

Unfortunately, on this occassion, my comments are entirely based on the overwhelming feeling of disappointment that comes when you realise that something you once saw as unique and fresh is now plain ordinary and bland. This new album is a duffer! It'll be filling the bargain buckets at a Wallmart near you soon!

Quite safe here, thanks, for the moment at least.

Well, if your evalation turns out to be mine as well, it would have been a lot to expect that people who did what they started doing so many years ago could keep it up at anything like the same level now.

'I told you so' is fucking ACE (of base)

Originally posted by Hank Wiseass© > Originally posted by Muffy> > > > Originally posted by Hank Wiseass©> > Originally posted by Muffy> I'm staggered by the reception this album has got from you lot!! The new album is the absolute epitome of blandness!! No more engaging than the average pop pap that fills the airwaves these days, no more engaging than the latest release from Busted, Kylie, or Robbie!! It is an Average Joe of an album - a foot tapper here, a foot tapper there - but nothing that will grab you by the balls like an Age Of Consent or Perfect Kiss! Yes folks, New Order are now firmly rooted in the realm of mainstream pop, and they ain't ever comin' back!!> >

Alright, trust you're in the rudest of health. How many listens have you given it?

How do Hanky! I'm always in rude health, as you know. Twenty plus listens i'd say. They just don't cut it no more in my book, and i'm not going to treat this shoddy effort like it was the second coming of Christ just because it's a New Order album. Truth is, it's just an average album. Completely unremarkable. I wish they hadn't bothered.

Fair enough, I was totally underwhelmed at first. Sounds like it's not an initial reaction. Are you gonna bother with any concerts?

Most definitely. Only for the social gathering though. The gig will only be an interuption to festivities!

I decided to give in to temptation (har har), and havent really listened to it enough to comment yet. I love Guilt is a useless emotion, turn, morning night and day, and sires. My favourite is "hey joe", and I hope they play it live.

It is fantastic overall, the best we could hope for at this stage. That distinctive sound is still there, and I think Bernards lyrics and vocals are much much better than Get Ready. It is the best album since technique. Hope they tour it lots, full review later.

Also : thanks to those who were kind, you know who you are.

I've just had my first listen.

After 19 years of pure devotion to the cause I'm just embarrassed by this album. Lightweight dad-rock....actually sorry, even my dad would be too embarrassed to play this dross!! NO were the greatest...now they're not...and I want to cry!!

Skullcrusher wrote: I've just had my first listen.

After 19 years of pure devotion to the cause I'm just embarrassed by this album. Lightweight dad-rock....actually sorry, even my dad would be too embarrassed to play this dross!! NO were the greatest...now they're not...and I want to cry!!

sucks to be you then.

BTW, who here expected newOrder to return with a "groundbreaking", "experimental" or even "adventurous" album? Would those same people please look at a calendar, factor the number of years since 1984 and stab yourselves in the heart that many times. New Order are not 20yr old musicians, they have nothing to prove and will never, NEVER write a song like Perfect Kiss, Procession or even Vanishing Point again.

enjoy it for what it is and get over your hang-ups.

Biznotic Love Trapezoid wrote:

Skullcrusher wrote: I've just had my first listen.

After 19 years of pure devotion to the cause I'm just embarrassed by this album. Lightweight dad-rock....actually sorry, even my dad would be too embarrassed to play this dross!! NO were the greatest...now they're not...and I want to cry!!

sucks to be you then.

BTW, who here expected newOrder to return with a "groundbreaking", "experimental" or even "adventurous" album? Would those same people please look at a calendar, factor the number of years since 1984 and stab yourselves in the heart that many times. New Order are not 20yr old musicians, they have nothing to prove and will never, NEVER write a song like Perfect Kiss, Procession or even Vanishing Point again.

enjoy it for what it is and get over your hang-ups.

Stabbing myself in the heart as I type, Brian! Good point, and humorously put. You ARE the height of modern wit.

I thought by the time the opening melodica notes of Love Vigilantes came up, it was readily apparent that New Order had given up on trying to be Kraftwerk 2 or Joy Division-With-A-New-Wave-Chick.

Skullcrusher, I don’t know how you could come to that conclusion with this album, but not after Get Ready. This album hasn’t got a “Vanishing Point” or “Perfect Kiss” on it, nor was it ever going to. Ive been listening to it for the past 48 or so hours, and think its really really good. Better tunes than Get Ready, and a better album than Republic (by a long way).

Why should we lower our expectations? I know times change (no pun intended) and NO were not likely to break any new ground but its no reason to compromise as if to say, "well they are old now so what do you expect?"

Get Ready had some instant, classic NO moments of power and melancholy. I'm sorry to say this one sounds to me like formula, half-hearted, clapped-out rubbish. If i wanted "nice" songs like this i'd have bought a Will Young cd!

Skullcrusher wrote: Why should we lower our expectations? I know times change (no pun intended) and NO were not likely to break any new ground but its no reason to compromise as if to say, "well they are old now so what do you expect?"

Get Ready had some instant, classic NO moments of power and melancholy. I'm sorry to say this one sounds to me like formula, half-hearted, clapped-out rubbish. If i wanted "nice" songs like this i'd have bought a Will Young cd!

I can recommend a good Paul Young cover if you'd prefer that.

me like............... (in no particular order)

turn who's joe hey now what you doing guilt is a useless emotion dracula's castle

me like.................(not so much)

jetstream morning night and day i told you so working overtime krafty waiting for the siren's call

delete from ipod.................

I do like 'I Told You So'.Barney`s vocals are confident and kind of cool.Love the guitar in this song.The track reminds me in a way of Times Change from Republic .That kind of new experimentation.Times Change is a very underrated track and for me is my current favourite from that album.

i really REALLY didnt think id be able to say this, but - WFTSC is easily the best record since technique, and pisses all over Get Ready. the main difference is that there are way too many tracks on Get Ready that are cringe-worthy and unlistenable. granted, it did have Crystal (one the finest new order singles to date), but WFTSC sounds like an 'album', and knowing that it will soundtrack my summer makes me a very happy boy.

its not groundbreaking, and its certainly flawed in places, but i really couldnt give it any less than an 8 out of 10.

Jetstream is kind of shit though.

Who’s Joe? - Sounds like Dirty Vegas to me, 5/10 Hey Now What You Doing - I like, 7/10 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call - This took SEVERAL listens to really click, 9/10 Krafty - I like it a lot, 8.5/10 I Told You So - Really like this too, 8.5/10 Morning Night And Day - My initial favorite, taken over by the better stuff now:), 8.5/10 Dracula’s Castle - always in my head,They should've closed the album with this (def reminds me of Dream Attack at the end) 9.5/10 Jetstream - I like it, and like the remix on Peter Tong's show, 8/10 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion - Good, 7.5/10 Turn - Really is that good:) 9.5/10 Working Overtime - I think its good (i liked Rock the Shack too) 8/10

Kyle Scherer wrote: Who’s Joe? - Sounds like Dirty Vegas to me, 5/10 Hey Now What You Doing - I like, 7/10 Waiting For The Sirens’ Call - This took SEVERAL listens to really click, 9/10 Krafty - I like it a lot, 8.5/10 I Told You So - Really like this too, 8.5/10 Morning Night And Day - My initial favorite, taken over by the better stuff now:), 8.5/10 Dracula’s Castle - always in my head,They should've closed the album with this (def reminds me of Dream Attack at the end) 9.5/10 Jetstream - I like it, and like the remix on Peter Tong's show, 8/10 Guilt Is A Useless Emotion - Good, 7.5/10 Turn - Really is that good:) 9.5/10 Working Overtime - I think its good (i liked Rock the Shack too) 8/10

Finally someone else who's willing to say something good about ITYS.

Difficult album to review this one, to do a proper blow-by-blow wuld take me more time than I have at the moment.

In summary though.... daft but decent offering from NO.

Lightweight, bubblegum, slightly skewed pop. Which is pretty much exactly what NO have always been good at.

GIAUE is obviously a great dance track, Krafty a really strong grower, Turn classsic NO even Jetstream with its gay anthem pretentions has a new lease of life for me now that it is a likely single.

I do tend to find that I forget about some tracks, from NO , once they're announced as singles I get a new appreciation for them.

So, I like Jetstream, if that means you lot think you can bum me, think again :D

Just wrote a review that took me over an hour, then hit Submit and it disappeared, never to be found again - so here's the shortened version: I liked it.

People who said this album has to be given time to hit home were dead right. I have had a copy of it for a while but only lately have I really started to appreciate it. Better than Get Ready? No fuckin doubt.

-Who's Joe is a great first track, as New Order albums always have. I'm still not fond of the guitar break after the 2nd chorus but I can accept it.

-I still debate whether or not to skip Road to Ruin (the working title is much better than the mouthful we ended up with) when I'm playing the album but it's decent.

-The title track: top class. Find myself singing it a lot. Krafty is much the same. I can't believe some people don't like it. Granted it's a pop song but it puts a smile on the face with every listen.

-That reggae one caught all of us by surprise but after a few listens I really like how they tried something different and pulled it off. Even turns into a jam after a while.

-Morning Night and Day is class too. A really fast, rocky number in which Barney is obviously talking from experience. Nice bass riff in the middle bit.

-Dracula's Castle gets a bit stale (like a couple of songs on this album) when you overplay them, but I like it. The Matronic one is the type of song you're embarrassed to like but it is catchy as fuck. Good remix too.

-Have I mentioned how much I dislike the backing vocals on Guilt? Yes? Well I still don't, but I've definately changed my opinion on it lately. Great bass. Hopefully the US remix does something about the female vocals.

-Turn: majestic. A really great song which I think is a candidate for radio play cos of its length. Along with title track, the standout song on this album.

-At first I was pissed off they tacked Working Overtime on the end. I felt Turn would have been a better way to end the album, and that WO could have gone in the middle instead. But I've gotten over it and it's a nice song. Well played the Order for trying something new again.

All in all this is a beautiful peice of art by New Order. I even love the artwork: does no one see the point Saville was trying to make? Before, you couldn't find the album details on the band's sleeves. Now, in the present day that is ALL you see. A complete turnaround, which is what NO have always done. They have never been content to do the same thing. So I like it even though yes a five year old could have done it. But that is the point: no one expected it. Everyone was wondering what Saville would give us and we were knocked sideways in the same way the album did. Although I could be talking shite and Saville just couldn't be bothered.

I am so looking forward to Oakland in 26 days (count em) and hope the next album will be as good as this one. Thanks lads! :thumbs:

(quote) Why should we lower our expectations?I know times change (no pun intended) and NO were not likely to break any new ground but its no reason to compromise as if to say, "well they are old now so what do you expect?"Get Ready had some instant, classic NO moments of power and melancholy. I'm sorry to say this one sounds to me like formula, half-hearted, clapped-out rubbish. If i wanted "nice" songs like this i'd have bought a Will Young cd!

I Told you So and Dracula's castle are happy? Barney must be using sarcasm.