Re: Re: Track by track review: Get Ready

I’m a silly American that was raised on alternative/guitar rock music and Get Ready just pushes the right buttons for me. I understand most traditional New Order fans dislike Get Ready quite a lot, but it’s probably my favorite by them. Funny enough, it’s the first New Order record that properly introduced me to the band; I had been familiar with a few of their hit singles for years but hadn’t listened to any of their records until this one.

Crystal

This is an incredible track and was in instant classic when it was first released. Everything about this song is mesmerizing and sexy; throbbing synths, jangly guitars, detached vocals drenched in reverb, and Hooky’s signature lead bass work. I didn’t even know that was a bass playing the post-chorus part, and thought it was guitar until I started researching the band more! I love the extended intro and ending on the record version, but the radio/video edit works better for those with short attention spans. This song will always have a special place in my heart as THE song that got me into the band.

Rating: 10

60 MPH

This is another instant New Order classic in my opinion. The bass line cannot be beat and it’s impossible not to sing along with the infectiously catchy chorus. I don’t know why the band claims you can’t dance to anything off Get Ready, because this is easily something you shake your money-maker to.

Rating: 10

Turn My Way

I realize now that most long-time fans of the band were appalled at the introduction of guest vocals on a New Order song. Frankly, I never knew or cared that was taboo for NO when I first heard this song, and I still don’t care. I love the guest vocals and the back-and-forth vocals between Bernard and Billy Corgan are beautifully executed and very poignant. The main guitar riff (which is somewhat similar to certain parts to the main riff from “Who’s Joe?”), and Hooky’s lead bass are quite memorable as well.

Rating: 9

Vicious Streak

A nice little album track, although I think it goes on a bit too long. Again, I like the guitar and bass work a lot (which is a blanket statement I should use for the album as a whole), but it’s the subtle little synth lines and noises that really draw me into the song more than anything else. It’s a nice track to relax and doze off to.

Rating: 7.5

Primitive Notion

The bass intro to this track is hot (one of Hooky’s best bass riffs ever in my opinion), and the build-up with the guitar and drums is killer. This is a killer rock song with some really outstanding synthesized/sequence touches here and there. I wish the band would dust this one off and do it live, because I think it’s the kind of song that demands to be played to a live audience.

Rating: 9

Slow Jam

This used to be my least favorite song on the record, and it probably still is, but it has grown on me somewhat. It really is a slow jam (i.e. it drags a little bit), but it has an anthemic quality to it.

Rating: 6

Rock the Shack

This one is down there with Slow Jam, but it’s a touch more interesting. It’s a jangly and rocky dance track with a retro 70s garage band vibe. In hindsight, this track and “Working Overtime” are almost like companion songs.

Rating: 6.5

Someone Like You

This is another track I’d like to see performed live. It’s a good toe-tapping rock song with great accents of synthesized and sequenced parts, which makes it somewhat similar to Primitive Notion. I’m actually a big fan of the backup vocals (whether it's Gillian or Dawn Zee) on this one too; I think they help make the song stronger. The chorus is infectious and you can’t help but sing along with the “oooh ooh ooh oooh” parts.

Rating: 8.5

Close Range

I’ve seen the live version of this on the 511 DVD, and I have to say it wasn’t executed as well as I thought it could have. That said, the record version is fantastic; it’s another great toe-tapping rock track with a catchy sing-along chorus.

Rating: 8

Run Wild

What a beautiful way to close out the record. I heard a rumor some of it was written by Stephen in regards to his ill daughter, but I haven’t found any proof to confirm that. The melodica part with Hooky’s lush and intricate bass line behind it is so touching and perfect. I don’t think New Order has written a more touching song.

Rating: 10

Overall, I think it's a superb record with excellent flow, front to back. Given a few more years, it will be regarded as a true classic in my opinion. To help you all put things in perspective, Get Ready, Technique, Brotherhood, and Republic (yes, Republic!) are my favorite NO records.

that's strange... why is there a "Re:" in the title of the thread?

A Siren's Touch wrote:

charles wrote:

I’m actually a big fan of the Dawn Zee backup vocals on this one too;

The backing vocals were done by Gillian Gilbert, the missing piece of the real New Order.

I seriously doubt Gillian sang any parts on Get Ready

Spotnick wrote:

charles wrote:

A Siren's Touch wrote:

charles wrote: I’m actually a big fan of the Dawn Zee backup vocals on this one too;

The backing vocals were done by Gillian Gilbert, the missing piece of the real New Order.

I seriously doubt Gillian sang any parts on Get Ready

Someone Like You's chorus is a duet between Bernard and Gillian.

Nobody else is credited for vocals on this track, so don't go looking further than the band itself.

I didn't think Gillian sang on any New Order songs. Plus in a review I read on pitchforkmedia.com, they said that Dawn Zee sang backup on "Crystal" and "Someone Like You" (the voices are very similar). Pitchfork could be wrong, but I have a feeling they're not.

I've only heard one song by The Other Two where Gillian sings ("Selfish") and she sounds nothing like the voice in either "Someone Like You" or "Crystal"

I guess you guys were right!

from: http://www.cerysmaticfactory.info/index.html?getready.html

Tracklisting Crystal 60 Miles An Hour Turn My Way Vicious Streak Primitive Notion Slow Jam Rock The Shack Someone Like You Close Range Run Wild

Credits Written by New Order Produced by Steve Osbourne for 140db except track 07 produced by New Order, engineers Bruno Ellingham and Andrew Robinson, programmer Pete Davis except track 07, mixed by Steve Osbourne for 140db except tracks 01, 07 and 09, tracks 01 and 09 mixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent, tracks 01 engineer and protools Jan 'Stan' Kybert assisted by Matt Fields, track 09 protocols - mix pre production: Jan 'Stan' Kybert assisted by Matt Fields and David Treahearn, tracks 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 08 and 10 mix engineer Adrian Bushby, track 09 mix engineer Paul 'P-dub' Walton, track 07 additional production and mix by Flood for 140db engineer Rob Kirwan, mixed at Pulse Studios Ireland assisted by Owen Mulcahy, track 10 additional production and mix by Bernard Sumner engineer Rob Kirwan, track 10 strings arranged and conducted by Simon Hale, tracks 01, 09 and 10 backing vocals by Dawn Zee, track 03 special guest vocals Billy Corgan, track 07 guest vocals by Bobby Gillespie and guitar Andrew Innes. Studio assistants: Marco Migliari at Real World, Tom Hannen at Sarm Hook End and Bruno Ellingham at Rockfield, mastered by Tim Young at Metropolis Mastering. Cover art direction Peter Saville, photography Juergen Teller with thanks to Coco design Howard Wakefield and Sam Roberts In memory of Rob Gretton 8573896212 / LC00253 / GEMA / MCPS (UK) GEMA / BIEM (EUROPE)

Crystal - A bit too long getting started and a bit too lengthy bowing out.  Everything in between is pure good comeback material though. Like or not NO will be remembered by many neophytes through this song. "Ohmigod! That's the BLUE MONDAY band doing that??"

9 out of 10

60 MPH - More underrated than the Substance mix of Sub-Culture. Bad rhyme in the chorus.

8 out of 10

Turn My Way - "The wide expanse, the wheel of chance, will turn my way" Groovy stuff and I HATED this track when I first heard it.

8 out of 10

Vicious Streak - This should have been on Depeche Mode's Exciter album in '01.

5 out of 10

Primitive Notion - This is what JD would have sounded like today if Ian were still around; hopefully, if they hadn't decided to take the path of gothic synthpop.

8 out of 10

Slow Jam - Much better than Rock the Shack. "The sea was very rough..."

7 out of 10

Rock the Shack - Best Primal Scream track i've ever heard, but a forgettable song for New Order at best, totally reviled and villainized in the tradition of the Substance mix of Sub-Culture at worst.

4 out of 10

Someone Like You - Most New Order-ish song on the album. Takes a while to get started but otherwise underrated.

8 out of 10

Close Range - Favorite song on the album. The perfect blend of the old and the new the rest of the album was experimenting to acheive.

10 out of 10

Run Wild - Bewildering and unexpected, but still welcome. I still say the song would have had several more degrees of awesome with a cameo by Vini Reilly.

6 out of 10

Overall synopsis - Essential, but flawed album. People will remember this one as the transitionary between Republic and WFTSC.

You asked for it.....

Crystal - used to really really hate this, round about the time they were opening with it every show. Then it started to grow on me a bit, and I suppose it is now about average for me. Quite like the way it builds and builds, a pity it lasts for about three weeks though. Too long. 7/10

60 Miles An Hour - cheesy but catchy, it's sufficiently light to be a throwaway but has a good tune to it. 7/10

Turn My Way - complee bollocks. If they'd made more like these I would have trashed all my records and disowned all the history and good times we've shared. 0/10

Vicious Streak - quality, love the thread of continuity with Crystal, the song has its own vicious streak. 7/10

Primitive Notion - best thing they have done since Technique, superb track that menaces and rocks, trademark bass riffs. 9/10

Slow Jam - I guess they couldn't make up their mind which filler track to include, and got it wrong. 3/10

Rock The Shack - like Innes's guitar, but this is horribly corny and not very good. 4/10

Someone Like You - let down by the chorus. A song that other people (Dresden and Gabriel notably) have improved considerably. 6/10

Close Range - New Order by numbers, strictly 5/10 bland fodder though.

Run Wild - twee and harmless, ruined by the crass last line. 5/10

Regarding the backing vocals on Someone Like You:

Certainly it's Gillian. If you'd listened to more of the Other Two's work, you'd see that Someone like you is totally their style.

Crystal Rating: 9.75/10

60 Miles An Hour Rating: 8/10

Turn My Way Rating: 8/10

Vicious Streak Rating: 6/10

Primitive Notion Rating: 9.75/10

Slow Jam Rating: 6/10

Rock The Shack Rating: 3/10

Someone Like You Rating: 7/10

Close Range Rating: 7/10

Run Wild Rating: 3/10

Very fine album. A bit rocky for my taste, but it has enough layers on most songs to make it worthwhile. This one wasn't hard on the ears, and I listened to it a damn lot. Almost all of the songs are listenable. Oh, and the cover sucks. All in all, a very solid album except for a weak patch in the middle and a shite closer.

Crystal:

Rock the fooking house. This one was an instant classic, regardless of the odd female backing vocals. Very strong single, very pretty. Hmm...not the best lyrics though. 8.5

60 MPH:

Another good rock song. Hooky can be heard very well, so points there. Once the lyrics are over and the synths come out to play, it really gets good. 7.0

Turn My Way:

Sell Little Billy to the gypsies. What pretentious lyrics...easy not to work like other people do when you've got enough cutter for a fucking yacht but still need an autocue. Wash your own damn car, Barney. 5.0

Vicious Streak:

A nice little low-tempo number. The next generation of the cutesy guitar songs from Brotherhood and Technique, but thankfully, fleshed out with synth strings. 6.5

Primitive Notion:

This one should've been a single. The opening bassline lets us all know that Joy Division may be gone, but they're not forgotten. (Too bad the new album doesn't hint at that.) This thing builds and builds. One of the band's harder rocking songs, but still melodic as hell. Lots of layers. Fantastic! 8.5

Slow Jam:

It beats arithmetic...just barely. I remember listening to this album everyday while doing math homework and laughing whenever that line came up. Goofy lyrics...but not in a good way. I don't want the world to change...New Order goes reactionary. Middling at best. Not too striking musically. One of the album's weak spots. 6.0

Rock the Shack:

Speaking of weak spots.... This song isn't nearly as bad as most people make out, but it's still pretty damn lame. Stupid lyrics. Uninspired musicially. Just a dumb rock song--not real New Order. Usually gets skipped. 4.0

Someone Like You:

Would be my 3rd choice for a single. Absolutely lovely song. I'd like to think of it as Gillian's swan song. Plenty of rich layers and chock full of synths. A vastly underrated track, in my opinion. Manages to rock nicely. Very classy indeed. 8.5

Close Range:

Is this song about drugs? Yeah, probably. Lyrically sounds close to True Faith to my ears, though much more "up" musically. Catchy, singable chorus helps out. Another better than decent rock song. I like this one. 7.5

Run Wild:

New Order covers Fleetwood Mac. Some of the band's worst lyrics--what's with all the religious nonsense? The last few lines are enough to draw hearty laughs from me every time. Quite a lot like Every Little Counts that way, but without the very pretty instrumental outro (and properly abrupt needle scratch ending). Anyway...always skip this song unless I'm in the mood for a good chuckle. 3.0

Crystal: Don't like the diva intro or the honey/money rhyme. Barney's vocals and Hooky's bass are the highlight but the song never really felt like a classic to me. 8/10

60 Miles an Hour: They should have used the single edit. I prefer the way it starts cold with Hooky's bass instead of the album version's synth wash. It wouldn't be so bad if Crystal didn't start with it's slow build and wasn't followed by Turn My Way with a similar synth intro. Regardless, I like this track. No more or less than Crystal, in fact. I like Barney's energetic vocals and the middle eight bit. 8/10

Turn My Way: Not bad. I don't like the idea of a duet with Corgan but at least it's something along the lines of Love Less as opposed to Bullet With Butterfly Wings. Look at it this way; it's just an average New Order track but it's an excellent Smashing Pumpkins track. 6/10

Vicious Streak: A nice change of pace. For some reason, the fire/desire rhyme doesn't bother me as much as the honey/money couplet in Crystal. Listening again now, I really enjoy the many layers in the track. 8/10

Primitive Notion: A great song that really shows New Order were back as a group. Perhaps just a little to clinical to rate a full 10. 9.5/10

Slow Jam: Rote. Don't much mind the lyrics, oddly. 4/10

Rock the Shack: Maybe I'm wrong, but this sounds New Order trying to be something they're not. It would be better without Gillespie. 3/10

Someone Like You: I really like the backing track but the vocals are a bit repetitive. An Other Two trademark. Good interplay between Barney & Hooky in the middle eight. 8/10

Close Range: This has a nice mix of guitar and synth. I like the lyrics. Another nice energetic vocal from Bernard. This really should have been better live. 9/10

Run Wild: A bit of a surprise. A good aspect of Get Ready is that they were willing to take chances like this and Rock the Shack regardless of what we thought of the results. 8/10

Ally3000 wrote:

Originally posted by Dashiell Hannett

Rock the Shack - Best Primal Scream track i've ever heard, but a forgettable song for New Order at best, totally reviled and villainized in the tradition of the Substance mix of Sub-Culture at worst.

4 out of 10

Sorry, but Rock The Shack is the best Primal Scream song you've ever heard compared to the truly exceptional and ground-breaking Screamadelica record as well as choice tracks off XTRMNTR and Evil Heat? Not bloody likely I'm afraid I think you give the Scream too little credit. They're a great band even if they do let their Rolling Stones-esque influences get the better of them occasionally. However in the hands of the right producer and the right drugs (as Screamadelica proved) they're a force to be reckoned with. RTS is far lower than their bsides and as a dual NO/PM fan I was hoping for something a little like a New Order/Screamadelica merge, how vain those hopes were. Was nice to see the full length version of "Higher Than The Sun" on NO's Back To Mine though. Very little can touch that track's quality, certainly not the outdated grinding of RTS. Ally.

I was referring to PM's repertoire around the points at which they were trying to sound like MC5 and not the moment at which they perfected their House sound. Screama was an ace album, for sure, 'specially for Yanks like me who've always been somewhat ignorant of dance music. But how does one compare a song like Rock the Shack to say, Don't Fight It, Higher Than The Sun, or even Loaded? RTS isn't exactly a 'Dub Symphony', most thankfully not in two parts either.

Still, a pretty bad overgeneralization(again) about dance music on my part admittedly. Next time you have full leave to hang me with a Guy Called Gerald t-shirt

Ack! I just did a reply to this and it didn't save. :(

In lieu of any comments due to tiredness, frustration and failing memory...

Crystal: 10

60 Miles An Hour: 8

Turn My Way: 8

Vicious Streak: 8

Primitive Notion: 8

Slow Jam: 5

Rock the Shack: 4

Someone Like You: 7.5

Close Range: 8.5

Run Wild: 7

Crystal

Good opening track, only put off by Dawn Zee. I like the burried electronic beats, and that dark synth noise near the end. The live version (511) is so fuckin' powerful. I blast that guitar solo that Barney does (he gets down on a knee, you know the one). Album: 7 out of 10 Live: 9 out of 10

60MPH

Good intro, but the lyrics are a lot to be desired. Rocky as hell, with a good instrumental break, but def. not my favorite track at all. Even worse live. 6 out of 10

Turn My Way

Intro takes way too long to build in. Agree w/ Nic, this was a blown chance to break 00's America Corgan isn't as bad as people think, and he adds some good contrast to Barney. Very North America, yes, but a nice, subtle song. 8 out of 10

Vicious Streak

One of the few album songs to take a chance with a minimalisitc electronic number. The beats are nice, Hooky is great, but could have been a 10 if worked on only a little bit more. 8 out of 10

Primitive Notion

Best track on the album. Dark and powerful, like the best of JD/Movement era. The mid-song break is intense and multi-dimensional. Barney's lyrics are better than most on this track. Pure class, play it live. 10 out of 10

Slow Jam and Rock the Shack

Ok, what were they thinking? You already have 4 bleedin' guitar songs on the LP, why make two that any Britpop/Indie band can churn out in an hour? Awful awful awful 2 out of 10...combined

Someone Like You

Now this is better...somewhat. Gillian back on the mic?! :D Some cool synth effects, Hooky back on top, some good drumming loops from Mr. Morris. But then Barney has to come with some corny lyrics and unnecessary guitar. A potential stormer like GIAUE from WFTSC is ruined. A shame. 6 out of 10

Close Range

Cool distorted echo effects, especially in the chorus and intro. The backup singers on the album are ok, horrendous live. Another potential smash is muted by overproduction and lack of a good beat and synth line. 6 out of 10

Run Wild

Another New Order oddity, ranks up there with Every Little Counts, but nowhere near as ironic or tongue-in-cheek. A sappy corny little number, the only good thing is that they brought back the melodica for the first time since 1985. The last line "I'm gonna live till I die/I'm gonna live to get high" redeems it. But still, a complete waste. 3 out of 10

A good comeback album, but only a stepping stone for WFTSC. The sequential order should go Get Ready, Brotherhood, WFTSC, Technique, Republic. Just a thought.

Crystal 10 (love it)

60 Miles An Hour 7.5

Turn My Way 3 (hate it)

Vicious Streak 5

Primitive Notion 8.5

Slow Jam 8

Rock The Shack 9

Someone Like You 5.5

Close Range 8.5

Run Wild 10 (love it)

Spotnick wrote:

charles wrote:

A Siren's Touch wrote:

charles wrote: I’m actually a big fan of the Dawn Zee backup vocals on this one too;

The backing vocals were done by Gillian Gilbert, the missing piece of the real New Order.

I seriously doubt Gillian sang any parts on Get Ready

Someone Like You's chorus is a duet between Bernard and Gillian.

Nobody else is credited for vocals on this track, so don't go looking further than the band itself.

I met Steve and Gillian around the time of Get Ready being released. Gillian said she didn't provide any vocals on Get Ready, or play on any of it.

Dave Mings wrote:

Spotnick wrote:

charles wrote:

A Siren's Touch wrote:

charles wrote: I’m actually a big fan of the Dawn Zee backup vocals on this one too;

The backing vocals were done by Gillian Gilbert, the missing piece of the real New Order.

I seriously doubt Gillian sang any parts on Get Ready

Someone Like You's chorus is a duet between Bernard and Gillian.

Nobody else is credited for vocals on this track, so don't go looking further than the band itself.

I met Steve and Gillian around the time of Get Ready being released. Gillian said she didn't provide any vocals on Get Ready, or play on any of it.

Hmm, well this is an interesting tidbit of information, isn't it? I don't even know what to believe anymore!

1 117.25 Crystal 4 92.5 60 Miles An Hour 6= 88 Turn My Way 6= 88 Vicious Streak 2 114.25 Primitive Notion 8 72 Slow Jam 9 60.5 Rock The Shack 5 92 Someone Like You 3 97.5 Close Range 7 80 Run Wild

no accounting for taste