....Movement

DREAMS NEVER END 10 TRUTH 9 SENSES 7 CHOSEN TIME 10 ICB 9 THE HIM 7 DOUBTS EVEN HERE 5 DENIAL 7

Dreams Never End

Long, grand introduction to New Order. Before I got into the band, I assumed it was Barney singing in a low, low voice (or another singer ) The guitar work is fantastic, with Gillian and Barney both going at it. Classic song. 10 out of 10

Truth

Very experimental (Steve on keys, Gillian on guitar), but that's them at their best. Creepy and disturbing song, and it's one of their only keyboard lines I know how to play! (or if anyone can direct me to sheet music..) Too bad the lyrics don't get as good as this in recent years. 9 out of 10

Senses

Powerful and dark, but doesn't seem to go anywhere great. 6 out of 10

Chosen Time

Brisk and fast paced, a clear cut synth line and Barney's guitar work is evolving into it's classic form. A direction to where the band was heading. The electronic noises are sweet. 9 out of 10

ICB

Never liked this, but I can't quantify why.. 4 out of 10

The Him

Yawn. Boring song with no melody or any good lyrics/vocals. 3 out of 10

Doubts Even Here

Love how Gillian and Hooky are in it. That's about it. 5 out of 10

Denial

Good closer, took me awhile to get into, but now I fully appreciate it. A roadsign to Power Corruption and Lies. 8 out of 10

DREAMS NEVER END 10 TRUTH 8 SENSES 9 CHOSEN TIME 9 ICB 5 THE HIM 2 DOUBTS EVEN HERE 5 DENIAL 5

Dark as fuck,direction-less and disturbing. Ian`s presence is undeniable. Priceless.

With Low-Life, this is my favorite NO album. As a Joy Division fan, I can see why this one ranks so low compared to the more "pop" albums of later years. However, it is confusing why so many JD fans also seem to hate this album. I rather like the fact that New Order were still so awkward in their transition from one band to another that they produced such a solid album. This could be perhaps considered New Order's foray into goth territory following Joy Division's descent into depression. Regardless of the production here, this album still delivers some very heavy tunes that can be brutally oppressive and full of emotion. The lyrics leave something to be desired on most tracks, but musically this is some of New Order's most underrated work. In fact, the album as a whole is tremendously underrated and should be required listening. Show this one to any Joy Division fans who think they're too hip for New Order's upbeat pop side.

Dreams Never End:

A classic. Hooky's vocals echo in odd ways, hard to make out. Sounds great live. A close cousin of Ceremony musically. Very catchy. Poppiest song on the album. 9.5

Truth:

This has always been one of the highlights of the album. Very heavy, but the premiere of the melodica (barring IALP). Best lyrics on the album for what they're worth. A dirge with pop leanings. 9.0

Senses:

This must be one of the band's most underrated songs musically. The last 2 minutes of it have a glacial sort of beauty. Incredibly ominious and very dark. Once the synths come in at the end and Hooky's bass comes to the fore again, it's just plain magic. Thankfully the syndrum effect sounds less jarring than in the live versions. Too bad the drums are so muted. 9.0

Chosen Time:

This one has fallen out of favor with me over the years. It's still got a rather pop sound to it. Sounds quite a bit like the transition toward PCL. A bit too repetitive for me, but still decent. 7.0

ICB: Another decent track, but not great. Better once more drums come in later in the song. Another of the weaker tracks on the album. Just repetitive. 7.0

The Him:

I like this one for some reason. The guitar is WAY too muted into the background. I like the synths a lot. Good little dirge with rock leanings. The best part is the near-silence in the middle, followed by some ROCK as they go at it again. 7.5

Doubts Even Here:

A full-on dirge. I used to like this one more than I do now. Maybe the antidepressants have something to do with that. Related to IALP. Gillian's voice-over is very nice, a bit chilling. This one packs a bit of power in an understated way, being not as overt as Senses or the next track. 8.0

Denial:

Here's a rock song. The drums are fantastic, especially in the live versions. Sounds like what Sunrise would become years later. Very strong sound in this one. Goes on a touch long, but the ending is great. Full stop. 8.5

Whole album is very subdued compared to the live versions, unfortunately. Great Saville cover. This album will continue to divide the fans, but really deserves a listen with an open mind. Its overall sound is very cohesive and the mood it creates (a downer, I'll admit) is rather strong. Movement: love it or leave it.

Dreams Never End: Nice guitar interplay throughout. I like the idea of their first album track not having their primary singer. Live versions are generally much better though-less subdued. 8/10

Truth: A problem I have with Movement as a whole is that the drum machine sounds are so dated sounding. This song is 50% drum machine so suffers accordingly. Perhaps if I'd heard this upon first release I wouldn't judge it this way (didn't hear them until Power, Corruption & Lies had been out for a year). This just sounds lifeless following Dreams Never End. 4/10

Senses: This has the aforementioned lifeless drum machine sounds augmented by Stephens live drums mixed by Hannett to sound lifeless as well. Pretty meaningless song, unfortunately. 4/10

Chosen Time: A little energy provided to finish side one. This, for me, is the one song on Movement that points the way towards what they would achieve with Power, Corruption & Lies. Of course it's not quite as good as most of that album but an interesting direction nonetheless. 8/10

ICB: Quite shitty lyrics. I think Barney would agree. Really, if you like the music, fine. Listen to Joy Division instead. 2/10

The Him: Perhaps a little better at capturing the spirit of JD than ICB. But it's a useless exercise. I'm glad they moved on. 4/10

Doubts Even Here: This appeals to me. This is one of the few moments on Movement that has some humanity. It sounds like there is some feeling being conveyed. It appears to be about waiting for the birth of a child but it doesn't matter really. They articulated something. I don't think Gillian's poetry reading necessarily helps the song. 8/10

Denial: This is good for describing their mindset for Movement. Claustrophobic and searching. Musically, Ceremony and Temptation are much better in terms of 2 chord stomps. 6/10

DREAMS NEVER END - always sounded like they didn't know what to do with it, a work in progress. Too short, too busy. Live 6/10 record 6/10

TRUTH - fairly groundbreaking at the time, used to hate it but it sort of grew on me. Absence makes the heart and all that jazz. Live 7/10 record 7/10

SENSES - good, solid, chunky and with some nice effects. Live 8/10 record 8/10

CHOSEN TIME - blatant rip-off of the drum pattern from These Days, nice counterbalance on the bass riff, a really good one live (apart from Atlanta) Live 8/10 record 8/10

ICB - horribly muted on record, listen to the Peel version to get the true mesmeric qualities. Live 8/10 record 6/10

THE HIM - they were very short of ideas at this stage in their career. Live 5/10 record 5/10

DOUBTS EVEN HERE - no doubts here though, a gem that would have been even better with a non-befuddled producer. Live 7/10 record 8/10

DENIAL - too muted on record, real blaster live. Steve actually is a drum machine! Live 8/10 record 7/10