As much as it pains me to say this but ........

I'm really sorry but Waiting For The Siren's Call misses the mark.

Me I'm a NO fan of 20 years, got me a ticket for the floor at Hamerstein, taking off work to go. I'm committed.

The new album doesn't do it. Just as the music scene is starting to recreate the edgy guitar dance vibe the very band that do this best have missed the opportunity.

The embracing of pop music is respected but NO on this album has crossed into the territory they would once parody. I don't need NO to play the guitar well; simple with feeling has always been the key. As for this term Electronic, nothing-new sounding has come from that scene since Bass & Drum. The keyboard sounds they use on this album sound played out. NO were streets ahead of the pack when blending all the sounds in Teqnique and a length still ahead with Republic; one has to trod lightly now, choose wisely.

I love this band and will continue to fork out time, money and will clear a room debating about them. I wish for the bittersweet feeling to return, the feeling that only NO can create.

well, ist still better than Gwen Stafani's Love, Music, Crap Baby album. And still look on the bright side, at lot of band tries to mimic NO. Plus all the ideas in music is used up. People have to reosrt to remixes and covers to make money in the music business. Count your blessings NO doent have to resort to that.

richard hamilton wrote: I'm really sorry but Waiting For The Siren's Call misses the mark.

Me I'm a NO fan of 20 years, got me a ticket for the floor at Hamerstein, taking off work to go. I'm committed.

The new album doesn't do it. Just as the music scene is starting to recreate the edgy guitar dance vibe the very band that do this best have missed the opportunity.

The embracing of pop music is respected but NO on this album has crossed into the territory they would once parody. I don't need NO to play the guitar well; simple with feeling has always been the key. As for this term Electronic, nothing-new sounding has come from that scene since Bass & Drum. The keyboard sounds they use on this album sound played out. NO were streets ahead of the pack when blending all the sounds in Teqnique and a length still ahead with Republic; one has to trod lightly now, choose wisely.

I love this band and will continue to fork out time, money and will clear a room debating about them. I wish for the bittersweet feeling to return, the feeling that only NO can create.

i got 4 songs stuck in my head off this album but i think it's a pretty good ablum overall...nothing spectacular but it's new order and it's those few monumetal tracks i look for from them...they grow on you and then when all the hype dies down u can go back and find something else to like

eCKo

richard hamilton wrote: I'm really sorry but Waiting For The Siren's Call misses the mark.

Me I'm a NO fan of 20 years, got me a ticket for the floor at Hamerstein, taking off work to go. I'm committed.

The new album doesn't do it. Just as the music scene is starting to recreate the edgy guitar dance vibe the very band that do this best have missed the opportunity.

The embracing of pop music is respected but NO on this album has crossed into the territory they would once parody. I don't need NO to play the guitar well; simple with feeling has always been the key. As for this term Electronic, nothing-new sounding has come from that scene since Bass & Drum. The keyboard sounds they use on this album sound played out. NO were streets ahead of the pack when blending all the sounds in Teqnique and a length still ahead with Republic; one has to trod lightly now, choose wisely.

I love this band and will continue to fork out time, money and will clear a room debating about them. I wish for the bittersweet feeling to return, the feeling that only NO can create.

While I disagree with the characterization of the album as a parody...I do agree with the larger point that the new material seems polished and professional. Now that they've learned to play their instruments and/or added professional help I think that the are certainly less edgy and raw.

Perhaps the way songs used to evolve over time by playing them live over months/years helped them to mature the songs...now when I hear that they are meticulous about getting things just right (from Mac Quayle) it makes me believe that some of the life is being drained out of the song.

Turn imo and the instrumental end of Dracula's castle, and yes even the guitar near the end of I told you so all remind me of how great they really are.

On much of the rest of the album you can tell that there is greatness there....but the polish is a bit much for me. As "polished" as technique and republic were...they could never be called "professional" songs. The keyboards in World would make most composers cringe but sound wonderful to me.

my 2 cents

I think they lost a few steps with Republic.

While the crafted sound of new album may not appeal to you, many of the songs ring true for me. While it's starting to become a cliche to say it, many feel this is their best since Technique.

nah, it's a good album. you're all expecting too much from them. It's not 1982 anymore and they're not going to pioneer a whole new sound anymore, nor take the same sort of risks, either live or on record.

it's just a pretty good album, take it or leave it.

It is the best album they ever made. Optimistic, good atmosphere, humour, good sound, energetic, no bitterness and frustration all the time, and perfect songs, more then usual. You can hear they enjoyed the making of it. At least they become professional musicans. This album will not date.

Spotnick wrote: To enjoy this album, you must listen to it a LOT of times.

I think Nicos is right

To be honest, my first listen to the whole album ( in the car after stepping out of the music store ) was very disappointing. I remember myself turning a 'cringe-worthy' face towards my missus as we both were listening to the CD for the first time.....The only stand out song on first listen was TURN ( ...which actually sounds very Morrissey to me, especially the first 2 vocal lines - I could really imagine Mozzer moaning out 'Its a haaaard way to come hoooome.....' ) but then after spinning that darn CD about 6 times a day ( I commute 1.5hrs to work almost everyday, you see...) I've found this album to be pretty listenable and I would place it better than Republic but maybe not as good as Technique...

some great tracks

Does anybody have any figures on how many albums new order sell? I know substance hit the million mark.

jonathan szwajkos wrote: Does anybody have any figures on how many albums new order sell? I know substance hit the million mark.

Not even the band know that (about the Factory albums)!

A frequent Hooky quote is that they never know how many records they sold when they were on Factory, as they apparently never kept sales figures!! Of course, how anybody can then tell that Blue Monday is the best selling 12" of all time, based on this, is another question entirely (see seperate thread)!

what nicos said, it takes a lot of listens to really appreciate. on first listen just a couple songs really grabbed my ear, but now that i've had it for a while and listened over and over, i like just about every song.

and to the one who called it pretentious...exactly what pretense do you think NO is under?

I personally dont think New Order are capable of making great albums anymore, but instead make alright albums which include some excellent tracks. I find WFTSC a bit grating to play all the way through, and at least Get Ready at some lower tempo songs to compliment the rockier stuff. Maybe I just have to high an expectation as I was expecting something in the class of Hot Fuss.

One thought....I actually really like it when NO produces/mixes their own tracks...

While I am very satisfied with the new album...I do wonder what it would have sounded like if it was self produced.

Hydrapelican wrote: One thought....I actually really like it when NO produces/mixes their own tracks...

While I am very satisfied with the new album...I do wonder what it would have sounded like if it was self produced.

Late ;)

I take it all back WFTSC is amazing!!!!!!!

This is the album that Get Ready should have been. There isn't a bad song on it, including Working Overtime. I have been through the whole CD 30-40 times since I've gotten and I was lukewarm on a number of tracks at the beginning.

Well, I realized that when I started humming those tracks to myself when I walking around, they must be really good. I enjoy every song and don't do much skipping around on the CD.

In my mind it's a great CD, I'm not sure what everybody who is denigrating it are listening to.

Both Republic and Get Ready have been gathering dust on my shelf since their release - only listen to the few good tracks on my mp3 compilations, whereas I've listened to WFTSC over and over again and each time it gets better. I've been a NO fan since the very start and I think this ranks up there with their best - been a while since I've been able to listen to a NO album from start to finish and not hit the skip button - I may not love every single track, but then again that hasn't happened to any NO album for me. The chorus of WFTSC gives me goosebumps every time, Krafty is a great, catchy NO single, I absolutely love Jetstream and Guilt is a useless emotion, Turn... I won't go on, suffice to say that I am absolutely rapt that one of my favourite bands of all time can still put out such a great record in 2005. I don't look for NO to surprise me, I just look for great tunes, off-key singing and that indefinable NO x-factor. After the last 2 albums I was prepared to be disappointed again - I'm very happy that I wasn't.

dub wrote: Both Republic and Get Ready have been gathering dust on my shelf since their release - only listen to the few good tracks on my mp3 compilations, whereas I've listened to WFTSC over and over again and each time it gets better. I've been a NO fan since the very start and I think this ranks up there with their best - been a while since I've been able to listen to a NO album from start to finish and not hit the skip button - I may not love every single track, but then again that hasn't happened to any NO album for me. The chorus of WFTSC gives me goosebumps every time, Krafty is a great, catchy NO single, I absolutely love Jetstream and Guilt is a useless emotion, Turn... I won't go on, suffice to say that I am absolutely rapt that one of my favourite bands of all time can still put out such a great record in 2005. I don't look for NO to surprise me, I just look for great tunes, off-key singing and that indefinable NO x-factor. After the last 2 albums I was prepared to be disappointed again - I'm very happy that I wasn't.

I agree with you 85%

e

The tracks that flick my switch are (in no particular order)

Who's Joe (Great bass line) Hey Now What You Doing (Love this track) WFTSC (Reckon its up there with the best they've ever done) Krafty (Hated at first....now I love it) I Told You So (Very Happy Mondays'esque groove) Dracula's Castle (I really think this sounds like it could have come off Technique) Turn (Speaks for itself) Working Overtime( Nice laconic vibe from Barney over a great tune)

Whereas JetStream and Guilt is a... are just risible...amongst the worst they've done.

And i'm pretty ambivelant about Morning,Night and day.

So for a bunch of near 50 year olds...eight out of eleven is a pretty decent result in my books.

Spotnick wrote: End of the road?

This album charted better than anything they have done since Republic !!

Ummmmm. Which means it charted higher than Get Ready. Full stop!

Spotnick wrote: To enjoy this album, you must listen to it a LOT of times.

I did, and it didn' change anything... It's a nice album, too many weak songs, no real hit single, and it's good to have them back. But it's still a mediocre album.

Upon first listening I was not that impressed, but after continuous playing WFTSC is one of their better albums although nowhere near as good as Technique or Low Life. I really hope that they release 'Turn' as a single, what a superb song.

The only song making sense as a single - after releasing Jetstream - would be Guilt. That could become a summer hit. Everything else is for fans. Turn wouldn't even make the Top 50 IMHO, even if it's the best song from a fan's perspective.