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Have NO conformed to the mainstream or has the mainstream adapted to there individuality?

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11 posts

19 Apr 2005, 04:44

on listening to Substance 1987 the 1st five tracks are literally gound breaking, each sounds nothing like the last and has an indivdual sound, then you listen to what they're doing now and it sounds very mundane(but still good) and same as what all bands around are doing the world over.

After hearing songs like 'Everythings gone green' and 'Blue monday' two songs that sound as fresh today as when they we're first written 23-24 yrs ago,it always brings the question into my mind have they lost the ability to stand out?

so Has New Order Conformed to the mainstream or has the mainstream conformed to them?

19 Apr 2005, 05:05

Or is it just ridiculous to expect a band of (near-)50 year olds to still be producing the cutting edge music they did 20-25 years ago?

19 Apr 2005, 05:07

Very much the former, I'd say (with a tinge of regret). Almost to the extent that the original title of Jetstream Lover was in fact "Mainstream Fodder". There are still the unmistakeable trademarks, that bass, those sweeping string synths, those *ahem* lyrical couplets, the layering of effects and intricate production (that is often an understated element, yet has been present since Day 1 and is even on the Low-Fi celebration that was Brotherhood).

They don't break new ground anymore, they merely remind us of how they used to, by relying on elements that are tried and tested. That said, I Told You So was a brave diversion. Maybe the next album will be the one called "Recycle"?

19 Apr 2005, 05:17

I must dig out some old reviews. I was looking through some clippings this weekend and Record Mirror had done a wordy review of PC&L which basically said everthing which could be said of WFTSC today, "It's got all the unmistakeable New Order trademarks, etc, etc, etc ... but ..."

Noel, I don't understand what you mean by 'groundbreaking'. Is your intimation simply that their sound evolved so much over that period?! Because, I mean, Patrick Cowley was long dead before Blue Monday even hit our record stores, and Confusion was just a.n.other electro record in the summer of 83 (and there's a lot better electro tracks from this period which cross-overed more successfully, check out A.E.I.O.U. by Freeez for initial comparison). New Order doing something 'different' with each of their first five singles doesn't necessarily equate to 'groundbreaking'. You've possibly swallowed too much of the myth.

19 Apr 2005, 05:21

groundbreaking might be abit over zealous but they definetly pushed some boundries. that can't be denied can it?

as for the 'myth' aren't we all caught up in it or else we wouldn't be on here or buying the records.

19 Apr 2005, 05:51

I think we are just reminded of how much we enjoyed their music...They are all big boys now and I don't see much of the edginess as they did when they were poisining themselves with all kindsa alcohol and what ever else in their 20's.

But the fact that after 20 plus years they can still make a great track is an attestation to their passion and consistency.

They still stand above most of the crap bands you hear today.

If you're saying it took the mainstream time to conform to their style I ask why did it take so fucking long to recognize the greatness. However, most things go in cycles and maybe the 80's are back...OH NO!!!

It happens...Everyone go get their ADIDAS shelltops on and dont forget the punk haircuts...Anyone else see these??

19 Apr 2005, 06:12

Both, probably.

19 Apr 2005, 08:49

Noel Breaks wrote: as for the 'myth' aren't we all caught up in it or else we wouldn't be on here or buying the records.

Not necessarily. I like New Order cos they're just three (four?) ordinary lads who like a laugh, do the odd night at the Groucho and wear a bit of SI. And who make great fucking chooons.

By 'myth' I meant all the pretentious twaddle and hyperbole which has been written about them over the years by people who've basically missed the point and it's that what I can't abide.

19 Apr 2005, 09:01

I simply like the music and think they are a cool band who honestly love the music they make.

Dont think there is anything to be gained by not embracing success to a degree - unless you want to deny yourself what you have worked for and earnt and ultimately spiral into depression and bitterneess because you refuse to accept that your music has become POPular.

Hey if you dont want your music to reach out to and picked up by the "masses" then in this day and age then dont fookin sell it at all!!! :rolleyes:

19 Apr 2005, 10:04

Who cares ? We love em

19 Apr 2005, 15:57

New Oder do what they do. You Know bass, drums, guitar, synth, understated vocal. Sometimes it captures the public imagination, sometimes it doesn't. The reviewers form Brotherhood onwards have not credited them with innovation, and said they copied themselves. Well what is wrong with that I say.