Rollingstone.com reviews WFTSC

New Order

Waiting For The Sirens' Call

**** (Four Stars out of Five)

New Order have nothing to regret. If they'd broken up when Ian Curtis died, they'd still be remembered as Joy Division. If they'd broken up after the 1982 single "Temptation," they'd be remembered for the most achingly emotional seven-and-a-half-minute New Wave disco twelve-inch of all time. If they'd broken up after Low-life, in 1985, they'd be remembered for the most influential electro-vampire post-punk limp-wristed goth-twit album of the Eighties. But they didn't break up. They just keep making brilliant new records and inspiring brilliant new bands, such as the Killers, Bloc Party and Interpol.

They took a break in the 1990s, cleansing their systems of toxic chemicals and even fuglier side projects. (Revenge? Electronic? Monaco? Jesus!) If their 2001 Get Ready was a toe-dip return, Waiting for the Sirens' Call is their best since Technique, taking the "Blue Monday" beat into new wacked-out realms.

Bernard Sumner still sings and strums with his boyish air of distractable pique, and he writes some of the most genius crap lyrics around ("The world is a beautiful place/With mountains, lakes and the human race"). His secret is his sincerity, the way he whoops and yelps through blood-curdling poetry that a more clever singer would shame himself trying to play straight. But he'd be nowhere without Peter Hook, the Keith Richards of the bass, and drummer/pinup boy Stephen Morris. They outdo themselves with the sleek pop uplift of "Krafty," the robot clank of "I Told You So," the moody shimmer of "Turn" and the towering title track. Every song is great, except the one called "Dracula's Castle." What more could a fan ask?

ROB SHEFFIELD (Posted May 05, 2005)

Who's Joe? wrote: his boyish air of distractable pique

that's says it as best as i've seen so far. though i had to look up pique.

pique: A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.

dis·tracti·ble adj. To cause to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; divert. To pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle.

I like Dracula's Castle... Well it was a very good review from a magazine of note, so that's something I guess.

Wow, the journo likes "I told you so"? On the other hand he's right with Dracula's Castle, they completely botched that tune with the hideous, dated, garbage synths. I dont mind old school synth work if it's interesting or beautiful, I never get tired of the bridge in Age of Consent, or the shimmering, loveliness that is 1963, bug the tedious garbage that is the electronic aspect of Dracula's Castle destroyed that track. Sounded like a really, really, really bad outtake from Electronic's debut or RTP.

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Personally, I love Dracula's Castle; it reminds me of Let's Go, only much better. If any track off of WFTSC can be accused of somewhat-cheesy synth-work, it's probably Morning Night and Day, IMO.

Then again, I shouldn't be listened to, as I absolutely love I Told You So and giggle hysterically at the title "Hey Now What You Doing". I still love the song, though.

"Let me begin and I'll tell you a story, how Dracula hunted me down."

One stupid Dracula lyric per career is plenty, thanks.

The Rolling Stone review appears in the May 5, 2005 issue on newstands now. The review is nice, three column wide, half a page with photo and larger than average type. Really nice looking write up.

Also out, Entertainment Weekly, the Summer Movie Preview with Batman on the cover, has a minimalist review of WFTSC with a B+ score.

Who's Joe?

Gnu Odor wrote: "Let me begin and I'll tell you a story, how Dracula hunted me down."

One stupid Dracula lyric per career is plenty, thanks.

thats hilarious lol

Who's Joe? wrote: Bernard Sumner still sings and strums with his boyish air of distractable pique, and he writes some of the most genius crap lyrics around

That may be a valid point, though one could debate about the "genius"-aspect...

Great review! Maybe now the pessimists change their minds... Anyone can scan it and put it on the forum?

The pity about Dracs Castle is that it`s a great intro but from then on its dire.

I think the review is spot on, though I object to calling Electronic and Monaco fugly :)

Those two and The Other Two (my, how well they named themselves) each did a good deal of solid work.

Revenge, however, is in fact fugly :)