The most underrated NO song...
Archived112 replies · 2,518 views
EGG = Highly rated in my book.
I always think that Sunrise from Low-Life doesn't get the attention it deserves - some classic Hooky.
Ruined in a day. Everything in this track is ace, and even though the bass is low, and not very hooky-ish - it works well I think. to me the guitar, lyrics, keys, and vocals stand out, and that is great. the drumming and bass are slightly weak, but like I said, it still works, since the song is not overpowered by anything really. Besides, I think Republic is very underrated. I've been listening to it a lot, and you can tell Bernard really did a huge job on this album. And I think its ace.
Mesh I think. I prefer it to Cries & Whispers any day. Also a fan of Don't Do It, it's a regular at the local goth bar. And of course, my gorgeous Doubts. 
Major Tarantino wrote: Here To Stay
It's one of the best songs they've ever done. Faultless.
It's too bad it wasn't done in time to go on GR.
Ultraviolence. Anyone who was down the front 20/22 yeara ago and heard what was coming out those speakers knows what I mean.
AgentWood wrote: ahem. slow jam and shellshock.
THe man said..."under". Zero is a positive rating.
oldmonkey wrote:
AgentWood wrote: ahem. slow jam and shellshock.
THe man said..."under". Zero is a positive rating.
funny, i had a feeling you would have something to say about my choices!;)
and if zero is a positive rating, just TRY dividing by it!
oldmonkey wrote: shellshock is quality. slow jam is slow death though. don't let the bpm get you!
guess you don't like rock ballads, then.
right, you don't smoke anymore. no need for a lighter.
How about album by album:
Movement:
The second tune, or the one with the crazy cascading synths and guitars where he keeps yelling/singing, "I'm so tired, I'm so tired...."
P.C.L.:
The Village (everyone loves Your Silent Face and Leave Me Alone and Age of consent for good reason)
Low Life:
I used to think Sooner, but there seems to be a lot of Sooner fans, so I'll go with Face Up. A truly ripping tune.
Brotherhood:
Broken Promise or All Day Long. Both are great, both are rarely mentioned.
Technique:
Love Less
180 seconds of absolute incomparable Perfection. I absolutely love Mr. Disco but few others seem to like it.
Republic:
Everyone Everywhere-one of the few decent songs on the album outside of Regret and Special.
Get Ready:
At Close Range-amazing song.
WFTSC:
Morning Night and Day. We all know WFTSC, Krafty, Turn etc are great. Morning Night and Day is pretty damn good too.
Its difficult to say which songs are underrated because I can only go on what I feel about them, and I also believe genuine fans with more than a passing interest can appreciate the less lauded songs. I would say that Lonesome Tonight, Sooner Than You Think, 586 (Peel sessions), Here to Stay, and Chosen Time are all class songs that never get a mention in New Order articles. But then what do journalists know.
here to stay has been mentioned a few times. it runs neck and neck with TPK as my favourite NO song; it's absolutely brilliant.
All of Republic beyond Regret.
Sorry if I'm bad at quoting, not to sure how to do it. Anyway, I agree Ally, I love Republic. Maybe too much, since its in my top three! I mean come on, Bernard worked really hard on that album. And he made it sound great in my opinion. Kind of pre-raise the pressure I think. I hope you weren't being sarcastic, lol.
Beach Boy wrote:
All of Republic beyond Regret.
Sorry if I'm bad at quoting, not to sure how to do it. Anyway, I agree Ally, I love Republic. Maybe too much, since its in my top three! I mean come on, Bernard worked really hard on that album. And he made it sound great in my opinion. Kind of pre-raise the pressure I think. I hope you weren't being sarcastic, lol.
Quoting just fine to me mate! 
Republic was indeed a great album badly underrated by the fanbase even to this day. When I saw this thread I thought I'd nominate the whole album rather than just one song. The same tired arguments I've heard rolled out to justify it's crap review rating include lack of Hooky bass and annoyance at the presence of "good" production. Since good production is a rarity on a New Order record (except WFTSC) I prefer to stick up for it rather than bitch about it! :D Plus there's plenty of Hooky bass on Republic but for some reason people seem to home in on "World" as the root of all evil. It's a good house single, and simply because Hooky's twanging bass isn't on it does not make it the anti-christ 
Let's not forget it brought us Regret, Ruined in a day, and Special. Republic's a shitload better than Get Ready anyway! 
Ally.
Broken Promise.
Great song.
I agree that Republic as a whole is underrated, but Ruined In a Day and Spooky are in my opinion the worst two consecutive tracks on any New Order album.
I'd say State of the Nation is by far the most underrated NO song, though Republic is indeed the most underrated album.
thanks for letting me quote you ally. I love Republic & get ready, don't know why so many people see them as bad albums. I mean, how could anyone hate ruined in a day? It has that "leave me alone" guitar feel to it. It had four singles, and was 11 in the US right? In my mind that tells me it is atleast in NO top 5 albums. But we all have our opinions I suppose. Oh, & I also love the music videos from the Republic period. Just brilliant in my mind, love the atmosphere.
marcus mee wrote: Doubts Even Here Ecstacy Sub Culture State of the Nation Mr Disco Special
Perhaps underrated is the wrong term, but I agree that State Of The Nation isn't as bad as it's made out to be. Shame Of The Nation is much, much worse. :D
The rest are all fine, so long as we're talking about the Low-Life version of Sub-Culture and not the 12".
Chosen Time The Village This Time of Night All Day Long Mr. Disco Young Offender Vicious Streak I Told You So
easy....
the whole of Movement (as produced by Martin Hannett)
...seems badly underrated 'round these parts.
Daver wrote:
marcus mee wrote: Doubts Even Here Ecstacy Sub Culture State of the Nation Mr Disco Special
Perhaps underrated is the wrong term, but I agree that State Of The Nation isn't as bad as it's made out to be. Shame Of The Nation is much, much worse. :D
The rest are all fine, so long as we're talking about the Low-Life version of Sub-Culture and not the 12".
Oh, rest assured we are!!
Cries and Whispers Slow Jam Way of Life Truth Denial This Time of Night Everyone Everywhere Every Little Counts
runwild 1 wrote: ...Run wild ...
after hearing it live Friday night, I might give some thought to this as well!!!
BLT....because it is not in the top 50 dance songs of all time........and it should be in the top 5. True Faith a close second.
Beach Boy wrote: thanks for letting me quote you ally. I love Republic & get ready, don't know why so many people see them as bad albums. I mean, how could anyone hate ruined in a day? It has that "leave me alone" guitar feel to it. It had four singles, and was 11 in the US right? In my mind that tells me it is atleast in NO top 5 albums.
I'm with you and Ally on this one, Beach Boy; I've never understood why people seem to hate Republic and GR so much. When I see someone on these boards ripping into either of those albums, I just go: 
Blue Monday! 
I agree that EGG is underrated along with lots of their earlier stuff, like Procession and Hurt.
I also think that the songs from Low Life are VASTLY underrated.
From the pre-release reviews of WFTSC in the press, I got the impression "I Told You So" was gonna suck baboon ass. But I think it's a great song.
Most underrated song has to be Here to Stay. Absolutely brilliant. Honarary mention to Sooner than you think, Close Range, and Mr Disco.
As for Republic, while it has some good points, i.e. regret, special, everyone everywhere, it sure does have a lot of crap i.e. liar, chemical, times change... Also, bear in mind that it came off the back of technique, and also the first electronic album, both of which are stormers. So it had a lot to live up to. I think, as with a lot of New Order stuff, that it worked better live.
I agree very much with the Major and Patrick about Here to Stay.
And 5 8 6: I think Way of Life is ace. Favorite off Brotherhood.
Way of Life Weirdo (never mentioned) Don't Do It Best & Marsh (brilliant beats and melodies) Lonesome Tonight Turn the Heater On The Him LoveLess (one of their best songs) Avalanch Slow Jam Rock the Shack Vietnam Chosen Time Peter Saville Show Soundtrack
MOST OVERRATED: Regret Bizarre Love Triangle Crystal (most overrated of all time) pretty much all of Low-Life
Plus there's plenty of Hooky bass on Republic but for some reason people seem to home in on "World" as the root of all evil.
Ally.
Ally, i love Republic but your out of your mind if you think there's "plenty of Hookys bass on Republic"
There are a few bits here and there, mostly buried in the mix. Republic is a Bernard Sumner solo album with a helping hand from the Other Two despite what it says on the sleeve.
Dracula's Castle. One of my favourite tracks on WFTSC, but I see it went out fairly early in the Survivor vote on this site 
AgentWood wrote:
oldmonkey wrote: If slow jam is a rock ballad, I am Rose West!
how do i know? you might be.
That would be telling. You'd have to frisk me!
pfff im sorry u guys but if your looking for underated then look no further than the peel session of i.c.b.
well sorry to all but the guy who mentioned mr disco,what a sublime song,if it was released today by a boy band it would sell thimble loads.
Barney Army wrote: Everythings Gone Green. surely?
I agree with thos whole heartedly
and Procession as well....
i told you so. This song gets more fantastic as time goes on. It seems like back to experimental new order to me.
Shellshock. Nobody likes it but i think its great.
His Holiness, The Pope wrote: Movement, album
Angel Dust, song
i do think movement is greatly Overlooked, i mean people HATE it, i think its a great album, not their best but the most Underrated thing that new order has ever done
Ally3000 wrote: Republic was indeed a great album badly underrated by the fanbase even to this day. When I saw this thread I thought I'd nominate the whole album rather than just one song. The same tired arguments I've heard rolled out to justify it's crap review rating include lack of Hooky bass and annoyance at the presence of "good" production. Since good production is a rarity on a New Order record (except WFTSC) I prefer to stick up for it rather than bitch about it! :D Plus there's plenty of Hooky bass on Republic but for some reason people seem to home in on "World" as the root of all evil. It's a good house single, and simply because Hooky's twanging bass isn't on it does not make it the anti-christ
Let's not forget it brought us Regret, Ruined in a day, and Special.
Couldn't have put it better myself, Ally! I'm going to nominate Republic as well.
Paul Rogers wrote: HAS TO BE VANISHING POINT, DESPITE THAT CRUMMY TV DRAMA
I liked MAKING OUT a lot!
I also LOVE VANISHING POINT and MTO!
The lack of Republic love on this forum is disturbing.
Ruined in a Day/Everyone Everywhere/Regret/Special/Times Change>>>>everything on Technique.
Razed In A New Division Of Agony wrote: Mesh I think. I prefer it to Cries & Whispers any day.
*I hope you mean the TRUE Mesh, the song which didn't appear on Substance. So undarrated it got mistitled... one of my favourites ever and so underrated by the band it didn't even make it on Retro!
And, talking about songs underrated by fans, of course it's I Told You So, best song on WFTSC and yet so few of you can get it...
Republic is a dark, brooding, and a fantastic monster of an album. It's evident from this thread that (thankfully) not everybody dislikes it, but it does divide the NO fan base.
For this reason I won't nominate Republic itself, but just Times Change due to the amount of times it has brought goose bumps out on my skin...
how about "All the way" from Technique? A brilliantly presented depressing love declaration...
lowlife wrote: how about "All the way" from Technique? A brilliantly presented depressing love declaration...
Yeah, that's definitely one of the best songs on technique, right after vanashing point and "The picture you see is no portrait of me"(forgot the name...sorry :( )
"Behind Closed Doors". NO going experimental, great Hooky-Baß-Loop, the vocals at the beginning are ace, the drums, atmosphere, i like that one very much!
We All Stand
Everyone here seems to hate it. It was my favourite on PC&L and it still sounds bloody great
Isamu wrote: "The picture you see is no portrait of me"(forgot the name...sorry :( )
That's Round and Round you're thinking of, Isamu. Hope that helps.
As an old-schooler, I'd say Doubts Even Here. The best song on the best album. What I wouldn't give to hear that floating out over Hyde Park...
Some good calls upthread : Mesh, ICB (Peel Version), and yes....I Told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
Depends what you mean by under-rated. The fact that so many tracks appear a number of times surely means that they are rated. This thread just proves what a brilliant back catalogue New Order has.
To add my twopennyworth - Face Up, Here to Stay, 586, Times Change, The Him.
DC wrote: told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
I would like to take credit for that.
Mick Aneworderfan wrote:
Razed In A New Division Of Agony wrote: Mesh I think. I prefer it to Cries & Whispers any day.
*I hope you mean the TRUE Mesh, the song which didn't appear on Substance. So undarrated it got mistitled... one of my favourites ever and so underrated by the band it didn't even make it on Retro!
Yeah, the one on 1981-FEP 313-1982. It rocks.
DC wrote: As an old-schooler, I'd say Doubts Even Here. The best song on the best album. What I wouldn't give to hear that floating out over Hyde Park...Some good calls upthread : Mesh, ICB (Peel Version), and yes....I Told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
I fuckin' love you.
I'll start off with one no one has mentioned: Player in the League. I love this f***ing song. great bassline, great chorus.
honorable mentions:
don't do it
586 (peel sessions)..rocks da house!
all day long
lonesome tonight
guilty partner
liar (it cheers me up..ok!)
one comment about republic...NTG (not that good) it's maybe only half good...and i don't give a crap if barney worked his ass off on that record.. it's fricking washed out, pussy-ass production.. way to slick. it not really a true new order record in my opinion.
All day long is genius.Lyrics are a bit dodgy but the last three minutes
of the song are awsome.From the country and western guitar
riff half way through to the big big ending.Would love to see it played live too!!
Razed In A New Division Of Agony wrote:
DC wrote: As an old-schooler, I'd say Doubts Even Here. The best song on the best album. What I wouldn't give to hear that floating out over Hyde Park...Some good calls upthread : Mesh, ICB (Peel Version), and yes....I Told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
I fuckin' love you.
Blimey. Which bit of what I said did you like?
DC wrote: Some good calls upthread : Mesh, ICB (Peel Version), and yes....I Told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
*Me too, wrote it's the only song of the album which reminds me of the most adventurous tracks of the 80s, with that sequencer and experimenting with an unusual rhythm for them... more Caribbean dub please!
I want more songs with that ace rhythm...
Also the bittersweet mood of the song, which would like to be sunny but sounds dark as hell when you really get it, all I can think is Shaun Ryder recovering from an OD at the Barbados... ;)
That also happened at the time of PC&L, Low Life etc.
Another difference with other songs is it sounds a bit filthy, or better, sexy with a dirty attitude, you can also picture a hot club in a suburb in Latin America and couples dirty dancing in slow motion before going for a good drunk shag...
Chuckles wrote: I'll start off with one no one has mentioned: Player in the League.
That's my favourite song of the last 15 years!
But yes, very underrated by the band, which kept it hidden as a B side, maybe it's not a proper single (it's not that commercial and catchy and not everyone might fall instantly in love with those keyboards like I did), but keeping it out of Get Ready makes no sense (I think it's better than any song on the album, but you'll at least admit that it's better than Rock The Shack ;) )...
Anyway I'm happy to see there's quite some fans loving this song, it's probably the most popular B side of the recent years after Behind Closed Doors... erm, not that there were that many, but you get the idea, there's good competition... Sabotage, for example, was another fookin great B side!
Chuckles wrote:
one comment about republic...NTG (not that good) it's maybe only half good...and i don't give a crap if barney worked his ass off on that record.. it's fricking washed out, pussy-ass production.. way to slick. it not really a true new order record in my opinion.
New Order albums lack coherency, but Technique was a slick production too. I like slick productions. I'd describe Get Ready as closer to "washed out, pussy-ass production". New Order's back catalogue would be far weaker without Hague's involvement down the years...
Behind closed doors Here to stay Sabotage
all from the Get ready period but none on the album. Great songs hidden deep within the back catalogue.
delilah wrote: We All Stand
Everyone here seems to hate it. It was my favourite on PC&L and it still sounds bloody great
I'm not too keen on the PCL one, but the one on the Pumped Full Of Drugs film is fantastic, a lot smoother and groovier, much better rendition.
Can "Behind Closed Doors" and "Sabotage" be found for purchase on Amazon.com like "Here To Stay" is?
Secret Symphony wrote:
Chuckles wrote:
one comment about republic...NTG (not that good) it's maybe only half good...and i don't give a crap if barney worked his ass off on that record.. it's fricking washed out, pussy-ass production.. way to slick. it not really a true new order record in my opinion.
New Order albums lack coherency, but Technique was a slick production too. I like slick productions. I'd describe Get Ready as closer to "washed out, pussy-ass production". New Order's back catalogue would be far weaker without Hague's involvement down the years...
technique is pretty slick, but it was punchy! i'll agree that get ready is a bit washed out, but it much has better songs.
Edd Boland wrote: Procession... Sure i heard somewhere that Barney thinks its shit though!
*The twat wrote it on Retro, he didn't even remember they made that song, which is a fookin great song, in fact...
Doubts even Here Here to StayVanishing PointTurn my way1963
Doubts even Here (hooky sings) and played live only 2 or 3 times.
Here to Stay (One of their best, at least on the last 20 years) NEVER PLAYED LIVE (except on BBC's TOTP lip-synch)
Vanishing Point (a kind of a cursed song) I read sometime ago that was originally planned as a technique single.
Turn my way (Had all to be a good single even a good guest star)
1963 they have decided to late to release this one as a single. In 1987 or 1988 could have been a top 5 single (on the back of true faith it was hard to notice even if true faith one of your favorite NO songs like in my case)
God there are tons, but lately for me its Ecstasy...that track is an experimental gem...ive never heard another track even similar to that.
DC wrote:
Razed In A New Division Of Agony wrote:
DC wrote: As an old-schooler, I'd say Doubts Even Here. The best song on the best album. What I wouldn't give to hear that floating out over Hyde Park...Some good calls upthread : Mesh, ICB (Peel Version), and yes....I Told You So is *very* underappreciated. Whoever it was who compared it to old, experimental NO was definitely on the money!
I fuckin' love you.
Blimey. Which bit of what I said did you like?
Doubts Even Here, I Told You So and Mesh are my top 3 favorite New Order songs!!!
I love Truth, Only The Lonely (aka Ecstasy), The Village, This Time Of Night and Way Of Life. They never get much attention in conversations generally....
I am going to list a few songs that aren't underrated amongst fans of NO, but those that are underrated amongst the horrendous corporate radio of Salt Lake City...
In other words...anything other than Blue Monday, True Faith, and Bizarre Love Triangle...but I digress...
Songs that do not get nearly enough radio time and should be enjoyed by the masses are:
Temptation Run Your Silent Face Ceremony Someone Like You Lonesome Tonight most anything from WFTSC Regret
Isn't there something we can do about the corporate drivel?
Razed In A New Division Of Agony wrote: Doubts Even Here, I Told You So and Mesh are my top 3 favorite New Order songs!!!
*Wow, seems I've found an even bigger fan of Mesh and ITYS!
Mesh is certainly in my Top 10, and ITYS in the top dozen too, but I can't rate them higher than Blue Monday, Perfect Kiss or True Faith...
Church of the KLF wrote: Every Little Counts. Most people seem to loathe it, but I like it a lot. :D
i can't understand why anyone would dislike it, either. it's 'silly,' yes, but also charming and endearing. and i may have already posted this about ELC--but i shall say it again.:)
