Get Ready Revisited

We've all had Get Ready for a while now and its had its chance to work its way into our brains or drive us mad. So, what does everyone think of it these days?

Great album, still listening to it. Especially to Crystal, Turn My Way, Primitive Notion, Close Range, Run Wild and even Someone Like You, now...

Very good album, only let down by a couple of below par NO songs that given our obviously high quality control standards, taints the overall impression.

Crystal is bona fide New Order classic and Turn My Way, Vicious Streak and Primitive Notion ain't far behind.

Personally I think the tracklisting should have been:

Crystal
Primitive Notion Turn My Way Vicious Streak Player in the League 60 mph Brutal Slow Jam Sabotage Someone Like You Run Wild

OK, Brutal is a wee bit of an oldie but I think it would have fitted in perfectly to the album and helped the overall reviews. The first 4 tracks above should have been singles as well.

just finished listening to Get Ready for the 1000 time in 6months. the promo copy is much better than the official release so my main problem is the tracklisting. Slow Jam should not have made the album. The rest of the tracks are very good (even turn my way gets a full listen after all my attacks on Billy C(still hate the f@#ker)) I play it at work and everyone who hears it, loves it. they all have stories about BLT or Blue Monday and can't believe NewOrder still make music. Get Ready is album of the Year, hands down. Vicious Streak and Primitive Notion have the best lyrics and i still haven't sorted out the intent of Close Range. Anyone have any theories as to who the subject/speaker would be? lying on the floor/30years or more...interesting lyrics and good music but what's it about?

On Close Range, I thought that the specific location was a dance club, with floor being dance floor, list being entry list, but obviously with broader potential metaphoric meanings.

zico, ditch Slow Jam, add Behind Closed Doors and wait for my $15 to arrive in the mail. why do neworder feel like 45-50 mins is enough for an album? it's total bullshit. we know they had more material and to continue releasing half a disc of music is indefensible. the fucking crystal single was longer than the album (US single).

Primitive Notion was on in Urban Outfitters yesterday. someone who works there must like neworder cuz it's playing or in the play stack nearly everytime i pass through there.

it's a shame NewOrder are so LAZY these days. Primitive Notion would sound great in the live set as would Sabotage. But no, they have to go through the motions and play the Hits like the audience are a bunch of teenagers who only want the Hits. That's fine for festivals but they should be ashamed at their UK tour setlists. oh well, if they die fat, rich and addicted to cocaine who cares, right?

Yes, patrick, i think you're right with the dance club/floor bit. The twist in the song is the line "you've got to pull yourself together man, get back on your feet again/how can i ever make you understand...." it's as if the speaker and the subject are friends (or maybe the same person)...in tone, it's similar to Run Wild. Close Range sounds like it's coming from a man who desperately needs to grow up and straighten out.

couldn't agree more. The boys (and girl) now seem to just be the same as the other band struggling under the corporate music makers who are only in it for the bottom line !! I know this is a bit radical but before you rise up in anger just think about. It now seem as if the record companies now call the tune (set lists, single releases, etc) oh for the days when NO were a faceless band producing cutting edger music

BS. and that's not short for Barney Sumner. NewOrder have made great music for more than 20years. if they cannot have complete control over their product, it's their own fault. they should have signed with an independant (but i bet they wanted the money) money rules neworder, not art or music. they said themselves "thanks for supporting the pension" or something like that. their music is still good but their ethics Suck now. bring back Factory and maybe the tension that created the glorious backcatalogue will spawn new classics. not one new track is over 7minutes. lazy, fat, money hungry bastards (except steve).

I still think its great and will 20yrs down the track..

I've actually been listening to all their albums again to physc myself up for their upcoming concert.

Can't believe movement was released over 20yrs ago.

I still love it and it gets constant rotation through my CD player. I enjoy all the songs anfd don't beleive there is any low points on the album. I even like rock the shack, which has got a bashing from some people. A friend of mine has just bought it, and their only requirement was to hear jangly guitar in NO songs, i told him it was there an he bought it the next day. I think that there has been a long wait, but it is worth it? Well it was in my top 5 albums for 2001, it could not have gone that wrong

Originally posted by Grigory Rasputin, the mad mystic of Petrograd I think that it is a very refreshing sound from our heroes, and I still think that the Brothers Warners are complete idiots for not releasing Turn My Way over here.....

Yes, I definitely have to agree with our mad monk.

Turn My way should've been the single after Crystal...

I can tolerate that bald control freak, Billy Pumpkin...and I, too am a closet Numanoid like him.

Get Ready is a bit inconsistent, and is their only album that contains songs that I don't like. Republic goes off a bit 2/3 of the way through (but Special and Avalanche always pop up to save the day).

I guess, for my taste, there just isn't enough electronica. That was the sound that got me hooked in the first place, although I'm well aware of the reasons for Gillian's non-involvement.

oh dear, i suppose ill be the kiljoy then. i dont mind "get ready" now, i disliked it intensely at first, even though i didnt think it was particularly awful or anything; but generally i dont tend to listen to it very often. my main problems with it are barneys vocals (he sounds so mannered these days) and the inconsistency of the song quality. id say that 4 of the tracks(primitive notion, crystal, turn my way and maybe vicious streak) are up to scratch...oh and another thing; the choruses. i find most of them really fucking annoying.

Originally posted by Old Blue Get Ready is a bit inconsistent, and is their only album that contains songs that I don't like. Republic goes off a bit 2/3 of the way through (but Special and Avalanche always pop up to save the day).

have to completely agree with this! I can listen to all their other albums (bar movement which can prove a bit of a burden) straight thru without even caring where the remote is! and although Republic wanes a little mid side2 it still manages to keep its head above water for me.

Right, well I'll go back the other way. I purposefully didnt listen to GR for about a month or so. I picked it upagain on Monday morning and its stayed in or around the stereo since. Admitedly there are a couple of songs I dont like (Shit Jam & SLY) - but this has been true of every NO album (except maybe PCL) for me.

Crystal just gets better and better for me. Primitive Notion as well. I have no doubt in 10 years time I'll look backat my NO collection and rate these 2 in my top 10.

After Republic I feared the worst, but GR is still a fucking great album in my opinion, even after the dust has settled

I think Get Ready is the only CD I bought last year that does not bore me after a while. I just keep on listening to it again and again and again. Fave tracks? crystal, tmw, primitive notion, close range and run wild.

After the initial surprise of the fact that after 8 years NO came up with such a strong album I still put it on all the time. If SJ and RTS would have been replaced by Sabotage and Player In The League it would have been right up there with Brotherhood an LL for me.

Coen, i couldn't agree more. In fact, i'm thinking of changing my name to Brian Van Der Hagen just to emphasize how right you are. "Could have been" will be the tag that sticks to neworder circa 2000. Still, when faced with selecting music for my morning walk, NewOrder always get the call. Seb, why don't you like Someone Like You?

Originally posted by Shugzv Sounds even better now than it did after it's first few plays, I have it on at work every night;)Rock the shack, Slow Jam and Run Wild are now rated very highly in Shugsters World

Rock the shack - I knew I wasn`t the only one who liked it. Sabotage should have been put on the album as well though... (maybe without those cheesy backing singers)

Originally posted by Fac21 > Originally posted by Shugzv> Sounds even better now than it did after it's first few plays, I have it on at work every night;)> Rock the shack, Slow Jam and Run Wild are now rated very highly in Shugsters World

Rock the shack - I knew I wasn`t the only one who liked it. Sabotage should have been put on the album as well though... (maybe without those cheesy backing singers)

Slow Jam, Shugzy?

I dunno, my opinion hasn't changed of it over the last few months. There are two what I would call classic New Order songs, Crystal and Primitive Notion, two good typical New Order songs in Vicious Streak and 60mph, and a few others to take it past the 40 min mark. Rock The Shack is so tongue in cheek it's actually funny, and the touching gentle poignancy of Run Wild is completely shattered by Barney's fucking inane last line. Slow Jam is just bollocks still, always will be, it's a crap song. Close Range has yet to spark any fires in my muse or psyche, and I can't even remember what else is on there ! :)

Originally posted by Sloppy Giuseppe I dunno, my opinion hasn't changed of it over the last few months. There are two what I would call classic New Order songs, Crystal and Primitive Notion, two good typical New Order songs in Vicious Streak and 60mph, and a few others to take it past the 40 min mark. Rock The Shack is so tongue in cheek it's actually funny, and the touching gentle poignancy of Run Wild is completely shattered by Barney's fucking inane last line. Slow Jam is just bollocks still, always will be, it's a crap song. Close Range has yet to spark any fires in my muse or psyche, and I can't even remember what else is on there ! :)

Close Range for me is the third best thing on it after Crystal and TMW.

Sloppy Seconds, you hit the nail on the head with that bit about the end of Run Wild. I eventually got over the Jesus/Jeh..bits and now it's the end that totally fucks with the meaning and intention of the song. I've said it before and i'll say it again/i don't like the rhyme he stuck at the end/

Not only is it totally out of character for the speaker of the song, but it's ripped from the Stone Roses i believe.

Run Wild is garbage when compared to Dream Attack.

Originally posted by Nicolas LeBlanc .. and I still ask myself why the fools at the head of the labels didn't release Turn My Way yet.....Gosh, it's almost a shame, it will get 3rd or 4th single, then there will be no song to "take over" and help them with the sales, at least in North America.They must be waiting for something, they can't all be idiots.. They must be waiting for a tour...

my thinking exactly (i hope)

Originally posted by Johnny Giles > Originally posted by Nicolas LeBlanc> .. and I still ask myself why the fools at the head of the labels didn't release Turn My Way yet.....> > They must be waiting for something, they can't all be idiots.. They must be waiting for a tour...

Dunno if you saw the 'Secret Gig Cancelled' thread re USA tour?...some guy at Bar Cuba, where Peter Hook is a part owner, told me on Tuesday this week that NO are touring The States in April. Apparently he picked this up from The Hookmeister himself.

No further info at this stage. Soon as I know anything so will you.

lets hope so...and they better be in NYC!!!!

By the way, Brian, on Close Range, I think the dance club references are actually probably (maybe) meant to refer to some time in the past, with the present perhaps being a follow up in terms of decline. That is, assuming the "speaker" in the song is a contemporary of the band, and the subject is also a contemporary, they all would have been thirty about fifteen years ago. Is this making any sense?

i play it alot (just yesterday in the car) and my favs are still Crystal, Close Range, Someone Like You and Primitive Notion...although all of them are fine.

It's a pity my favs are the b-sides, actually..

Especially PITL (that loud ol' bass synth sound..mmmmh!), and the typical Kraftwerk "saw" sound in the end of 'Sabotage'

Three months in from the US release, I'm still playing it a lot. Haven't really thought about where it places in the listing of NO albums yet. Don't really like B. Corgan much at all, so Turn My Way has grown on me a lot, as has Rock The Shack (except for the chorus). Not much hope for Slow Jam, but when that comes on I try not to focus on those lyrics.

It's funny but I love Slow Jam and Close Range. My preference in order is:

60 mph Crystal Slow Jam Close Range Run Wild Turn My Way Primitive Notion Some Like You Rock the Shack Vicious Streak

Very good album and I loved the guitar thing. Of course it cannot be played live anly wiht Barney doing the job.

Originally posted by Geaux Hagen just finished listening to Get Ready for the 1000 time in 6months. the promo copy is much better than the official release so my main problem is the tracklisting. Slow Jam should not have made the album. The rest of the tracks are very good (even turn my way gets a full listen after all my attacks on Billy C(still hate the f@#ker)) I play it at work and everyone who hears it, loves it. they all have stories about BLT or Blue Monday and can't believe NewOrder still make music. Get Ready is album of the Year, hands down. Vicious Streak and Primitive Notion have the best lyrics and i still haven't sorted out the intent of Close Range. Anyone have any theories as to who the subject/speaker would be? lying on the floor/30years or more...interesting lyrics and good music but what's it about?

I started this thread, so i suppose i should give my opinion...

I like every track except slow jam. I have tried to like it but the lyrics just do my head in. My personal faves are crystal and vicious streak. I think someone like you would be better without the "ooh ooh-ooh ooohhhya" backing vocals.

I used to hate Rock The Shackbah, but after hearing it live i kinda like it now.

Originally posted by Geaux Hagen Sloppy Seconds, you hit the nail on the head with that bit about the end of Run Wild. I eventually got over the Jesus/Jeh..bits and now it's the end that totally fucks with the meaning and intention of the song. I've said it before and i'll say it again/i don't like the rhyme he stuck at the end/ Not only is it totally out of character for the speaker of the song, but it's ripped from the Stone Roses i believe.Run Wild is garbage when compared to Dream Attack.

I disagree about this. Actually don't mind Run Wild now, it's intentions are admirable and that orchestral sweep that kicks in at the end is superb.. It took me a while to accept the Jesus lyric however. I always smile at the end of the tune- I think it's a good sort of quirky throwaway footnote to the album.. A song like this would have never been written by the band in their youthful heyday (too soppy) and the last line actually saves the song from being too much of a 'lighters in the air' ballad. It lends it a bit of anti-pop cred, however hackneyed or borrowed it may appear.

Originally posted by depthcharge > Originally posted by Geaux Hagen> Sloppy Seconds, you hit the nail on the head with that bit about the end of Run Wild. I eventually got over the Jesus/Jeh..bits and now it's the end that totally fucks with the meaning and intention of the song. I've said it before and i'll say it again/i don't like the rhyme he stuck at the end/ > > Not only is it totally out of character for the speaker of the song, but it's ripped from the Stone Roses i believe.> > Run Wild is garbage when compared to Dream Attack.

I disagree about this. Actually don't mind Run Wild now, it's intentions are admirable and that orchestral sweep that kicks in at the end is superb.. It took me a while to accept the Jesus lyric however. I always smile at the end of the tune- I think it's a good sort of quirky throwaway footnote to the album.. A song like this would have never been written by the band in their youthful heyday (too soppy) and the last line actually saves the song from being too much of a 'lighters in the air' ballad. It lends it a bit of anti-pop cred, however hackneyed or borrowed it may appear.

The point being that the song is about/for Gillian's seriously ill kid, then Barney comes in with some shite about getting high......

I'm still not sure about it to be honest, even after hundreds of plays. I like Crystal and Vicious Streak, and Primitive Notion is good, but apart from that there's quite a lot in there that is disappointing. I can't understand the need to collaborate with nobodies like Corgan or that bloke off Primal Scream whose name I can't even remember. I just read the message above about the subject of Run Wild and I have to agree that Barney ruins a sensitive song with that last line. Slow Jam is a bit of a let down, I thought they were better than that, especially when you consider some of the songs they omitted. 60 Miles an Hour sounded good on the record but was terrible at Brixton I thought, it sounded weak. Mind you, I didn't like Republic for a year, so maybe there is still hope.

Republic didn't have a single song that sucks as bad as Slow Jam or RTS. Get Ready should have looked like this

Crystal Primitive Notion Close Range 60 Miles an Hour Sabotage Vicious Streak Player Someone Like You Turn My Stomach Behind Closed Doors Run Wild

Slow Jam and RTS could have been "mystery tracks" that we all hunted for and talked about...maybe the wait would make em better. Either way, both are worthless noise makers that occupy about 12% of an album that needs all the class it can get. Big mistakes being made behind the scenes in the NewOrder camp.

Originally posted by Shugzv Brian mate, I'd rather have RTS and SJ than Spooky and Everyone Everywhere Remeber that's just my humble opinion;)

Scoobied yer brain Shugster ? Spooky and Everyone Everywhere piss on Cock the Slack and Fast Marmalade. E E is a good effort, and would have been lapped up LowLife era !

Primitive Notion horray for Peter Hook best bassline from him in years that in itself makees it a great album just aslong as you stop it before the horrible last track (which i refuse to name because i just cant deal with it)

Crystal is classic NO and I also like SLY...I think its got a touch of the Low Life's about it. Turn My Way is good because its sort of different from the rest of the album and Behind Closed Doors is an excellent addition to the roster of great B side releases.

However the rest of the album is 'ok' and is kinda New Order by numbers. I would place it joint 5th with Movement out of the 7 albums after Low Life, Technique, PCL and Brotherhood.

Originally posted by Rocker of the Shack! Yeah...and what is it with this incessant bashing of Rock the Chickenshack??? It's a frigging cool song...and it takes our mind off the heat down here.....

Mr Gillespie (or whatever his name is) has a crap voice.

Originally posted by Shugzv Brian mate, I'd rather have RTS and SJ than Spooky and Everyone Everywhere Remeber that's just my humble opinion;)

After listening to GR all the way through, without skipping, for the first time in quite a while, SJ actually didn't sound so bad. However, Spooky for me is the number 2 on Republic (World being number 1).

Originally posted by Shugzv ....so can we stop criticising these people - or I eat the guy's cat from 3 doors away

Eat the cat, eat the cat, eat the cat, eat the cat...

It's time to eat the cat.

Originally posted by Shugzv > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > Originally posted by Shugzv> > Brian mate, I'd rather have RTS and SJ than Spooky and Everyone Everywhere Remeber that's just my humble opinion;)>

After listening to GR all the way through, without skipping, for the first time in quite a while, SJ actually didn't sound so bad. However, Spooky for me is the number 2 on Republic (World being number 1).

I listen to the album every night Patsy - you end up loving all of em As fer spooky - it's not a disaster - I was just using that as a reference point for the 2 on GR - although I'm surprised you rate it so highly mate;) If World's no 1 - where's Regret?

I would probably allow that Regret is number 3, Shugzy. But it is actual truth that I listen to World and Spooky far more often than Regret. But about SJ, I was actually quite surprised that I was somewhat liking it. As for RTS, I've always liked that one.

Originally posted by Shugzv Patsy - have ye got the Lamacq session? fuckin brilliant versions of Slow Jam, Close Range, Rock the Shack and Yer Silent Face...top quality, apparently they decided to make a few changes from the originals and only allowed themselves THAT day to rehearse Seemed to work a lot better I thought;)

No, I don't have that, Shugzy. I only have some of the early dates from the current round.