Why is Republic not one of the all time classics?

Regret is pretty much flawless. After that it just lacks punch. Almost no Hooky, almost no live drumming, very little guitar. It's unmistakably a New Order record, but it doesn't really sound very much like New Order.

I can't think of any tracks from that record that I strongly dislike, but I can't think of any (other than Regret) that blow me away, either.

More than anything, it sounds like the bridge between the first and second Electronic albums. Or the first and second albums by The Other Two.

Still, it's better than Get Ready.

they are all better than get ready

I haven't played it in a while, but that's because my copy won't play anymore, too many scratches, there's even some slight rust going on ! I played that album to death for years, and still love most of it. I think Special is as good as anything they've done.

Al Jarvis wrote:

Well summed up: passion. Or, as you so rightly said, an absolute lack of it.

Regret is passionate. A great ode to middle age angst.

With the rest being deliberatly (in some people's eyes) bland, there wasn't really any need for passion. It added to the atmosphere, IMO.

Matt Ramage wrote:

I did think Saville outdid himself on the artwork. Pretty sad when I remember the sleeve more than the music.

I have to disagree with you there.

I think it's his worst cover. It doesn't grab attention like Technique or Brotherhood. It seems deliberatly tacky.

Maybe he felt it suited the album.:D

Aleph via Krafty wrote: Republic to me fits in with a very lonely and miserable time of my life (2nd year of college), hence it fit in very well. Times have changed (pun intended), but overall I still have the same opinions of the tracks.

Best- World, Young Offender, Special

OK - Ruined in a Day, Chemical, Avalanche, Everyone Everywhere, Liar, Times Change,

Piss poor - Regret (BLASPHEMY! ), Spooky

But make no mistakes, I'd pick this anyday over 60MPH, Rock the Shack, Slow Jam, Working Overtime or Run Wild!

Not a rock man, are you?