Bernard the Brainchild?

So who here thinks Bernard is the brainchild behind most of New Order's work? I mean, I'm not sure for certain but after reading various interviews from the past to the present it's clear Barney writes most of the synth's structure, the synthesized basslines and other various layers that belong to the song. And without those there would be no song at all. So yeah, I do think that a lot of the time alot of the music is down to Bernard's basic structuring then the rest (Hookey, Steve) add on to it.

I could be wrong of course, it's not like I've spoken to the band and asked them but from what I've heard, it just seems likely.

go and listen to Monaco.

Perhaps that's just Hooky trying to achieve the New Order sound. I mean, it's going to sound like New Order anyway with that distinctive bass. Oh yeah, and you have that Bernard impersonator singing. I still think a lot of New Order's work is down to Bernard. You know, I could be wrong though but it seems likely.

they all have their input.

according to the SOS article around the time of technique, barney write most keyboard and guitar parts, but that's not to say that the others didn't have any input, it's well known that dream attack is gillians, krafty is hookys, steve's even written lyrics, but as the main song writer, barney would probably change the structure of a song to fit the lyrics.

The thing that is great about NO is that the music is largely a synthesis of everyone's creative pulse, but clearly one of them is the primary arranger, and that, in almost all cases, would be Bernard. He said that's how they wrote when they were Joy Division, and I'm sure that as his confidence as a programmer and all around songwriter grew, he naturally became the leader of the band.

People sometimes accuse Bernard of trying minimize Hooky's presence, but I think that's an inaccurate perception. The 'bass solo' in "Regret" is a great example of a band playing to its strengths. Any other band would have stuck in a regular guitar solo. I think Bernard as an arranger and a songwriter composes in a way that usually highlights everyone in a democratic fashion, unless the mood of the song necessitates spare interplay between the live instruments.

When I picked up the first Electronic album, I knew that the structure of the songs were Bernard's work, because Marr's guitar breaks or the alternate synth lines sat in for where Hooky's bass or Gillian's guitar or synth would go in a New Order song. One should not underestimate the fluidity of Bernard as a composer. His basic weakness is that he rarely puts effort into his lyrics, so either they are innately clever or spiritual or just kind of banal.

Sure Bernard's the leader, but all members of NO have contributed equally to the sounds we love to hear.

Well Bernard may be dominant in arranging but he really does need the help of the others for everything else. Otherwise, his electronic stuff would be alot more like NO. I think electronic is VERY hit and miss, no where near as good as NO. So it can't be all Bernard, cos when he goes on his own he can't achieve what NO can.

Well, the first Electronic album is very consistent.

Hooky and Steve bring a lot to the table, and Gillian definitely contributed more as time wore on. I just think Bernard definitely took a certain initiative in the group between Movement and PCL to develop the group's sound, and that inevitably means leading in the songwriting department. And it's pretty safe to say that carried on through most of the group's peaks and lows.

I've always thought of them as being a collective but Barney probably is the driving force for the band. I remember reading somewhere that it was Steve who had written the perfect kiss and procession? Never knew it was Gillian who created dream attack

I think JV is spot on

Don't forget who actually plays the instruments though

Steve is a bloody good drummer...the guy is like a machine!

as for saying Electronic are hit and miss...they are as good as new order for me. Twisted Tenderness is one of my favourite albums of all time

Oh and I'd love to find who wrote I Told You So, Dracula's Castle and Morning Night And Day

they are not new order for me

Of the three aforementioned tracks, I think Bernard is responsible (i.e. guilty) of bringing I Told You So to the table; Morning Night and Day and Dracula's Castle sound like brighter Get Ready tracks, which was a more collaborative effort than Republic, and perhaps Phil too was more involved with those songs.