shellshock vs. state of the nation

Two much-maligned singles released back to back. Which is the better? And none of the above is not a valid option, as you have to choose one.

I voted for "State of the Nation" because I like the lyrics better, but I love both songs, to be honest.

State of the Nation has a cool bass sequencer, but Shellshock has better lyrics and chorus and synthesizers.

Shellshock!

State of the Nation I guess.

The best poll all summer! SLAM!

[brown]Ally[/brown] wrote: I am offended by both singles

If you're offended by the songs, why did you vote?

I prefer Shellshock. This is probably due to the fact that at the time of it's release I was seriously burned out on Low-Life. Shellshock was a tremendous show of programming and production strength and I loved it. Unfortunately, if I were to hear it for the first time today, it would sound pretty ridiculous and over the top but nostalgia can colour one's perception.

I do like State of the Nation but the fact that it was in the can for well over a year before it's release lessened it's tech appeal.

Shellshock is probably the most dated New Order record - hasn't worn well at all.

State Of The Nation also gains points for Shame Of The Nation which is much better if you ask me.

Shellshock was great at the time, but that time is well beyond us. Hated State from the moment I first heard it, but have to admit that listening to the Re: Order version the other day, maybe the song does have some merits after all. Of course it could be the fact that Re: Order make a silk purse from a sow's ear with this one!

I dont see what the problem is with Shellshock. Its a decent record,as for State Of The Nation,as someone above said Shame Of The Nation kind of pips it-after all it is more of a remix than a dub. Everyone here seems to slag those singles & Subculture,yet they`re 18 months of singles-how many of the people here found NewOrder around 85-86?

I'd have to go for Shellshock, out of sentiment of the time it was released.

I actually still don't mind it that much.

leather_girl wrote:

[brown]Ally[/brown] wrote: I am offended by both singles

If you're offended by the songs, why did you vote?

I think he was having a jab at you.

After Shellshock I decided to become an NO fan- so no contest for me, especially as State is my least fave NO song...

Never a huge fan of either, went for Shellshock, based on the fact that when played live it had a certain shambolic rocky-ness.

I voted for Shellshock. I've never got bored of it.

State of the Nation starts out well, but i feel let down by the rest of the song.

Well, of course I had to vote for my namesake! Actually, I like both songs, but I think that Shellshock has a better beat.

[orange]steve[/orange][black]one[/black] wrote: how many of the people here found NewOrder around 85-86?

Funnily enough Shellshock was the first NO record I ever had! On 7 inch. Must have been about 6 or 7 at the time.

I voted for Shellshock. For me I like the lyrics and the beat better and even though the song does sound dated at times, I can relate to the lyrics with what has gone on in my life.

Psy

State of the Nation

Shellshock 'cos that's the state I was in when it was released as I don't think I had heard it played live before it's release which was very unusual for New Order

State of the Nation... by a mile.

Shellshock was impressive for its time, but sounds pretty dated now. State of the Nation has aged much better, I think.

That and it just rocks.

shellshock

though i don't listen to these 2 songs that much

Shellshock got more spins for me at the time, though I don't listen to either that much these days.

Neither, never much liked SOTN and the Shellshock and Sub-Culture 12's were painful on the ears to say the least. Should never have worked with John Robbie.

Shellshock, honestly this 12" made me a NO-fan. And I was in love with a girl called Alex! at that time.

shellshock. no question. state of the nation sounds like a two-year-old is playing it. absolutely wretched.

shell shock for me. I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it. Am i the only one that sees this? Doesn't sound dated to my ears.

I always though shame of the nation was way more interesting than state......

jonathan wrote: I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it.

I despise it

Madame Hollywood wrote:

jonathan wrote: I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it.

I despise it

did i ask you? you just lost my mod vote. I despise jetstream because of the serbian influence.

jonathan wrote:

Madame Hollywood wrote:

jonathan wrote: I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it.

I despise it

did i ask you? you just lost my mod vote. I despise jetstream because of the serbian influence.

Where do you hear the serbian influence in Jetstream? Enlighten me

The serbian airlines is called J-A-T

Madame Hollywood wrote:

jonathan wrote:

Madame Hollywood wrote:

jonathan wrote: I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it.

I despise it

did i ask you? you just lost my mod vote. I despise jetstream because of the serbian influence.

Where do you hear the serbian influence in Jetstream? Enlighten me

i actually like jetstream so maybe i have no cred. Quite honestly, i was just talking out of my ass.

jonathan wrote:

i actually like jetstream so maybe i have no cred. Quite honestly, i was just talking out of my ass.

No change there then

you never have anything nice to say.

I was horrified when i first heard Shellshock.Low Life was a brilliant album the previous year then they brought out that pile of cack! .I think i got off on the wrong footing with it, i first heard the 7" on the old Medium Wave Radio 1.If my first listen to it had been the 12" in perfect stereo it might have been a diffrent story.Don't mind the 12" sometimes though .It probably just pips SOTN .Although State does have a few good sounds in there.Shame is better

Shellshock vs State Of The Nation...Where's the third option..Both Wank

both are no favourites but shellshock has more from what I like to hear from NO.

Boatraceface wrote: Shellshock vs State Of The Nation...Where's the third option..Both Wank

Shellshock wanks? I take offense to that, sir.

shellshock seems a bit easier on the ears, but about halfway through, it really tries to get into dance mode...ugh. at least SOTN sounded the same throughout. SOTN got my vote

SOTN for me but I remember loving Shellshock when it first came out. Recently purchased a new family truckster and stuck Singles disc 1 in it. My kids love Shellshock. Wifey had to put disc 2 in because our 5 year old kepted singing "it's never enough until your heart stops beating."

"The deeper you get, the sweeter the pain, Don't give up again until your heart stops beating" SHELLSHOCK for me!

Good question. These songs do get a lot of stick - hated them both for years but they've grown on me. Went for Shellshock as although it does sound dated the lyrics are great and there's a lot of energy in there. SOTN is funky but has some terrible lyrics, especially the bit about driving in the stolen car

Both miles better than that pig's ear of a Subculture remix

Jolene wrote: SOTN is funky but has some terrible lyrics, especially the bit about driving in the stolen car

The Driving in a Stolen Car is the best part of SOTN. But too many things goin' on with that Tune. All together Shellshock is a better song.

Hearing them Live, each, for their first times out might have been excellent.

I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it. Am i the only one that sees this?

Nope, you're not.

Shellshock is prime for remixing, methinks. The production may sound outmoded but I love the way the song evolves, how well each section (mostly) flows.

SotN sounds clumsy and awkawrd to me. Didn't Steve say in that Select article in about 1993 about how it was an attempt to "impress the Japanese" and was thrown together rather quickly? A lack of quality control (especially lyrically) is in evidence - it's one I skip over a lot.

Shellshock and State of the Nation have always been two of my least favourite New Order tracks. However, just yesterday i had a sudden desire to hear Shellshock and i thought it was great and couldn't stop playing it. I can't ever imagine having a great desire to hear State OTN. But maybe i will go and give Shame a spin.

State of the Nation,absolutely,well & truly.I know it's a little bit 'discoy-fied',but all the N.O. d.n.a is there,it's a N.O. song,whereas 'Shellshock' is a John Robie production,altho' nowhere near as ruined as 'Subculture'.It's a decent pop song,good lyrically,catchy chorus,cracking electronics,but not a formula I personally wouldv'e liked N.O. to stick to

i voted SOTN because it goes "oooh, ooh ooh ooh.ooh.ooh a hah a ha a hyaaa"

Always thought Shellshock was a tad underrated.

back in the olden days i bought two copies of the Shellshock 12" verses one for the State Of the Nation 12". I still stand by my choice.

both crap. where's the third choice?

jonathan wrote: shell shock for me. I love the nyc/hip hop influence in it. Am i the only one that sees this? Doesn't sound dated to my ears.

I always though shame of the nation was way more interesting than state......

Agreed on all counts. Shellshock's a very NYC record, and Shame was far more interesting than State. Pity about the female vocals though.

If State of the Nation was an instrumental, or has better lyrics, it would have been one of my favorites.

But since it has crappy lame lyrics, for me, it is too close to call between Shellshock.

But I will still go with State of the Nation. Excellent "Razormaid Mix" of SOTN. The best version of the song.

Indeed!