Republic revisited:

Is it the general opinion that Republic ain't one of new orders finest jewels of the crown? I remember when it was released (as an untainted teenager) Radio 1 seemed to hype it up, but as the year's turned into decades it's kinda forgotten.

Recently been listening to Republic again via iPod and it really got me, I fucking love this album, 1st 4 songs u can skip, cos we've heard em so many times before (great as they are) but seriously, this really has some of the best production of any new order album before or since to my ears. I'd like to know if anyone else shares my opinion. Avalanche still stand its own today, Special has a self-perpetuating lustre, Times Change is awkward but sublime, fuck me I feel like gilly goolden tasting new order for the first time (maybe wrong) anyway someone out there/in here has got to know how great Republic is.

not shit hot, just shit.

Republic has got to be one of my favourites also

Very classy album

There is no song that blow me away from Republic but there are some good songs nonetheless. As a whole, it's better than Movement and Get Ready.

Side 1 is great, lose Liar and Times Change from side 2, and it'd be a decent album, although the production is a little glossy for my tastes... Any album that satrts with Regret and ends with Avalanche can't be that bad...

Snorri xxx

I actually like Republic quite a bit. The problem on the album is the production. Everything is too layered and too glossed over. Steves drums shound TOO much like a drum machine and you can barely hear Hookys bass.

Republic was an extension of New Orders interesest in House dance music that is first heard on Technique.

The songwriting on Republic is superb. Lyrically, Republic is Barneys finest hour. His lyrics on Republic are intriguiging, poetic, moving, and personal.

Regret, World, Everyone Everywhere, Spooky, Ruined in a Day, Times Change, Liar, and Special are all brilliant and beautiful songs. Special is especialyl gorgeous.

Again though, the glossy production and the fact that the band werent really speaking when they made this alum weakens it.

If Republic had been recorded with the band communicating as they did when they made Technique, then Republic could have been one of New Orders best albums, second to Technique.

As it stands, I still really like Republic. "Rock" fans and folks fond of New Orders more guiar oriented sound, but as smeone who loves New Order for thier electro side and the innovations that they made with electro, I think Republic is pretty good. I rate it above Movement, Brotherhood, and Get Ready,

For me its similar to Brotherhood in that its good but could have gone onto another layer. But I feel for Brotherhood some of the songs were never there in the first place (Weirdo, Broken Promise, Way Of Life and Every Second Counts) whereas maybe some of the lesser tracks on Republic just needed some alterations.

Shite..Regret apart,natch.

It is a great album, just not a great New Order album. I really like it though.

Least favourite N.O. album with one of my favourite trax on it.Regret stands out like the proverbial sore thumb,the rest is so un-New Ordery,even the better ones such as Special & Everyone Everywhere.Not a bad album,but I rarely play it,it's far too untypical

Apart from the beautiful wistful "Regret", much of it seems more like a blandly produced Bernard solo album

If this is a house album, it's a really boring house album with all the edges sanded off. Compare this to other early 90s English pop albums and this is way less house than Big Audio Dynamite, The Beloved, The Shamen, Happy Mondays, ... whatever i'm running out of ideas, but even freakin' EMF

NOOLigan wrote: It is a great album, just not a great New Order album. I really like it though.

I don't know why you guys say that. Regret sounds much more New Ordery than Get Ready.

Canuck21 wrote:

NOOLigan wrote: It is a great album, just not a great New Order album. I really like it though.

I don't know why you guys say that. Regret sounds much more New Ordery than Get Ready.

It is but one song. We want bass.

Two best things about this album is Barney's lyrics, and that you can clearly hear a seperation between instuments (that wasn't on the prior albums). A personal fav, but mainly because it reminds me of my Summer vacation Between junior/senior year, I played that album non-stop. Great times, surfing, driving my 62 Merc, had a hot girlfriend, ranked in the nation for running......I was on top of the world that summer.:)

neworderdude wrote: Republic has got to be one of my favourites also

Very classy album

good call

His Holiness, The Pope wrote: not shit hot, just shit.

i just don't quiet understand????. if you didn't like it, then, why did you buy it in the first place.

His Holiness, The Pope wrote: not shit hot, just shit.

i guess, curiosity killed the cat :D

Well it's only New Order by name, isn't it? Hooky's not even on half the album, wasn't even in the studio when it was recorded apparently! It's two albums in one, the New Order tracks and the filler, Electronic leftovers tacked on so that they could meet their commitment to Warners. Regret, Everyone Everywhere, Ruined, Special and the Price of Love were the ones that featured all/most of the band.

They weren't a happy bunch around this time, and it shows. Bernard's bitterness towards Tony Wilson was never more blatant, there was infighting over the demise of Factory, and it was all a bit poo, with only Regret as the shining light that cut through all the acrimony.

EdelBrock wrote: Two best things about this album is Barney's lyrics, and that you can clearly hear a seperation between instuments (that wasn't on the prior albums). A personal fav, but mainly because it reminds me of my Summer vacation Between junior/senior year, I played that album non-stop. Great times, surfing, driving my 62 Merc, had a hot girlfriend, ranked in the nation for running......I was on top of the world that summer.:)

PC&L and Technique are both sonically similar and you can hear separate instruments on both of these gems. CANT YOU?

I know I'm in the minority here, but I love Republic.

not played it for about 5 years

everyone knows Republic is not the best NO album...but is good

i love:Regret, Ruined In A Day, World, Special and everyone everywhere.

I've actually been listening to Young Offender alot lately. I'll always defend this album, since the only track I don't care for is Liar. The rest I have to say is some of my favorite NO. I agree that there isn't enough Hooky bass on the album, but in all honesty, where would it fit in on World?

oldmonkey wrote: Well it's only New Order by name, isn't it? Hooky's not even on half the album, wasn't even in the studio when it was recorded apparently! It's two albums in one, the New Order tracks and the filler, Electronic leftovers tacked on so that they could meet their commitment to Warners. Regret, Everyone Everywhere, Ruined, Special and the Price of Love were the ones that featured all/most of the band.

They weren't a happy bunch around this time, and it shows. Bernard's bitterness towards Tony Wilson was never more blatant, there was infighting over the demise of Factory, and it was all a bit poo, with only Regret as the shining light that cut through all the acrimony.

Ah ok, thanks for the input. Regret is not my favourite NO album but I still like it much better than Get Ready which didn't sound very New Ordery to me except for the bass. The beat and Barney's singing was very different than what I'm used to and I can't say that I like it too much. I'm glad that with WFTSC, they went back to their sound.

I think what you're all trying to say is its too commercial, it sounds like the Pet Shop Boys with Sumner on the mic. Its not that bad, just suffered from being the one after Technique add to that Tim's comments about Factory its amazing it actually happened. Every NO album has some iffy stuff on.

Regret+Ruined in a day+Everyone everywhere

not bothered with the rest of it :nope:

NObabe wrote: Regret+Ruined in a day+Everyone everywhere

not bothered with the rest of it :nope:

What about Special?

If Regret b/w Special had been released as a single-only it would rival True Faith/1963.

NO Regret wrote:

EdelBrock wrote: Two best things about this album is Barney's lyrics, and that you can clearly hear a seperation between instuments (that wasn't on the prior albums). A personal fav, but mainly because it reminds me of my Summer vacation Between junior/senior year, I played that album non-stop. Great times, surfing, driving my 62 Merc, had a hot girlfriend, ranked in the nation for running......I was on top of the world that summer.:)

PC&L and Technique are both sonically similar and you can hear separate instruments on both of these gems. CANT YOU?

Not to the clarity of Republic though, which I think only reflects the time and the technology available, not that it was completely intentional.

Ben wrote:

NObabe wrote: Regret+Ruined in a day+Everyone everywhere

not bothered with the rest of it :nope:

What about Special?

Great Tune....good lyrics too!!