Barney Sumner Embraces the Internet

He thanks fans through Bad Lieutenant's MySpace. Featured Artists: Bad Lieutenant New Order

Despite pushing back technological borders as part of New Order in the early 80s, Bernard BarneySumner has finally embraced MySpace and the further-reaching Internet with a blog post today. The band previewed new singleSink or Swim` through the site just over a week ago and now it seems the ex-New Order man is planning to use the communication medium in earnest:

"Just to let you all know I do read all of your comments. You are not speaking in a vacuum.

This is the first time this type of two way conversation has been possible between me, the band and you on a release, and I think its good. Cant do it all the time of course, but for once I don`t have to communicate exclusively through the press or the radio. What a revolution!

Being a singer / musician has up until now been a bit like being deaf and only being able to speak. You have always been able to hear me, but now I can hear you and it`s a little strange, hearing things for the first time after all these years.

Thank you for all your positive comments, from it seems, all corners of the globe, and all shapes of people, it`s very encouraging and makes it all seem worthwhile and real.

Of course we are thrilled, that you seem to like the first taste of our music and obviously hope you like the rest when it becomes available. I think it`s a good album, we worked very hard on it, and look forward to seeing you in the analogue domain. (concerts) Hope you can join us!

Bernard Sumner. August 2009"

http://www.culturedeluxe.com/news_item.asp?id=6276

Wow...it actually says that (the title of this thread) on the headline of the article.

Barney Sumner Embraces the Internet...

and the internet couldn't embrace back, it's arms wouldn't reach around the little fat fuck

ShugZV wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote: Barney Sumner Embraces the Internet...

and the internet couldn't embrace back, it's arms wouldn't reach around the little fat fuck

With posts like that you can understand why Barney doesnae embrace the internet too often Jed. You been on the swally?

Nah, just a being a bit obnoxious, I'll wind my neck in!

I got that same message from BL on Facebook, but ironically it gets cut off in the second paragraph which completely defeats the meaning of the message. Clearly, it was just cut and pasted in from another source.

Re-Member wrote: I got that same message from BL on Facebook, but ironically it gets cut off in the second paragraph which completely defeats the meaning of the message. Clearly, it was just cut and pasted in from another source.

Ditto.

At the very least, his webmaster's application of the English language is better than that of Hooky's random line of conscience typing.

Re-Member wrote: I got that same message from BL on Facebook, but ironically it gets cut off in the second paragraph which completely defeats the meaning of the message. Clearly, it was just cut and pasted in from another source.

Seems like a lot of the BL posts on FaceBook are like that- just bad copies of the MySpace stuff. They should make more of an effort on FB- that's where the old people are on the Information Superhighway, or so I've heard.

So now that Barney's listening, who's going to post comments? Someone on FaceBook invited them to Disney World if they come to Florida. That should work.

I wonder if Barney has embraced all the free porn on the internets yet?

Too bad Hooky didn't inform Barney of New Order's demise on Twitter or at least Facebook... hell, he could have sent him a text message him, i'm sure Barney has a cell phone.

Ally wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote: Barney Sumner Embraces the Internet...

and the internet couldn't embrace back, it's arms wouldn't reach around the little fat fuck

How are things up Hooky's arse

Cramped in comparison to Barney's

linus sulanki wrote: He thanks fans through Bad Lieutenant's MySpace. Featured Artists: Bad Lieutenant New Order

Despite pushing back technological borders as part of New Order in the early 80s, Bernard BarneySumner has finally embraced MySpace and the further-reaching Internet with a blog post today. The band previewed new singleSink or Swim` through the site just over a week ago and now it seems the ex-New Order man is planning to use the communication medium in earnest:

"Just to let you all know I do read all of your comments. You are not speaking in a vacuum.

This is the first time this type of two way conversation has been possible between me, the band and you on a release, and I think its good. Cant do it all the time of course, but for once I don`t have to communicate exclusively through the press or the radio. What a revolution!

Being a singer / musician has up until now been a bit like being deaf and only being able to speak. You have always been able to hear me, but now I can hear you and it`s a little strange, hearing things for the first time after all these years.

Thank you for all your positive comments, from it seems, all corners of the globe, and all shapes of people, it`s very encouraging and makes it all seem worthwhile and real.

Of course we are thrilled, that you seem to like the first taste of our music and obviously hope you like the rest when it becomes available. I think it`s a good album, we worked very hard on it, and look forward to seeing you in the analogue domain. (concerts) Hope you can join us!

Bernard Sumner. August 2009"

http://www.culturedeluxe.com/news_item.asp?id=6276

Look at that, a blog thats not all in caps, or full of lovely typos. Barney Sumner embraces grammar, I like the sound of that.

I know my previous posts were just taking the piss, but seriously, has Barney just discovered the internet? this site has been here for 9 years, its url has been printed on new order releases but Barny has just discovered that he can communicate to fans directly through myspace and twitter etc. It just comes across as insincere PR bollocks.

I'm obviously more of a Hooky fan, but I still love Bernard's voice, the iffy lyrics don't bother me in the slightest so long as the melody is great and I will purchase the singles and albums like I have every other side project of each band member.

Jed Stephens wrote: I know my previous posts were just taking the piss, but seriously, has Barney just discovered the internet? this site has been here for 9 years, its url has been printed on new order releases but Barny has just discovered that he can communicate to fans directly through myspace and twitter etc. It just comes across as insincere PR bollocks.

I'm obviously more of a Hooky fan, but I still love Bernard's voice, the iffy lyrics don't bother me in the slightest so long as the melody is great and I will purchase the singles and albums like I have every other side project of each band member.

That just about sums up what I thought when I read the article - what do you mean, he's only just "discovered" the internet?? I know internet connections on boats are a bit iffy, but still?

Also, agree entirely with the second paragraph - I don't listen to the lyrics per se (most of New Order's lyrics don't mean anything anyway), but the melody should be great. It doesn't appear to be in "Sink Or Swim", but the melody in the b-side (well, at least the first 30 seconds), seemed to have a bit more oomph. I'm hoping the album will be a bit more listenable than the single...

(I'll still buy the single and the 55 quid box set with t-shirt/print/7" single/etc)

Whats happening is everyone calling him Barney from now on.

starion wrote: Whats happening is everyone calling him Barney from now on.

In the UK it's always been Barney and Hooky, around the 70's and 80's everyone's name got shortend and/or a Y put on the end i/e Hooky, Barney, Pottsy etc. just a UK nick names thing, in the states it's B'nard and Peter, not sure in Oz

The Japanese fans just find it easier to pronounce Barney than Bernard...so lots of our fans say 'Barney' instead when we refer to him.

leather_girl wrote: The Japanese fans just find it easier to pronounce Barney than Bernard...so lots of our fans say 'Barney' instead when we refer to him.

Hi,

Just a simple question. Are you japanese?

Big Mouth Julio wrote:

leather_girl wrote: The Japanese fans just find it easier to pronounce Barney than Bernard...so lots of our fans say 'Barney' instead when we refer to him.

Hi,

Just a simple question. Are you japanese?

Half Japanese, half English. (mum is Japanese, dad's English but left the family when I was young. I grew up to be bilingual. Hence my first name is Japanese, and my surname isn't.

Nick King wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote: I know my previous posts were just taking the piss, but seriously, has Barney just discovered the internet? this site has been here for 9 years, its url has been printed on new order releases but Barny has just discovered that he can communicate to fans directly through myspace and twitter etc. It just comes across as insincere PR bollocks.

I'm obviously more of a Hooky fan, but I still love Bernard's voice, the iffy lyrics don't bother me in the slightest so long as the melody is great and I will purchase the singles and albums like I have every other side project of each band member.

That just about sums up what I thought when I read the article - what do you mean, he's only just "discovered" the internet?? I know internet connections on boats are a bit iffy, but still?

Also, agree entirely with the second paragraph - I don't listen to the lyrics per se (most of New Order's lyrics don't mean anything anyway), but the melody should be great. It doesn't appear to be in "Sink Or Swim", but the melody in the b-side (well, at least the first 30 seconds), seemed to have a bit more oomph. I'm hoping the album will be a bit more listenable than the single...

(I'll still buy the single and the 55 quid box set with t-shirt/print/7" single/etc)

Will you also buy every other format and product or just the boxset? Interested of Chorley

If this is the artwork for the album then I will be really upset and maybe but only 1 cd, instead of buying 3 cd's and 2 vinyl copies.

http://www.magicrpm.com/artistes/bad-lieutenant/infos

The back cover is not that bad but the front is so bland and bad, who has a black and white cover these days, I could make a better cover on my computer than this.

what did you want out of the cover art?

i kind of like it, can imagine it being a LOT worse...

I could make a better cover on my computer than this.

well, whatever. Unknown Pleasures was black and white too, and you could make the same argument about doing a better version on your home computer.

does that mean Unknown Pleasures design sucks?

Tarbox23 wrote: what did you want out of the cover art?

i kind of like it, can imagine it being a LOT worse...

Something similar to these

um, Movement sucks as cover art. You could put that together in MS Word. Seriously, if that cover art had never happened, and the new BL lp had that type of design, everyone would be puking.

PCL? Find a pretty painting of flowers online and use it for your cover. If BL had done something like that, everyone would be calling it lazy and boring.

Lowlife? Oh, imagine if this had never been done, and BL did a BLACK AND WHITE cover (ahem) with a photogoofed picture of Sumner on the cover.... everyone would be complaining it was FAIL.

Brotherhood? Wow, imagine this had never been done, and BL gets some bland industrial nothing background image, and puts little industrial text on it having nothing to do with BL..... everyone would be like, "I could have done that with Photoshop myself, BORING"

Technique? Do a google search for a cherub, put into photoshop, run 20 filters, presto. If the new BL lp had a cover like this, folks would be shaking their heads.

Republic? Spare me. Go grab some stock images, stitch them together in photoshop. 20 minutes.

ok, the red line thing is pretty cool. :)

and the Monaco cover does rock. The one good thing about that lp.

Tarbox23 wrote:

um, Movement sucks as cover art. You could put that together in MS Word

Perhaps you could now (although I'd prefer if it was done with Adobe Illustrator) Did they have Word in 1932 when the artwork was originally done? Saville borrowed the cover art for Movement (and also Procession if I remember rightly) from Fortunato Depero

It wasn't called Futurism for nothing

Tarbox, you must be joking.

"OH, I could do that in Photoshop in 10 minutes, big deal. Therefore, it sucks."

You can't be serious..??

Chris Nash wrote:

Ally wrote:

Chris Nash wrote: And on the other side, the forty or so people who complained...

Forty? My god.

Out of 70,000.

Wait.... that's..... nothing

Those that I saw. I only scrolled back a couple of pages

He just loves it when people complain. Should move to Tunbridge Wells, or would that be socialist treachery?

Chris Nash wrote: Not smug. "Pompous and self-obsessed".

It just grates that Barney and his management have rarely bothered in the past, but Hooky and Fletch always answer emails, etc.

Why this sudden interest in fans when they've been largely ignored in the past? Maybe because even here, there seems to be a fair old split between those who love B/L and those who think they're at best, bland? Maybe because there's a product to sell? Fair enough, I'm all for people advertising their product, but it's a bit rich to suddenly claim to have "discovered" digital communication after ignoring people for so long.

Aha!

And I was just going to say that if he emailed you, offering an in-depth interview, you'd be creaming your army surplus underpants.

um, yeah, i was totally joking, riffing off of someone's comment that the new BL cover was crap because it was b/w and could be done on his computer.

linus sulanki wrote: The back cover is not that bad but the front is so bland and bad, who has a black and white cover these days, I could make a better cover on my computer than this.

tongue in cheek, folks! saville is a brilliant designer, and i love the futurist appropriations. Procession is a fave of mine.

It just grates that Barney and his management have rarely bothered in the past, but Hooky and Fletch always answer emails, etc.

...could it be that the person who liked talking to the press etc was IN THE SAME BAND at the time, and now he isn't so up steps Bernard.

As for the artwork, you'd all complain regardless of what it looks like, there is literally nothing any member of New Order can now do right as far as the fans seem to be concerned.

Chris Nash wrote:

And how did you know about the underpants???

Jeff told me.

Chris Nash wrote:

Quite simply... No, he wasn't. New Order had split.

Perhaps he was busy writing an album. Perhaps thats Freebasses excuse. Replying to too many 'ckin' emails.

cAN I JUST say that the BL concert without CHRIS NASH witnessing What a TOSSER i am will just NOT be CRicket.Tis is enough to drive a man to a JOb!

RM wrote: Will you also buy every other format and product or just the boxset? Interested of Chorley

Probably just the boxset, although come October, you never know!

johnny james wrote:

It just grates that Barney and his management have rarely bothered in the past, but Hooky and Fletch always answer emails, etc.

...could it be that the person who liked talking to the press etc was IN THE SAME BAND at the time, and now he isn't so up steps Bernard.

As for the artwork, you'd all complain regardless of what it looks like, there is literally nothing any member of New Order can now do right as far as the fans seem to be concerned.

Well, the Internet didn't really exist for most of New Order's career. So even in the Get Ready-era onwards, when the Internet existed for bands to directly communticate to the public---New Order as a band, I think didn't really utilise it. (For whatever reason; maybe they didn't want to change their image or whatever.) Hooky has, but that's Hooky. Not the entire band as a whole. Now that New Order is defunct, and he's in something new (no pun intended), maybe that's why he posted the blog on myspace. Or maybe it's taken him that long in his career to 'break out of his shell', so to speak, and do so. Or maybe that he's got older and something within him changed. That being said, all the other blogs on their myspace seem to be written by Jake and/or Phil.

Nick King wrote:

RM wrote: Will you also buy every other format and product or just the boxset? Interested of Chorley

Probably just the boxset, although come October, you never know!

Plus, if they do the same as America (digital release for a week, then Amazon only for a month, THEN the retailers), I might grab the Amazon one first! :p

However, the US/Canadian release may well be staggered for the up & coming US/Canadian tour?

You Plonker Rocket.The main REGRET about Liverpool was missing the Perfect Kissarse.i am an reformed character these days as my Parole officer will testify.Be difficult listening to BArNey sing soberish though(me NOt Him)...

I prefered the old days when they said fuck all and were all enigmatic. That has always been part of the attraction of New Order. I think bands Twittering, blogging and posting stuff on their myspace pages ruins things somewhat. There needs to be mystery. They need to be detached. Otherwise they end up like the feckin Alarm, hosting annual 'fan club' gatherings in the singer's back garden and consulting their ever decreasing fanbase over what cover art to choose, what to play at gigs etc. Load of bollocks that is. It's not a fucking democracy! That Reverend & The Makers lot are another, more contemporary, example of this. Busking with the fans after gigs, giving his mobile phone number out etc etc. And what do both these bands have in common? Yes, they're both fucking rotten!

GlasVegas wrote: I prefered the old days when they said fuck all and were all enigmatic. That has always been part of the attraction of New Order. I think bands Twittering, blogging and posting stuff on their myspace pages ruins things somewhat. There needs to be mystery. They need to be detached. Otherwise they end up like the feckin Alarm, hosting annual 'fan club' gatherings in the singer's back garden and consulting their ever decreasing fanbase over what cover art to choose, what to play at gigs etc. Load of bollocks that is. It's not a fucking democracy! That Reverend & The Makers lot are another, more contemporary, example of this. Busking with the fans after gigs, giving his mobile phone number out etc etc. And what do both these bands have in common? Yes, they're both fucking rotten!

Agreed.

leather_girl wrote: Well, the Internet didn't really exist for most of New Order's career.

Just being pedantic.

The internet has been around since the early 60's, it even gets a mention in the film Don't look now (1973) so it's been around all of new orders career, but not as we now it!

I'll get back to anorak corner now!

Nick King wrote:

However, the US/Canadian release may well be staggered for the up & coming US/Canadian tour?

I highly doubt a US tour (or any in the Americas) will surface. NO barely came here when they had the opportunity when they were popular, now as a side project that the masses won't give two tosses about? Even if they wanted to, doubt the record companies would be willing to support it....

El Jarvo wrote:

Chris Nash wrote: 4. Hooky has been chatting with fans and keeping everyone informed (whether people like what he's said or not) for years now. Sounds like a desperate B/S (is that a coincidence?) or B/L attempt to catch up and not seem like a pompous, self-obsessed git.

What on earth has Hooky been keeping everyone informed about though, Chris? I don't read his musings on myspace but from what (little) I've seen we've had nothing of any major note other than the fact he was breaking up New Order. Usually, he's just giving a running commentary on where he is in the world deejaying which ain't really that interesting, now is it?

What was Barney supposed to do? Get his own Myspace and retort with, "Oh no, my mate's breaking up our band?"

And then they could both have a little squabble from there? But at least we could see Barney's side of the story too? Really, one of them airing his dirty laundry in the public domain is one too many in my book.

There's been a lot of talk about Freebass and I guess most of it must've originated from Hooky's myspace? But who's got to play catch-up now? Barney's got a single out this month. And has an album and tour due next month. Seems here that actions speak louder than words.

I'm not taking any sides in this (Barney vs Hooky is just plain silly) but I fail to see why Barney comes across as 'pompous' or 'self-obsessed' simply because he's kept his trap shut thus far? In fact, surely his continued silence means he's the exact opposite of 'self-obsessed' or have I missed summat very obvious here?

I'm probably giving FAR too much info here,but all i can say is that hooky is very busy with his day job,make of that what you will.

Got to admit tho,i was quite looking forward to the battle of the bands,but alas twas not to be or twas it?

http://neworderinfoweb.piczo.com

wrote: I'm probably giving FAR too much info here,but all i can say is that hooky is very busy with his day job,make of that what you will.

Jed Stephens wrote:

leather_girl wrote: Well, the Internet didn't really exist for most of New Order's career.

Just being pedantic.

The internet has been around since the early 60's, it even gets a mention in the film Don't look now (1973) so it's been around all of new orders career, but not as we now it!

I'll get back to anorak corner now!

What? I just saw it last week- between the killer dwarf, Donald Sutherland's nudity and Julie Christie's gorgeous clothes, I didn't catch the internet reference- that movie had everything, it seems. This is the same film?? Apologies for off topic post...

nataliet wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote:

leather_girl wrote: Well, the Internet didn't really exist for most of New Order's career.

Just being pedantic.

The internet has been around since the early 60's, it even gets a mention in the film Don't look now (1973) so it's been around all of new orders career, but not as we now it!

I'll get back to anorak corner now!

What? I just saw it last week- between the killer dwarf, Donald Sutherland's nudity and Julie Christie's gorgeous clothes, I didn't catch the internet reference- that movie had everything, it seems. This is the same film?? Apologies for off topic post...

The same film, in conversation about some historic nonsence, sutherland mentions something being posted on the internet, back then it was more like a file sharing network, not with browsers as we know it today.

I'll try to think up something relevant to the topic for my next post!!

EdelBrock wrote:

Nick King wrote:

However, the US/Canadian release may well be staggered for the up & coming US/Canadian tour?

I highly doubt a US tour (or any in the Americas) will surface. NO barely came here when they had the opportunity when they were popular, now as a side project that the masses won't give two tosses about? Even if they wanted to, doubt the record companies would be willing to support it....

Well, that's what the latest press release (1st September - just Google, that's what I did!) says... :)

"Bad Lieutenant will support the release(s) with a yet-to-be announced North American tour. Until then, you’ll have to head to Europe to catch them live."

Remember, the record company this time round is Bad Lieutenant's - interesting release strategy for the US:

"The fun will kick off beginning October 6th when the foursome unveils Never Cry Another Tear via personal imprint Triple Echo Records. Initially and for a one-week period, the album will be available as a digital download exclusively through Amazon.com; subsequently, for one month beginning October 13, the full, physical CD can be purchased only at Amazon.com. Then, on November 10th, the album will be distributed to all other retail outlets via a partnership with Original Signal Recordings. Got all that?"

Nick King wrote:

EdelBrock wrote:

Nick King wrote:

However, the US/Canadian release may well be staggered for the up & coming US/Canadian tour?

I highly doubt a US tour (or any in the Americas) will surface. NO barely came here when they had the opportunity when they were popular, now as a side project that the masses won't give two tosses about? Even if they wanted to, doubt the record companies would be willing to support it....

Well, that's what the latest press release (1st September - just Google, that's what I did!) says... :)

"Bad Lieutenant will support the release(s) with a yet-to-be announced North American tour. Until then, you’ll have to head to Europe to catch them live."

Remember, the record company this time round is Bad Lieutenant's - interesting release strategy for the US:

"The fun will kick off beginning October 6th when the foursome unveils Never Cry Another Tear via personal imprint Triple Echo Records. Initially and for a one-week period, the album will be available as a digital download exclusively through Amazon.com; subsequently, for one month beginning October 13, the full, physical CD can be purchased only at Amazon.com. Then, on November 10th, the album will be distributed to all other retail outlets via a partnership with Original Signal Recordings. Got all that?"

But how substantial would Triple Echo Records be to fund a US tour? It would seem to me that they would rely heavily on Original Signal Recordings for the upfront money.

Knowing Barney's personal distaste for US tours, I just don't see him desiring to go through all that hassle (it would have to Steve I imagine). And even if the record company and Steve got everything in line, I just see Barney not wanting to go through with it all...

Maybe I'm just a bit pessimistic over the whole thing... but "yet to be released dates" could also mean "most-likely-not-to-tour-but-let's-cross-our-fingers for sake of our readership".

If they tour near California, I'll be there... but I'm not flying to South America for BL.

True, Barney doesn't have to communicate by the internet, and really has not tried to before. Now it suits his purpose to do it a little, he has his own release on an independent label. Be a surprise if he really opens up much, assume that somebody else is doing all the "work".

Barney obviously doesn't feel very comfortable with a lot of aspects of interviews and such, and often bullshits or is evasive. It's the way he is, and if Barney was different, New Order (and Joy Division) would not have been the unique band that they were.

I wouldn't say pompous but sometimes I wonder where his head is at, I think it is more just on how Barney deals with things. Barney doesn't seem to have been interested much in the re-issues, or the box set, isn't interested much in rare stuff from the past, doesn't seem to like 80s live New Order recordings when the band was much more creative, in some interviews acts like 1980's New Order was a minor part of his career. Then acts like he doesn't even care if Hooky is in the band, like "whatever, that is his problem" attitude, after almost 30 years of JD/NO. Hard to argue IMO that Barney is the epitome of maturity and respect for the band, while Hooky is totally immature, at least my impression. You could argue both have acted immature, I just find it odd how people argue Barney is the mature one here. Being quiet does not mean he is above it all, but then Barney made many small comments in the media anyway, acts like an ex-spouse. But Barney is who he is.

If I seem too pro Hooky, well he seems to have more respect for the history of the band, seems to have kept more of the old Factory indie/punk attitude. And while his communication is often rambling and sloppy, he seems to have the right intent. Hopefully both Barney and Hooky will have fun with their new albums, neither need to prove anything at this point... but then neither should have their asses kissed if they embarrass themselves.

If Barney can be arsed to blog, great. If this is a lone gesture, fine. Bit harsh though for anyone to view his personal message as a cynical way to get NO fans to follow BL.

Maybe as an American I utterly lack the inside scoop, but I can't see any concrete reason to say Bernard was indifferent to the whole re-issues process. If communication in the band was piss-poor after South America, maybe it was just too soon to do reissues...Or maybe Warners were pissed about Siren's Call's weak sales, and just decided to do a cheap cash-in with very little band input aside from the liner notes. Rhino is usually known for much higher quality...

As far as not releasing 80s live stuff, it does bum me out because I've heard some great boots courtesy of other members here. But maybe Bernard was a lot more insecure about his vocals than his nonchalant performances suggested? Also, I've heard some boots where ALL you can hear is Hooky's bass and the patter of Steve's hi-hat, and erm, that's not exactly very interesting let alone release-worthy.

Well, welcome to the Internet, Bernard. Now we all can really communicate.

Nick King wrote:

EdelBrock wrote:

Nick King wrote:

However, the US/Canadian release may well be staggered for the up & coming US/Canadian tour?

I highly doubt a US tour (or any in the Americas) will surface. NO barely came here when they had the opportunity when they were popular, now as a side project that the masses won't give two tosses about? Even if they wanted to, doubt the record companies would be willing to support it....

Well, that's what the latest press release (1st September - just Google, that's what I did!) says... :)

"Bad Lieutenant will support the release(s) with a yet-to-be announced North American tour. Until then, you’ll have to head to Europe to catch them live."

Remember, the record company this time round is Bad Lieutenant's - interesting release strategy for the US:

"The fun will kick off beginning October 6th when the foursome unveils Never Cry Another Tear via personal imprint Triple Echo Records. Initially and for a one-week period, the album will be available as a digital download exclusively through Amazon.com; subsequently, for one month beginning October 13, the full, physical CD can be purchased only at Amazon.com. Then, on November 10th, the album will be distributed to all other retail outlets via a partnership with Original Signal Recordings. Got all that?"

The UK and Japan distributions for this album are much more simpler---for example, they're apparently signed on to Hostess Entertainment in Japan (don't ask me why the record company has such a silly name!), and so through there, they'll release a Japan edition on the 7th of October, Simple as that. I don't mean to go offtopic, but Pottsy's solo album was picked up by the Japanese independent label Kaffrec, so that's why we had Pottsy's album released here as well.

(Although it would have been erm...interesting if Bad Lieutenant would have been picked up (signed to) by Kaffrec---that means they would have been both on the same record label in Japan)

I don't know why the US system in this case is so complicated/confusing.

So I see they finally put up the tracklisting on the Amazon exclusive (US).We get the 12-track version, not the 14-track one. I'm wondering which of the 2 import versions is the one with 14 tracks (no tracklistings available for those). Guess I could just order it from a UK site to be sure...

nataliet wrote: So I see they finally put up the tracklisting on the Amazon exclusive (US).We get the 12-track version, not the 14-track one. I'm wondering which of the 2 import versions is the one with 14 tracks (no tracklistings available for those). Guess I could just order it from a UK site to be sure...

you can order it here and it is free shipping worldwide.

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/11105910/Never-Cry-Another-Tear/Product.html

and this site has free shipping worldwide also, but they don't have the album yet, but check in about 2 weeks and they should have it.

http://www.cdwow.com/

I have bought from these 2 sites because I live in NYC and they always deliver on time and they are very good sites if you are looking for import albums and if you live in the states and the best part is FREE shipping worldwide, I don't know how they do it but they do.

Thanks! Free worldwide shipping sounds good to me!