Music Complete, second impressions

Now then...........

........... as a fully paid up cynical old timer I never dreamt that these days New Order were capable of this! Those of you who know / knew me know that I am proper 'old skool'. Not that that makes anything I have to say any more valid than anyone else!

The first time I ever saw New Order live was at the Eglinton Toll Plaza Ballroom (Glasgow) in January 1981 (long since wracked by a dodgy fire, flats there now I believe). I was just about to turn 15. I was tall for my age and back then licensing laws were much more lax than they are now. It was easy to get into any of these 'fringe' venues if you weren't obviously, well, under twelve! lol. It was a spellbinding experience. One that changed my life!

In about 2 months time I will attend another New Order gig, about half a mile from where that first encounter took place. At the o2 Academy, on Eglinton Street. I will be accompanied by my beautiful, wonderful daughters. Grown up women, free to choose. They chose New Order!

Anyway............... ramble, ramble! Blah, blah blah!

As one of the aforementioned 'old skool' I feared the worst for this latest offering. I feared another shit Bad Lieutenant album. I'm not too proud to say that my fears and initial scoffing have been rammed right down my throat! Over the years i've come to accept that a change is gonna come. The New Order of 1981 will never ever be the same as the 2015 incarnation. That's evolution.

On the quiet over the years, i've also loved polar opposites to our titular heroes. Duran Duran, Wham!, Dexy's, Nowaysis, Emma Bunter, etc. Even the Rolling F*****g Stones! Yeah, music is a lot like love. You don't always have an intelligent explanation for why, you just know that you've been pranged by cupid's pesky arrow! Unexpectedly, cupid's pesky arrow has pranged me right on the earholes with this one. Mostly.

Unlearn This Hatred and The Game: Not for me! The rest............................ SUBLIME! Yes, even Restless. Majestic happy pop music! Nothing is better than that! I don't have the patience, or the smarts, to run through a track by track synopsis. 'Cept to say, People On The High Line, up there with the best they've ever done, for me! Like some funky house meets Joey Negro's Sunburst Band. Funky as funk! The HD Audio version is so spacious and deep it makes tears well up in my three eyes! I'm not even kidding....... If you have top drawer hi-fi gear, get the HD Audio download. It's worth the extra 50p.

p.s. Please stop lambasting Hooky. The man is a god!

Old timer here, too - I used to haunt these pages as 50PoundNote.

I've been a fan for 30 years, and didn't dare dream the band still had this in them. There's not a single track I dislike, and there are so many surprises! I can't stop listening to it, and rank it right up there with their Factory output.

Jeez man, I still listen to your mixes! Brilliant stuff! Thank you!!

Music Complete is a fantastic album. It has rejuvenated me as a fan! For me though, comparisons with the early stuff is foolish. Like comparing Pele and Maradona, or Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. Each is a legend of their own time. I'm just delighted that New Order can still excite me!

muffy wrote: Jeez man, I still listen to your mixes! Brilliant stuff! Thank you!!

No, thank YOU!

muffy wrote: For me though, comparisons with the early stuff is foolish. Like comparing Pele and Maradona, or Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. Each is a legend of their own time.

You're right, but the comparisons are inevitable. I should say it excites me in the same way that a new New Order album did in 1989.

muffy wrote:

People On The High Line, up there with the best they've ever done, for me! Like some funky house meets Joey Negro's Sunburst Band. Funky as funk!

Have to say that is the standout track for me right now. Amazing groove and production. I dare anyone not to at least tap a foot while listening. My god... that bass. The whole mix is just perfect.

Yeah, it's true. Comparisons are inevitable.

It's a strange thing though how music can make you feel emotions as a mature (allegedly) adult exactly the same as you did as a wet behind the ears teenager. I remember listening to Low Life for the first time as a 19 year old, (having walked two hours into Glasgow city centre and two hours back again because I only had enough money to buy the album if I walked) and sitting on the edge of my bed awestruck as wave after wave of this perfect meld of man and machine overcame me and lifted me up to some other worldly plane i'd never even imagined before. I bought the cassette of that album and I listened to it on a cheap Woolworths 'own brand' ghetto blaster. It was the best, most magical thing i'd ever heard in my life. It still is.

Yesterday morning I woke to find my HD Audio download of Music Complete was good to go. (OMG! How times change!) I sat there on my fancy sofa, listening through my fancy McIntosh hi-fi feeling EXACTLY like that young upstart from 'the scheme' did 30 some years ago. Music Complete is not the same record as Low Life, but it sure made me feel the same. I'm delighted with that!

welcome back 50pound ...i'm sure u r not surprised to learn that many of my music friends in Australia raved about your Recycled blog...and these friends are only casual New Order fans but yet they are very aware of your excellent (close to legendary) work!!

And I remember you too Muffy I think you were even around way back when Huntsman used to roam these pages.

I first saw New Order in Feb 87 at both Enmore & Selinas gigs in Sydney. Of course followed them all the way till today (except I dont listen to Lost Sirens much) and now owns abt 700+ JD/NO items. (Current thrill is Wolf Alice though...)

Anyways, yea this album is really good. Personally I feel this is a change of direction, a new direction which is good (not necessarily better) and inevitable. I love Singularity - very good bridge between old-skool order & dancey order. Tutti Frutti is def a shock to my system, haha...but I guess it was the same with Subculture when I first heard it I thought Dead Or Alive had invaded Low Life, but now I consider Subculture one of the highlight in Low Life. Stray Dog is a grower and a necessary piece functioning as a breather between 'side 1' & 'side 2'. Academic to me is a standout in New Order 'comfort-zone'. I like those sporadic creative synth. washes throughout the songs, i believe, came from Morris & Gilbert.

I think I still need another 20 spins to absorb the music fully ...like Brotherhood or Get Ready, both etched in my brain now.

Muffy, what you using to play your HD download through your hifi?

Spotnick wrote: If you ask me, it sounds like an Electronic record.

Would fit just right after Twisted Tenderness.

No offense to Johnny Marr of course, but New Order without Hooky will always sound like Bernard's side projects.

Not saying it's not good, I loved all 3 Electronic albums.

I agree to a degree. I am loving this LP, but the bad parts of it, like some of Sumner's vocals, remind me of that terrible 2nd Electronic LP that I think I tossed out.

LP is definitely growing on me tho, each listen is better, and I know that is a sign of a great record.

And I think what keeps it from being Electronic is Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert --

Just every part of this record I love. Even Stray Dog which I've grown to like a lot. I was actually surprised just how good Superheated is too, and Academic is classically New Order. Favourite song definitely Singularity though!

My current top 3 are Singlarity, The Game and Superheated. A lot of people have knocked The Game and Superheated but I love the poppy stuff and like The Killers and Pet shop boys.

The Game grabbed me instantly. The chorus is gorgeous and emotional. Stevens drumming is fantastic. I love the change of tempo between verse and chorus. Its a song that I know I won't tire of. It's not a grower. It's an instant classic. It's the only song On the album that I wish was longer.

Superheated has a superb vocal melody and Barney and Brandon deliver big time. I love it. It's the one song that keeps going round and round my head.

Singlarity is just awesome with it's high temp driving rhythm. The bass, guitar and synths complement each other so well. A brilliantly crafted work.

I got a feeling the dancier tracks won't be so appealing in say a years time. They tend to age more quickly IMO.

Spotnick wrote: If you ask me, it sounds like an Electronic record.

Would fit just right after Twisted Tenderness.

No offense to Johnny Marr of course, but New Order without Hooky will always sound like Bernard's side projects.

Not saying it's not good, I loved all 3 Electronic albums.

I can't say I loved all 3 Electronic albums -- each iteration got progressively worse. The first one was absolutely classic -- just take away the song with Bernard's terrible rapping and there's not a single bad song. The second one had "Forbidden City" and "For You." (And maybe "Dark Angel" wasn't bad.) The third had the eponymous song, and that was it.

But I totally, utterly agree with you here, Spotnick, regarding the new album. I think it's actually kind of crazy that people listen to the bassline of "Singularity" or "Plastic" and think that the sound that comes out of Tom Chapman is close to what Hooky does (paraphrasing here, but one journalist specifically wrote he didn't really miss him on this album)...just for comparison, I was listening to "60 Miles an Hour" last night, and that fatness, that richness of Hooky's sound...we all know he's an ass, but we should still give credit where credit is due. Nobody else sounds like him, not even Simon Gallup (maybe especially Simon Gallup!).

I think Music Complete is a very good album with some very good songs. But is this a New Order record? Sadly (and I really mean that emotion), no. Then again, I would only consider a few songs in Waiting for the Sirens' Call New Order songs, too ("Krafty," "Turn," possibly "Guilt Is a Useless Emotion" on some days). Even Get Ready had Electronic/Bernard's stamp on songs like "Rock the Shack" (god, that song is so terrible). I don't mean to support Hooky and his delusions, but unless you have his bass, it just doesn't add up. It doesn't sound like New Order. Just like how Electronic and Monaco and The Other Two don't sound like NO, either. I really wish it could be otherwise, because we know we'll never have these four people work together again...

Of course, I'm not saying that NO has to sound the same with every album...Brotherhood and Technique are so wonderfully different in their own ways...but there is something very much missing -- incomplete -- with Music Complete. Is it progress? I don't know. It is different, I'll give them that much, and maybe for musicians who have been around for this long, just that they were able to craft a different sound is a triumph of sorts. But for me, for the fan who's loved this band for a very long time, I'm just filled with, oh yes, regret.

p.s. My favorite song on the album is, strangely enough, "Superheated." Of all the songs, it seems to have the most structure. But you're right here, too, Spotnick -- I can totally imagine Neil Tennant singing this song.

• Sung

My second impression is the same as my first impression - i like 9 out of the 11 songs.Actually liking Academic even more now, that guitar in the last minute or so is the dogs bollocks.Liking Singularity especially Steve's drumming.The orchestra, the synths, the guitar, the infectious funky bass synth and the drums in Tutti Frutti are all dizzyingly wonderful and can't help but make you smile.Nothing But A Fool brings out an incredible feeling from the music that i haven't quite felt since the Low Life era in 1985.People On The High Line, Stray Dog- yeah i like them, they're good but not brilliant.Restless is a funny one, i don't dislike it.It depends on my mood that song, i think.Plastic is good, some great sounds on that one. Superheated is schmaltzy but a real uplifting and great album closer.

Unlearn This Hatred is this album's Chemical for me.Like they thought hey let's make a real cutting edge dance track, but this one doesn't work for me.Nice little melody on the intro and chorus is ok but overall no.Should have been left off the album IMHO.

The Game is almost this album's Dracula's Castle for me.I say almost because it redeems itself a bit with some good guitar parts, especially at the end but overall it shouldn't have made the album.

Jake A wrote: Muffy, what you using to play your HD download through your hifi?

I've never done an HD download. Presumably you can't burn it to a CDr can you? Some stereos come with USB ports. Would that work? Having said that, my stereo doesn't have a USB port, so I'm also curious about the above.

Fotzepolitic wrote: Unlearn This Hatred is this album's Chemical for me.Like they thought hey let's make a real cutting edge dance track, but this one doesn't work for me.Nice little melody on the intro and chorus is ok but overall no.Should have been left off the album IMHO.

Harsh! I was walking home from somewhere on Tuesday night (album leak day!) and that song involuntarily popped into my head like a proper earworm. I can see how this could have been a Digitalism track rather than NO... but damn it's catchy.

About fucking time.

Debaser wrote:

Fotzepolitic wrote: Unlearn This Hatred is this album's Chemical for me.Like they thought hey let's make a real cutting edge dance track, but this one doesn't work for me.Nice little melody on the intro and chorus is ok but overall no.Should have been left off the album IMHO.

Harsh! I was walking home from somewhere on Tuesday night (album leak day!) and that song involuntarily popped into my head like a proper earworm. I can see how this could have been a Digitalism track rather than NO... but damn it's catchy.

It's good that i'm in a minority that doesn't like the track (if you see what i mean) Means that the track must be good if many people do like it.It's just not for me.

Spotnick wrote: If you ask me, it sounds like an Electronic record.

Would fit just right after Twisted Tenderness.

No offense to Johnny Marr of course, but New Order without Hooky will always sound like Bernard's side projects.

Not saying it's not good, I loved all 3 Electronic albums.

Entitled to your own opinions of course but the drumming ace on this, which it was not on Electronic. Sound different to me. (of course, been a while since an Electronic album too)

Spittingcat wrote: Restless: 8 Singularity: 10 Plastic: 7 Tutti Frutti: 10 People on the High Line: 9 Stray Dog: 8 Academic: 7 Nothing But a Fool: 8 Unlearn This Hatred: 9 The Game: 6 Superheated: 9

Sleeve design: 7

Total: 9

Updated this…

Plastic no longer feels like the vocals and backing are disconnected to me, it works well after plenty of plays.

Superheated at first sounded good, but tacked on to the wrong album… it's now buried deep in my brain and is a fantastic loud and proud ending to an often cheeky and perky set of songs. I don't mind the 80s soundtrack sound now… it's huge once it's not taking you by suprise.

Stray Dog I liked from the start, but now feels like an essential keystone to the album, where as it felt more like a rest/pause on first listen. The album would be missing something without it. Soundtrack material? Maybe, but it lifts the album.

Tutti Frutti and People on the High Line get better and better… so much more than even the initial wow factor suggested. There's lots in there to find, including some of the best New Order vocals ever.

The Game isn't growing on me… perhaps it will eventually, or when we get to hear the, hopefully less crowded, extended version.

I am continuing to enjoy MC very much.

Having listened to Restless, Singularity & Plastic contantly for the couple of weeks leading up to the album, the tracks I keep skipping to atm are Tutti Frutti; Unlearn this Hatred & Academic.

When Superheated starts, I think it's gonna be an A-ha track. Which is not a problem.

I was on the train to town yesterday, listening to Tutti Frutti as the train passed TJ Davidsons & then the Hac made me smile quite a bit. :)

On reflection I think it's a very consistent album which to me is why the Technique comparison is appropriate. I think New Order have been around so long that their influences are clouding comparisons. Superheated for example reminds me of Human and it's not because Brandon is on it. Also is that not a sample from the Drive soundtrack on the start of Stray Dog? Electronic comparisons are valid too - Raise The Pressure especially. On a similar note saw Johnny Marr live recently and when he played Getting Away With It (amazing) I understood the part his guitar work played on that song. As others have said Gillian and Steve's involvement is the difference between the two bands but it's difficult to quantify why - cop out I Know :) Anyway top three for me are Academic, Nothing but a Fool and Superheated but it will change I'm sure.

Sauce wrote: . Also is that not a sample from the Drive soundtrack on the start of Stray Dog?

That's what i thought.Listen to the first 7 or 8 seconds of Nightcall by Kavinsky from the Drive soundtrack.Great track anyway and gives me an excuse to post it.

Thanks Fotzepolitic! Sure that's the sample and yeh it's a great soundtrack :)

Oh yeah, this is the classic of what I love about New Order. Unbelievable. Just now the wistful sadness of Superheated is my stand out, but every song has a majestic power. Very little idea of what any of the lyrics are yet. Can’t tear myself away, yet I have to very soon.

Did anyone try “Scroll down to watch the launch event” at NewOrderNow, only to get a message “This video is private” huh? whatever!

rosygale wrote: Oh yeah, this is the classic of what I love about New Order. Unbelievable. Just now the wistful sadness of Superheated is my stand out, but every song has a majestic power. Very little idea of what any of the lyrics are yet. Can’t tear myself away, yet I have to very soon.

Did anyone try “Scroll down to watch the launch event” at NewOrderNow, only to get a message “This video is private” huh? whatever!

The interview is in another thread:

http://forums.neworderonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=3017#post19080

I've worked out my problem with The Game: if you listen to it on its own, it sticks in your brain for ages… but play the album, and Superheated just wipes it out… it's almost is if it never happened. Perhaps the only problem with the running order… or perhaps The Game is the track that's been left to discover later, rather than burn in straight away… the last single?

Spotnick wrote: If you ask me, it sounds like an Electronic record.

Would fit just right after Twisted Tenderness. No offense to Johnny Marr of course, but New Order without Hooky will always sound like Bernard's side projects. Not saying it's not good, I loved all 3 Electronic albums.

The middle of Music: Complete sounds very similar to Electronic's Raise the Pressure. Tutti Frutti and People on the High Line sound just like those pop light weight house songs Bernard was making in the 90s. Not my favorite style, but these two tracks are actually better than those 90s Electronic and Republic songs. Plastic also has that vibe, with the cool electronics fighting against the cringe worthy unnecessary female backing vocals that sound like a parody of 80s British faux soul. Why does Bernard love tacky female backing vocals, will we ever know? And yes, Superheated sounds like Pet Shop Boys.

Personally, I'm not gonna say this is the greatest album ever hyperbole, this isn't gonna inspire anyone except to just check out the older records... but it is well produced and more than I expected after Bad Lieutenant and after more than 35 years. It still sounds like what you expect from Bernard in the 90s and 00s... not a Factory record, nor can you go back. I would prefer a more "indie" style of production, not the middle of the road style Bernard prefers now. I wonder if Daniel Miller Mute head had some input, since the record doesn't have the unevenness of the 2000's records. The outside production is in good taste, Rowlands helps Singularity sound better than the rather unoriginal live version. Even the Iggy Pop track doesn't end up an embarrassment such as Rock the Shack. Peter Hook is missed thou.

My biggest annoyance... why all the backing vocals? Why so many? Why does Bernard think these improve the songs? Does anybody ever mention to him that they usually sound like a joke?

Personally I like the female backing vocals. As Bernard isn't the most gifted singer and voice has changed as he's got older, to me the other singers bolster the vocal parts and give them more clarity, depth and definition.

Don't get me wrong (I love barneys voice) but it can get a bit grating for a whole album. So the addition of other singers on this album offers makes logically sense to me.

And is that Gillian singing backing vox for The Game? This track is my Ectasy, Sooner than you think, Angel Dust, Guilty Partner, Times Change type guilty pleasure.