Retro - FYI

Below is an e-mail I sent in to the editor of Ice magazine regarding Retro. They had a small write up on the upcoming NO releases in the November issue.

I know this is a tired subject at this point, but I thought you might find their response interesting.

Hope you don't mind me speaking on some of your behalves.

Cheers.

To Ice:

In your November 2002 edition, you briefly mention the upcoming New Order releases, International (cd), IV (4 cd box set now entitled "Retro") and Live at Finsbury Park (dvd). I appreciate the attention you gave the band and the aforementioned titles.

You were right to allude to the lengthy delay on IV's (the box set) release with your comment that "yes, its finally happening." Its been over 4 years since the rumors began that the band were considering releasing a box set of all of their singles (including all remixes, b-sides and original artwork) entitled Recycle. Well, the wait is over and the loud groan you heard last week was New Order's fan base collectively expressing our extreme disappointment in the track selection for the box set, which was published last week.

Discs 1 and 2 contain only previously available album tracks. Disc 3 contains mostly previously available remixes of songs originally released on 12" vinyl and/or cd single formats. Disc 4 contains a collection of live concert recordings from the last 21 years - many of which have been widely circulated among tape traders for years.

Unfortunately, there are no real gems here for the long-time die hard fan. And at the same time, its hard to imagine someone who doesn't know the band buying this collection either. At the end of the day, I'm not sure who London Records was targeting with this package - almost 75% of the material has been recently or is still available. You wouldn't believe the reaction from fans on several of the largest internet sites devoted to the band.

If you find it appropriate, maybe you can inquire as to why London Records went this direction with the box set. We'd all love to know. Originally the label asked for input from fans of the band as to what they would like to see included. However, it appears that the label chose to ignore those requests and leave it up to the 4 people (Miranda Sawyer, John McCready, Mike Pickering and Bobby Gillespie) who ultimately selected the tracks that will make up Retro.

The feeling among the band's fans is that the label and the band have missed the perfect opportunity to "give" something back.

Truly yours,

Tracey Spivey

From Ice:

Hi Tracey,

Your timing could not have been better! We're actually in the process of including something on the New Order box set in our next issue, which closes tomorrow; there's a strong chance I'll be able to speak with a closely involved source either today or tomorrow about it. I will certainly bring up your concern if that is the case.

This is especially great because we usually re-contact our sources AFTER an album has already hit the shelves, relaying complaints or concerns from consumers that buy the CD(s) after the fact. But in this case, we can approach the quandary head-on. Call it a pre-emptive strike by the CD Watchdog!

Thank you again for writing. We love hearing from our readers, especially with input as valuable as this.

Best wishes,

Kurt Orzeck Managing Editor

Good stuff!!!

and well put Tracey :)

HURRRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Originally posted by Al Jarvis Again, just lots of hot air without any real substance. Churlish.

Oh of course its naive to believe that they would actually ACTION anything they type in this type of correspondance, yet its nice to see a proactive effort by a NewOrder fan to recommend change.

I've sent a truckload of horse shit to london records with the note "To be fed to whoever is responsible for the retro box set" taped to the side. Maybe this will do the trick.

Originally posted by Major Tarantino I've sent a truckload of horse shit to london records with the note "To be fed to whoever is responsible for the retro box set" taped to the side. Maybe this will do the trick.

Is it correct to say Discs 1 and 2 contain only previously available album tracks? I had thought some of the versions were the original, non-album versions.

Originally posted by Patrick Is it correct to say Discs 1 and 2 contain only previously available album tracks? I had thought some of the versions were the original, non-album versions.

i already thought that when i bought "international"...wouldn't be too optimistic...

For those who are interested, Ice is the best rag in the US for collectors who want info on upcoming releases and some behind-the-scenes scoop on how labels make decisions on what to release.

Must admit I'm too long in the tooth to complain about the box set but I would of liked to see stuff like Haystack, Sunrise Instrumental, Vanishing Point Trace Mix, Love Vigilantes DMC mix, Elegia 17 mins and Lets Go ("waiting for so long") version instead of the live CD. I have these tracks already, apart from Haystack, but it would be nice to have them on a proper release. Or perhaps they could have had the 4th CD as half live and half 'rarities'.

Some of the above tracks have been released officially so would be good quality but they are hard to get hold of. Elegia 17 mins and Lets Go could just be remastered to improve the sound. Even though Lets Go was a demo its excellent and a 'cleaned-up' version wouldn't sound any worse than say Face-Up in terms of sound etc.

Originally posted by Al Jarvis > Originally posted by DoN> > > > Originally posted by Al Jarvis> Again, just lots of hot air without any real substance. Churlish.

Oh of course its naive to believe that they would actually ACTION anything they type in this type of correspondance, yet its nice to see a proactive effort by a NewOrder fan to recommend change.

Proactive, by mailing an American music (presumably) mag of which I've never heard?

Rather than contacting London or the band's management?

Doesn't exactly sound a very mature option.

And - despite a full week's worth of moaning amongst some of our co-habitants - I've still yet to see any +ve input as to what SHOULD have been on the BoxSet, if this one is allegedly so duff.

Al i think its a bit harsh dubbing it immature to mail a magazine expressing your concerns about the content of what is undoubtably one of NewOrders biggest releases in their history.

Im sure there are many other avenues which could be explored in order to relay constructive critisism.

I agree and i would have contacted the bands management, however having pretty much all the juicy neworder stuff anyway im not compelled to go to such measures.

The box set is indeed a missed opportunity but i for one wont be losing any sleep over its contents!

Shugs right, ya been working too hard!! get yerself down the pub matey!! ;)

If someone will point me in the right direction re: NO's UK management or a contact at London Records, I would love to get in contact with either them. No use bothering their US management or Warner and/or Rhino.

I think there have been plenty of good suggestions on what Retro could(/should) include that would make it more appealing to the long-time fans.

Originally posted by Tracey Spivey If someone will point me in the right direction re: NO's UK management or a contact at London Records, I would love to get in contact with either them. No use bothering their US management or Warner and/or Rhino.I think there have been plenty of good suggestions on what Retro could(/should) include that would make it more appealing to the long-time fans.

Indeed!

Originally posted by Tracey Spivey If someone will point me in the right direction re: NO's UK management or a contact at London Records, I would love to get in contact with either them. No use bothering their US management or Warner and/or Rhino.I think there have been plenty of good suggestions on what Retro could(/should) include that would make it more appealing to the long-time fans.

EXACTLY!!!!

If we could get in touch with the bastards responsible, or New Order's management, then a fully articulated and reasonable inquiry could be made. As it is, due to shitty artist/fan relations, no such avenue has yet presented itself. Sorry Al, this could go on for a while.

If anyone here can offer an opertunity to get in touch with someone in the record company, please for the love of God hook us up!

Originally posted by Al Jarvis > Originally posted by ShugZV© > > > Have you had a bad day at work Mr Cocker? ;)

Not as such, just sick and tired of the relentless whinging that's become part & parcel of this board this past week.

Especially, seeing as how no one's offered anything concrete by way of an alternative.

Amen and Amen. I am getting to the point of sighing every time I think about coming out to the boards these days. Everyone thinks that they have a better idea, but as usual the idea is more about what not should be there. Basically, from the posts, I think NO should publish a 10 CD box set with all the disks being blank, but have cool liner notes.

is it possible that "Retro Will Tear Us (NO Online) Apart"?

I admit, after a week it's a broken record, so I hereby have decided to quit offering my complaints. Y'all know how I feel, no need to reiterate it (but I am still pissed about it).