This album has been on heavy rotation for the past week and a half. I have to say that after the first listen all my concerns evaporated in an instance.
Restless: 6 Singularity: 10 Plastic: 9 Tutti Frutti: 9 People on the High Line: 8 Stray Dog: 8 Academic: 7 Nothing But a Fool: 8 Unlearn This Hatred: 8 The Game: 10 Superheated: 9
Overall 8.5/10
I still think Restless is just ok at best and to my ears is the weakest track on the whole album. It's 4th division compared to Regrets premiership status. I'd say it equates to krafty, as in its nice but doesn't do anything for me. It's like w bit middle of ten road kinda bland. Nice lyrical message even if it's worded a bit clumsily.
Singularity. Now this is more like it. This really is up there with the best of NO. The energy, the intensity, the electronic beeps, the cat screaming, that killer chorus synth line. Just a majestic masterpiece. It's like how I'd imagine how a Lowlife track would sound in 2015. And the drums sound fine to me.
Plastic - I got a bit bored of this but then it's grown on me again. I have no idea what Phil and Tom did on this other than a couple of short riffs. Maybe it could do with a bit more guitar or maybe it's just hidden. But it's a stonking anthem. A complete change from the plodding predictability of Restless.
Tutti Frutti - this just gets better the more I hear it. The instrumentation so is great. And it's nice to see NO have fun and cut loose and not be all serious. Elly Jacksons vocals really boost the other vocals. It's like BLT as in a very up song. Barney sings the first chorus a bit lower than the second and third ones and I don't know why they didn't replace it.
People of the High Line - this took a while longer for me to really get. It's kinda like an electronic track but has much more going on than say the housey type songs on Raise The Pressure. Toms bass line walks are brilliant and Bernard's chic rhythm guitar is a joy. Again I must mention Elly Jackson again for her vocals really add more weight and definition to this track. Again, Barneys vocals are bit flat at times. I like his "I keep trying" on the fade out outro and wonder how the verses would sound if Bernard sang them in a higher octave for this one.
Stray Dog - I found this a bit plodding originally. But now I think it's awesome. A nice side step from the preceding dancier tracks and brings the mood right down. Some great lyrics by Bernard and well delivered by Iggy. The music is superb and I feel the band members of new order (either collectively or individually) could have done more soundtracks in their career. Very haunting and leaves an impression. Great words and shows Bernard can write some pretty amazing stuff at times.
Academic - again I wasn't instantly taken with this. It sounded like the ugly cousin of Turn. It's a typical NO track. But eventually it clicked and I love it. It's got a great rhythm and definitely a grower. Although the chorus could be stronger IMO.
Nothing But A Fool - maybe the least New Order sounding track. One of Bernard's best vocals on the album (seems to have fixed some of his vocal inadequencies/slurs/bad habits which marred Never Cry Another Tear). In fact one of his best vocal deliveries ever. Sounds a bit like Tim Burgess in second verse. Great lyrics, fantastic instrumentation and good use of female backing vocals to bring it another level. Maybe the ending could be a bit shorter as it goes on a bit and then suddenly fades out when synths kick in. They seemed to have a lot of ideas running on this one.
Unlearn This Hatred - like Plastic it's a pure club anthem. Did Tom and Phil go on holiday for this one too? Sounds a bit of a solo Bernard track with heavily effected vocals. It's catchy as hell but I wonder if they is the track that I grow tired of first, as sonically it's a bit same year throughout.
The Game - I like this 10 times more than Restless. It has so much energy in the verses and I adore Steves drumming in chorus. It's like the verse from one song blended with the chorus of another but I think it works perfectly. Great lyrics and vocal melody on chorus. The intro reminds me of a Tom Baker episode of Doctor Who though and the second verse is a bit meh lyrically. But the outro is fantastic up there with NO's finest. The guitar solos remind me of Sooner Than You Think and Sunrise. A wonderful blend of synths and guitar and orchestra and I'm surprised ive not heard anyone else praising it much. This is at times my favourite track of the whole album (although Singularity is at other times).
Superheated - a perfect pop ballad. Yes it's very polished and not everyone's a fan of Brandon Flowers but I like him and I don't think Bernard could sing that chorus. Lovely lush orchestra gives the song more emphasis of the lyrical theme.So good on Bernard for asking Brandon to collaborate. But come on - 3 years to write a bloody song!
I don't know the importance of Gillian's presence or if it's coincidence but NO have missed her being on board for far too long. I can't bear to listen to bombastic WFTSC anymore (except turn) and although Get Ready has a few decent tracks, this is the album that should have followed Technique. It's a shame Hookys signature bass is missing but let's not go there. He's made his bed. In fact his absence has meant more focus on the songs themselves rather than one lead instrument, so it doesn't really suffer without that component.
It's certainly new orders most mature, ambitious and most varied body of work musically. Is it their best album ever? Possibly but Ill still give Technique that accolade as it flows so well and has 8 cracking tunes and Fine Time. Plus Technique was recorded in a different era with different tools to what are available today. It captures a moment of time perfectly and also shows all 4 original members playing at their peak.
But Music Complete totally restores my faith in New Order and further underlines why they will always forever be my favourite band.
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