Box Set Complete: SPOILERS

I'm starting a new thread that has nothing to do with shipping delays. This is about the box itself (once you've received your copy).

The box is very heavy card, reminiscent of Still. The front is debossed with Music Complete, and the back is debossed with New Order.

Lift the lid to find the album on top. I'm in the States, but the box contains EU pressings. It gave me a real nerd thrill to see a New Order album with a proper Mute Records "STUMM" catalog number, having grown up a huge fan of Mute's catalog.

There are two 4" stickers: a black and white one of the Mute logo (overhead view of a walking figure), and one of the Music Complete album cover with blue in the lower left corner (the CD format). There's also a business-sized card with the download instructions. The downloads come as both MP3 and FLACs.

There's a 12" divider card with Music Complete: New Order printed in the center.

Then there are six 12" singles. The spines all say Music Complete: Extended Mixes, and are labeled as BXSTUMM390 AB, CD, EF, GH, IJ, and K. The rear of each lists the tracks (Restless Extended Mix, Singularity Extended Mix).

The sleeves are printed with a glossy finish on the inside, and a rougher, textured finish (similar to Movement) on the outside. The inner sleeves are black paper lined with plastic.

Restless/Singularity = bright yellow translucent vinyl Plastic/Tutti Frutti = deep green translucent vinyl (same as the UK press of the Restless 12") People On The High Line/Stray Dog = orangish-pink translucent vinyl Academic/Nothing But A Fool = clear vinyl Unlearn This Hatred/The Game = deep blue translucent vinyl Superheated = black vinyl

The labels all say to play at 33rpm, but the records actually play at 45.

Saville has described the artwork for this album as "techno Tudor", with the heavy black lines being based on Tudor designs. The etchings on side 12 carry over the Tudor aesthetic with pine cones, acorns, flowers, and leaves rendered in clean lines - the sort of things that would be woven into tapestries. I think the design of this album is perfect, in that, it doesn't look like anything else at the moment. Saville surprised us, and it works as a unified whole.

The extended mixes are amazing. They aren't remixed - there's nothing added that doesn't appear in the album versions. My favorites are Plastic, People On The High Line, and Academic. Academic sounds even more like Paradise with the sequencer pushed up louder in the mix. For me personally, People On The High Line and Academic have attained "classic New Order" status. I'd put them up against anything recorded during their imperial phase, and I have to say overall I find myself ranking Music Complete as the second best album they've ever made (behind Technique).

In 2015, did any New Order fan expect to find themselves saying "I couldn't be happier"? The box does nothing but add to an already brilliant album.

Is this the musical equivalent of a soap spoiler?

BazG wrote: Is this the musical equivalent of a soap spoiler?

Yeah i was thinking similar

BazG wrote: Is this the musical equivalent of a soap spoiler?

Oh, come on now. Did I really say anything you didn't already know? Descriptions and photos have been floating around for months, so you had some basic idea of what to expect. I just added detail.

I amended the thread title.

Music Complete wrote:

Oh, come on now. Did I really say anything you didn't already know? Descriptions and photos have been floating around for months, so you had some basic idea of what to expect. I just added detail.

I amended the thread title.

Didn't know stickers were included. Didn't know what the etchings were on the final disc. Didn't know what was on each disc. Didn't have such a description of the individual sleeves. Didn't know the paper inners were black plastic lined. Etc.

And I had only seen one photo of the box until yesterday when I saw a second which didn't really add anything.

All I need now are to hear the tracks before the box arrives and there will be no need to open it.

i'm still going to do a transfer from vinyl from the records for myself.

never know what the digital versions will sound like until we get them.

later -1

Thank you for posting all this information, Mr. Music Complete. It's much appreciated. Somehow, your post has increased my excitement and anticipation for the Box Set tenfold. Can't wait!

Thank you very much for this, Mister Fifty.

I haven't ordered the box set (not had a turntable for decades) but this really does sound impressive.

As for the extended mixes, I emailed the very helpful Cathie at Warners yesterday to ask whether the download codes will be sold to the rest of us, once the Boxsetters have all been taken care of. She replied within 24 hours to say that they are looking into this & will update us shortly. Fingers crossed...

Thanks from me too.

Can't wait for my set now... REALLY wanna hear those extended mixes though :)

Brief update & it's bad news about availability of the extended mixes for non-vinyl Neworder fans...

Hello [Rorschach],

Thanks for your patience whilst we looked into this for you.

Unfortunately at the moment there are no plans to make these versions available to customers outside of those who have ordered the box set.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Thanks,

Cathie Your Warner Music Customer Service Team

Which is a real shame, as I had wanted to pay the band for these extra tracks.

Apologies for the botched quote above.

The final sentence is mine but my browser will not allow me to save the corrective edit.

I'm not surprised, but they have to realise that some of us haven't bought vinyl for 20 years, and aren't about to start now. Making the digital files available to buy would be wise.... people don't want to pirate, they want to pay... Apple convincing the music companies of this saved them from themselves... going back to physical purchases only is a step in the wrong direction, especially using a format long since abandoned by those of us that don't have the room for such artefact fetichism.

Well they're trying to reward those who paid a small fortune for the box set; I can understand that. It's a bit of a collectors item, and we already have the standard album available for not-much-money on download and CD. I don't think they will lose much money this way as the extended tracks are only aimed at a small target audience of hardcore fans, I suspect.

I'd like these tracks digitally too, but you know good things come to those who wait. Eventually they will pop up somewhere.

I have every confidence they will pop us somewhere but I would rather not rip off my favourite band who have just put out a fantastic album.

The box is undeniably a delightful collection piece in itself but it is entirely physically redundant for many of us.

Mute has got many things right about this release & I always thought that after a period of exclusivity, the extended mixes would be released to the wider fanbase, at an appropriate cost & via whatever non vinyl mechanism deemed appropriate.

Seems I overestimated them.

She just said there are “no plans”, it doesn’t mean it’s never gonna happen. I did wonder if she would say anything hopeful, as they have to maximise sales of the box set. I’m guessing that eventually there will be something to be gained from sales in other media. I’m not waiting for something cheaper, I could just never go back to vinyl, and space is a consideration. I have two boxes of ancient vinyl including Factory 12”s and LPs, never played now as no turntable, that I wouldn’t be parted from and that’s enough. Been there done that got the T shirt. I’m resigned to wait for however long. (Just like I’m still waiting to get the whole video of Maida Vale concert - that may never happen!)

I would imagine that whilst the box set is available to order they wouldn't release these as a digital only package. As mentioned above they will want to maximise the sales on a high end box set that will earn them most revenue. Releasing them now would no doubt jeapordise that. I was told early on though that the box set was limited. As to how many copies were being produced I have no idea. After they have sold out, and an acceptable time period lapsed, I'm sure they will become available for general consumption. I think it might be a while though.

yeah, I got a similar reply from Cathie. And even though it doesn't state categorically that there are no plans to release them, I still find it extremely disappointing because I too want to reward my favourite band for recording one of their best ever albums with cold hard cash. I've already bought the UK and the NZ pressings of the cd, I don't mind flinging more wads of cash in their direction. However, the shipping costs of getting the box set down here are just astronomical, plus I am no fan of vinyl, its horrible, and I live in the 21st century. I have a large collection I built up in the 80s and 90s, but will never listen to them again for I have no turntable, and have them all digitally in lovely apple lossless. It would have been nice for some consideration being given to the world wide fan base, who are willing to pay for digital files, who cannot afford the shipping costs and don't particular want to resort to pirated copies... :)

Vinyl has no part in the 21st century then? That's quite a scathing comment. I'm not sure everyone is aware of that yet? Maybe we're just all a bit ignorant or behind the times. Vinyl has been the only constant through the CD revolution when most of the record industry turned their back on it. Now CD sales are declining. Downloads are down around 40% and the only growth area in physical format is vinyl. Each to their own though.

According to UPS, my box will not arrive until tomorrow... just so I understand, I've got to open the darn thing in order to access the code to download the extended versions? The New Order Store doesn't automatically send me a link to download the files?

-Mike

steinomite wrote: According to UPS, my box will not arrive until tomorrow... just so I understand, I've got to open the darn thing in order to access the code to download the extended versions? The New Order Store doesn't automatically send me a link to download the files?

-Mike

Aye that's right. You'll have to open it too to see if you have a signed copy. The download code in the box will also only work once.

I am located in Australia and ordered each boxset from the UK & USA websites, got the boxset from USA 3 days ago.....funny thing, the boxset is actually Made in EU....so these boxsets must have travelled from Europe to America then to Oceania, lots of globetrotting!!...I was hoping there'll be different EU & USA pressings as with the case with MC & Restless vinyls but oh well, not the case

Mine wasnt signed (dang) but the boxset looks good especially that salmon-red vinyl....my only gripe is the box itself - it was stapled (though meticulously done with even spacing) together rather than glued (like the Bad Lieutenant boxset which was very nicely done) I do share 50poundnote's delight & enthusiasm for the boxset.

Those extended versions are really good though - def enjoyed them. After listening to the standard MC for about 50+ times since its release, I find the extended mixes sound more complete & spread-out much better ( the standard ones now sound a bit edited, rushed, densed/compact ) and not sure if there was something with my ears 😂 but I thought Barney's vocals (and even Brandon's) sounded different ...perhaps, vocals were mixed differently or even better, different vocal takes ???

I got a signed copy today, totally the most impressive NO related item I own music complete signed

mikepreda wrote: I got a signed copy today, totally the most impressive NO related item I own music complete signed

wow....lucky chap, CONGRATS nice signatures too with different colours, in line with the spirit of the packaging

poisoned snickers 2015 wrote:

mikepreda wrote: I got a signed copy today, totally the most impressive NO related item I own music complete signed

wow....lucky chap, CONGRATS nice signatures too with different colours, in line with the spirit of the packaging

Thanks man! It does add some character with the different colours, very NO in that sense haha!

Congrats, Mike! 😎

Rorschach wrote: Congrats, Mike! 😎

Thanks! Heres to hoping more NOOLers get some copies!

BazG wrote: Vinyl has no part in the 21st century then? That's quite a scathing comment. I'm not sure everyone is aware of that yet? Maybe we're just all a bit ignorant or behind the times. Vinyl has been the only constant through the CD revolution when most of the record industry turned their back on it. Now CD sales are declining. Downloads are down around 40% and the only growth area in physical format is vinyl. Each to their own though.

As you say, each to their own. I just can't see the quality in a popping, cracking vinyl record, that is damaged every time you play it. Then again, I didn't grow up with vinyl in the 70s and 80s, so maybe I don't get that same, nostalgic glow? :)

Yeah, congrats Mike.

Received mine yesterday, unfortunately not signed, but it's beautiful... and Academic extended is a masterpiece.

Thanks NO and Mute for putting this out.

My box was waiting for me when I got home last night. Sadly it wasn't signed, I thought I had a good chance of getting one, since I ordered the first day and was around the 39th order....but oh well. I love the contents of the box, however the construction of it could have been better ( I was almost expecting a really sturdy box like Depeche Mode got with their Sounds of the Universe box ). Again a small issue. But again, the contents were well worth the price.

Now as to the person who said vinyl was horrible and it gets destroyed when you play it, that's not the case. I've bought vinyl for years beginning in the mid 80's, and every piece of vinyl that I've purchased new, is dead quiet with no snap crackles or pops ( with two exceptions, that would be tough to replace ). And if you take care of your records, clean and store them properly ( and don't play them on sub par equipment ( like Crossley players)), they will last ages with no loss of fidelity. ( Seriously, used record shops at least around my area are full of records from the 40's and 50's, and the ones that were taken care of look and sound fantastic .)

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without quality. clip ???