"Be A Rebel" CD single???

I think I've figured out what bugs me about the live versions of GIAUE, WFTSC and now Be A Rebel.

In ye olden days, there was a lot of variety in the programed drum parts. Think about that majestic synth jam at the end of The Perfect Kiss, with kicks and snares that cut through the mix, 16th note hi-hats, handclaps, and bongos (which they've finally added back into the live mix, a la Education Entertainment Recreation). It felt weighty, like something you could grab on to.

I know current remix trends have everything sounding slick and slippery, with loops instead of programmed drums, but they feel totally limp live, which makes them seem to drag on forever. It's a full minute and half before Barney starts to sing on Be A Rebel, and there's not enough variation in the song to justify that long of an intro.

Then look at something like Plastic, which was an instant classic, and has so much going on that it never feels too long. It's because they're playing the song proper, and not a remixed version of it, which is generally dumbed-down for a dance floor.

Blue Monday wasn't a remix, it was an 7-minute song. TPK was a 9-minute song. Shep Pettibone did fantastic remixes for BLT and True Faith, but those songs are classics because of the original versions, not the remixed versions.

New Order's reputation as a dance band didn't come from their remixes, it came from their songs you could easily dance to. I wish they'd drop the remix elements and play some of the old songs (like True Faith) they way they were written.

50poundnote wrote: Then look at something like Plastic, which was an instant classic, and has so much going on that it never feels too long. It's because they're playing the song proper, and not a remixed version of it, which is generally dumbed-down for a dance floor.

Very good point. There's probably a reason why Rebel was left off the album.

50poundnote wrote: I think I've figured out what bugs me about the live versions of GIAUE, WFTSC and now Be A Rebel.

In ye olden days, there was a lot of variety in the programed drum parts. Think about that majestic synth jam at the end of The Perfect Kiss, with kicks and snares that cut through the mix, 16th note hi-hats, handclaps, and bongos (which they've finally added back into the live mix, a la Education Entertainment Recreation). It felt weighty, like something you could grab on to.

I know current remix trends have everything sounding slick and slippery, with loops instead of programmed drums, but they feel totally limp live, which makes them seem to drag on forever. It's a full minute and half before Barney starts to sing on Be A Rebel, and there's not enough variation in the song to justify that long of an intro.

Then look at something like Plastic, which was an instant classic, and has so much going on that it never feels too long. It's because they're playing the song proper, and not a remixed version of it, which is generally dumbed-down for a dance floor.

Blue Monday wasn't a remix, it was an 7-minute song. TPK was a 9-minute song. Shep Pettibone did fantastic remixes for BLT and True Faith, but those songs are classics because of the original versions, not the remixed versions.

New Order's reputation as a dance band didn't come from their remixes, it came from their songs you could easily dance to. I wish they'd drop the remix elements and play some of the old songs (like True Faith) they way they were written.

The Richard X mix live version of Bizarre Love Triangle is fantastic, but I would still prefer a return to something closer to the LP version, with no vocals on the outro.

I personally enjoy both Richard X and Planet Funk remixes (and their live arrangements) very much... have serious reservations regarding the current version of Temptation, tho. And it isn't a remix. The intro is pointless to me.

Shep Pettibone's BLT is horrible, especially the Hookless take, and his TF sounded good at the time but has now dated far worse than the original (cf. Conomfusarsion). But I know what you mean. The early tracks were written long and then edited down, as opposed to being normal length and then extended. In fact NO were one of the first groups to start with a 12" with a 7" edit, or no 7" at all, while outfits like the Pets started with trad length and then stretched the song out for 12" release. In fact I FINALLY got round to listening to the Cumplete Music double pack and I disliked it cos all they were doing was dragging things out for no reason (except money, of course). Razormaid is shit like that too. (There's actually a 12" of George Harrison's Got My Mind set On You, and yes, it's as silly as you'd expect.) Times Changed with London, when they took trad-length singles and got outside remixers to change them, with, um, varying results. But feels like I've been here before. I can't comment on the other MC mixes cos I couldn't be arsed and the tracks didn't need pumpimg up like Repubelick. The setlist looked good apart from the last six, but I guess they're obligatory now.

Mr. Disco wrote: I personally enjoy both Richard X and Planet Funk remixes (and their live arrangements) very much... have serious reservations regarding the current version of Temptation, tho. And it isn't a remix. The intro is pointless to me.

Yeah, the Lou Reed Street Hassle bits have worn out their welcome.

I feel as though the adoption of the Planet Funk remix of WftSC was possibly, in part, to de-emphasize Hooky's wonderful contribution to the song. It's a bit sad as I believe it's the last great thing they did together.

Finally here... it's nice from Mute to keep my preferred physical format alive.

Mr. Disco wrote:

Very good point. There's probably a reason why Rebel was left off the album.

I have an inkling that Be A Rebel won't become quite as much of a set regular as the rest of the singles...

GotBlueEyes wrote:

Mr. Disco wrote:

Very good point. There's probably a reason why Rebel was left off the album.

I have an inkling that Be A Rebel won't become quite as much of a set regular as the rest of the singles...

I'm doubtful that we'll get that many more gigs, to be honest.

But I hope I'm wrong.

Trainspotter differences between the three CD singles (tracklistings are the same).

Japan - EU - US

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