Vietnam: the verdict

Just heard this for the first time. Mmmmm. Good cause and all, but...I'm trying to be diplomatic here...I don't think they were actually awake when they recorded this.

Listen at official site: http://www.hope-cd.com/

[Content deleted by Marco Pleil on 4/14/2003 1:40:19 AM EDT]

Originally posted by Marco&nbspPleil Right Spotnick...somehow typical NewOrder-sounding, but as usual...the female backing vox do suck! At least Mr.Hook is in the mix. For the song itself...well not a highlight in songwriting, but thank god it's not their fault

...and Moby sounds more and more like his own "Play" cover-band!

I like it!!

as usual with NO...different than you'd expect but it grew on me.

I hated Brutal at first (thought it was too much of a rip off of Oasis' sound) but it grew on me as well...

Hope is nowhere to be found on any dutch sites. As for Vietnam, maybe it'll grow on me. That's the nicest I can think of saying about it.

I really liked how new order tacked on the chorus to "The Harder they Come" on the end of the song, which is probably the best Jimmy Cliff Song....

Ok...here is what I like and don't like about it...

BTW I think that a lot of people will mistake this for happy and uplifting but it is actually dark with chirpy music written over it...kind of ironic. There are also a lot of NO fans who don't like the idea of NO making a catchy, bouncy popish kind of song...these are the same ones who hate WIM, such a good thing, player in the leage, shellshock

I Hate:

--The cheesy keyboard (accordian sounding one)... --the female background... --The pronunciation of the "nam" in Vietnam like "ma'am" and not "nom" like in nom de plume. The vietnamese pronounce it the "nom" way...and I think it sounds better.

I Like:

--Hooky's bass...it would make just about any song listenable --It is different than anything I've really heard from them before...lighter and catchier. --The guitar work against the chorus is really pretty good. --Barney's singing...his singing style is evolving again..I'm going to start a thread on this momentarily...if he sings like this on the next record there is a good chance of them having a "hit" beyond the hardcore fans. He seems to have found a comfort zone within his (questionable) range and is not shouting/speaking the lyrics nor does he need a wall of sound to cover over him. --it is bittersweet and I like that!

I like it. Hooky's bass is understated but adds a nice countermelody to the song...it reminds me of something else but I can't quite place it. Bittersweet in the way only they can do so well.

The accordion vamp may be for reggae flava.

And the "harder they fall" outro is a nice touch...a little reference to the US perhaps?

Sounds nice.Is it a New Order production ?

It does go on a bit.

Like the lyrics about the telegram, and Mary with hair of gold and lips like cherry (Tom Jones in da house!)

Woeful......there, I said it. I know some of you are thinking it too, you just don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe it either but they do have an excuse: they didn't write it, it was quickly thrown together and was probably picked just because it is war related.

I sincerely hope that is a one off. I haven't been this annoyed since Nine Inch Nails released "Deep".

It was a terrible war and it went on far too long :p

Haven't heard it yet, and judging by the reviews so far, I'm missing it a little but not by much. (I'll let you know when I do get a chance to hear it)

I really like the music. Sounds really happy. :) (funny cause I think the song is ment to be sad)

The more I listen the more I like it.

Hooky is great in it. I Miss Gillian in it.

That background sound is so cool, Does not sound like New Order, until you hear hooky.

At Amazon.uk it's only 11.99 Pounds, It should only be about 26.00 Cad. But with shipping It should be around 30-35 Cad. It's the cheapest I can find. Anybody else?

HMV.uk I cant find it.

Sounds OK, its a pretty good song in the first place (as are most of Jimmy Cliff's stuff), though they don't seem to have done anything particularly exciting with it.

I guess I'll be buying it mostly for the cause and out of completeness.

Get's a "Meh" from me. Not that impressive.

Originally posted by 404 error they don't seem to have done anything particularly exciting with it.

that's it.

and it is nervy just after the third listening.

it's nearly embarassing to say that the more i listen to it, the more i like it. i like the tension between the happy tune and the sad background, reminds me a bit of "Mr. Disco"...and the guitars are great.

It's New Order and anti-war. I'm in.

sorry, but this is TOTAL crap! How can anyone defend this. This is someting for a weddingparty played by a fifth-rate combo. Just because they are NO, doesnt mean they can record everything. They have become lazy and lost their self-criticsm. Are they really over the top after all? They already took a risk with crappy songs like slow jam, RTS and Such a good thing. Boy, is this disappointing. Where will it end?

i won't even download it. One has to have some principle :)

yeah, its alright. better than i thought it would be.

I listened to it at work, and it is embarrassing. I hope it will improve with a few listens but I doubt it

It has Hooky's bass, a decent rythm and Barney's vocals; which can never be bad.

Unfortunately the songs a bit of a turkey and perhaps should have been left to baste in the over for a little while longer until ready.

It does fox me when bands elect cover songs as average as the Vietnam song - should they have hired a producer to find a better, more suitable outing? - mmmm.

A bit stinky - mainly because it is 'just a song' - which will never be acceptable to a NO fan.

I won't be buying the album, but I will be contributing some charity work this year of my own.

You know, now that I think about it, Slow Jam was really good...

Well, I listened to it once yesterday and will give it another listen this evening. Might grow on me, but at the moment I'm a bit annoyed at the thought of having to pay twelve quid for this. And Ronan Keating doing "In The Ghetto".

I preferred their previous foray into reggae territory.

I dont know if i want to listen to it before the album comes out, because if i do and i dont like it then i wont be buying the album!!

The YANKS should never have gone there...WHAT?:D

It is a God-awful song but in case any of you die hard New Order fans are going to buy it because it features New Order, http://www.cdwow.com are flogging it at £8.99 with free delivery worldwide. It is for a good cause after all, but I'd personally rather help in a different manner.

UGH!....this is truly AWFUL. Vietnam makes Slow Jam sound like a masterpiece...and i fucking HATE SLOW JAM. Sadly, this is another nail in our beloveds coffin.

Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid Sadly, this is another nail in our beloveds coffin.

Hmm sounds like ya going off our band Brian!!

Maybe the NewOrder counselling unit can help you!! can some volunteers step forward?

I like it, more than most stuff since Crystal. Come on, It's a catchy, well- executed POP SONG, with a message- can't we suspend the artistic merit moans when it's for a good cause? If you don't like it buy the album and THROW IT IN THE BIN OUTSIDE HMV. War Child get the proceeds, everyone's happy! Plus you get to bin a Ronan Keating track.

Wasn't too sure about it at first but hey, guess what - after a few listens, its pretty good - anyone heard that one before ??

Not in the upper echelons by any means, but it'll do for me.

Originally posted by DoN > Originally posted by Biznotic Love Trapezoid> Sadly, this is another nail in our beloveds coffin.

Hmm sounds like ya going off our band Brian!!

Maybe the NewOrder counselling unit can help you!! can some volunteers step forward?

I love NewOrder and always will. I am Extremely Critical as you may have noticed...it's okay, i am not immune to my own criticism...but seriously, this song is AWFUL...the funny thing is, i actually listen to Republic all the way, straight through...and i enjoy it!...even Liar....but Slow Jam, Rock the Shack and Vietnam are so boring, so similar to other peoples tunes and style and against my personal opinion of what a new order song sounds like...after all, its our own opinions that actually matter and not anyone else's....

maybe you and shuglet can straighten me out when your in the Emerald City

Originally posted by Nanne Visser a.k.a. SkullCrusher i won't even download it. One has to have some principle :)

Ooooh, that will teach them!

I'm indifferent. It's not that bad. Could be worse *cough* Avril Lavine *cough* Knocking On Heaven's Door *cough*

P.S Peace Train is a damn fine song.

this is the closest thing to disco that new order has ever recorded! and that's not necessarily a good thing. it must be the beats and the guitars and the cheesy chorus. how can an anti-war song sound this happy and disco-like?

i have mixed feelings about this. i usually warm up to NO's music, but i don't know if i'll warm up to this one. which could be a first.

Bet you've all been humming it all day though, haven't you!

Originally posted by Snucker this is the closest thing to disco that new order has ever recorded!

Are we thinking about the same New Order??

For the record, gave it another couple of listens last night and I think I could grow to tolerate it, especially as it's for a good cause.

its for a good cause so anyone overseas looking to buy it should do so through the official site (assuming they ship internationally - haven't actually checked...)

war child site

Originally posted by Spotnick And keep in mind.. this is NOT a New Order song, just New Order doing another guy's song for CHARITY....So if you didn't like the original version, you won't like this one either!

Well, but you can make a song your own whilst covering it. You just don't have to play it as boring as the original version is and I am really bored by either the Jimmy Cliff and the New Order version. Can't remember that I ever was bored by a NO song, sad but true. A good example for a band who made the songs they covered distinctively their own is - please don't beat me - The Sisters of Mercy. Just listen to their versions of Emma (Hot Chocolate) and Jolene (Dolly Parton).

Originally posted by Andy Kay > Originally posted by Spotnick> > > A good example for a band who made the songs they covered distinctively their own is - please don't beat me - The Sisters of Mercy. Just listen to their versions of Emma (Hot Chocolate) and Jolene (Dolly Parton).

Agreed! The 'old' Sisters ('82-'84) were absolutely great when it came to covers (and originals, too). I just can't get enough of their Sister Ray/Ghostrider/Louie Louie encores, with the drum machine going berserk for anything between 5 and 15 minutes! But sadly, last time I had the chance to listen to a bootleg of a 2002 show, I was appalled by the way Eldritch's latest choice of covers (including 70s glam stuff - even Mud, if I recall correctly) was performed (at least, going by the bootleg).

Originally posted by Andy Kay > Originally posted by Spotnick> And keep in mind.. this is NOT a New Order song, just New Order doing another guy's song for CHARITY....> > So if you didn't like the original version, you won't like this one either!

Well, but you can make a song your own whilst covering it. You just don't have to play it as boring as the original version is and I am really bored by either the Jimmy Cliff and the New Order version. Can't remember that I ever was bored by a NO song, sad but true. A good example for a band who made the songs they covered distinctively their own is - please don't beat me - The Sisters of Mercy. Just listen to their versions of Emma (Hot Chocolate) and Jolene (Dolly Parton).

hmmm, I rather like the JC version, though my gf also said it was 'boring'. Its true that NO don't really bring much of their own to the party.

I do think they've lost their edge somewhat, becoming lazier and less obsessive perfectionist as they've gotten older. Didn't Barny describe somewhere how he used to spend ages up on stage with a screwdriver trying to get all the equipment to work properly? Nowadays its more a case of let those paid to take care of it do so, do your stuff take the cash and go home. Along with Barny's lightening up on stage and actually seeming to enjoy himself goes a loss of something also, I think.

Maybe they'll gain something else in place of that intensity though?

Kill him Al

Hahahaha

... I think he assumed you were referring to your mate who proceeded to consistently hum the tune after you pointed New Order's new (cover) song to him.

Either way that crossed wire was the funniest thing I've read in ages, topped by that quizzical smiley.

Top draw.

Not a great song, but it is interesting to hear newOrder doing a cover version of a song by someone else.

I'd rather they'd have handed the "All Day Long" tapes over to some hotshot remixer.

Far more topical than the false analogy implied by "Vietnam."

Alas, the band doesn't seek my advice. Sigh.

Good?

1. It is New Order, 2003.
2. They are in studio and they are doing something.
3. Some people who buys this album will see that they still exist and maybe try to find some other NO material.

Bad?

1. If this points the direction to their new album, it's not THAT good.
2. A New Order cover - I don't like too much this idea.
3. People who likes that song mostly will not like the other NO material they will find.

http://www6.cd-wow.com/detail\_results.php?product\_code=5160

Hope only 6.99 pounds with free worldwide delivery, so the price is very reasonable for importing, and yes, they did send me the copy i ordered. was shipped from Far East Asia thou... (odd???)