Back to the Future of 'The Republican'?

Here it is baby - your chance to change history.

Given the opportunity, would you remove 'The Republican' from New Order's (and our own) history?

Original 'non-truncated' poll alternatives:

Yes, of course. The Republican is an absolute corker of an album and features some of my favourite New Order songs of all time ... ever. It marked the ending of the Factory years, stamping a poignant reminder of the bands musical and personal history. I love it, and I would could never entertain the notion it should not have been released, stealing so much listening pleasure from my nostrils (which are currently enflamed).

I'm not sure, there's too much trifle involved between the glacier cherries. If they had removed 7 songs with different, more 'New Order'y' sounding giants then I'd be keen. But I can't decide whether its too cheesy and besides which I'm the type who waits too long choosing suitable shoes for a night out at the disco. I dig 'Regrettable Circumstances' but leap when I hear Bernard rapping on 'Gear Change'. Perhaps I would remove it from history, but only the songs I don't like.

After Technical Lego I was beside myself with excitement hearing the news that 'The Republican' was now available at my HMV or fresh vegetable stall. Unfortunately it was rhubarb and a severe pudding on an otherwise dream like catalogue of greats. I only use 'The Republican' between meals to dry dishes. It stinks so bad the dog won't eat it.

I'm still so upset by its release I refuse to comment.

it aint that bad,

but my dog eats anything...

Well, I picked the first choice, H, although it does overstate my positive views. I do actually prefer it to T.

Option two for me. Republic has a couple of gems but also contains a wide selection of New Order's worst ever tunes. With Technique they blended their sound with the dance scene of the day and made a record that sounded both current whilst retaining all the classic 'Order elements we know and love. Republic by comparison sounded dated and cheesy even in 1993 ( The beat on Times Change is almost as naff as the rapping ) and had the sound of a band who really weren't arsed anymore.

It sounds a bit like New Order but minus all the good bits.

Please treat your animals with RESPECT.R.HARRIS.:D

Option 2. Oh my god, it's my 999th post.

Originally posted by Tout est devenu vert Option 2. Oh my god, it's my 999th post.

999 Now dont go and do a Budvar on us will you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I too will have to go with option 2, with an order of super sized fries. :)

option two here. i listen to it on occasion, i admit, and as it helped cleanse me of the 'grunge' phase i was going through circa 1991-1993 i am truly grateful.

to put it into wider perspective: i just heard an excerpt of the new latoya jackson song on 'dateline NBC' and it makes even 'chemical' sound like the hope diamond. were the hope diamond in listening form, so to speak.

so let us not be too harsh when speaking of 'republic', but do keep in mind that, compared to new order's other output, it is, generally, rather pile-of-pooish.

no, i still like republic. i don't hate it and it's still holds up. i could think of other stinkers....like electronic's raise the pressure.

Oh God, that feared Hunstman poll raises its ugly head! H, I'll vote for: "It's not NewOrder's greatest album, but a CD with such top tunes as Regret, Special, Avalanche, Times Change, Young Offender and that majestic Everyone everywhere CAN'T be that bad either!"

Originally posted by Al Jarvis I'm still not a fan. Considering the hiatus and the quality of Electronic's first album, and the general furore in the press as this one approached I was expecting really Huge Things. But it never delivered.There's one gem (no prizes guessing which one I'm thinking of) and a few howlers which I'll never get to grips with: Liar, Avalanche, Times Change, Spooky and Young Offender. But there's also a few tracks which I'll wager would've fared better without Hague's prissy production: Everyone Everywhere, Ruined and Special. Jury's still out on World for me - if only they'd added a bass, I might've 'got it'.

It's the only one I very rarely listen to. Obviously Regret was the standout track. I usually go on gut instinct with New Order records, and I also quite liked World, Everyone Everywhere, Ruined and Avalanche. Rest of it was just elevator muzak, Electronic out-takes and dross they'd had hanging around. The lack of bass was alarming. More alarming was seeing Hooky thrashing hell out of his bass live when playing World !

It seems most people agree this is an unbalanced NO effort. Aside from Movement which was a different time and sounded as it did for many reasons i.e. it is immune from comment positive or negative, The Republican appears to be 'the only' NO album which is 50% good, 50% bad. For NO, this is well below par.

It is interesting that some people highlight different good and seemingly bad songs from the album. Mmmm.

World is a classic, apart from the toy town production. Bernard's vocals excellent. As Al points out, disgraceful exclusion of Hooky on the mix, but hearing his attempt in Reading '93 I think I can see why. ;)

Originally posted by Al Jarvis > Originally posted by Huntsman> It seems most people agree this is an unbalanced NO effort.

Having said that, you go over to alt.music.new-order and the viewpoint there is the complete antithesis of most views represented here - with their regular contributors Republic is held in fairly high esteem, and Get Ready is considered the band's dirge-point. Strange that. Each to their own though, eh?

who are these "alt.music.new-order" fans? do any of them post on here or do they exist in a parallel universe?

what the hell is it anyway? a forum? i've never seen it!

It doesn't seem to be a proper address.

its a news group

its gone down hill

Originally posted by Al Jarvis > Originally posted by Huntsman> It seems most people agree this is an unbalanced NO effort.

Having said that, you go over to alt.music.new-order and the viewpoint there is the complete antithesis of most views represented here - with their regular contributors Republic is held in fairly high esteem, and Get Ready is considered the band's dirge-point. Strange that. Each to their own though, eh?

Even at the release of Repub, there was not the level of fans, the likes of which Depeche Mode were enjoying; so finding similar minds for comment was tricky. In our locality, I always remember a friend of a friend was deeply into the Order. I was interested to hear his views after I'd first heard RP to see what his response was.

He damned the whole project and from that point (he was by all accounts a hardcore, avid fan) left the band for pastures different.

I think he had a point.

I wonder if he re-joined after GR hit the streets?

This site seems to have an enviable widespread of JD and NO enthusiasts, it is surprising to hear that another site has entirely different views? - can't imagine that anyone around here copies anyone else - on the contrary.

They could always join here and vote.

Originally posted by Al Jarvis It's an old usenet forum, not web-based but can be viewed through the likes of google, or deja. There's not as much throughput as you get on here. I think the only people from here who comment there are Hank and Dave Molly, and me, but I only go there in fits and starts.Presumably in your car Al?

Although I edited that I still couldn't get my bold writing out of the main mix.

Never mind.

Originally posted by Al Jarvis It's an old usenet forum, not web-based but can be viewed through the likes of google, or deja. There's not as much throughput as you get on here. I think the only people from here who comment there are Hank and Dave Molly, and me, but I only go there in fits and starts.

I only ever visit there occasionally - seemed to be full of septics who don't know their arse from their elbow !

Alt.music.New-Order I used to use it when I was on AOL, probably only posted a dozen times since. They are a different breed.