Singing on Subculture

Okay, Huntsy, I listened last night to both versions of Sub-bubbles, focusing particularly on the singing. The Low Strife version sounded like normal Barney, that is to say, excellent. However, the singing on the Substance version, which I had never been conscious of before, was not just Barney's voice, but it seemed like female backup on every word.

P, the singing on Low-Lap Dancer is truly awful... it was the beginning point at which Barney stripped back the reverbs, chorus etc. (singing aids) and released his naked beauty onto the world. A very, very brave move. This, to me, was the pivotal point at which Barney became laconic introducing 'his own voice' and use of melodies into the already great JD and NO sound.

The throwback to this leap of faith was the over-egg'd pudding which is now known as the Substance Sub-culture (to me, it'll always be the original 12" but never mind). You could safely say that Barney will be singing, plus another Barney in the same note (a duplicate for thickness)... another Barney higher and another Barney lower. Ontop of this we've got lashings of FX and studio trickery plus an unsighted bitch to bolster the whole event.

The 12" of Subculture has a landmark sound, we must not forget the importance this had to New Order, their future sound and to a generation of copiers and wannabee New Order'ites... of which there are a few hundred, nay thousand.

When all said and done, the Low-Life version is for the fans - play this to anyone else and they'll wonder if its a demo you've knocked up in your bedroom.

Well, Huntsy, there is no end to the NO learning and lore that you impart to me. This subject certainly deserves ample additional study.

On the subject of singing, I recently had the good fortune to acquire the 1982 5-track CD with the original TempestNation, which I had not ever heard before. Who in the universe is singing on THAT?

Bernard. Sounds a bit like a hybrid of Bernard and an early prototype robot buit by Clive Sinclair (he of ZX Spectrum fame).

What's funny Pat, is that you are (I think) referring to the USA Mini-album from 1982... my FAVOURITE NO masterpiece. Does it have a very light blue background with an oblong piece of modern art shown on the front cover? - what a piece of magic this baby is. Got this when records were still 'thick' as opposed to the cheaper, more flimsy vinyl reproduce in the late eighties... first seen on The Perfect Kiss 12" with alternate coloured inner sleeves.

Never seen this bitch on CD though Pat... you are a lucky little mouse.

Yes, Huntsy, I was amazed to see this item offered for sale at Matt's CD Singles a few weeks ago. Of course I ordered it immediately. It has precisely the cover you describe. Says Polygram, made in Canada. I look forward to much listening pleasure from it. It is probably the only NO rarity (if it is) that I own.