Electronic

I know views are mixed about Electronic but personally I think they were sporadically brilliant. Songs like Get The Message, Feel Every Beat, Forbidden City sit comfortably with some of NO's best work.

Anyway, I always wondered why Johnny Marr just didn't work with New Order and be done with it? Would that not have at least made some great music.

I know New Order are Gilbert, Morris, Hook & Sumner but the thought of an album with Marr on guitar and Hooky on bass sounds great to me.

Personally, I believe that at the time they decided to go their own way they were fairly divided as people. Arguments seemed to have dogged their Republic days and when all said and done, New Order was probably the last thing on their minds. As such, Barney teamed off with Johnny Marr and that marriage was made their and then... a world away from New Order as you could possibly get (which could of only happened at that point in time).

After a few releases the chances of Marr then joining New Order were very slim after Electronic snatched a little success... after all, wouldn't that negate Marr's infulence on Electronic as a stand-out individual? - He himself probably wouldn't want to show a lack of faith in the quality of Electronic to take the easy route and hit some riffs for NO - also, Marr is a legendary guitarist, and truth be told, would his supreme playing really fit the Order?... wouldn't the likes of the Hookster be a teeny bit jealous? - do they really need Marr?

About Electronic... your right, some songs are superb, real classics. However, the production has let them down and they have been perpetually inconsistent. They do sound cheap, and they will never escape this now after sowing the seeds of doubt in us all. Quality only happens every now and then... New Order and Joy Division are the now and then.

Electronic's first album is classic. Cheap sounding but classic. If they continue in the future, i say sign up that Hooky biter from the Cure for bass detail. Cure, Smiths, neworder all together. That way, Hooky's ego remains unchallenged and Electronic sound more complete. The first time i heard Getting Away With It was on an adult contemporary station in remote Louisiana---weird to say the least. The electronic bootlegs i have sound pretty good though. live versions have more variations than new order tunes live. i wonder why?

Electronics first album IS a classic, but guys, for god sake take things at face value. What difference does it make if a record sounds cheap if you enjoy it? Sometimes rawness can bring better results than over polishing something, which is to me how Republic sounds, overpolished.

Some of the first album sounds a bit dated but it is their best. Doesn't look like there will be anymore Electronic stuff and to be honest I'm glad as just ain't New Order.

Mind you, reminds me to make that Best Of Electronic compilation tape I've been meaning to do.

Current tracklisting is:

Get The Message Feel Every Beat Getting Away With It Disappointed Forbidden City Until the End of Time Make it Happen Haze Vivid Prodigal Son Flicker

Not a bad album that I reckon.

Some good choices there Zico but just HOW could you ommit the incredible "Late At Night" and "Second Nature"? I think they are both some of the best lyrics Barney has ever done!

I'd love to get hold of some Electronic B-sides but I bet it will be tough getting hold of them now. Does anyone have the North American only, deluxe version of "Twisted Tenderness" ? (as previewed on this site) How do the bonus tracks rate, are they in the same vein as the album tracks?

As far as Electronics first album is concerned, I agree the production seems lo-fi and some tracks seem dated but I still enjoy the album. Better in my opinion however is "Twisted Tenderness" where that comic (known as the NME) complained that they had "thrown in everything and the kitchen sink" into the instrumentation and production in a random fashion! I certainly don't get that vibe from listening to it.

Originally posted by Matt Ellis Some good choices there Zico but just HOW could you ommit the incredible "Late At Night" and "Second Nature"? I think they are both some of the best lyrics Barney has ever done!I'd love to get hold of some Electronic B-sides but I bet it will be tough getting hold of them now. Does anyone have the North American only, deluxe version of "Twisted Tenderness" ? (as previewed on this site) How do the bonus tracks rate, are they in the same vein as the album tracks?As far as Electronics first album is concerned, I agree the production seems lo-fi and some tracks seem dated but I still enjoy the album. Better in my opinion however is "Twisted Tenderness" where that comic (known as the NME) complained that they had "thrown in everything and the kitchen sink" into the instrumentation and production in a random fashion! I certainly don't get that vibe from listening to it.

I agree with your comments, especially regarding Twisted Tenderness. IMHO, it doesn't sound cheap at all, and they did a very interesting production job.

Electronic's B-sides are not their best songs, except maybe for King for a Day and Warning Sign, both featured on disc 2 of the deluxe edition of Twisted Tenderness. Warning Sign, especially, is briliant and makes this deluxe edition worth the purchase.

OK, I missed out the B-sides but I there never thought there was any outstanding ones to be honest. ‘Lucky Bag’ is pretty good but unfortunately I will forever associate it with ‘Sportscene’ (Scotland’s version of Match of The Day) as it was used as the theme tune for a season.

Quite liked Imitation of Life (B-side to Forbidden City) and the instrumental B-side to Second Nature (cannae remember its name) but that's about it.

btw Matt - not a big fan of Late at Night and obviously being a NO fan, lyrics aren’t obviously paramount to my appreciation of a song!

And what about 'Free Will', surely a classic if ever there was one!

Actually, that is pretty good. Only have it on 7" vinyl. i may have to reappraise my tracklisting in light of recent opinions. It was only meant to fit on one side of a 90min cassette! However I could use both sides and use the remaining 10 mins for the best of Revenge........

Originally posted by zico Actually, that is pretty good.Only have it on 7" vinyl.i may have to reappraise my tracklisting in light of recent opinions.

The extended version is better. The way it suddenly stops and builds back up again is magical!

I've always thought that first Electronic album was wildly overrated. Patchy, at best. Having said that, Barney and Johnny's little plaything has justified its existence from now to eternity on the basis of "Getting Away...", "get the Message" (two of the best singles of the past 15 years, anyone?) and the penultimate track on the debut that goes "I don't know if we could get lost / In a city this size if we wanted to". Swoon!!

The second lp has some killer tunes but is ruined by the sub-Technotronic "we love 1991" numbers; "TT" I dig out every six months, think "Oh, this is better than I remember - must play it more often", and then forget about it for another six months.

Anyone see 'em live?

M.

Originally posted by martin fradley I've always thought that first Electronic album was wildly overrated. Patchy, at best. Having said that, Barney and Johnny's little plaything has justified its existence from now to eternity on the basis of "Getting Away...", "get the Message" (two of the best singles of the past 15 years, anyone?) and the penultimate track on the debut that goes "I don't know if we could get lost / In a city this size if we wanted to". Swoon!!The second lp has some killer tunes but is ruined by the sub-Technotronic "we love 1991" numbers; "TT" I dig out every six months, think "Oh, this is better than I remember - must play it more often", and then forget about it for another six months.Anyone see 'em live?M.

Definately agree on the two best singles thing, and yes i saw them live at the Barras on that tour, they were really good. The first album is excellent in my opinion, the next two were patchy but still worthy of a listen now and again.

So no-one got across for those Mode-supporting debut dates in Los Angeles, then??

Call yourselves fans????? (NB - joke)

So your car conked out, Jarvo: but how do you evaluate the boys' performance?

M.

Originally posted by zico Some of the first album sounds a bit dated but it is their best.Doesn't look like there will be anymore Electronic stuff and to be honest I'm glad as just ain't New Order.Mind you, reminds me to make that Best Of Electronic compilation tape I've been meaning to do.Current tracklisting is:Get The MessageFeel Every BeatGetting Away With ItDisappointedForbidden CityUntil the End of TimeMake it HappenHazeVividProdigal SonFlickerNot a bad album that I reckon.

Where`s 'For You'??? I cant believe you left that off the list.

I think some of Barneys finest lyric writing moments have come out of Electronic - honestly!!

The first album is simply a stone cold classic and that clearly isnt denied. Raise the Pressure has moments of excellence the opening line of the first track Forbidden City is just sheer class, as is the "Run Wild" 'esque final track "Time Can Tell."

My favourite Electronic track has to be the title Twisted Tenderness off the same titled album. Again bitter sweet lyrics which really hit a raw nerve and is obviously sung deep from the heart.

Being a side project which Barney has obviously much more input into than NO its evident the amount of freedom he's allowed and the knife sticking in lyrics are unchecked throughout the 3 albums.

Saw em at Wembley Hall - atrocious sound quality but still one of the best gigs of my life as seeing Barney,Johnny and Neil PSB all on stage at the same time was quite phenomonal!!!! and i'll never forget Barney walking on in shrouded by smoke to the strains of Soviet.. sheer class!

"i feel guilty oh its such a shame - its frustrating its a sad thing and theres no one else to blame..."

I'm assuming Electronic are finished now? Given that Johnny Marr has his band the Healers and Barney's claiming that "New Order are here to stay" would suggest so. Wonder if Hooky will put Monaco to bed as well?

I suppose the bottom line is that all the side-projects, whilst each having some magical highs, could never really attain the heights of the Order. Get a funny feeling they've finally realised that themselves.

Maybe so... but i hope not!!

Bernard - "Yes, Electronic are still going but we've not really got any plans to do anything so... I think I've got enough on my hands at the moment and Johnny’s busy so we're both busy enough."

03 September 2001 The Sun, New Order web chat

now that's funny! I am wearing my Cities in the park t-shirt today. I can't really recall much of the Electronic performance(i wonder why), but i do remember Revenge playing a couple of old New Order songs at that day and they were great. Furthermore i remember DeLaSoul (not bad) and of course The best drugpromoters of all time Happy Mondays.

Mario

i was at the dodger stadium show. great show, bad sound. i still have my electronic shirt. i got to meet johnny after the show. i also still have my ticket for the electronic show that never happened at the universal amphitheatre.

               g.

Oooh, "Imitation of Life": that belongs on the list of NO film related titles thread from a few days back....

M.

Originally posted by Inta Don The first album is simply a stone cold classic and that clearly isnt denied. Raise the Pressure has moments of excellence the opening line of the first track Forbidden City is just sheer class, as is the "Run Wild" 'esque final track "Time Can Tell."

At last, another fan of 'Time Can Tell'. Killer chorus.

If you read this, Huntsy, can you guess my favorite Electronic song?

Forbidden City.

Wrong.

Well, it was one of 3.

Forbidden City, Getting Away with Things or... the one off the first album that goes 'I don't know, how we can live in a city this size without seeing you'