The Beat Surrender

It seems now that New Order really may well have hung up their plectrums and synthesisers for the last time recently, we have been here before of course with the band previously taking time out from each for a variety of reasons. This latest split in the camp though seems to be a final one, far more bitter and acrimonious than previous departures, so the timing of these releases in some ways couldn’t be better, although you have to question the need.

I say that because New Order are now a legendary band, they brought dance music over from America having spent time hanging around the New York scene in the early 80’s, fusing that with the guitar from Bernard and even more importantly to their sound, the low-slung bass of Peter Hook.

To begin with they were weighed down by the baggage of Joy Division and the death of band mate Ian Curtis, eventually though they would be recognised in their own right and respected as a great British band, a band who released some monumental singles, but awkwardly chose to leave those off of their albums.

The re-release of the first five New Order albums along with bonus discs that feature singles, remixes and rarities throws up something of a quandry for the collector or more casual fan that will possibly have the majority of tracks that are featured here, is it worth repurchasing, do you want to fall victim to this obvious commercial exploitation? That said if you don’t already own the albums then it is a no brainer, at least for three of them in my eyes, a couple of them aren’t my favourite New Order albums.

Movement was a natural progression for the band from Joy Division, it still has a dark, brooding edginess to the sound, but things are softened by Sumner’s less intense vocal. Power, Corruption And Lies followed and is probably my favourite album from the group. Age Of Consent, Your Silent Face, Ecstasy and Leave Me Alone are still massively underrated tracks and when you consider it could have featured Blue Monday had they chosen to include it, then what an album this is.

Low-Life is an album i’ve always loved, Love Vigilante, The Perfect Kiss and This Time Of Night surely three of the best tracks to open an album. Brotherhood, the 1986 album is one I still wrestle with to this day, while it’s easy to love Bizarre Love Triangle, State Of The Nation and Angel Dust, Every Little Counts comes across less than serious, which is in stark contrast to the subject matter of All Day Long, it’s a good New Order album, but not a great one.

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