400) New Order - Technique

Mojo magazine recently had  the headline New Order Reunite? I’d rather die.

Me and everyone with a slight interest in New Order knew it would be Peter Hook talking. Hook, as well as his years in Joy Division, was in New Order from 1980 – 1993 and 1998 to 2007 so has been out of the band for nearly twenty years but with them being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hook has made it clear he will never appear on stage with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, the wounds run deep on both sides, sad to read as I always think Hook and Morris come across as decent guys when I read about them or see them on videos. 

Although they still tour since Hook left New Order have only managed one record, Music Complete, which was eleven years ago.

The classic line up is done, but when they were together, they made some wonderful music and when they released this record they were at their peak and this secured the band their first number one.

The band took themselves to Ibiza to record and they enjoyed the nightlife, maybe a bit too much, and returned to the UK and finished the record at Peter Gabriel’s studio.

The record opens with the first single off the album, Fine Time which is a staggering return with Sumner breathless over the top and then the guitar and bass explode at one minute nineteen, Gillian’s synths and Mr Morris keeping it altogether, with voice samples and sheep bleating it was wonderful and all these years later still is.

All the Way is perfect pop we have shimmering guitar and a lovely deep bass from Hook (he is missed its as simple as that) and there is a lightness and catchiness to this song, it floats over me and they cough us into Love Less and they prove that All the Way wasn’t as fluke as they do it again.

Second single Round and Round is more restrained than Fine Time but that’s no criticism as its solid dance pop and the final single Run has the band playing to their strengths we don’t need the dance beats here they just remind us of what an excellent guitar, bass, drum, synth band they were, a real highlight.

Guilty Partner and Mr Disco are enjoyable but not essential, neither are bad tracks, there isn’t a bad track on this record just maybe not up to the standard of the others.

Vanishing Point kicks in when the synth arrives and Hook’s bass has its moment and then we have the melodic beauty of Dream Attack.

This was the last great New Order record, they had moments after this but they were at their peak each band member playing to their strengths but they had learned to let the songs breathe and there is almost a simplicity to some of the songs on this record and that is genius in itself.

They are not the first and won’t be the last but what a bloody shame we will never see Peter playing with Bernard, Stephen, and Gillian but if they are all happier then that’s a small price we all pay and we still have their records.

8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Run