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Two approaches to capturing New Order

From the Spring 2003 issue.

International
International
By New Order

Rhino Records: 2003

To hear sound clips or learn more about this release, Turbula recommends viewing its Amazon.com entry.




Retro
Retro
By New Order

Rhino Records: 2003

To hear sound clips or learn more about this release, Turbula recommends viewing its Amazon.com entry.

In 1979, Ian Curtis committed suicide, Joy Division died, and New Order was born.

In 2003, the intervening twenty-four years are summed up in two albums. The "armchair" New Order fan can relive the 1980s with the best-of album, "International," while more dedicated fans get the box set "Retro" — a four-disc set that is more like four individual albums than a four-part compilation.

International

In 1995, New Order released a "Best of" album, and in 2001, they released "Get Ready," their first new album in nearly ten years. So is "International" little more than a mix of the two albums? Refreshingly, the answer to that question is "not even remotely." Although many of the songs can be found on "Best of," they are frequently different versions — a dance mix here, a radio edit there. If nothing else, the album fully spans the lifespan of New Order, from their debut single "Ceremony" to "Crystal" and "60 Miles an Hour" off "Get Ready." The tracks are arranged chronologically, a typical arrangement, but one that works. In particular, this ordering best shows the evolution of the group and growth of its work.

The limited-edition release of "International" includes a DVD containing three New Order videos: "True Faith," "The Perfect Kiss" and a live version of "Blue Monday" from 2002. Three videos is somewhat disappointing; the DVD would be improved by the inclusion of interviews, behind-the-scenes mini-documentaries, or even still pictures. On the other hand, by including the recent version of "Blue Monday," the audio evolution that is presented in the CD is complimented by the visual changes in the band over the last twenty years.

This is not the first New Order compilation, nor would it come as a surprise to see another in a few years. For fans who already have "The Best of New Order" or "Substance," "International" will add little to the collection. Those without a New Order compilation, however, should consider "International" to fill that void.

Retro

Perhaps the most common way to construct a box set is chronologically. Also typical is to organize the songs by style. In creating "Retro", however, New Order has taken a unique approach — let four other people each create an album, overlapping songs be damned. The resulting four discs, entitled "Pop," "Fan," "Club" and "Live," each has its own flavor that highlights a different component of what made New Order so popular. With this construct, duplicate songs are not only reasonable, but work in favor of the anthology, showing the versatility of the music as much as the group ("Crystal," in particular, appears on three of the four discs.)

"Pop," as the name suggests, highlights New Order as a pop group and includes the most memorable releases from the group, such as "Bizarre Love Triangle" and "Blue Monday." "Fan" is a more esoteric collection that goes well beyond the well-known singles, dipping instead into tracks that will be most appreciated by, well, fans. "Club" does for the dance-mix aspects of New Order what "Pop" does for the radio hits — highlighting some of the finest points of this group. Finally, "Live" is, as one might expect, a variety of live recordings spanning 20 years and is enjoyable for one who appreciates live music, difficult for one who does not.

The style-wise construct used in "Retro" makes this a most compelling collection. Rather than try to categorize a band with such variation in style, each of the principal styles of the group is individually demonstrated. Comparing one album to another in turn demonstrates with stunning effectiveness how skilled New Order truly is. Although the collection may be argued to be incomplete, any lack is in individual song selection. In terms of style, much of how any group is remembered, "Retro" completes New Order very nicely.

Reviews by Chris Lund. Chris is a software programmer living in San Diego, Calif.




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