Rocktrospectiva: The Synth Pop Masterpiece "Bizarre Love Triangle" Turns 40

Released on 3 November 1986, "Bizarre Love Triangle" was a song by English rock band New Order, released as a single from their fourth studio album, Brotherhood (1986). The song reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Disco Club Play chart and No. 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report in March 1987. It failed to enter the top 40 of both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100; however, a new mix included on The Best of New Order was released in 1994 and charted at No. 98 on the Hot 100. 

"Bizarre Love Triangle" explored themes of love, desire, and the complexity of relationships. The lyrics reflected the confusion and emotional conflict that can arise in a romantic relationship, especially when multiple feelings are involved. The repetition of certain phrases in the lyrics emphasized the narrator’s internal struggle between love and uncertainty. Overall, it can be interpreted as a reflection on the difficulties and contradictions of modern love.

The 12-inch version, remixed by Shep Pettibone, also appears on the compilation Substance and a second remix by Stephen Hague features on their Best Of album. The original album version appears on the 2005 compilation Singles, the 7-inch version appears on the 2016 reissue of this compilation. New Order's live versions since 1998 are based on the Shep Pettibone remix.

The single mix has more electronics than the album version, with the Fairlight CMI music workstation used to provide sounds such as the orchestral hits, and to sequence the song. All instruments except vocals and Peter Hook's melodic bass were sequenced (the song also prominently features synthesised bass and synth choir parts).

The song has been critically acclaimed since its release. In a 30th anniversary retrospective citing the song as one of the greatest of all time, Billboard described it as a "synth-pop masterpiece" and "an incandescent jewel of mid-'80s computer love." NME praised the song as New Order's "finest pop moment".

The music video, which was released in November 1986, was directed by American artists Robert Longo and Gretchen Bender. It mainly shows a man and a woman in business suits flying through the air as though propelled by trampolines; this is based directly on Longo's "Men in the Cities" series of lithographs. The video has a black and white cut-scene where Jodi Long and E. Max Frye are arguing about reincarnation, in which Long emphatically declares "I don't believe in reincarnation because I refuse to come back as a bug or as a rabbit!" Frye responds, "You know, you're a real 'up' person," before the song resumes.

Bizarre Love Triangle Track List: 

 

7-inch FAC 163 (UK)

 

1. Bizarre Love Trinagle (Shep Pettibone Remix UK 7-inch edit)

2. Bizarre Dub Triangle 

 

7-inch: Quest 7-28421 (US) and 7-inch FAC-26 (Canada)

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (Shep Pettibone Remix US 7-inch edit)

2. Every Little Counts

 

7-inch: FAC-163153 (Australia)

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (Shep Pettibone Remix US 7-inch edit)

2. State Of The Nation

 

12-inch: FAC 163 (UK)

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (Shep Pettibone extended remix)

2. Bizarre Dub Triangle

 

12-inch: Quest 0-20546 (US)

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (Shep Pettibone extended remix)

2. I Don't Care (Actually Bizarre Dub Triangle)

3. State Of The Nation

4. Bizarre Love Triangle (Shep Pettibone Remix UK 7-inch edit)

 

CD: Quest 9 20546-2 (US) released in 1994

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (album version)

2. Bizarre Love Triangle (extended dance mix)

3. I Don't Care (actually Bizarre Dub Triangle)

4. State Of The Nation

5. Bizarre Love Triangle (single remix) 

Rocktrospectiva: New Order's Conceptual Danceable Masterpiece "Brotherhood" Turns 40

 

Released on 29 September 1986, "Brotherhood" was the 4th., studio album by the English rock band New Order, released on 29 September 1986 by Factory Records. It contains a mixture of post-punk and electronic styles, roughly divided between the two sides. The album includes "Bizarre Love Triangle", the band's breakthrough single in the United States and Australia; it was the only track from the album released as a single and as a video (although "State of the Nation" was added to most CD editions).

The album sleeve, created by Peter Saville, is a photograph of a sheet of titanium–zinc alloy. Some early releases came in a metallic sleeve.

As for the album's sound, it explored post-punk and electronica blended with rock and disco, creating a vibe that bordered on the schizophrenic: synthesizers dominated one side of the spectrum while the other was given over entirely to guitars—a contrast evident throughout the record. There was the sonic frenzy of "Every Little Counts," while "All Day Long" revealed the curious influence of Richard Wagner (a track the band would later use to open their concerts). 

The flawless "Bizarre Love Triangle" was the main a gem—a synth-pop classic—though, interestingly, the song failed to crack the Top 40 in either the UK or the US despite its outstanding quality. Its music video, directed by Robert Longo, enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV and remains a cult classic in every sense. 

Then there was "State of the Nation," clearly a protest song, and the playful "Every Little Counts." The album received generally favorable reviews for the sound they achieved, although some critics felt it offered nothing new regarding the band's sonic identity. Yet, one could argue that with this record, the band was attempting to shed the "Joy Division" label, aiming to prove that their sound was uniquely New Order—and they succeeded. It was a blend of sonic beauty and complex creativity, grappling with everything around them—including their own past. That is precisely where the album's achievement lies: in championing a sound that was more pop-oriented and accessible than their earlier, darker musical offerings. 

An oftenly overlooked album, it made atmospheric grooves with more finesse than any contemporary computer-rocker. In the end, it was the album that define the sound and status of the band, they had nothing else to proved at the time aside from continuing making great music. 

 

Brotherhood Track List:  

 

1. Paradise

2. Weirdo

3. As It Is When It Was

4. Broken Promise

5. Way Of Life

6. Bizarre Love Triangle

7. All Day Long

8. Angel Dust

9. Every Little Counts

Rocktrospectiva: The Confident Return To Form "Get Ready" Turns 25

Released on 27 August 2001 "Get Ready" was the 7th., studio album by English rock band New Order. It was the band's first studio album in eight years, following 1993's Republic. The album spawned the singles "Crystal", "60 Miles An Hour" & "Someone Like You."

New Order reformed to make a comeback record. That comeback record became 2001’s Get Ready, peaking at number six in the UK album charts. The recording process was a long-awaited reunion for the estranged Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner, and the two Joy Division founders put aside their differences to enjoy a fruitful, intimate recording process together — even if drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist/keyboardist Gillian Gilbert were largely absent. According to Hook’s ‘Substance: Inside New Order’ memoir, he and Sumner enjoyed the best working relationship they’d ever had, and made a record that they were both immensely proud of.

The album opened with "Crystal" back when the band reformed after almost a decade of absence and side projects, it was obvious that something big was needed for the Manchester veterans to successfully get back on the horse and this track was exactly what the band needed: a deliriously infectious electronic-rock single that catapults the group into the gargantuan sheen of modern production. "60 Miles An Hour" was an adrenaline-fuelled, guitar-heavy romp it was confident, and it was considered one of the best of New Order's track, "Turn My Way" featured Billy Corgan who duets with Sumner, playing the part of repressed, tortured conscience for Sumner’s straight-talking Mancunian pub-goer. Corgan croons ethereally, like a ghost of partying past, as Sumner stumbles between past regrets and confused ambitions. Although firmly anchored in the New Order canon by Hook’s mastery of the bittersweet bass line, Turn My Way was one of the most unique cuts in the group’s whole catalogue, "Vicious Streak" considered one of the songs of the set, the track swayed with a simple, hypnotic combination of Kraftwerk-esque sequencer patterns and lo-fi drum machine riffs. Hook’s trademark bass swoops in with all the discipline of an acrobat: the high-fretted melody braces itself against the steel, swings up into the clouds, composes itself in mid-air limbo, before landing with grace. 

Next was "Primitive Notion" considered New Order’s most apparent call to their proto-goth past since 1981’s Movement, it was a 1979 post-punk track gone modern. Sumner and Hook led the frock with aggressive string-playing. Galloping behind is a drum pattern with a subtle delay effect, always a millisecond off the melodic leads, "Slow Jam" was one of the most laddish recordings the band has ever released, the only thing separating Slow Jam from being a 00s Oasis track is a Peter Hook bass line. It’s really that close to mediocrity, "Rock The Shack" featuring Bobby Gillespie moved away from synth-pop, or post-punk, there’s was no tense mix between electronica and rock ‘n’ roll here. It sounded like a band not quite sure who they are anymore. "Someone Like You" was like the odd gem a true dance rock tune in every sense pure New Order, it had everything that fans have come to expect of the band through decades of electronic misadventures: an insistent drum pattern that shifts between the analogue and the synthesised, an ear-worm lead bass hook, and nonsensical lyrics of the 3am sleep-deprived brainstorm variety. 

The final tunes "Close Range" was a cautionary warning from one to friend another, it was a surprinsingly cut exploring drug abuse, it has a sort of disco synthesisers, guitar but it lacked of certain sense, and finally "Run Wild" it was somewhat confusing, cause Bernard Sumner delivered on this by attempting to write a New Order folk song.  

 

The album received generally and positive reviews back then by calling a stunning and confident return to form, they never sounded stronger or more vigorous and it deemed as the band's best album in 15 years at the time, the album was the sound of a great band breaking free of their past before your ears.

 

Get Ready Track List:

 

1. Crystal

2. 60 Miles An Hour

3. Turn My Way featuring Billy Corgan

4. Vicious Streak

5. Primitive Notion

6. Slow Jam  

7. Rock The Shack featuring Bobby Gillespie  

8. Someone Like You

9. Close Range

10. Run Wild  

Rocktrospectiva: New Order's Outstanding Comeback Single "Crystal" Turns 25

Released in the UK on 13 August 2001 "Crystal" was New Order's first single from thir 7th., studio album "Get Ready", the single was the band's first released in eight years attracting considerable attention and critical praise as the band's comeback single. The song also found success internationally, peaking at number three in Canada, number seven in Finland, and reaching the top 50 in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden. "Crystal" appears as the first track on the album in a version different from the single release, with an extended intro and coda.

Singer-guitarist Bernard Sumner originally gave the song to German record label Mastermind for Success, and it was recorded by label artist Corvin Dalek. However, DJ Pete Tong heard the song and declared it to be the best New Order single since "Blue Monday", leading Sumner to reconsider the gift and have New Order record and release it.

A version of the single was also released in Japan to promote the release of the New Order DVD 316, and has a different cover that resembles the 316 cover. B-sides for the single were 4 live audio tracks taken from the DVD. The single was B-sided by a variety of remixes, and an original song titled "Behind Closed Doors", which was produced by Arthur Baker. All versions feature extensive backing vocals from Dawn Zee, mostly wordless. Zee has continued to perform with New Order on all their successive studio albums.

The main music video, set to the album version, was directed by Johan Renck, produced by Nicola Doring through London production company Jane Fuller Associates and cinematographed by Fredrik Callinggård. It does not feature New Order; instead, it depicts a younger band miming to New Order's music and words. At the end, a large number of people come on stage to pull them off-stage. The cover art for the CD and DVD shows actress and model Nicolette Krebitz with her trousers below her knees.

The single was called as possibly one of New Order's best singles" and described it as "fantastic" and the "confident, strutting return of a band that knows that the music industry has missed it." The fictional band seen in the song's music video is named "The Killers". This would inspire the name of American rock band the Killers, who would also lift a number of elements of the set layout in the "Crystal" video for their own video "Somebody Told Me".

 

Crystal Track List:  

 

CD1: NUOCD8 UK & Europe

 

1. Crystal

2. Behind Close Doors

3. Crystal (Digweed & Muir Bedrock mix edit)

 

CD2: NUCDP8 (UK & Europe)

 

1. Crystal (Digweed & Muir Bedrock mix edit)

2. Crystal (Lee Coombs Remix)

3. Crystal (John Creamer & Stephane K main remix edit)

 

CD: WPCR-10985 (Japan)

 

1. Crystal

2. True Faith (live from the Reading Festival 30/8/1998)

3. Temptation (live from the Reading Festival 30/8/1998)

4. Atmosphere (live from the Reading Festival 30/8/1998)

5. Isolation (live from the Reading Festival 30/8/1998)

 

CD. 9 42397-2 (US)

 

1. Crystal (radio edit)

2. Crystal (Digweed & Muir Bedrock radio edit)

3. Crystal (Digweed & Muir Bedrock mix)

4. Crystal (Digweed & Muir Bedrock dub)

5. Crystal (Lee Coombs remix)

6. Crystal (Lee Coombs dub)

7. Crystal (John Creamer & Stephane K main remix)

8. Crystal (Creamer K main mix)

9. Behind Closed Doors

The Reissue: The Best & The Rest Of New Order

New Order's 1994 compilation The Best Of New Order will be combined with 1995 remix album The Rest Of New Order for a new limited edition 4CD set that adds unreleased and new-to-CD mixes.

The original "Best Of" compilation compiled seven-inch mixes of the band's hits from 1985 onwards, while adding four new '94 mixes. A year later the remix album was led by the Hardfloor Mix of "Blue Monday."

The audio for the new set has been remastered and while a 2CD edition is also available, most fans are going to be interested in the 4CD deluxe version with its unreleased mixes including the Hawtin Mix – Alternate Version 2 of "Blue Monday", a full length version of "1963 94" and the Eschreamer Mix of "True Faith 94". New to CD mixes include "World (Price of Dub)",  "True Faith (Sexy Disco Dub)" and "Regret (Sabres Low 'n' Slow)". The packaging looks to be the same as the Substance CD reissue.

As well as the 4CD and 2CD variants of what is now called The Best & The Rest Of New Order, the individual compilations are reissued on 2LP and 3LP sets respectively with remastered audio cut at Abbey Road.

All versions are released on 17 July 2026 via Warner Music.

 

The Best & The Rest Track List 4CD Deluxe 

 

CD 1

1. True Faith-94

2. Bizarre Love Triangle-94

3. 1963-94

4. Regret

5. Fine Time

6. The Perfect Kiss

7. Shell Shock

8. Thieves Like Us

9. Vanishing Point

10. Run 2

11. Round & Round-94

12. World (Price Of Love)

13. Ruined In A Day

14. Touched By The Hand Of God

15. Blue Monday-88

16. World In Motion

 

CD 2

1.World (Perfecto Mix)

2. Blue Monday (Hardfloor Mix)

3. True Faith (Shep Pettibone Remix)

4. Confusion (Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix)

5. Touched By The Hand Of God (Biff & Memphis Remix)

6. Bizarre Love Triangle (Armand Van Helden Mix)

7. Ruined In A Day (K-Klass Remix)

8. Regret (Fire Island Mix)

9. Age Of Consent (Howie B. Remix)

10. Spooky (Magimix)

 

CD 3

1. Let's Go (Nothing For Me)

2. Bizarre Love Triangle (Remix)

3. 1963-95

4. Everything's Gone Green (Dave Clarke Mix)

5. Temptation (CJ Bolland Mix)

6. Blue Monday-95 (Hawtin Mix)

7. True Faith-94 (Perfecto Mix)

8. 1963 (Lionrock M6 Sunday Morning Mix)

9. Confusion (Pump Panel Floatation Mix)

10. Everything's Gone Green – Electric Green

11. Spooky (Nightstripper Mix)

12. 1963-95 (Blackout Mix)

 

CD 4

1. 1963 '94 (Full Length)

2. Spooky (Sub Sub 12” Remix)

3. Blue Monday-95 (Hardfloor Dub)

4. 1963 (Joe T. Vanelli Light Mix)

5. True Faith-94 (Eschreamer Mix)

6. World (Price of Dub)

7. True Faith (Sexy Disco Dub)

8. Regret (Sabres Slow 'n' Low)

9. Blue Monday (Hawtin Mix – Alternate Version 2)

New Music: Blue Monday

           

Matt Berninger releases his cover of New Order's 1983 classic "Blue Monday" to all streaming platforms after an exclusive Amazon Music run last September. The National frontman has been including the song in his live sets during his 2025 tour supporting his second solo album, "Get Sunk", and New Order has long been one of his favourite bands. Berninger's version strips away the driving electronic beats of the original, replacing them with live instrumentation that centres his distinctive baritone voice. Recorded at Knobworld in Los Angeles with the same musicians from "Get Sunk": Sean O'Brien on electric guitar and production, Garret Lang on bass, Julia Laws on synthesizers and backing vocals, and Sterling Laws on drums and percussion. Jannick Frampton assisted with recording.

Rocktrospectiva: New Order's "Sub-Culture" Turns 40

Released on 28 October 1985, "Sub-Culture" was the tenth single by English rock band New Order. It was released as the second and final single from their third studio album, Low-Life (1985) by Factory Records.

The single release, remixed by John Robie, was a drastic departure from the album version of the track. Robie's 12" and 7" single mixes feature more club-oriented, electronic instrumentation and prominent soulful female backing vocals.

The B-side  of the single was an instrumental remix titled "Dub-vulture". An alternate seven-inch edit of the Robie remix taken from the Benelux version of the "Sub-culture" single appears on the group's 1987 compilation, Substance. This version also appears on the US 12" alongside the longer mixes.

A collection of Razormaid remixes of the track were released in 1986, which include additional vocals by Deborah Iyall of Romeo Void

The artwork of "Sub-culture" had only a regular black sleeve. A long-standing rumour held that graphic designer Peter Saville reportedly deemed the mix of the song unworthy of his talents, with Saville's input present only in a P/S/A (Peter Saville Associates) credit for typography. However this rumour was debunked in 2017 when Saville stated, "I never had the authority to say that there shouldn't be a sleeve. No, all I can presume is that one was not asked for"

The single peaked at No. 29 on the RIANZ (New Zealand Single Chart), No. 63 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 1 on the UK independent Singles Chart, No. 35 at Billboard Hot Dance Club Party and finally No. 18 at Billboard Hot Dance Single Sales.

 

Sub-culture Track List: 

 

7": 7FAC 133 (UK)

 

1. Sub-culture

2. Dub-vulture 

 

 7": 7FAC 133 (Benelux)

 

1. Sub-culture" (Remix Edit)

2. Sub-culture" (Original Album Version)

 

12": FAC 133 (UK)

 

1. Sub-culture

2. Dub-vulture 

 

12": Qwest 0-20390 (US)

 

1. Sub-culture (Remix)

2. Subvulture

3. Sub-culture (Remix Edit) 

 

UK 7" free with Record Mirror 

 

1. New Order: "Sub-culture" (exclusive remix) 

2. Raymonde: "Jennifer Wants" (exclusive track)

3. Hipsway: "Bad Thing Longing" (preview from their forthcoming album) 

4. Adventures: "Walk Away Renee" (specially recorded for RM)

Rocktrospectiva: The Outstanding "Music Complete" Turns 10

Released on 25 September 2015 "Music Complete" was the tenth studio album by English rock band New Order.  It was their first released for the label Mute, the album features guest vocals from Elly Jackson of La Roux, Iggy Pop, and Brandon Flowers of The Killers. This was the band's first album with new bassist Tom Chapman, replacing the original bassist Peter Hook, and the first time to featured as a five-piece band, as original keyboardist and guitarist Gillian Gilbert returned to the band and Phil Cunningham, who initially replaced Gilbert remained in the band. 

Music Complete marks a return to a more electronic direction compared to New Order's previous two albums, which had been more guitar-based. Guest backing vocals are provided by Denise Johnson and Dawn Zee, who have performed with the band on their last three albums. 

Three years in silence and with the band fragmented, New Order hailed into the scene with their first album since "Waiting For The Siren's Call" circa 2005. The recovered Gilbert who along Morris and Sumner recorded and released one of the most long-awaited albums from that year, in spite the depart of Peter Hook, one of the most important founder member of the band since their days of Joy Division. The band achieved to overcome and the three altogether compelte a functionality since their days of "Technique", perhaps the reason the band baptised the album as "Music Complete".

The band achieved to sound younger even when they had to go into the 80s., to recovered that shape and vibe of the old days of yore, also a list of collaborators that helped to define the record that turned into a fantastic surprise for many, it was like the band decided to combine their 80's classic sounds and their fantastic 1993' album "Republic", achieving a cohesion long time ago forgotten.  

From the opener "Restless" the band prepared the sound for the listener ears, a tune made of natural instrumentation, a solid drums, acoustic backgrounds and a gloomy electronica landscape well produced by Tom Rowlands, "Singularity" was a total collaboration by Tom Chapman, his bass sounded strong and complete to filled the void left by Hook, "Plastic" had that style Giorgio Moroder like propelled New Order into their good old days. "Tutti Frutti" was another example of that sound under direction of Elly Jackson (La Roux) she putted the voices into this eurodisco tune, "People On The High Line" had an Electronic band sound, "Stray Dog" was a misterious tune with some melacholy and dark taste thanks to Iggy Pop who read a poem by Sumners under a The Other Two instrumentation.

Now the band decided to take a look into their 80s style, here we come with the new wave, post punk and dance rock tunes, "Academic" is the most nostalgic, "Nothing But A Fool" had Ennio Morricone orchestration, and then the band passed into electronica with "Unlearn The Hatred", the album finished with euphorical "The Game", and finally "Superheated" vocals courtesy of Brandon Flowers,  

The band achieved to reinvented themselves, no doubt the depart of Hook aided the band to created their most varied and substantial work in decades, it was easily New Order's best album since Technique, and probably their most musically diverse ever. 

Music Complete Tracklist:

1. Restless

2. Plastic

3. Singularity

4. Tutti Frutti

5. People On The High Line

6. Stray Dog

7. Academic

8. Nothing But A Fool

9. Unlearn This Hatred

10. The Game

11. Superheated

Rocktrospectiva: The Stronger, Eclectic And Influential "Low-Life" Turns 40

Released on 13 May 1985, "Low-Life" was the third studio album by New Order, it is considered to be among the band's strongest work, displaying the moment they completed their transformation from post-punk hold-overs to dance-rockers. The album shows New Order's increased incorporation of synthesisers and samplers, while still preserving the rock elements of their earlier work. The album spawned two singles "The Perfect Kiss" & "Sub-Culture" and the video for its first single was directed by Jonathan Demme. 

The album's artwork is the only New Order release to feature photographs of the band members on its cover; according to designer Peter Saville, the decision to do this was due to him growing tired of his previous "concept covers." To photograph the band, Saville took portraits of them with instant film, which he saw as more versatile than conventional 135 film, stating that "you could push it and do funny things with it. It was very graphic and very dynamic. The grain and the texture made everything look like a movie film." Saville further stated that the band were initially reluctant to depict themselves in the artwork; however, thanks in part to the rapid turnaround of instant film, they grew to enjoy the photoshoot after seeing the results. The CD version of the album comes packaged with drummer/keyboardist Stephen Morris on the front cover, while inside the case are four photographs and a semi-transparent piece of paper with the band's name, allowing consumers to choose which band member is seen through the sleeve.

The album was preceded by the release of the full-length version of "The Perfect Kiss" as a single (only an edited version appears on the album). John Robie's remix of "Sub-culture" was also released as a 12″ single. Both of these extended versions eventually were included on 1987's Substance, but the album has other great cuts as "Love Vigilantes" a naive self-parody but interesting tune, "Elegia" is danceable and it was included on "Pretty In Pink" soundtrack and "Shellshock" which was later included in the re-edited version of the album, "Sooner As You Think" is quite interesting as well. 

The album is a legendary piece of eclectic sound due its varied menu of soul-pop, techno-rock, delicate instrumental moods, and driving, clattering percussion offers adventure in texture at every turn, its confidence, edgy and imagination suggest that the possibility is still there. The album is found it to be New Order's best work: "the songs are much stronger than usual - not just doomy electronic workouts but memorable melodies with a sense of humour lurking in the words. In every way the band's fusion of rock and electronics became seamless.

 

Low-Life Track List: 

 

1. Love Vigilantes

2. The Perfect Kiss

3. This Time Of Night

4. Sunrise

5. Elegia

6. Sooner Than You Think

7. Sub-culture

8. Face Up

Rocktrospectiva: The Fairly Good "Waiting For The Sirens' Call" Turns 20

Released on 28 March 2005, "Waiting For The Siren's Call" was the 8th., studio album by Mancunian legends New Order, the album spawned three singles "Krafty", "Jetstream" and "Waiting For The Siren's Call".

Waiting for the Sirens' Call initially appears more confident than its predecessor. The dance beats are now back, but it proves a mixed blessing. Here, they appear to be doing what's expected of them in order to appease their fans.

The opening "Who's Joe?", sounds like the work of any number of Manchester-based bands besides New Order, as the guitars and cinematic arrangement give the song more of a Britpop sound than we’re used to with the group. But during that chorus, everything falls into place. At first, "Who's Joe?" sounds a bit more like an epic rock song than your typical New Order fare, as does "Hey Now What You Doing" to a lesser extent, the band opting for something more like a single there. But the title track immediately brings to mind the good old days of Low Life and Brotherhood. 

The first single, "Krafty" has the same melodic magic of a "Love Vigilantes" or a "Bizarre Love Triangle." And when it seems as if the band has settled comfortably in this guitar-centric mode, the electro-dub track "I Told You So" reveals the inner dance diva within the band, a side that had been temporarily put to rest on Get Ready.

Things shift dramatically with the sixth track, "Morning Night and Day" washes of synth blanket the track during the suspenseful opener, eventually being traded for fat pulsing bass synth and a driving rhythm. The longer you listen to Waiting for the Sirens' Call, the more it seems like side B is the "dance" side, while side A is the "rock" side. Here's another example with the disco pop tune "Jetstream," an infectiously danceable tune that couples Sumner with Scissor Sister Ana Matronic. And "Guilt is a Useless Emotion" is further evidence of this dichotomy, the only track here that resembles house music in any way. In comparison to the rest of the material, it’s the one song that sounds a little out of place and a little dated. However, the whole rock vs. dance theory comes to a screeching halt as “Turn” queues up. Building a melody around acoustic guitar strums and a shimmering lead, it sounds more like the work of a band like The Delays than pioneers of dance music.

"Working Overtime," a raucous, riffing rock & roll song, wraps up this neat little package. One of the album's best tracks, it borrows more from The Stooges than anything resembling the band's earlier material. 

 

Nonetheless, the album was fantastic even thought "Get Ready" may have been the catalyst that got the band in our regular rotation again, but Waiting for the Sirens’ Call is the album that will kept them or resuscitated them again. 

 

Waiting For The Sirens' Call Track List:

 

1. Who's Joe?

2. Hey Now What You Doing

3. Waiting For The Sirens' Call

4. Krafty

5. I Told You So

6. Morning Night & Day

7. Dracula's Castle

8. Jetstream

9. Guilt Is A Useless Emotion

10. Turn

11. Working Overtime

News: Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Announces 2025 Nominees

A new year comes with a whole new list of nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Among this year's 14 nominees, eight are appearing on the ballot for the very first time: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, Outkast, and Phish. 

The first-timers are joined by Soundgarden, Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, The White Stripes, and Cyndi Lauper. Mariah Carey and Oasis were both nominated just last year but failed to make the final cut.

John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, in a statement said: "These remarkable Nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude, impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll,".

According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, artists or bands become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. Nominee ballots will be distributed to an international voting panel composed of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. 

The selection criteria include an artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians that have followed, as well as the scope and longevity of their career and body of work. The selected 2025 Performer Inductees will be revealed in late April, along with those Inductees entering the Hall under three special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. This year’s Induction Ceremony will take place in Los Angeles in the fall, with exact dates and ticket sale details following soon.   

The Last year’s inductees were Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, A Tribe Called Quest, Foreigner, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, with posthumous recognition for Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Norman Whitfield and Big Mama Thornton.

News: New Order Scoops "Icon Award" At The Rolling Stone UK Awards

The iconical band New Order have scooped the Icon Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards. The famous Manchester band were honoured last night at a ceremony at London’s Camden Roundhouse, with Phil Cunningham, Bernard Sumner and Tom Chapman accepting the honour from Blur bassist Alex James.

Formed in 1980, the band became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s as a flagship act for Manchester label Factory Records.Their 1983 hit "Blue Monday" was the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. Nile Rodgers, meanwhile, said he was “uncomfortable” and “overwhelmed” after winning the Global Icon Award at the ceremony. 

Other act-winners of the night were the 72-year-old Chic leader Nile Rodgers, he was given the award by Duran Duran singer Simon LeBon, for his more than 50-year career, the artist said: "It’s somewhat overwhelming, at the same time, I feel very shy and nervous. Believe it or not, I’ve never, ever in my life done music for awards or anything like that, so whenever one comes up, I’m really surprised, and half the time I don’t know what to say, but normally I never stop talkin.", "It’s weird, because whenever you get an award, that means you’re sort of in competition with your brothers and sisters that do the same thing, that makes me feel very uncomfortable.”

Fontaines DC and New Order were among the rest of the winners at the awards ceremony at the Roundhouse. The Irish indie band, fronted by Grian Chatten, won the Album Award for best British or Irish album of the year for their LP Romance.

The Artist Award for the best British or Irish act of the year went to Yannis And The Yaw, the solo project of Foals singer Yannis Philippakis. The Song Of The Year Award was picked up by Chase And Status and Stormzy for Backbone, while pop duo Confidence Man picked up the Live Act Award from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash

English Teacher won the Breakthrough Award, former Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective took home the Group Award, and Brooke Combe won the PlayNext Award for new talent. The Trailblazer Award was won by former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall, known as Jade in her solo career, Brixton’s Wide Awake won the Festival Award, and Island Records won the Record Label Award.

The Television Award was won by Toby Jones for Mr Bates vs The Post Office, while semi-biographical Robbie Williams film Better Man won the Film Award. Comedian Jayde Adams hosted the awards, with performances from dance duo Confidence Man, English Teacher, Jade and the cast of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.

The Re-Issue: Brotherhood The Definitive Edition

The early New Order struggled to find a new sound, so they rotated vocalists, recorded a reggae cover, tried to be Joy Division and then, with new keyboard player Gillian Gilbert, discovered the new ‘80s sound: synths and beats. Added to this were vocalists Bernard Sumner’s somewhat eccentric lyrics – often frivolous and surreal in contrast to Curtis’ anguish and despair and with this New Order finally began to emerge as a fresh entity.

When the band released their third album "Low-Life" was a sort of tension between bandmates, Morris and Gilbert, who were married to each other, were also married to the idea of continuing with the electronic sound, while Peter Hook, the one who had a beard during punk and wore biker jackets and boots when everyone else was wearing Breton caps and espadrilles, was not keen to progress with synths. The result was a lot of tension and disagreement. Added to this was the fact that the band, now finally enjoying the success that had escaped their grasp after Joy Division ended,

As a result, they released "Brotherhood" kinda of ironic name for a record born of conflict was not a tidy collection of like-minded songs, the kind of done in a schizophrenic mood where we were trying to do one side synthesizers and one side guitars, but it does sound peculiar.

Most of Brotherhood is pretty intense, starting with the claustrophobic opener "Paradise", to the lyrically powerful "All Day Long" a song about child abuse, the blurred a"As It Was When It Was" and the bluntly-named "Weirdo", then it comes the side two, as the kids with their vinyls call it, begins with a delight, the album version of the cult classic "Bizarre Love Triangle", one of New Order’s greatest singles. 

Like all the best New Order singles, "Bizarre Love Triangle" is both thunderous and yearning, it’s followed with the entirely contrasting "All Day Long", which starts quiet and ends epically and somewhat guitarishly "Elegia": with its lyric about an abused child, it’s possibly the New Order song with the quietest anger. "Angel Dust", with "Every Second Counts", a gorgeous song and ends the inferior single "State Of The Nation".

The album has aged well, due its dense sound contains both energy and determination, everything here works and sound like New Order in essence and this new edition of Brotherhood features a generous dose of extra material, including demos, remixes and instrumentals, and tracks from the little-known Salvation soundtrack. They’re all enjoyable and a welcome addition for fans, of which there are many

Brotherhood The Definitive Edition Track List:  

CD 1: Brotherhood 2024 Remaster

1. Paradise

2. Weirdo

3. As It Is When It Was

4. Broken Promise

5. Way Of Life

6. Bizarre Love Triangle

7. All Day Long

8. Angel Dust

9. Every Little Counts

10. State Of The Nation

 

CD 2: Extras

 

1. Shellshock (AOR Version) *

2. State Of The Nation (Japan Demo) *

3. Paradise (Robert Racic Remix)

4. As It Is When It Was (Japan Demo) *

5. Broken Promise (Instrumental) *

6. Bizarre Love Triangle (Stephen Hague 12” Remix) *

7. All Day Long (Instrumental) *

8. Evil Dust

9. Every Little Counts (Full Length) *

10. Salvation Theme

11. Skullcrusher (Full Length) *

12. Touched By The Hand Of God (Salvation Version)

13. Let’s Go (Salvation Version)

14. Sputnik

15. Blue Monday 1988 (Michael Johnson 12” Remix) *

 

* previously unreleased

 

DVD 1

 

Live at the Academy Brixton, 1987

 

1.  Bizarre Love Triangle

2. The Perfect Kiss

3. Ceremony

4. Dreams Never End

5. Love Vigilantes

6. Confusion

7. Age Of Consent

8. Temptation

 

Peter Hook / Stephen Morris Interviews

 

TV Appearances: BBC Northern Ireland – Channel One 1986.

 

1. Ceremony

2. Love Will Tear Us Apart

 

TV Appearances: The Tube 1986.

 

1. State Of The Nation

2. Broken Promise

 

TV Appearances: Top of the Pops 1987.

 

1. True Faith

 

TV Appearances: Les Enfants du Rock, Rockline  1987.

 

1. Paradise

2. Bizarre Love Triangle

 

TV Appearances: The Roxy, 1987.

 

1. True Faith

 

TV Appearances: 11pm, 1987.

 

1. Bizarre Love Triangle

 

Extra Material

 

1. Stephen’s Fly On The Wall Documentary 1985.

2. Recording ‘As It Is’ and ‘Shame of the Nation’ at Denon Studios, Tokyo (May 1985).

DVD 2

Live at the G-Mex, Manchester, 19/07/86.

 

1. Elegia

2. Shellshock

3. Paradise

4. Bizarre Love Triangle

5. Way Of Life

6. State Of The Nation

7. Face Up

8. The Perfect Kiss

9. Ceremony

10. Temptation

 

Live Extra Material: Glastonbury, 1987.

 

1. True Faith

2. Sister Ray

 

Live Extra Material: San Giovanni, 1986.

 

1. Dreams Never End

 

Live Extra Material: Pier 84, New York, 1987.

 

1. All Day Long

2. Angel Dust

3. Shellshock

4. Weirdo

 

Live Extra Material: Rapido, Paris 1987.

 

1. True Faith

 

Live Extra Material: G-Mex, Manchester, 1988.

 

1. Touched By the Hand of God

2. Every Little Counts