Still New Order week on TTV.
Today’s tracks are another nostalgia-fest. 1984/5 was my final year at University, and I was lucky enough to share a large flat with a great bunch of folk who partied more than we studied….but not so much that we were in danger of failing. Strangely enough, more than 20 years on, I’m back living in the same area of said student flat, but in ever so slightly more grandeur.
But all those years ago, the cheap little turntable in the shared lounge was always in use, and something that seemed to get played every day was ‘Low Life’, the first (of just two!!) New Order original LPs that could be classed as truly outstanding*. I say this as the best stuff seemed to come out either as 7″ or 12″ singles, and let’s be honest – many of the band’s album efforts are second rate. But thankfully, not on this 1985 recording.
All nine tracks are standouts, but none more than:-
Sub-Culture – New Order (mp3)
A much inferior mix of this song was later released as a single in November 1985. The photo at the top of this posting is of the original 1985 LP. The recording is taken from the CD version as the record was just a bit too worn-out.
I’ve also thrown in something that I found on the Internet a few months back, and my thanks to the person who originally posted it. It’s a John Peel Session version of:-
Dreams Never End – New Order
There’s times I actually prefer this to the one that Martin Hannett produced on the debut album ‘Movement’. And while excuses can be made about the history of the recording of the album with all its post-Curtis suicide baggage and other issues, the fact remains that ‘Movement’ is far from easy or enjoyable listening.
I’ve avoided the obvious attraction of posting a cover of ‘Blue Monday’ at this juncture. Instead, I’m sticking with the ‘Low Life’ theme and a stripped down version of the opening track:-
Love Vigilantes – Iron & Wine (mp3)
Iron & Wine is the name taken by American singer/songwriter Sam Beam. His music has been described elsewhere as ‘indie-folk’ which seems accurate enough judging by the cover version. Since 2002, Iron & Wine have (or has) released two albums and around a half-dozen singles and EPs.
48 hours and counting.
Oh, and the 2nd flawless New Order album is ‘Technique’. Just a pity it played such a big part in bankrupting Factory Records.
* a view I’ve since amended. There’s more than two truly outstanding albums
THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS LEFT AT THIS POST
Anonymous said…
Gasp!
Not ‘Power, Corruption and Lies’?
WAF
(But yes, ‘Technique’ is a cracker of an album as well)
JC said…
I do love PC&L – it almost falls into the defined category….except that ‘Ecstacy’ leaves me cold. It’s all about opinions I suppose.