The MUSIC on these New Order reissues get a 5/5, easily. However, there were far too many egregious mistakes made in the creation of the discs themselves to give them a pass. Only the first discs were re-mastered though they still have some problems, it is the bonus discs that are an absolute mess.
Warner Music/Rhino know about these problems, but there is yet no word on any forthcoming fixes. So I'd hold off until these issues are addressed.
Noted below are the specific problems with the PC&L reissue:
1, Age of consent
2, We all stand
3, The village
4, 586 ("abrupt ending", "drops the last 4 bass notes")
5, Your silent face
6, Ultraviolence
7, Ecstasy
8, Leave me alone
Power, Corruption and Lies - bonus disc:
1, Blue Monday (L/R pans 0:07[sudden], and between 0:19 and 2:24. At 2:24 it pans back again. Unconfirmed whether this is on the original 12 inch)
2, The Beach
3, Confusion - Clicks at 4:04 and 6:00 (Left channel click at 8:06)
4, Thieves like us
5, Lonesome Tonight (clicks at 0:40 and 0:59)
6, Murder - "Clicks" at 0:35, 1:08, 1:29, 1:43, 2:03, 2:31, 2:43, 2:50, 3:00, 3:19, 3:26
7, Thieves like us (instrumental) (click at 1:03 )
8, Confusion (instrumental)
November 12, 2008 |  | Why you may have to throw away all of your previous ideas on music. |  |
New Order , in the throws of casting off the shadow of ian Curtis suicide; desperatly trying to find a voice of their own have created one of the greatest pieces of art in the world. This record stands as the quintesential piece of work from the manchester based band. From the opening "age of consent" to the pop mastery of "the village" to the icy futuristic prophecy known as "blue monday" , they consistantly push the envelope of what could be considered pop music. Bernard Sumners child like whimsical lyrics, Peter Hook's edgy and intensly original bass melodies; and not to mention the near robotic almost perfect timing of stephen morris's drumming make this a listening experience that is rivaled by few others. You may think it a bit much for some one to write such praise but honestly , listen to it then decide for yourself. You will be shocked.
July 6, 2007 | | A solid album with two classic New Order songs | |
"Blue Monday" probably stands as the very best techno-pop dance song that New Order ever did, and, indeed, must be considered one of the best songs of this genre. But "Blue Monday," and its instrumental (and somewhat redundant) counterpart "The Beach" are only a part of what makes "Power, Corruption and Lies" such a strong album, the second in New Order's discography. A much different song, but just as compelling, is "Age of Consent," with off-beat lyrics and bass line you can't get out of your head (copied, by the way, by "The Jesus and Mary Chain," towards the end of their classic "Head On"). These two songs alone would probably make this a worthwhile album. Other strong tracks include "586" (I would have cut out the introduction and just gone right into the danceable part), the ethereal "Your Silent Face," and "Leave Me Alone."
P.C.& L. does have it's moments where it sounds dated. Synthesizers in the early 80's, of which New Order (too?) often heavily relied upon, could sound cold and tinny. I'm also not usually crazy about drum machines. But there are moments where Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook really play the heck out of their guitar and bass repectively. Sometimes you hear a little "Joy Division," and other times "The Cure," but, after all these years, New Order has remained a unique band who has evolved, but kept true to its own voice. I might be in the minority, but I think that the band's best albums have been their last three ("Republic," "Get Ready," and "Waiting for the Sirens Call") which have a lusher, more melodic sound than their predecessors, with Summers' voice continuing to grow better with age.
New Order has remained relevant and productive for over 25 years, and that, by itself, says everything.
May 2, 2006One of the best rock records of all time. One of the best dance/electronic records of all time. Way ahead of the pack at 1983?!, timeless and not stuck in 80's /new wave AT ALL if you ask me. Much more musically varied and interesting than much of today's electronica scene as much as I like all of that too. Early electronic dance music with a post-punk attitude. Emotionally moody and yearning. Great imagery. Sumner's vocals are weak and strained but ultimatly that becomes a huge charm as it seems vulnerable and..well..punkish in spirit in an odd way. Also..a surprizingly soulful record too with the italo-disco element...but this time existentailly wounded. Funky and pyschedelic too with all the key bending stuff on the synths. If all alternative and dance music could be this interesting. All this AND one the best record covers of all time by Manchester graphic designer Peter Saville also..way ahead of the curve. A reason to have it on vinyl however(which includes a secret message in the color codes on the the back of the album which refer to Factory Records' release catalogue system!). This record is a total winner.
February 28, 2006If you think "Blue Monday," New Order's signature New Wave dance track, is the only song worthwhile on this 1983 release, you couldn't be more mistaken. As I'm sitting here attempting to collect the necessary words to write this review, I hear wave upon wave of Gillian's magnificent synths in "Your Silent Face." With an album filled with songs of this high calibre, where can one go wrong? I suppose I've got to say that POWER, CORRUPTION, & LIES is THE New Order album, my favourite out of the band's (currently) eight LPs. While the others have their own charm and spirit, this one perfectly captures and blends the post-punk ethos of Joy Division with the new lease on life that is New Order--and it's the one I find myself drawn to the most whenever I feel the need to pop in a CD and enjoy some music. Incessant, stacatto, almost militaristic beats courtesy of Stephen Morris and an assortment of drum machines icily pulse in the listener's ear while the aforementioned synthlines, delicate and forever lovely, create a dreamy, lush, and warm effect. This album is thus a very strange mixture of frost and warmth as displayed on the cover, a still-life of roses (now the desktop picture on my personal computer). When you're finished looking at the cover and you pop the CD into the stereo, you're instantly grabbed by the urgent riff of "Age of Consent"...and you're not let go until the last notes of "Leave Me Alone" fade away (well, unless you choose to listen to "The Beach," the instrumental/dubbed version of "Blue Monday," which was rather uselessly tacked onto the American re-release). While "The Beach" may ruin the ending flow of this masterpiece ("Leave Me Alone" is the PERFECT closer), "Blue Monday" fits snugly in between its prototype, "586" (quite possibly my favourite New Order song), and "Your Silent Face" (certainly in my top five). If you, however, feel the need to listen to the album minus the "bonus" tracks, feel free to do so. But I've written enough: if you're reading this page and looking for something new, something different, something grand, read some of the wonderful reviews already posted and do purchase this album. I can't guarantee you won't regret your decision, since we all have different musical tastes, but I can tell you that this album changed my life and the way I listen to music--and it continues to do so every day.
January 14, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(60 reviews)