- Artist: New Order
- Title: Technique
- Year: 1989
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1989 – A promo at our store
- Keeper: Yes
If I have any attachment to this record, New Order’s Technique, it’s that I got it when my brother and I had a record store in Norfolk, VA. And that’s about it because this is not an album I played a lot. I’m not a huge New Order fan, but I love some of their stuff. Technique is a little bland and maybe too pop for me. My favorite song by far is the last one, “Dream attack.” And the lower case “a” is how they spell it.
The second pic is from the liner. The back of the jacket is the usual NO minimalism with just a bar code in the center.
- Artist: New Order
- Title: Confusion
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ?
- Keeper: Yes
“Confusion” has always been my favorite New Order song. I first it heard it when my friend Jeff Arthur played it for me. Anyhow, the truth is out: I’m a natural-born metallist that likes to dance. And this is a great dance song. There are a number of “Confusion” 12 inches out there. This version has four tracks:
“Confusion”
“Confusion Beats”
“Confusion (Instr.)”
“Confusion (Rough Mix)”
It was published by Streetwise and according to the very thorough New Order Discography site it’s pretty rare:
Q: What’s the deal with the Streetwise testpressing from the New Music Seminar?
A: The Streetwise testpressing (SWRL 2213) with blank, handwritten and/or stamped labels was made for the “New Music Seminar” in New York. As a part of the new Music Seminar New Order played at the Garage on July 7, 1983. Approximately 400 of these 12 inchers were made.
Copenhagen, London, Paris, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, New York, ASHEVILLE! That’s not just where Balkan Beat Box is touring, it’s what they sound like. They’ve been here a couple times before, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. It was an excellent show. And maybe I’m guilty of grade inflation lately, or maybe I don’t get out enough, but I thought this show rocked. Even the crowd rocked. This stuff is just so fresh, fresh, fuh-resh. I’ve been listening to their first, self-titled album constantly for the last few months, through their web site. I finally got around to buying it at the show, along with their brand new release Nu Med. I’m not going to try to explain the sound. Just go to their site. I recommend beginners start with “Cha Cha” and then maybe “Try Rai (Shushan).”
They came out on the dance floor with drums and saxophones to get the show started. Excellent! Then, they made their way to stage and by the second song, “Cha Cha”, (which Tomer Yosef did a lot of rapping on, unlike the studio recording) the entire crowd was jumping up and down. I have never seen so many people going off with their own crazy dance moves. Maybe the music demands inventive steps.
Opening act Golem also put on a solid show. I enjoyed them but I didn’t already know their music. After a while it all started blending together. But their playing and stage presence were great.
“When you hear the chicken… make some noise!”
- Artist: New Order
- Title: The Perfect Kiss
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Unknown
- Keeper: Yes
I think I’ve left that Mano Negra record cover up there long enough for everyone to enjoy it. This cover for New Order’s “The Perfect Kiss” is also handsome, if not as irresistible. Typical of New Order the cover is minimalist but also refined. This is only a 12 inch single and the cover is a metallic silver with the title embossed along the edge. The dust cover is swanky too with one side colored a deep blue and the other listing the tracks in, again, a very minimalist graphic design.
I like the song. I’m pretty sure “The Perfect Kiss” and Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” were separated at birth. They’re not identical twins stylistically, but I’m here to tell you the melodies are very similar. Now, I’m guessing that few people are fans of both bands, which may be why no one seems to have noticed. But I was working in a chain record store when the Bon Jovi track was a hit. We had a number of teenagers at the store, I was only 19 or 20, and I got to listen this one more times than I care to remember.
Fac 123
- Artist: Kinky
- Title: Reina
- Year: 2006
- Format: CD
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 2006 – Got it for Christmas!
- Keeper: Yes
Don’t read this yet. First go to the Kinky site, click on “music”, then treat yourself to “I Say Hey” from their new album Reina.
OK, glad you’re back. Just let the whole album play. Kinky has been one of my favorite bands for the last few years, and getting their albums as Christmas presents is becoming a tradition that I hope never ends. The first couple times I played Reina I didn’t like it as much as their other stuff. But now I’m feeling it! I won’t bother to explain their sound, since you’re listening for yourself, but I will say that all of their records make perfect party mixes by themselves. Skip all the work of picking out other music. Mary pointed out that they sound like they’re channeling Devo on “Again And So On.” Bonus!
When I say hey, hey, hey… haaa
When I say hey, hey, hey… haaa
When I say hey, hey,
You better look this way!
