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New Order Album: “Retro”
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Release Date:2003-01-22
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Type:Unknown
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Genre:Electronic/Dance, Rock, New Wave
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Label:WEA
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Explicit Lyrics:Yes
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UPC:4943674038640
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Review - :
Yet another {$New Order} compilation? Add {^Retro} to the dizzying stack of {$New Order} compilations and best-ofs. Actually, it was the second comp to come out in the last half of 2002 ({^International} was released in October and contains nearly every song that is on {^Retro}). With that said, {^Retro} is probably the most expansive and interesting {$New Order} compilation since 1987's {^Substance}. Keeping an eye and ear on the amazing {$Joy Division} set {^Heart and Soul}, {@Rhino} stepped in to publish this box as well (that alone will give {^Retro} a bit more credibility). The packaging is more or less identical to {^Heart and Soul}'s four-CD orientation and comes complete with its own {$Peter Saville}-directed artwork and 70-plus-page booklet. Unlike the {$Joy Division} set, {^Retro} makes no attempt to create a comprehensive or complete look at {$New Order}'s expansive catalog. Rather, it is set up as an ultimate mix tape that might be made for someone's cousin who knows nothing of this band. And like a mix tape, everyone's track list would be different and would probably carry on a different mood. This one is curated by four individual selectors, and each disc carries on with a major theme. The first disc, "POP," is compiled by U.K. journalist {$Miranda Sawyer} and contains all the major {$New Order} favorites: {&"Blue Monday,"} {&"Bizarre Love Triangle,"} {&"Confusion,"} and a few minor surprises such as {&"Brutal"} (featured on the {^Beach} soundtrack). {$John McCready}, journalist and {~Hacienda} DJ, put together a "FAN" disc that contains some moodier album cuts like {&"Your Silent Face"} and {&"Sooner Than You Think."} {$Mike Pickering} ({$M People}, {~Hacienda} DJ), selects {$New Order}'s dance-friendly material on the "CLUB" disc. Finally, {$Bobby Gillespie} ({$Primal Scream}) picks up some "LIVE" tracks -- which proves to nicely distill {$New Order}'s generally hit-or-miss concert performances. While {^Retro} may not be a complete necessity ({&"Blue Monday"} and {&"Bizarre Love Triangle"} should never appear on another {$New Order} disc), it does pull together into one spot enough rarities (nothing too impossible to find, though) and a rather entertaining track list for obsessives. For the uninitiated, {^Substance} is probably still the best place to start. [A five-disc version was released on a strictly limited basis that held some harder-to-find tracks.] ~ Jack LV Isles, All Music Guide
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