New Order Album: “Crystal [Live Tracks]”

New Order's new album 'Get Ready' is sadly marginal. The frightening reality is it may be one of the best albums of the year. It all relies on the playing and instrumental tension. It must be that, because "Crystal" sounds wonderful. Lyrically the song just has nothing much to say. No tension, no ambivalence, just Eh.

Eh Eh Eh. Still and all, it sounds great, and the best version is here. The version you'll find on 'Get Ready' is too long, with a Pink Floydesque (David Gilmour Floyd) intro, and some drum/keyboard vamps that simply eat up time. The single version gets right there and makes its case quickly, for good or bad. It's concise and musically perfect. The thrill of the tune is so strong that McCartnyesque lines like - "Here comes love - it's like honey - you can't buy it with money" almost work. Almost, but no. New Order's tension is gone. So why are we still listening? Only the music, because it's so damn good.

The rest of this EP bashes out remixes of "Crystal", none of them interesting. (this is a ROCK tune, hard to mix that...) There IS a B-side ("Behind Closed Doors") which is lyrically good but musically so-so. Oh well, better luck next time.

Yes, its true, this is new material from the legendary and influential pop band! It sounds very much like new order should: hooky's bass, live and electronic drums, live guitar and melodeous synths. This single is terrific and very well produced. one little gripe is that the lyrics seem a bit uninspired, but it is very catchy, easy to listen to, and easily a favorite! can't wait until the full length album comes out. true new order fans will not be disappointed and new fans will appreciate the fresh sound.

It's wonderful to see New Order back after an eight year abscense. 'Crystal' is a very fresh and raw sounding track. It epitomizes Bernard Sumner's angst while complimented most eagerly by Peter Hook's talented bass playing. After seeing them perform live in California, I can wholeheartedly tell you that they are BACK!! The thing to do now is e-mail your radio stations and request that 'Crystal' be on the playlist.

This CD is really terrific. First off for only half the price of a regular CD you get an hour's worth of music. That's good. "Crystal" is a really good song...but what makes this CD is the b-side "Behind Closed Doors" it's worth the price alone. It's slow and has haunting vocals...the lyrics are great the piano meshes perfectly. Crystal is...well Crystal. Good guitar hook (the female vocals do sound out of place a bit) and the song bops along merrily at its own pace.

The remixes tend to get tedious after awhile (especially the Digweed ones..too long and dull) but the overall quality makes up for it.

Worthwhile pickup.

is obvious on the sound and the production, but even in lieu of that, the song is simply superb. It's not a flat-out masterpiece like "True Faith", but when you're one of the best bands in the world, what are you going to do other than what you do best? A driving fusion of dance and rock, and that's what "Crystal" is. Hopefully the success of the single and their upcoming release will drag these legends from their respective self-inflicted reclusions, but hey, if they release killer songs like "Brutal" and "Crystal" on a semi-regular basis, us lovers of music won't complain too much, will we?