New Order Album: “Brotherhood”

This is New Order's most experimental album, and arguably one of their best. I'm not sure why its never mentioned along with albums like PC&L's and Low-Life. This may sound unpopular, but I truly believe its superior to either of those efforts. Both side one and side two have their own distinctive yet coherent sound. I will admit that "Paradise" is not as strong as an opener as "Love Vigilantes" or even "Age of Consent", but the tracks "Weirdo" and "Way of Life" are simply lovely and upbeat pop songs. "BLT" needs no discussion. "All Day Long" has an extremely off-the-wall contrast between the music and the lyrics (which are very good-child abuse), but it doesn't end up ruining this highly uplifting piece, which resolves itself with a lengthy instrumental exchange that is one of the band's finest moments. Finally, "Every Second Counts" reminds us that while New Order is passionate about what they do, they still have a sense of humor that can coexist with all the beauty. The song begins with a Lou Reedish tempo, but concludes sounding much more like the chaotic ending of the Beatles "A Day in the Life." Personally, I think its second only to Technique.

Don't buy "Brotherhood," for the dance rock classic "Bizarre Love Triangle." The version on this album is radically different than the one that dominated the club scene in the late 80s and early 90s (for that version, you want the album "Substance"). This is the album where New Order decided to stretch their songwriting abilities to the maximum. When the succeed, (like on the utterly amazing but truly downcast "All Day Long") the effect is mezmerizing. This is an inconsistent set of songs that has more high points than low. However, it is most definately NOT the New Order of the dance floor.

Album packs a solid punch--definate departure from their earlier more Joy Division (a band most of New Order were members of in the early 80's) influenced roots. New Order makes a solid aural statement with this album, and creates what amounts to a precursor to their later (not as good) forays into techno. "Brotherhood" resonates with the same strong bass of Joy Division, only it's turned on its head and thrown into a mostly otherwise electronic track. Maybe it's something that a fan could get tired of in later recordings, but at this point in time, New Order was really polishing up its repertoire and making the most and best of a sound that is uniquely theirs.

I put off buying all of these due to the reports of pressing errors. I eventually caved in and bought Brotherhood at a local record store. After listening and realizing that it had been a corrected version (you can check on the discs themselves), I decided to take a risk on the others and ordered them all through here. As it turns out, Amazon's stock is the replaced ones now and everything has been corrected. I can't speak for the products that other sellers on here have, but the ones I bought through Amazon are all of the fixed reissues. We all know these are worth five-stars, don't hesitate any longer.

I ordered all five of these remasters from Amazon in July 2011. I received the 2009 corrected versions of Movement, PCL and Technique. Brotherhood and Low-Life both are the older versions with the messy second disc. I am returning those two. People say you can tell the older pressings by two external signs:

1) The older pressings have the plastic "Collectors Edition" sleeve on the outside, and the newer pressings don't.

2) The newer pressings have a second book inside with details on all five remastered albums and the older ones don't.

This is actually a little bit misleading as the "Low-Life" I received did not have the plastic sleeve and did have the second booklet. So, I assumed it was the corrected version. But the second disc is obviously the flawed version with glaring glitches and pops throughout.

Perhaps Rhino is recycling all of the defective discs that have been returned to them, hoping less informed buyers won't notice. At any rate, be wary. They should have recalled the bad copies from retailers back in 2009.