The first New Order song I ever heard was "Blue Monday” which was being played everywhere when it originally dropped in early 1983… every New Wave dance club and bar had it on heavy rotation. It came in a mysteriously unmarked disc sleeve and was followed by an equally inscrutable video. Timeless gem of a song that put them on the map, big time. Needless to say New Order and Factory Records went on to a storied career, hit after hit, neatly summed up with the release of the singles compilation “Substance” in 1988.
But my personal favorite New Order tune and this week’s Awesome Song is on their second LP, “Power Corruption & Lies”. The song “Age of Consent” opens that LP (the first real New Order LP in my opinion - the actual first New Order LP “Movement" was more a transitional segue from Joy Division) with that superb bass line from Peter Hook… then the drums … then the guitar … then the intensity of Bernard Sumner’s singing comes in…..and finally the incredible string synths ….followed by 5+ minutes of grooving…all while building up to the spectacular soaring outro. It never was released as a single so it didn't make "Substance” … but in my opinion it was their finest release - and of course it’s a song I never get tired of !
Enjoy “Age of Consent”!
-WAS
-WAS
Probably my second-favorite New Order song. Excellent pick, Was, and it might have been a "Just Missed It" pick from me as well at some point.
ReplyDeleteMD ... what timing !!!!!
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Strange as this may sound coming from the guy who likes upbeat synths sprinkled on his peppy power pop, but I've really been appreciating Transmission from Joy Division recently. I know ... it's a depressing pessimistic dirge of a song... I can't explain it either
ReplyDeleteSame here, every once in awhile I like listening to the dark stuff too.
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