New Order: Substance
When many people hear the name of New Order the first song that often comes into their heads is that of the seminal track Blue Monday: the hypnotic dance beat with its synthesised bass line is as unmistakable as the melodies of Led Zep’s Whole Lotta Love and Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. Substance, the double disc compilation from 1987 and re-released on CD in 1990, does indeed feature ‘That Song’. Before you skip straight to track four on the first disc and press stop when it finishes, you should remember that it also contains some of the greatest rock/dance tracks of the last twenty years.
This album is a compilation of the early singles and some B-sides that never made it onto the band’s earlier LPs, including a couple of instrumentals and songs recorded while the band still went under the name of Joy Division. Because the songs were by and large stand-alone releases that were not originally intended to be arranged back-to-back it is not such a solid and consistent listening experience as one of their studio albums but feels more like a ‘greatest hits’ of sorts.
Disc one opens on a rather subdued note with the old Joy Division tune Ceremony, with a bittersweet melody and vocals from the late Ian Curtis, whose lyrics seem to echo in the background and alternate between restfulness and urgency. Everything’s Gone Green follows with the blend of traditional guitar, bass and drums with synth beats and loops that would soon define the band’s sound; this is carried over with the catchy Temptation and of course a seven-and-a-half minute mix of Blue Monday. With the exception of Confusion which has a more of a mechanical, remixed sound, this disc contains some of their best ever work: Temptation, Bizarre Love Triangle and the sublime True Faith are standout singles of the eighties, but what is most telling is how great they still sound.
Disc two opens on another Joy Division track, In a Lonely Place, with brooding vocals from Curtis ( the words “Hangman looks round as he waits/Cord stretches tight then it breaks” being chillingly prophetic), gothic bass riffs and weird, dark electronic noises; it is a truly compelling and haunting track and although it is in great contrast to the bright, drug-fuelled and dance-influenced vibe that the band would later be so well-known for, it shows how they had evolved after Curtis’ tragic suicide. It’s back into New Order territory for the rest of the disc though, with some more rarities and alternate versions of some of their singles. Whether you prefer these versions over the originals is irrelevant considering that this album includes both, but it’s great for completists or fans who want to hear a different take on the songs. The closing track, 1963, sounds almost political but has the catchy and pop-inspired quality that allowed the band to enjoy long term commercial success while staying true to their roots. It’s also a brilliant way to end a superb album.
In Summary
As a run-through of the band’s early triumphs, Substance is a great place to start; it is also many of the best songs of the 1980s collected in one place. The band’s recovery from the loss of frontman and subsequent re-invention is evident, as is their innovation and eternal ability to combine styles that would, at first glance, appear to be too far-flung to work. Even now these songs can be appreciated by clubbers, rock and indie fans alike, which is probably their greatest achievement.
Tracklisting
Disc 1
- Ceremony
- Everything’s Gone Green
- Temptation
- Blue Monday
- Confusion
- Thieves Like Us
- Perfect Kiss
- Subculture
- Shellshock
- State of the Nation
- Bizarre Love Triangle
- True Faith
Disc 2
- In a Lonely Place
- Procession
- Mesh
- Hurt
- The Beach
- Confusion (Instrumental)
- Lonesome Tonight
- Murder
- Thieves Like Us (Instrumental)
- Shame of the Nation
- 1963
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