New Order

Recalling 1986'sBrotherhood, New Order's seventh album is divided between bittersweet guitar pop and less moody dance cuts, with "Krafty" balancing the two extremes. The band is noted for experimentation, yet Bernard Sumner's wintry melodies and fragile lyrics haven't changed a bit since 1983 -- nor do they need to, though the guitar tunes best the club cuts.

New Order have nothing to regret. If they'd broken up when Ian Curtis died, they'd still be
remembered as Joy Division. If they'd broken up after the 1982 single "Temptation," they'd
be remembered for the most achingly emotional seven-and-a-half-minute New Wave disco
twelve-inch of all time. If they'd broken up after Low-life, in 1985, they'd be remembered
for the most influential electro-vampire post-punk limp-wristed goth-twit album... More >