New Order 'Temptation/Hurt' 12" (1982)

[rotator]

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I have not put this on the player for a long time but I just had my ears kicked in a whole new way with this near flawless 12"(this is quickly becoming my favorite N.O. 12") ---although the 7" version delivers a pretty unceremonious edit.

...I know, I know ---"Temptation" has been beaten to death in the past few years (Trainspotting, Moby cover, the terrible remake included on the 'Substance' LP. etc)---but actually listening to it on the physical, vinyl original form is something special. The influence this record had on subsequent artists (not to mention N.O. dipping back into this fruitful well for the totemic "Blue Monday") is unchartable . Bernards delivery is honest and even though the vocal hook is sweet, it's never 'ass-holey'. One of the first feel good songs we would hear from New Order.

'Hurt' is poorly recorded but delivers a punch. This is when N.O. really shined. The mix of live instrumentation and electronics (sequencing) was kind of at it's infancy, and N.O. took the opportunity to make it interesting. Eventually, in future recordings the 'live' feel would disappear (ie; most of the forgettable 'Brotherhood' L.P. and by 'Technique' N.O. were remodeling their sound to fit with the current Detroit/house/acid sound, where this type of sequencing was a prerequisite), being completely replaced by sequencing predictability, ultimately leaving the listener twiddling their thumbs. But not on this gem.

Personally, I have ripped N.O. off musically about 45 times in the past 14 years (at least Hooks bass lines),...and yeah, did it once in 1986 too.....ahhh. '86 - I have also "borrowed" heavily from cover designer Peter Saville artistically over the years...don't hate me because you're beautiful.

RATING: (****/) 4.5 out of 5

[zill]

[quote]Originally posted by rotator
[br]The mix of live instrumentation and electronics (sequencing) was kind of at it's infancy, and N.O. took the opportunity to make it interesting. Eventually, in future recordings the 'live' feel would disappear...being completely replaced by sequencing predictability, ultimately leaving the listener twiddling their thumbs. But not on this gem.
[/quote]

This passage says it all. I can't agree more. This is what I try to argue was so exciting about those times. But even if they were there at the time, many people now forget what it was like before the "sequencing predictability" came along. You have no idea how happy it makes me knowing someone else thinks the same thing.