Get Ready

by

New Order

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Even in my biased opinion, I have maintain some sort of objectivity. I believe that New Order is one of the most influential bands to ever strum a guitar, and well, that sort of brilliance is certainly hard at work again on this, their first studio work since 1993's mediocre (save "Regret") Republic.

The first track and single, "Crystal" is obviously the highlight of the album. The driving layers of synthesizers with the soaring melody of Hook's bass immediately adds this gem into the canon of classics. The next track, "60 MPH", which is coincedentally the second single is equally stunning, an instantly hummable modern rock song that will have its stinging chorus etched into your consciousness like a lawn dart.

The album turns more into an introspective and reflective mood after the singles, and while the individual tracks are not as spectacular, they form a wonderful atmosphere of strong beats, throbbing basslines and magnificent strings, achieving a surrealness that reminds this review of "Mr. Disco" from Technique - a monolith of wonderful creations, stuffed to the breaking point with bits of rock and dance.

The most poignant moment comes at the end with the wonderful "Run Wild". An acoustic number with Barney sounding as real as he's ever sounded, New Order finishes their album triumphantly with a tune that begs you to go back to "Crystal" and start the process all over.