New Order- Lost Sirens

Artist: New Order

CD Title:  Lost Sirens

Label: Rhino Records

Genre: Alternative, Indie

NEW ORDER IS BACK!!!!...(well sort of)  I can't tell you how exciting it is to see and hear the 80's so fresh and alive. I think 2013 is the year when all of these classic bands are getting back to basics. That is the way it should be. Sometimes a winning formula just shouldn't be messed with.

Most of you are quite familiar with supergroup New Order, but just in case, let's do a quick recap. From tragedy breeds genius. Shortly after the untimely suicide of Ian Curtis ( Joy Division, Warsaw) New Order was born.  The band was formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner (vocals, guitars, keyboards & synthesisers), Peter Hook (bass, vocals) and Stephen Morris (drums, electronic drums, keyboards & synthesisers) – the remaining members of Joy Division, following the suicide of vocalist Ian Curtis,with the addition of Gillian Gilbert (keyboards & synthesisers, guitars). In 1993, the band broke-up amidst tension between band members, but reformed in 1998. In 2001, Phil Cunningham (guitars, keyboards & synthesisers) replaced Gilbert, who left the group due to family commitments. In 2007, Peter Hook left the band and the band broke-up again, with Sumner stating in 2009 that he no longer wishes to make music as New Order. The band reunited in 2011 without Hook, with Gilbert returning to the fold and Tom Chapman replacing Hook on bass. During the band's career and in between lengthy breaks, band members have been involved in several solo projects, such as Sumner's Electronic and Bad Lieutenant; Hook's Monaco and Revenge and Gilbert's and Morris' The Other Two. Cunningham was previously a member of Marion and with Sumner and Chapman was a member of Bad Lieutenant.

From their debut album Movement in 1981, New Order produced some of the most amazing and well produced music that the music world would ever know. From lush, acoustic, almost balearic and thought provoking songs, to high octane dance club anthems, New Order carved out their own place in history as one of the most influential,innovative and exciting bands. They would eventually become one of the most important and recognizable bands of all time.  New Order have not released an album since Waiting For The Sirens' Call in 2005, now  almost eight years later, New Order has returned in full force with their ninth studio album Lost Sirens.

Now that you are brought up to speed, let's talk about Lost Sirens. Lost Sirens is a collection of eight tracks all recorded during the sessions for their 2005 studio album Waiting For The Sirens Call. The bands line-up at the time consisted of Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Philip Cunningham. All tracks are previously unreleased. 'Hellbent' as featured on a 2011 Rhino compilation, is featured here in its original, non radio-mix form and 'I Told You So' is a previously unreleased mix. My favorite song on Lost Sirens "I'll Stay With You", is like slipping your feet right into your favorite old pair of comfy warm slippers. I'm not sure how such a great stand out track missed the cut for Waiting For The Siren's Call?  It almost seems a crime, but better late than never. Shake It Up, sounds like something from their more electronica styled album Get Ready,  If you are looking for any club anthems like Bizarre Love Triangle or Blue Monday, you will not find it here. This is pretty standard mellow New Order. However, Sugarcane is probably the most upbeat, catchy and danceable track on the album.With songs like Hellbent and I've Got A Feeling, this probably ranks as one of the most heavily guitar dominated records New Order has ever made.

So, no I lied, New Order is not back, but since they just found these unreleased songs from 2005, and released them in 2013, it could very well be a new album. I think although it is a solid effort for a collection of lost or previously unreleased tracks, it does not have the strength to withstand a whole album's worth of music that is worthy of New Order's awesome potential. There is a nice eclectic mix of styles to choose from, but it lacks that certain something that we have come to expect from New Order. It really is what it is. It certainly isn't a "new" New Order album, nor does it profess to be, but I'm damned happy that they released it anyway. Think of this as the deluxe edition of Waiting For The Sirens Call, nothing new or exciting, but something all New Order fans just have to have. I will buy it and add it to my collection.

I just wish that New Order would release a new New Order album. Your fans are patiently waiting. The time is now!

Listen to I'll Stay With You from New Order- Lost Sirens

Buy New Order- Lost Sirens