Customer Reviews

Back to Mine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Great compilation - it's not a DJ mix album per se (no beat matching or pitched up tunes), more like a mix tape you'd find in the cassette deck that the members of New Order left behind.

Petty music nerd note #1 - Primal Scream 'Higher Than the Sun' (track 2) is editted together from the original Screamadelica LP version and a Weatherall mix - it's not a jarring combination, i only noticed it because Screamadelica is one of the best LPs ever and i've worn out numerous copies.

Petty music nerd note #2 - Donna Summer 'I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley mix)' (track 11) is editted down, but the sweetest bits of that 15 minute mix are on the CD. Fabulous tune, if only someone out there would put the full version out on a legitimate release...

Again, a great mix of various styles by a seminal band (wake up America!).

But what do i know - attached is the "Tracklist + New Order Comments" from inside of cd booklet and from the record label's site .... NOTE - these comments are very smart, tongue placed firmly in cheek

01. Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band 'Big Eyed Beans From Venus'
A sci-fi blues freak out from the variable genius Van Vliet with spine tingling slide additions from Zoot Horn Rollo. Quite obviously the inspiration behind 'Confusion'

02. Primal Scream 'Higher Than the Sun'
A bit from the Orb's compressed pop mix and the stratospheric end bit from Weatherall's dub symphony with the metronomic Jah Wobble providing an unwavering backbone. Who could miss the similarities between this and Bizarre Love Triangle?

03. Missy Elliot 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)'
Timbaland's twitchy rhythms versus the cranky observations of the lady in the inflatable space suit. This was massive on the Joy Division tour bus.

04. The Velvet Underground 'Venus in Furs'
The sleazy cool reflected in the distance between Peter Hook's feet when he used to wear those leather trousers is perfectly encapsulated in Lou Reed's pervily sublime steal of a famous mucky book and the sound of John Cale sawing a cello in half. Which somehow perfectly leads us beneath a motorway bridge near NorthendenŠ.

05. Doves 'M62 Song'
You can hear the trucks and cars on this dark lullaby recorded in the dead of night. And the mic is passed to a feller in a sparkly jacket and greasy hairŠ.

06. Roxy Music 'In Every Dream Home a Heartache'
Simultaneously sinister and hilarious this love song for an inflatable lady friend was the kind of thing that the responsible young citizens that went on to make up New Order would twist their impressionable minds with.

07. Cat Stevens 'Was Dog a Doughnut?'
A peak time classic at Jellybean's Funhouse when New Order first alighted in electro land NY. Chick Corea is playing keyboards on this. On paper it might seem ridiculous, in reality it is perfect.

08. Mantronix 'Bassline'
Before narrow-mindedness set up a fence between house and hip-hop, this was the kind of record that filled the floor with ease at the Hacienda. Lyrically it's all but irrelevant, but its frantic edits and undeniable energy still make it special.

09. The Groundhogs 'Cherry Red'
A psychotic energy flash from a much misunderstood abstract blues band who, while their contemporaries sang of pixies and hobbits, traversed the same idiosyncratic route as Joy Division did almost ten years later. Peter Hook would probably tell you that Tony McPhee says more about his life than JG Ballard.

10. Joey Beltram 'Energy Flash'
Downright demonic, during the creation of this mix, shards of this devilish techno masterpiece appeared to replay in other rooms in the building for no good reason. Also features the word 'Ecstasy' which, though now ridiculous, at the time had a certain frisson.

11. Donna Summer 'I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley mix)'
Edited down from its original 15-minute glory in order to keep it burning here, this record still sounds incredible in any form. What could they have been thinking/drinking in Munich back then?

12. Can 'Mushroom'
Krautrock underpinned by the inspirational drumming of Jaki Liebezeit who appears to have studied under James Brown while the rest of the band kept busy sellotaping bits of dark Velvet to Stockhausen's arty pants. And Explosions as a bonus- what more could you need in any piece of music?

13. Rhythim is Rhythim 'The Dance'
Almost 15 years old and still peerless in all it's skeletal glory. Let's leave some intellectuals to draw a line between this and something off Power Corruption and Lies.

14. Giorgio Vs Talla 2XLC 'E=MC2'
Acknowledged on more than one occasion by Bernard Sumner as a transitional influence on the fledgling New Order, this celebration of machine music is the only place to end.

If you aren't familiar with the Back to Mine Series by now, your missing out on some great insights into the bands who put them together. I've been a New Order Fan since Power Corruption and Lies, and I'm fascinated by the music that drove the creative juices in the early days and appealed to the band members throughout their evolution. Some fans may well remember when New Order sounded very much like little more than a bunch of Cassio keyboards and Drum Machines themselves. If your interested in the music that inspires your favorite musicians then check it out. You might find something unexpectedly enjoyable... You may also start to notice things about New Order's music after hearing what they like to listen to... All of the Back to Mine CDs have been very enlightening.

I was stunned when I read some of the reviews of this wonderful album. Every single track on this disc is brilliant. If you were expecting formulaic downtempo house music then you will be let down. i wouldn't even call this a 'mix' cd, as it would be impossible to beat-match these tracks. It's more like a mix tape you'd give to a friend. The Captain Beefheart track I thought I'd hate but it's actually really cool. The lyrics are B-movie, drug-addled nonsense. Primal Scream's 'Higher then the Sun' is good to hear again. Missy Elliot is probably the most mainstream track on here. Then it leads into Velvet Underground's 'Venus in Furs', which in its own bizarre way is kind of reminiscent of New Order. It sounds like it's about S&M and it is a very wierd track, mostly because it sounds like they're playing a schreeching violin in the background. The Roxy Music track is some guy singing to his plastic sex doll, then it explodes into a Pink Floyd-ish jam. The Cat Stevens track is sort of 70's electro, I've never heard anything like it. Sounds more like Plaid then Cat Stevens. The Doves track is beautiful. The Mantronix one is a cool electro groove but the rapping is so bad it's almost entertaining in a cheesy way. The Groundhogs sound like a typical classic rock band, a loathsome genre, but it's really GOOD classic rock. Tight and tuneful with an amazing drummer. Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' is given a psychedelic guitar over the sequencers and it sounds brilliant, like a musical orgasm. The only track on here that is mediocre is the Can-'Mushroom' track. Can have a reputation for being incredibly influential, but I just don't get it. It isn't terrible, the drums sound kind of cool but what the big deal is is beyond me. It's the only self-consciously arty for arts sake. Rhythm is Rhthym (ie. techno pioneer Derrick May) 'the Dance' is good, but he has some MUCH better tracks, I don't know why they picked this one. They mixed the sound of thunder into it and it sounds great, remeniscent of acid house circa late 80's. Giorgio Moroder's 'E=MC2' closes the album and you can tell that Daft Punk were heavily influenced by this track. It's not that great, kind of a silly novelty song but the production on it is really cool-sounding.

If you're a casual fan of New Order and foolishly believe New Order=80s synth pop, then you will not like this album. If you seriously admire the band and are familiar with and enjoy their impressive back catalogue you will probably really dig this. Or if you just want to hear a collection of non-boring, non-formulaic music.

This is a very cool eclectic collection of songs chosen by New Order. Back to Mine is a series of mix records by different artists, the idea is what they would play for you back at their place, after a night out... "back to mine"...

A bit silly, but lots of good tracks.... the previous reviewers are pretty ignorant, especially seemingly having no clue about any of these classic tracks... this collection is pretty unique and fun, but not for the unadventurous.

The entire Back to Mine series are excellent compilations chosen by interesting artists. This one is no different - it's a brilliant mix of songs, not just a mishmash of Kruder remixes and Morcheeba knock-offs. Each track is there for a reason - because it sounds good.

It is an ecclectic collection of songs CHOSEN BY the members of New Order...While the collection is very interesting (it includes music by Velvet Underground, Can, Capt. Beefheart, Roxy Music among others), I think the way ... has it on their site is very misleading... I bought it thinking it was New Order because the description of the item was not listed. I have listed a description from the Editorial Review of the import (which I found after I had already purchased it)"

Here is the Review from the import:

Unusual Set Assembled by the Band New Order features the CD Debut of the Patrick Cowley Mix of Donna Summer's Classic "i Feel Love" and a Remix Version of Giorgio Moroder's "e=mc2".

This album may be a little odd, but I can't stop listening to it. With psychodelic rock, hip hop and techno tracks, you have to be fairly nimble in your chilling to enjoy it, but it's great if you are willing to go along for the ride.

If I had an invitation from New Order to go "back to mine", I'd have to decline. I've loved the Back to Mine series so far for its warm, sweet tunes (especially Everything But the Girl's contribution). This is a departure from that mood, which may be welcomed by some fans but not by this one. The songs on this cd are painfully self-conscious, dark and moody, reminding me of a cynical friend who's intelligent and creative but also unpleasant to be around. Even "I Feel Love" goes to the dark side on this compilation. There are lots of people, I'm sure, who appreciate this sort of sound, but for those looking for a good wind-down and relax mix, this isn't the place to find it.

The worst 'back to mine' by far. It has none of the quality we have seen in multiple other Back To Mine CDs, which I happily own. My main gripe is that none of the tracks take us to a new place, as it were, like the other CDs do. Not even attaching the name New Order to this CD can save it. 'Sack of cack' as they say in Manchester. Save your money.

It is amazing how one can go to a record store and have no idea what they are buying. New Orders Back to Mine instalment is another flawless album.