Customer Reviews

Brotherhood

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The MUSIC on these New Order reissues get a 5/5, easily. However, there were far too many egregious mistakes made in the creation of the discs themselves to give them a pass. Only the first discs were re-mastered though they still have some problems, it is the bonus discs that are an absolute mess.

Warner Music/Rhino know about these problems, but there is yet no word on any forthcoming fixes. So I'd hold off until these issues are addressed.

Noted below are the specific problems with the Brotherhood reissue:


1, Paradise
2, weirdo
3, As it is when it was
4, Broken promise
5, Way of life
6, Bizarre love triangle
7, All day long
8, Angel dust
9, Every little counts
10, State of the nation

Brotherhood - bonus disc
1, Bizarre love triangle (shep pettibone remix)
2, 1963 - Clicks at 0:04, 0:25, 0:28, 0:30, 0:39, 0:46, 0:55, 1:14, 1:37, 1:56, 2:03, 2:07, 2:14, 2:42, 3:07, 3:29, 3:40, 3:54, 4:25, 4:32, 4:34, 4:40, 4:55, 5:00, 5:16, and 5:25. "Stutter" at 3:36. In addition, "the track has a lot of clipping"
3, True Faith (shep pettibone remix)
4, Touched by the hand of god - Dubious sound quality, clicks, pops and digital glitches at: 0:08, 0:13, 0:15, 0:23, 0:29, 0:39, 6:53, 6:58, and 7:00.
5, Blue Monday `88
6, Evil dust - "sounds like it was recorded directly from vinyl", "crackles or some sort of skip at the start"
7, True Dub - Not what it says: plays a 1994 Tall Paul "eschreamer dubbier" remix
8, beach buggy - Not what it says: plays Blue Monday 1988 (dub version)

This is New Order's most experimental album, and arguably one of their best. I'm not sure why its never mentioned along with albums like PC&L's and Low-Life. This may sound unpopular, but I truly believe its superior to either of those efforts. Both side one and side two have their own distinctive yet coherent sound. I will admit that "Paradise" is not as strong as an opener as "Love Vigilantes" or even "Age of Consent", but the tracks "Weirdo" and "Way of Life" are simply lovely and upbeat pop songs. "BLT" needs no discussion. "All Day Long" has an extremely off-the-wall contrast between the music and the lyrics (which are very good-child abuse), but it doesn't end up ruining this highly uplifting piece, which resolves itself with a lengthy instrumental exchange that is one of the band's finest moments. Finally, "Every Second Counts" reminds us that while New Order is passionate about what they do, they still have a sense of humor that can coexist with all the beauty. The song begins with a Lou Reedish tempo, but concludes sounding much more like the chaotic ending of the Beatles "A Day in the Life." Personally, I think its second only to Technique.

I bought this album on vinyl the day it was released (September 1986), and it still remains fresh to my ears. It is relentlessly inventive, energetic, emotional, and original. And, being New Order, it's obtuse yet accessible all at once. Though it's an almost impossible decision, I might actually call this their best album, if only for sheer consistency of excellence and depth of ideas -- I've never understood why Brotherhood is usually slagged, even by the band themselves. (This is from someone who can sing from memory most New Order and Joy Division songs.) Previous reviewers are right when they say it's a more rock-oriented album than Substance -- at least side one. But to me, New Order were never anything but a rock band wrote songs that happened to be danceable, and Brotherhood keeps with the tradition of blending the electronic and acoustic that has marked every one of their albums (except, perhaps, Republic). Every track is rich, warm, and intense -- the production (by the band) is perfect, with every sound exactly as it needs to be. It's more for listening than for dancing, but it's hard not to move -- or be moved. The wistfulness, mystery, and feeling in the lyrics is both inspiring and disarming, and the music speaks just as loudly. In my opinion, this was their last truly brilliant album (the retrospectives don't count, Technique is not quite to the same level, Republic is forgettable, and Get Ready is quite good but marred by weak lyrics), and I expect to still be listening to it in another 15 years. I wish I could say the same for the side projects, which just don't have the magic for me -- they are so good as a band, and have such a distinct sound, that it's just not all there when they are working apart from each other. Brotherhood and the albums that preceded it are everlasting.

Don't buy "Brotherhood," for the dance rock classic "Bizarre Love Triangle." The version on this album is radically different than the one that dominated the club scene in the late 80s and early 90s (for that version, you want the album "Substance"). This is the album where New Order decided to stretch their songwriting abilities to the maximum. When the succeed, (like on the utterly amazing but truly downcast "All Day Long") the effect is mezmerizing. This is an inconsistent set of songs that has more high points than low. However, it is most definately NOT the New Order of the dance floor.

Album packs a solid punch--definate departure from their earlier more Joy Division (a band most of New Order were members of in the early 80's) influenced roots. New Order makes a solid aural statement with this album, and creates what amounts to a precursor to their later (not as good) forays into techno. "Brotherhood" resonates with the same strong bass of Joy Division, only it's turned on its head and thrown into a mostly otherwise electronic track. Maybe it's something that a fan could get tired of in later recordings, but at this point in time, New Order was really polishing up its repertoire and making the most and best of a sound that is uniquely theirs.

Yeah, you saw right. I gave this album 5 stars, and you know why? Kick ass. I've had it for two weeks and it's been playing non-stop (and driving my roommate crazy!). And of course this is the album that spawned "Bizzare Love Triangle" so why even write a review without mentioning it? Also "All Day Long," I like that one too. Then there's Paradise. I'll agree with the dude who said "Paradise" was the greatest song on this record- it's dark, kind of creepy, and, well, you'd know if you heard it. I'm freaking obsessed with this song. It's really sad that the 80's get overlooked in modern times (unless it's become an adult contempoary hit; think Sting). You can really hear their influence on anything from Motion City Soundtrack to No Doubt to The Killers (who have totaly ripped off New Order- right down to their name, stolen from the music video for "Crystal." Don't get me wrong- I like them a lot), and tons of other music, especially dance. Vive la 80's!

Please note that almost all the reviews here are for the original cd - not the remastered 2 cd set. See "Paul slop"s review for the real scoop. At least the first disc seemed to escape the clicks and other unwanted defects.

One star deducted for the poor remaster job.

Amazon says: "Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this 1986 album ... This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title." - No - this one is available.

Brotherhood is an album of tension between beauty and violence. It allows for songs like "Weirdo" and "All Day Long" to stand together. Of course the standout is "Bizarre Love Triangle" which is available in different versions on other albums. And with the ending of the album mixing one of their most gorgeous tracks "Every Little Counts" with escalating keyboard noise and the sound of a cat jumping on the turntable. New Order breaks the tension with their perverse humour. If you're a Singles kind of person- don't knock it- this one is just not for you.

When I first got this album in '86 I put it on, listened to the whole thing, and then listened to the whole thing again. Tonight I just did the same. Such is the infectious power of New Order, and no album of theirs is better. Yes other albums contain better songs; yes the songs sound more alike than on other albums. But you won't find another New Order album where every song is good. That is the case with Brotherhood. Paradise and Wierdo are great songs, and if you can still recall before Bizarre Love Triangle was drummed into our heads, it is a great song too. Another reason I prefer this album is the greater proportion of guitars.

After this I would buy Low Life, Technique, and then tape someone else's Power Corruption and Lies. (Susbstance is also obviously great, but I haven't heard it in over 10 years.)

I agree with most reviewers that the track "All day long" is the Best on this album but I Also feel this album has the best version of Bizarre Love Triangle cuz you can Finally Really hear Peter hooks infectious bass line wich Always carried this tune in my opinion !!! The other tracks hold up a lot better than the tracks on Power, Corruption and Lies and this album seems more alternative than that album and Not so Stuck in the 80's as the latter !!! This is my 3rd favorite new order full length album. Peter Hook on bass Really shines and carries this album to its Zenith musically~ Thanks Hooky :)