Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
New Order's Career Spanning Retrospective., June 16, 2003
It's difficult to believe that the members of New Order have been together for over 25 years including their years as Joy Division. During those 25 years, the band has entertained millions with their unique brand of alternative rock and dance music. Without a doubt, New Order are pioneering musicians. Bernard Sumner shows that it's cool not to have a great singing voice and still sound good. Peter Hook is a master bass player who uses the instrument as a lead guitar. Drummer Stephen Morris is a rhythm machine all to himself while keyboardist Gillian Gilbert ties everything together with her etherial chord strokes.
After releasing two retrospectives, 1987's "Substance" and 1995's "Best of New Order", the band has released the career-spanning "International". This album includes 14 of New Order's best known songs and serves as a good introduction to the band's music.
The disc does have its pros and cons however. Several of the band's key tracks such as "Subculture", "Temptation" and "Fine Time" are not included on this compilation. Also, the 1987 remake of "Confusion" which appeared on "Substance" also appears here instead of its original 1983 version which is far superior.
The version of "The Perfect Kiss" included here is the edited version which also appears on the band's "Lowlife" album as opposed to the full-length 9-minute version which is on "Substance" and the original 12" single.
On the good side, this is the only place where you can find the rare hit "Touched By The Hand Of God". Also, there are classics such as "Blue Monday", "True Faith", "Thieves Like Us" and "Shellshock". The latter two tracks were featured in the 1986 Brat-pack flick "Pretty In Pink". If that isn't enough, the album also comes with a bonus DVD. While it only includes three video tracks, it's a delight to see this band in action. The live performance of "Blue Monday" is astonishing to watch especially Peter Hook's performance on electronic drums.
Altogether, the good outweighs the bad with this compilation. I recommend this compilation for those who are just beginning to discover New Order. If you like it, pick up "Substance" which goes ever deeper into the band's career. If you like that, run out and buy every album the band has ever made and you'll be set.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
go buy Substance or even 'The Best", March 13, 2003
By A Customer
The new compilation by new order could've/should've been much better than this. I think the last compilation(best of) was a much more comprehensive set than this. This is more of an edited Substance with a few songs from their later set. They didn't include the original version of Confusion, used an edit of "Perfect Kiss" and pretty much ignored Technique/Republic. I only bought this for the free dvd. I already have the Live at Finsbury, so all I really wanted were the two music videos. Although True Faith is fine, the bastards used an edited version of "Perfect Kiss," not the full length version found on the video and laserdisc!! That was probably the main reason for me to buy this compilation. So as you can imagine, i'm feeling pretty ripped off. So do yourself and buy the "best of" or substance and ignore this (or just buy it used, like I should have!)
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this for the remastering effort!!!, June 14, 2004
The earlier tracks here have never sounded this good. Remember 1986, when you ran out and bought Low-life and Brotherhood on CD? And you raved about how this new medium was INVENTED for THIS band? Then you shoved your old vinyl copies in a closet?Well, here we are in 2004 (actual release 10/2002) and it appears they are finally getting around to remastering some of the tracks, probably due to Rhino's involvement. The sound on "Substance" just doesn't cut it anymore. I can't say this is worth full price, even with the bonus DVD. And the inclusion of three tracks from the recent "Get Ready" is unjustified. But the sound quality is SPECTACULAR. The clarity of Hook's bass lines has never been captured so well. The new transfers demonstrate very clean low- and sub-bass which can't be found elsewhere. Hunt for this one in the bargain bins until the full catalog gets the remastering it deserves.
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