Amazon.com
Centered around the legendary nightclub the Hacienda, the evolution of Manchester, England's clubbing culture from punk's birth to the exuberant late-'80s, drug-addled "Madchester" scene is documented by
24 Hour Party People. As would be expected from a movie celebrating the rise of beat-oriented bands, the soundtrack reads like a who's who of Manchester's punk, postpunk, and dance acts. The dour, minimalist bass lines and desolation of
Joy Division blurred into
New Order's rhythmic mix of icy dance-floor desire and sorrow after JD vocalist Ian Curtis's suicide in 1980. Each group has their best songs included, as do
Happy Mondays, their hypnotic, party-heavy beats and gospel-tinged revelry sounding fresh even today. While not as mainstream, a cut by gentle soulful noodlers the
Durutti Column and serene comedown anthems from acid-house legends
808 State and
A Guy Called Gerald are also gems. Even better, the two new New Order songs--an apocalyptic take on JD's "New Dawn Fades" with Moby on vocals, and the ultra-clubby
Technique-flavored "Here to Stay"--fit in seamlessly. It's likely that fans of these bands already possess most songs included, but
Party People is the ultimate snapshot of these eras, a mix tape of artifacts worth revisiting, or experiencing for the first time.
--Annie Zaleski
Product Description
2002 soundtrack to the blackly comic tale of music, sex, drugs, and excess. 18 tracks, highlights include 'Anarchy In The U.K.' Sex Pistols, '24 Hour Part People' Happy Mondays, 'Transmission' Joy Division, 'Ever Fallen In Love' Buzzcocks, 'Janie Jones' Clash, 'New Dawn Fades' (Live from Area 1) New Order feat. Moby, Billy Corgan & John Frusciante, 'Atmosphere' Joy Division, 'Otis' Duritti Column, 'Voodoo Ray' A Guy Called Gerald & 'Temptation' New Order.