Please, Don't Let Me Hit the Ground
Temptation/Hurt - May 1982
With the release of "Temptation", New Order started to venture into more pop/dance territories. The drumming, bouncy bass line, and skittish guitar part all come together to form a song that demands movement (ironically unlike the album that was named so). The end result is a classic and one of the best songs of the New Order catalogue.
The 7" and the 12" versions were released at the same time, but feature strikingly different mixes. The 7" mix is colder, which can be attributed to the mechanical drum sounds and Bernard Sumner's robotic vocal delivery. The 12" feels more "live". The drumming sounds more natural and Sumner's singing is more melodic. It's worth pointing out that the two versions can bleed into each other. The 7" starts cold and fades out with some "Oooo-oo-oos", while the 12" fades in with the "Oooo-oo-oos" and finishes cold.
The B-side "Hurt" is fairly unremarkable. It's only real attribute is that it points to the more dancy turn the band will take on their next single.
9 out of 10
Blue Monday/The Beach - March 1983
And then there was "Blue Monday".
While "Temptation" pushed New Order into more pop areas of music, "Blue Monday" was solidly a dance track. In fact, these two songs are the beginnings of New Order moving out from under the shadow of Joy Division, while providing indication of the two types of songs that will dominate their future singles and albums. New Order's catalogue can divided into pop/rock songs that focusing more on live instruments and electro/dance tracks that rely primarily on sequencing and drum machines. Somehow they make it all work together and both styles seem very natural and very "New Order".
To be honest, I've always liked "Blue Monday", but it is far from my favorite New Order song. It's a little long, repetitive, and has been played to death. I'm not saying that it's a bad song; in fact I think it's really great. I think it's more important for its historic significance rather than its musical merit.
The B-side is "The Beach" which is just an instrumental version of "Blue Monday"
8 out of 10
2 comments:
I found your blog through your comments on Geoff Klock's blog. I like your run through the R.E.M. material and am looking forward to the New Order as well.
Question: is there anywhere to get the 7" and 12" of "Temptation"? All I've got is the Substance CD, which (I think) is a Frankenstein version of the two.
Thanks. Great blog!
The 7" is on the Singles double disc that came out a few years ago and the 12" is on Substance (which you already have).
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