Don't Point That Gun At Me

True Faith/1963 - July 1987

"True Faith" is one of those singles that's hard to separate from its video. The song was somewhat of a hit in the U.S. (especially on the dance charts), and the video was in heavy rotation on MTV. The avant garde production was directed by choreographer Philippe Decoufle and featured mimes, bizarre costumes, sign language, tumbling, and slap-fighting. How it related to the song, I'll never know, but the images are forever burned into my brain and are recalled upon hearing opening drum beats of the song.

"True Faith" is one of New Order's easiest songs to sing along to, the chorus in particular. Bernard Sumner sings it almost as a mantra, allowing the phrasing and the rhythm of the words to burrow into the brain. Synth and programmed drums are the main instruments here, but there are brief touches of guitar and Peter Hook's high end bass. This song is a good indicator of what's to come on the next New Order full length album.

The B-Side is just as good, if not better. While "1963" is sung from the perspective of a murdered wife, it's still damn catchy. This is also one of Bernard Sumner's best vocal performances and he really sells the fear, pain, and disappointment of the victim. The drums sound more natural, but this is still another keyboard heavy song, employing a synth-string sound throughout. The result is a really great track. In fact, I think that "True Faith" and "1963" is one of the best A-Side/B-Side combinations in New Order's singles catalogue.

10 out of 10

Substance - August 1987

If you do not have this singles collection in your possession yet, stop reading this post and go buy it. This is a recap of all of the 12" singles released by New Order, up through 1987. The second disc of the CD has the B-Sides, but only a few of them are really that good. The first disc containing the singles is where it's at. If you own one New Order CD/LP/cassette/digital download, this should be it. If you have a passing interest in New Order, this should be in your home. Go. Now. I bet you can find it in a used bin, too (which is a shame).

10 out of 10

Touched by the Hand of God/Touched by the Hand of Dub - December 1987

New Order team back up with Arthur Baker for "Touched by the Hand of God". It feels a little like a throwback to an earlier New Order sound, but the song is still pretty solid. The rock guitars and bass add to a more live sounding arrangement. The synth is still front and center a times, but not as dominating as the last few singles. The B-Side is just a remix of the single.

This is another song that I can't help but recall the video when I hear it. New Order are decked out in hair-metal glory, poofy, fake wigs, spikes and leather. They even get to leap off the stage in a shower of pyrotechnics. Classic.

7 out of 10