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Product details
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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Digital | |||
| 2. Baader Meinhof (Remastered) | |||
| 3. "All Night Party (Remastered 7"" version)" | |||
| 4. "Electricity [Remastered Original 7"" version]" | |||
| 5. She's Lost Control [12-Inch Version] | |||
See all 20 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. "Everything's Gone Green [12"" Version]" | |||
| 2. Watching The Hydroplanes | |||
| 3. Messidor | |||
| 4. Knife Slits Water (Remastered) | |||
| 5. Art on 45 | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. "Confusion [Remastered Original 12"" Version]" | |||
| 2. Reach For Love | |||
| 3. Looking From A Hilltop [Megamix] | |||
| 4. All At Once | |||
| 5. Tell Me (Remastered) | |||
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See all 16 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 4 | |||
| 1. Fine Time | |||
| 2. W.F.L. [Think About The Future Mix - Remastered version] | |||
| 3. Seven Reasons | |||
| 4. Hallelujah [Club Mix - Remastered version] | |||
| 5. Getting Away With It | |||
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See all 15 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Review
While not meaning to under appreciate the importance of Factory records as a worthy model of independence, Communications does seem to underline a simple fact (ha!): that Tony Wilson's bespoke cottage industry devoted to promoting the excellence of its Mancunian stable really could get it awfully wrong at times. Besides the unimpeachable jewels of say Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire or even early James this box set contains some right old duffers. Mind you, when Anthony H and co. got it right, they REALLY got it right.
It seems hardly worth going on about the thoroughly documented, canonised and even biopic-ed Ballardian miserabalists, Joy Division. Martin Hannett's productions will always defy time. But let's face it, Curtis et al were, like Mike Oldfield with Virgin, almost the sole reason that Wilson's label became as iconic as it did. And New Order's forsquare disco tendencies floated them through the rest of the 80s. But there's plenty more here to make you believe that, at least for a spell, factory showed unwavering taste. The Durutti Column's spidery ambient guitars; A Certain Ratio's now-hipper-than-hell white boy funk; Section 25's minimal thunder; and let's not forget marvellous one-offs like...erm, Crispy Ambulance?
Factory's rather arch insistence on labelling not only their records but their venues and various multimedia offshoots with sequential catalogue numbers meant that while they traded under the banner of envelope pushing, they were also appealing in the main to a male fanbase who loved to COLLECT stuff. In truth the roster, which often, more by luck than judgement, captured some seminal acts at the earliest parts of their careers (The Fall, Cabaret Voltaire, James, OMD) could also reflect on what the label was missing out on.
While the late 80s dance 'n' pills revolution found a spiritual home in the Northern metropolis, its purveyors here now seem remarkably lumpy. We'll gloss over travesties like Northside, but even The Happy Mondays seem a little clodhopping in retrospect, despite their Ibizan roots. Factory may have had the Hacienda as their temple of clubbing, but you'll find no 808 State or the like here.
Of course, it was Wilson's 80% bull spouting ratio that made Factory more alluring than 'quieter' yet just as important labels like Rough Trade, Mute or 4AD. Northern arrogance led him to proclaim about reinventing the musical wheel at least twice a month. For this reason alone this lump of nostalgia seems somehow misplaced. But for those that were there, Communications will undoubtedly bring a lump to the throat. --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you already own "Palatine" of course (which this reviewer doesn't - his younger self saw compilations as a sell out!) you might not want to bother with this release. Many have already commented (Amazon reviews and elsewhere) upon the similarity between this and that aforementionmed previous Factory box set but, in his compiler's note to "Communications" Jon Savage admits that "Palatine" was a starting point on which he was trying to improve - so one way to approach this is as "Palatine" mk 2.
No doubt some fans will have seen the track listing and felt disappointment that some crucial artists are missing (Abecedarians? The Wendys?) but, as Savage goes on to point out "to include everything would be impossible as well as barely listenable".
I may as well get my other gripes out of the way now: Section 25, Durutti Column and A Certain Ratio were three of the best bands of all time, never mind on Factory but this collection doesn't always showcase their best material - and is a wasted opportunity in that respect. Also there are a few pointless inclusions on here - how many people purchasing this will not already own "Blue Monday"? Zero. And "Get the Message (DNA Mix)"? The beginning of the end for Factory that one if you ask me.
Anyway, these are minor criticisms - this really is a rather well put together package - sleeve notes by Paul Morley at his more readable (no "Why are New Order?"-type stuff), 100+ words on each and every track by LTM's James Nice. And then there's the music...I think I'll let that speak for itself but here are a few hidden gems: "Baader Meinhof" (unless you're already a member of the Fac-2 Owners' Club), "English Black Boys (hadn't realised Dennis Bovell had ever done anything for Factory?), "Reach for Love" (of course,...typified the Factory sound by being atypical). Also, disc 4 has a nice early nineties home-tape/Balearic feel to it - probably the only one of the four discs you could play at a house party without raising eyebrows.
So, a creditable attempt by Rhino to round up my all-time favourite record label. Factory re-invented music and now more than ever is the time for re-invention - so check it out.
No doubt some fans will have seen the track listing and felt disappointment that some crucial artists are missing (Abecedarians? The Wendys?) but, as Savage goes on to point out "to include everything would be impossible as well as barely listenable".
I may as well get my other gripes out of the way now: Section 25, Durutti Column and A Certain Ratio were three of the best bands of all time, never mind on Factory but this collection doesn't always showcase their best material - and is a wasted opportunity in that respect. Also there are a few pointless inclusions on here - how many people purchasing this will not already own "Blue Monday"? Zero. And "Get the Message (DNA Mix)"? The beginning of the end for Factory that one if you ask me.
Anyway, these are minor criticisms - this really is a rather well put together package - sleeve notes by Paul Morley at his more readable (no "Why are New Order?"-type stuff), 100+ words on each and every track by LTM's James Nice. And then there's the music...I think I'll let that speak for itself but here are a few hidden gems: "Baader Meinhof" (unless you're already a member of the Fac-2 Owners' Club), "English Black Boys (hadn't realised Dennis Bovell had ever done anything for Factory?), "Reach for Love" (of course,...typified the Factory sound by being atypical). Also, disc 4 has a nice early nineties home-tape/Balearic feel to it - probably the only one of the four discs you could play at a house party without raising eyebrows.
So, a creditable attempt by Rhino to round up my all-time favourite record label. Factory re-invented music and now more than ever is the time for re-invention - so check it out.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A lot of people have made mention that the 'Communications' box set is simply a rehash of the 'Palatine' box set. This isn't strictly true (though there is some overlap). I searched all over on the net to find a definitive list that showed what tracks the two box sets shared, and what tracks were exclusive to each set. I wasn't able to find the information, so I made the list myself since I own both box sets on CD. Here's the list for those who are interested:
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON BOTH BOXSETS]
Joy Division / Transmission (3:36)
Durutti Column, The / Sketch For Summer (3:00)
X-O-Dus / English Black Boys (4:46)
Joy Division / Love Will Tear Us Apart (3:26)
A Certain Ratio / Shack Up (3:14)
Marcel King / Reach For Love (5:27)
52nd Street / Cool As Ice (7:48)
Cabaret Voltaire / Yashar (John Robie Remix) (7:31)
Quando Quango / Genius (6:25)
Happy Mondays / 24 Hour Party People (4:38)
Tunnelvision / Watching The Hydroplanes (3:52)
Distractions, The / Time Goes By So Slow (3:21)
Wake, The / Talk About The Past (6:25)
Railway Children, The / Brighter (4:55)
Miaow / When It All Comes Down (3:30)
Revenge / Seven Reasons (4:09)
James / Hymn From A Village (2:53)
New Order / True Faith (5:54)
Happy Mondays / W.F.L. (Think About The Future) (7:12)
New Order / World In Motion (4:31)
Electronic / Getting Away With It (5:16)
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON PALATINE ONLY]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark / Electricity (3:32)
A Certain Ratio / All Night Party (3:14)
ESG / You're No Good (3:11)
James / Folklore (2:51)
A Certain Ratio / Flight (6:05)
Section 25 / New Horizon (6:04)
New Order / Ceremony (4:25)
Stockholm Monsters / Happy Ever After (3:07)
Quando Quango / Tingle (5:30)
New Order / The Beach (7:18)
Section 25 / Looking From A Hilltop (4:38)
A Certain Ratio / Skip Scada (2:09)
Kalima / Sparkle (3:41)
New Order / Confusion (4:42)
Fadela / N'Sel Fik (7:10)
Joy Division / Wilderness (2:37)
Stockholm Monsters / Partyline (5:50)
Happy Mondays / Kuff Dam (3:06)
New Order / Age Of Consent (5:15)
Durutti Column, The / Otis (4:15)
Durutti Column, The / The Together Mix (6:07)
Northside / Shall We Take A Trip (5:28)
Steve Martland / The World Is In Heaven (Classical Version) (4:02)
Wendys, The / Pulling My Fingers Off (4:03)
Cath Carroll / Moves Like You (4:14)
Northside / My Rising Star (6:27)
Happy Mondays / Step On Remix '91 (4:27)
Joy Division / Atmosphere (4:11)
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON COMMUNICATIONS ONLY]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark / Electricity (Factory Version) (3:45)
Section 25 / Looking From A Hilltop (Megamix) (8:10)
New Order / Confusion (8:13)
Northside / Shall We Take A Trip (4:24)
Cath Carroll / Moves Like You (Remix) (6:33)
Happy Mondays / Step On (5:18)
Joy Division / Digital (2:51)
Cabaret Voltaire / Baader Meinhof (3:23)
Joy Division / She's Lost Control (4:54)
Section 25 / Girls Don't Count (4:28)
Crawling Chaos / Sex Machine (5:39)
A Certain Ratio / Flight (6:04)
Names, The / Nightshift (3:37)
New Order / Ceremony (Original Version) (4:37)
Minny Pops / Dolphin's Spurt (2:51)
John Dowie / It's Hard To Be An Egg (3:09)
Crispy Ambulance / Deaf (3:57)
Section 25 / Dirty Disco (5:19)
New Order / Everything's Gone Green (5:34)
Durutti Column, The / Messidor (2:31)
A Certain Ratio / Knife Slits Water (LP Version) (7:36)
Royal Family And The Poor / Art On 45 (4:49)
Swamp Children / Taste What's Rhythm (6:06)
New Order / Temptation (8:58)
New Order / Blue Monday (7:29)
Quando Quango / Love Tempo (7:55)
Stockholm Monsters / All At Once (2:57)
Life / Tell Me (3:10)
Durutti Column, The / Without Mercy (Duet) (2:33)
Kalima / Trickery (4:28)
A Certain Ratio / Sounds Like Something Dirty (6:56)
Happy Mondays / Freaky Dancin' (3:45)
Biting Tongues / Compressor (4:52)
New Order / Fine Time (4:45)
Happy Mondays / Hallelujah (Club Mix) (6:29)
Happy Mondays / Kinky Afro (3:59)
Durutti Column, The / Home (5:39)
Electronic / Get The Message (DNA Remix) (5:27)
Northside / Take 5 (4:12)
Other Two, The / Tasty Fish (3:51)
Happy Mondays / Sunshine And Love (Lionrock Remix) (7:19)
As you can see, out of 90 total tracks, 21 appear on both boxsets (23%). That still leaves a lot of material on both box sets to be enjoyed.
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON BOTH BOXSETS]
Joy Division / Transmission (3:36)
Durutti Column, The / Sketch For Summer (3:00)
X-O-Dus / English Black Boys (4:46)
Joy Division / Love Will Tear Us Apart (3:26)
A Certain Ratio / Shack Up (3:14)
Marcel King / Reach For Love (5:27)
52nd Street / Cool As Ice (7:48)
Cabaret Voltaire / Yashar (John Robie Remix) (7:31)
Quando Quango / Genius (6:25)
Happy Mondays / 24 Hour Party People (4:38)
Tunnelvision / Watching The Hydroplanes (3:52)
Distractions, The / Time Goes By So Slow (3:21)
Wake, The / Talk About The Past (6:25)
Railway Children, The / Brighter (4:55)
Miaow / When It All Comes Down (3:30)
Revenge / Seven Reasons (4:09)
James / Hymn From A Village (2:53)
New Order / True Faith (5:54)
Happy Mondays / W.F.L. (Think About The Future) (7:12)
New Order / World In Motion (4:31)
Electronic / Getting Away With It (5:16)
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON PALATINE ONLY]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark / Electricity (3:32)
A Certain Ratio / All Night Party (3:14)
ESG / You're No Good (3:11)
James / Folklore (2:51)
A Certain Ratio / Flight (6:05)
Section 25 / New Horizon (6:04)
New Order / Ceremony (4:25)
Stockholm Monsters / Happy Ever After (3:07)
Quando Quango / Tingle (5:30)
New Order / The Beach (7:18)
Section 25 / Looking From A Hilltop (4:38)
A Certain Ratio / Skip Scada (2:09)
Kalima / Sparkle (3:41)
New Order / Confusion (4:42)
Fadela / N'Sel Fik (7:10)
Joy Division / Wilderness (2:37)
Stockholm Monsters / Partyline (5:50)
Happy Mondays / Kuff Dam (3:06)
New Order / Age Of Consent (5:15)
Durutti Column, The / Otis (4:15)
Durutti Column, The / The Together Mix (6:07)
Northside / Shall We Take A Trip (5:28)
Steve Martland / The World Is In Heaven (Classical Version) (4:02)
Wendys, The / Pulling My Fingers Off (4:03)
Cath Carroll / Moves Like You (4:14)
Northside / My Rising Star (6:27)
Happy Mondays / Step On Remix '91 (4:27)
Joy Division / Atmosphere (4:11)
[TRACKS THAT APPEAR ON COMMUNICATIONS ONLY]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark / Electricity (Factory Version) (3:45)
Section 25 / Looking From A Hilltop (Megamix) (8:10)
New Order / Confusion (8:13)
Northside / Shall We Take A Trip (4:24)
Cath Carroll / Moves Like You (Remix) (6:33)
Happy Mondays / Step On (5:18)
Joy Division / Digital (2:51)
Cabaret Voltaire / Baader Meinhof (3:23)
Joy Division / She's Lost Control (4:54)
Section 25 / Girls Don't Count (4:28)
Crawling Chaos / Sex Machine (5:39)
A Certain Ratio / Flight (6:04)
Names, The / Nightshift (3:37)
New Order / Ceremony (Original Version) (4:37)
Minny Pops / Dolphin's Spurt (2:51)
John Dowie / It's Hard To Be An Egg (3:09)
Crispy Ambulance / Deaf (3:57)
Section 25 / Dirty Disco (5:19)
New Order / Everything's Gone Green (5:34)
Durutti Column, The / Messidor (2:31)
A Certain Ratio / Knife Slits Water (LP Version) (7:36)
Royal Family And The Poor / Art On 45 (4:49)
Swamp Children / Taste What's Rhythm (6:06)
New Order / Temptation (8:58)
New Order / Blue Monday (7:29)
Quando Quango / Love Tempo (7:55)
Stockholm Monsters / All At Once (2:57)
Life / Tell Me (3:10)
Durutti Column, The / Without Mercy (Duet) (2:33)
Kalima / Trickery (4:28)
A Certain Ratio / Sounds Like Something Dirty (6:56)
Happy Mondays / Freaky Dancin' (3:45)
Biting Tongues / Compressor (4:52)
New Order / Fine Time (4:45)
Happy Mondays / Hallelujah (Club Mix) (6:29)
Happy Mondays / Kinky Afro (3:59)
Durutti Column, The / Home (5:39)
Electronic / Get The Message (DNA Remix) (5:27)
Northside / Take 5 (4:12)
Other Two, The / Tasty Fish (3:51)
Happy Mondays / Sunshine And Love (Lionrock Remix) (7:19)
As you can see, out of 90 total tracks, 21 appear on both boxsets (23%). That still leaves a lot of material on both box sets to be enjoyed.
Format:Audio CD
Great for any factory fan, most bands on disc one sounding like joy division. Disc two lots of great new order songs, and disc three going into the rave scene of the 80s with the likes of the happy Monday's. All in all well worth a listen or two.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Does the job.
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I think it's good to release the best songs from the Factory-label, but this box is almost the same as the Palantine-boxset from 1990 ( The Story Of Factory Records 1979-1990).
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