Retro [Box set] [Limited Edition]

Is it a sort of tombstone for a band, a collection of all their essential works in one package? A treasure trove of rarities and unreleased tracks for fans? A definitive compilation of their entire recorded works?

'Retro' is none of these.

The box is dedicated to New Order's manager, the late Rob Gretton who originally initiated this project, which would have been called 'ReCycle'. Rob's original vision would have included every recorded version of every New Order track, plus unreleased material and would have run to 20 discs! Steven Morris explains in the sleeve notes that he was all for releasing a 'Pick and Mix' of 5 the 20 so you wouldn't know which ones you were getting. Given the fuss over the bonus disc that comes with the first 5,000 copies, I'm sure the fans would have *loved* that.

As it is you get four discs, with a thematic track listing. So you get The Hits, the classic LP tracks/B-sides, Remixes and Live tracks. If you are lucky you will get a fifth disc of rarities including an 18 minute version of Elegia and other rarities.

The content of this set has no doubt been the subject of much discussion over the last few years, during which New Order have reformed and released a new LP, much of which is on this set in one form or other. This and the sleevenotes by the band make clear that New Order are happier with their current incarnation than their past. They actually enjoy being New Order these days. Witness Barney Sumner whooping with joy during the later live tracks on CD4....this is the sound of a happy one.

So its no surprise that they hi-jacked Bobby Gillespie's 'Live' disc which they felt dwelt too much on early stuff, and added performances from their recent tours. This is a shame because the first few tracks on this disc give a tantalising glimpse of the fragile, faltering New Order of the early 80s when, as Bernard Sumner describes, he would often have to clamber onstage to repair their malfunctioning equipment before gigs with a soldering iron.
There is a real sense of tension and struggle about the early New Order sound which, impressive as they sound, the later live recordings do not match. I don't think New Order really understand how much interest there is in these early recordings. Bobby Gillespie does and I believe they had a blazing row about the decision to change his original track listing.

So, bar the live disc, there really isn't much on this set that a big fan of New Order won't already own.
But it does look great. Peter Saville designed the sleeve which has been likened to a clue from 'Catchphrase'. What would it be though? Disco Eagle? Glitterball Talons? Golden Balls? Only Saville knows.
It's the same format and shape as the brilliant and comprehensive Joy Division box-set (Heart and Soul), and will look great next to that one on your CD shelf., which is probably Peter Savilles main concern here.

But this is still a brilliant selection of tracks. From the wonderfully ham-fisted attempt at House music of 'Fine Time' to the gorgeous swagger of 'Lonesome Tonight' to the slick, electro-glide of 'Bizarre Love Triangle' and the perfect Pop of 'Regret'. All sides of New Order are here. Despite the glaring holes (the superior 7" version of Ceremony, Run 2 and MTO to name but 3) its still an absolute joy to listen to.

You also get a really good 72 page booklet containing a witty commentary by the band on the tracks they could be bothered talking about, and an article by each of the CD compilers. It is also full of excellent, mostly unseen photos of the band and their supporting cast of '5th Members'. (Rob Gretton, Martin Hannet, Tony Wilson, Peter Saville and Alan Wise).

As a Definitive box set...its rubbish! But that wouldn't be New Order!

There are loads of tracks left off. It's a bit of a shambles. It won't sell because no-one will know what its for. But its cool, its confusing, its enigmatic and it looks and sounds great.

Its SO New Order!

Perhaps the last word should be left to the enigmatic "Good Doctor" himself, Mr Alan Wise, who as New Order's MC crops up during the fourth disc..."Its not the Beatles...Its not the Rolling Stones....Its f****** New Order again!"

Basically, you need the program button of your cd player, particularly on the Live and Club discs - there are some atrocities on these, in particular a diabolical remix of Blue Monday.

There's too much overlap with Substance. This appears a release primarily for the dedicated fan. At least they didn't release a Substance pt 2 (the b sides definitely went downhill from the Technique era onwards).