Downloaded album from iTunes. it says its "mastered for iTunes" whatever that means. I couldn't find the CD as the record shops have all gone and didn't get arse in gear to order from Amazon or New Order store.

I love the variety and sounds. The Game sounds fantastic. I love the combination of fast verse and slow chorus (have NO done that before?). Just listening to Nothing but a Fool for first time. Wow!

I don't think theres a weak song so far and all tracks could be singles. except the weird Stray Dog. but I cant judge that until ive heard the whole album from start to end in full context.

I can hear bits of low life, technique and raise the pressure as I listen.

well done New Order. still my favourite band of all time.

Yeah, its done perfectly in the first transition early in Plastic.

First listen: an absolute corker of an album.

New Order back on form

Thirty plus years ago I discovered this band named New Order and my life has not been the same since. To call them my favorite band does not begin to capture the influence this band has had on my life. I have seen them in concert fifteen times in places as varied as Toronto, Chicago, NYC, East Rutherford, and, of course, Washington D.C. I owned every album, single, and extended mix on vinyl, repurchased most (if not all) on CD, and now have repurchased most on iTunes. I have brought all their books both penned by them and about them. I have met every member of the band including the estranged Peter Hook (dj’ing in Denver), and the rest of the band (including new members) a couple of years ago. I was rendered speechless at meeting my idols as a history of thoughts of what I would say if I ever met them disintegrated in the moment.

I have gone through years of thinking the band was finished including five and four years gaps only to be reinvigorated upon their surprise returns. I had thought I would never hear songs like “The Perfect Kiss,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “Age of Consent,” “Ceremony,” and “Temptation” again. Now I hear them in every show in which I see them. I had feared there would be no new music after “Waiting for the Sirens Call” and now I anxiously await my deluxe boxed set of “Music Complete” as I just listened to the full album for the first time on my iTunes download.

And what can I say – it is more than what I dared ever dream. The rumors of a new “Technique” had soared my hopes as that is my favorite album. But this album is more than a new Technique. It is a daring, uninhibited statement of continuing relevance and evolution, striding forward with momentum from past brilliance. It is more than worth the wait (and New Order fans know the full meaning of patience).

These are my thoughts – solely based on a first listen and I still have to listen to the last track. But first impressions are often telling, and my first impressions tell me I will love this album, and it will guide me through the years as other items of New Order’s grand catalog have. “Restless” is this album's “Regret.” Some disparaged it – finding it too complacent. But “Regret” was a grower as well – and it continues to grow and grow. “Restless” will do the same and the fact that it is such a brilliant indictment of the hollowness of our lives today only imbues it with more presence and potency. “Singularity” combines Technique's beats with Low-Life's edge. It opens with Tom Chapman’s sinister bass which hopefully puts an end once and for all with the comparisons to Hooky. Chapman is not Hooky’s replacement. He is an artist in his own right. And Tom Rowland’s production shows why the Chemicals still remain the vital force they are today. “Plastic” displays the band's continued command of the dance floor. “Tutti Frutti” is classic pop tinged with the band's wicked sense of humor. “Nothing But a Fool” is Bernard at his melancholy best. None of the songs are duds or throw aways and many are simply brilliant. This album will resonate for a while.

There should never have been a doubt when “Singularity” and “Plastic” were previewed that this album would deliver. But there are always the doubters, and these doubts were exacerbated when they opened the album with pop-infused reflection instead of storming the dance floor. But they do storm the dance floor, and rock out, and contemplate as well. Perhaps the best line I heard to ever describe New Order was from a Sue Townsend review in the Baltimore City Paper many moons ago – “New Order grabs you by the brain, heart, feet, and crotch” and they do that and more on this album. Until the next masterpiece, I will savor this one.

I think its absolutely fantastic, singularity made the hairs on my arms stick up and its the first time for years a song has caused that to happen!

Been reading in the background now for years (haven't posted on here since back on the old server).

Just listened to the album and I honestly haven't felt like this since listening to Technique for the first time in 89.

Initally, track after track, I was thinking they were being brave as sounded totally different and yet still New Order. Then I started thinking they must have known this is going to be a classic because is sounds so good. Totally paid off to me post Hook.

Got to feel for him as his is going to be the only person alive connected to New Order that thinks the album is shit!

Having Gillian back and losing Hook has reinvigorated them. I reckon that Barney has broken free into a fresh level of creativity now that he isn't having to pander to Hook's delusions of 'being the best'.

Oh yes! Never looked forward to an album so much since Republic and that turned out to be disappointing ( quite like it now especially the A side). Not disappointed this time, no siree an absolute triumph! You cannot tell how good an album really is until after a few years. But I reckon I will be listening to this in 20 years when I will be in my sixties, scary thought. Early favourites, Nothing But A Fool, Singularity, tutti fruity, which I thought would be shit, how wrong I was. Like everyone else I cannot believe what a good album this is. I think the reviews from the music press under sold it, more like a 9/10 rather than the 7'ish it's been getting. These upcoming gigs will be electric. As Gillian says she is always on the best albums.

I love the album too, I'm hearing some good disco basslines in there by Tom Chapman, the only mis-step for me is Stray Dog, as Pitchforks review pointed out, it kills the momentum that had builds up with the first 5 songs, tbh I have zero interest in hearing Iggy Pop growling on a New Order album. the only other negative comment I would make is on the quality of the lyrics, at times they grate slightly but I'll get over it, overall it's a triumph I feel.

I bought it today in a local music store, judging from some of the comments I am glad I didn't purchase it from the online store.

Edited by user 25 September 2015 13:35:00(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Holy Mother of God the MFiT WAVs sound FANTASTIC cranked up over some quality monitors or headphones ------ really nice production with the mixing and mastering ---

Fixed that for you.