brotherhood boxset review - pictures first... [part 0/2]

its finally here... i thought it would come tuesday according to tracking,
but then i got a notice today, and here it is...


also got the 3 singles along with it....




here it is with my other boxsets in protective cases..


you can get these from art store, or home goods.. look for scrapbook protectors, they are 14x14 inches...

i also have enough room to put the extra singles along with them in the box..

everything looks good, but how does it sound, and whats in it...

later
| || | | |
ne gative 1

here we are, part 1/2 of the brotherhood boxset.
---
i'm splitting this review up into 2 parts..
the audio and tracks... and the video after
[i'm still watching it...].....

after a bit of a wait since the last boxset, how long has it been now...
i thoroughly enjoyed the low-life, and power corruption and lies boxset..
movement was pretty good too...


now we come to one of the more landmark albums from them.

however, for me, it was not as good as the previous ones...
it had a few great songs, and some good lead up singles too.

it was in the late 80's that new order finally made their mark in America,
and i had been keeping up with them since 83, and had got to see them live also.

i remember when this album came out, along with bizarre love triangle single.
not a single person i knew got the album or the single either. i had to introduce
it to a ton of people who like the single though.

eventually later that year, through clubs and our progressive radio station, and MTV
some people ended up learning more about new order... all that would explode when Substance 1987
came out.

well enough of the backstory.

i played brotherhood quite a bit back then, and enjoyed the more electronic tracks,
didn't care for the guitar tracks, and hated every little counts, seemed like a waste
of space to end on that.

i LOVED way of life, and although there was a promo single in the US, it was never a single.
it still remains one of their strongest tracks to me..

and here we are many, many years later with the boxset.
i rarely listen to the album completely, so its a little like rediscovering it again..

by now, you know the drill..
the remastered LP, CD, some bonus tracks, demos and remixes along with video content...

i will not usually be talking about sound quality, as it depends on how picky you
are, but overall, i am happy with it.

---
i ordered this from the US new order store, along with the 3 singles. i guess if i had
waited, i could have gotten it a little cheaper.

it was sent out last friday, and was supposed to arrive next tuesday, but i got conflicting
tracking messages, and it ended up showing up today (sunday 11/24), so that worked out.

i don't care when things arrive, as long as there aren't huge delays. especially considering
the amount of time it took to make this, and for it come here.

opened up the package, which was expertly packed, never had an issue or problem, just like
the previous ones...


First up is the LP - in a reproduction of the UK limited edition metallic cover:
i got my copy about 3 years ago, in decent shape (after 2 tries, the first discogs seller
couldn't find his copy)
https://www.discogs.com/release/...83-New-Order-Brotherhood

it goes for about $80, and there's usually several copies if you want an original.
most are in ok condition, as the sleeve is the first to wear out.


i know, the other one is behind framed glass, but i didn't feel like
taking it out..


the new reproduction is EXCELLENT, very shiny, and great job.
the colors and texture match up pretty well, i dont' think they are exact.
but why nitpik. its a great touch.

https://www.discogs.com/release/...60-New-Order-Brotherhood
Brotherhood boxset 2024
=========================
A1 Paradise 3:52
A2 Weirdo 3:53
A3 As It Is When It Was 3:46
A4 Broken Promise 3:47
A5 Way of Life 4:08
A6 Bizarre Love Triangle 4:22
A7 All Day Long 5:13
A8 Angel Dust 3:43
A9 Every Little Counts 4:27

the remastered UK version of the album, i have not played the vinyl,
and don't really plan too, since i have the cd and digital versions already.


front and back of the metallic covers CD and LP


the cd is also a reproduction of the metallic foil cover for the UK CD.
https://www.discogs.com/release/...55-New-Order-Brotherhood

this goes for about $20, and there are always copies around..

i got totally lucky and found it in an import music store, when it came out.
so i didn't pay too much for it, and have had it ever since, and took care
of the cover.

again, the reproduction is EXCELLENT... great quality, shiny, slightly
metallic..

---

CD1-1 Paradise 3:52
CD1-2 Weirdo 3:53
CD1-3 As It Is When It Was 3:46
CD1-4 Broken Promise 3:47
CD1-5 Way of Life 4:08
CD1-6 Bizarre Love Triangle 4:22
CD1-7 All Day Long 5:13
CD1-8 Angel Dust 3:43
CD1-9 Every Little Counts 4:27
CD1-10 State of the Nation 6:34


to me the addition of 'state of the nation' doesn't bother me...
the US version of course didn't have it.. it was a bonus track on the US cd single
for bizarre love triangle..
https://www.discogs.com/release/...er-Bizarre-Love-Triangle

[another weird thing was i don't think it got released on this format in other countries....
mostly vinyl and cassette...]

it does seem tacked on though, and probably would have fit better more in the middle..

anyways, as a collector, i have tons of versions of the cd, LP, cassette, etc..
so here's one more to add to it..

tons of the original singles from different countries... UK, Greece, France, US

including the bizarre love triangle extended edits... and US way of life promo


small video walkaround (with easter egg paradise instrumental)....
NOTE: it qualifies as short and not full video..ughh..

https://www.youtube.com/watch/KK-yK20ZlCk

---

Many of these extras have been released already on youtube and now digitally..

i was hoping there was a lot more extra tracks, more demos, more mixes, but
not quite...

a few have been unreleased until now, at least to me... i don't usually
hunt down demos... but i do hunt down promo mixes, and more...

Extras

---

shellshock, is basically a shorter version, with all the verses in it..
it's kind of like the pretty in pink version.. but more dense.

the state of the nation japanese demo is very cool, with a lot of differences,
i think there might have been a few more versions, but we did get this..

CD2-1 Shellshock (AOR version) 6:00
CD2-2 State Of the Nation (Japan demo) 7:07


the paradise remix is awesome, and has appeared a few other deluxe releases,
and compilations..

i first heard it on the australian limited 12 inch for true faith..
https://www.discogs.com/release/...w-Order-True-Faith-Remix

it really should have gotten more exposure, and really elevates the song..
CD2-3 Paradise 6:41

a demo version of this song, not a favorite of mine, but a very short
take on it, with different vocals
CD2-4 As It Is When It Was (Japan demo) 3:32

i love instrumentals, so its cool to finally here one of this song.
they usually put them on singles, or weird compilations, but not this one..
CD2-5 Broken Promise (Instrumental) 3:47

an alternate remix of this well known song.. its not as punchy as the
shep pettibone remix, due to the drums, but in between the weird samples,
and the bells, this might have worked better on the video..

of course the video version also has a weird vocal break and different mix...

this version is for fans of the bells, and do do dos...
CD2-6 Bizarre Love Triangle (12") 5:48

another instrumental, that is longer than the album version,
enjoy the extra sounds, and clearer instrumentation
CD2-7 All Day Long (Instrumental) 5:33

awesome song, but again, way too short.
was on some weirdy funky alternatives compilations, and the true faith CDV
https://www.discogs.com/release/...979-New-Order-True-Faith

boy talk about making it hard for fans to find it.....
CD2-8 Evil Dust 3:42

the less said the better, basically a much longer drawn out orchestral ending..
CD2-9 Every Little Counts (full length) 5:17

these tracks (except for touched by the hand of God), are all instrumental
little snippets from the salvation movie.. some are very atmospheric, and
some have some cool sounds in them.. touched by the hand of God is great,
although much rougher and rawer than the actual released version

CD2-10 Salvation Theme 2:15
CD2-11 Skullcrusher (Full length) 3:57
CD2-12 Touched By The Hand Of God (Salvation version) 5:03
CD2-13 Let's Go (Salvation version) 3:45
CD2-14 Sputnik 2:33

an alternate remix that doesn't have all the samples all over the place.
there was a promo cassette found that had several takes of this..
CD2-15 Blue Monday 1988 (12") 7:34



so what do i think?

is it worth it.... while not having as much material, i would say this.

this is NOT A REVIEW OF THE ALBUM TRACKS....

---

audio content 3/5 - could have had more mixes, demos or instrumentals..

production values 5/5 - amazing quality, excellent reproductions, and the book is fantastic too.
very high quality pictures, cover, the materials, everything is great...

sample page talking about the moods of the songs.. (will get back to this later)..


i would like to say though, the cds, and DVDS, are WAY TOO TIGHT, i struggled to get them out,
and thought they were stuck.. after carefully putting pressure and wiggling them, i got them out.
i know they will loosen up eventually, but i will probably never open them again..


price - $150 from the US new order store.. too much? yeah, thats the main complaint.

but too me, the book, and the dvd content almost makes it worth it.

so why did i get it? well i didn't feel like waiting around, and i had the money,
and it was easier to get it, and 3 singles all at once, from one place.

i haven't made many music purchases this year, and have been saving up all year for it.
so why now.. i've mostly been buying clothes, shoes, and a new order soccer ball, so it
felt good to finally get some music and videos.

price - 2/5
===========

maybe if you're a hardcore fan you'll get it anyways..
otherwise wait for a sale (could take a year or so),,,, get the digital version in the time being,
or listen on youtube...

i'm happy with it, and glad to add it to the collection..

honestly, this might be 'it' for me, and i don't really care for any of the albums
after this... will they even make more?

the collector in me would get them, but the fan in me doesn't really need them,
or wonder about what will be on them, or wait for them..

it's been a great ride, and i'm so happy they finally have some 'near' reference quality deluxe
versions for fans.

thanks to new order, and all the people that worked on these, they are superb additions to
new orders catalogue.

later
|| | || | |
ne gative 1


[end of part 1/2]

Edited by user 24 November 2024 23:39:37(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

so now we arrive at the video portion of the collection... in the past
the DVDs have been a great addition, and they are still excellent additions
here mostly too.... the live shows are excellent, and the interviews and
snippets are cool to see... the live tv appearances are most similiar,
but they do pick out some good songs at times....

---

the first DVD contains the academy show, but finally THE STUPID INTERVIEW
parts are cut out, as they should be, and stuck on the end, so we can
hear the songs in full.


great versions, lots of improvs, and much better sounding, a very enjoyable
show... will be ripping the audio, just to listen to the tracks that way.

video quality B+
sound quality B+

Part 2 - the videos

---

excellent versions of all the songs...
can't ask for much more.. peak new order live..

this is the 'academy' show, which was on VHS first.. in 1989
https://www.discogs.com/.../232159-NewOrder-Academy



DVD1

---

Live Show - Brixton Academy, London 1987
1 Bizarre Love Triangle
2 Perfect Kiss
3 Ceremony
4 Dreams Never End
5 Love Vigilantes
6 Confusion
7 Age of Consent
8 Temptation

again, a decent interview on its own.

Academy VHS 1987
9 Interviews

and now a ton of TV appearances.

---

barney talks a lot for the intros...
ceremony is awesome, and hearing love will take us apart in an early
concert... of course they brought it back now.. but back then you rarely heard it live..

very energetic and frantic versions..
Review : 4/5 stars
TV Appearances
BBC NI 1986
10 Ceremony
11 Love Will Tear Us Apart

---

shorter versions of the song.
state of the nation sounds pretty good - were they miming?
the mix is different since its more like the single version..

broken promise - a very rocking version, with some new 'lyrics' from barney..
i hate how there always credits over the songs at the end of the show.. so distracting..
but the audio quality is good.

Review : 5/5 stars
The Tube 1986
12 State of the Nation
13 Broken Promise

---

a very short, plain version of the song... i guess all top of the pops
videos look pretty much the same... bernards voice is kind of low.

Review : 3/5 stars
Top of The Pops 1987
14 True Faith

---

here we get a cool version of paradise.. lots of great bass sounds,
again i think bernards vocals are mixed low... decent version..

and of course bizarre love triangle - very upbeat, more like a short remix
version
Review : 4/5 stars


Les Enfants du Rock, Rockline 1987
15 Paradise
16 Bizarre Love Triangle

---

this is similar to the TOTP version, they even look similar,
stage setup, outfits etc... redundant

Review : 2/5 stars
The Roxy 1987
17 True Faith

---

a very cool, and different take on the song - they seem
to do things differently for the japanese...
super echoey vocals..

Review : 4/5 stars
11PM Japanese TV 1987
18 Bizarre Love Triangle

---

a nice little documentary of the two tracks..
review : 4/5 stars
Denon Studios, Tokyo 1985
19 Recording 'As It Is When It Was'
and 'State of the Nation'

---

overall, the first disc is decent..
great live show... and several tv appearances..
would have liked more variety... but they do play
some lesser known tracks..

yes i know true faith, and bizarre love triangle will be all over
many times.... but did we need all of these? hmm...

overally DVD rating : 3.5/5 stars

FINALLY getting to hear the butchered tracks in full makes it worthwhile..

=========

very good setlist... nice hearing shellshock, paradise, and
especially way of life (little skip in the lyrics, oops)...

shellshock of course has some of barneys cursing and profane language in it..

bizarre love triangle has slightly different lyrics.
every day i see you falling..

state of the nation (and again different lyrics)
and face up (more curse word changes in it) are good too.

super combo of perfect kiss, what a mess this song is...
but i love it.. the instrumental parts and ending are sublime..

ceremony w guest ian mcculloch is AWESOME... i know it must have
been fun for him to be there....

and temptation to end it.. love the improvs at the end, and all
the guitar work on it..



overall review : 4.5/5 stars

Video Quality : B+
Audio Quality : A-

DVD2
Live Show - GMEX, Manchester 1986
1 Elegia
2 Shellshock
3 Paradise
4 Bizarre Love Triangle
5 Way of Life
6 State Of The Nation
7 Face Up
8 The Perfect Kiss
9 Ceremony
10 Temptation

---

this is a very short set..

barneys voice is great in true faith, a pretty standard version,
nothing fancy..

sister ray is a very strange, cool cover song..

Review : 3/5 stars

Live Shows
Glastonbury Festival 1987
11 True Faith
12 Sister Ray

---

interesting that they did dreams never end here..
always liked this song..

audio quality is a bit murky though..

more like a promo clip, in the editting
and shot selection..

review : 5/5 stars

San Giovanni 1986
13 Dreams Never End

---

what a very cool and strange set..
all day long.. is ok, as a midtempo song..

and the very cool angel dust.. very intense
shellshock makes and appearance, with lots of cool edits and stutters

and weirdo at the end.. fast rocker song...
thats about right.

there's a ton of reverb and echo on the vocals...

Review : 4/5 stars

Pier 84, New York 1987
14 All Day Long
15 Angel Dust
16 Shellshock
17 Weirdo

---

a pretty standard version, with a lyric
change of taking drugs with me..

review : 2.5/5 stars
La Mutualite, Paris 1987
18 True Faith

---

touched by the hand of God is excellent,
nice to hear...

but every little counts is not..

the sound is very muffled and murky on these...

review : 3/5 stars

GMEX, Manchester 1988
19 Touched by The Hand Of God
20 Every Little Counts

---

so we get another great concert, and a multitude of little clips...
the ney york ones are pretty cool..... and sister ray at glastonbury is a treat...

overall, this disc is better than the first one... but both are very good.

Review : 4/5 stars


overall, the DVD content is excellent, its great having 2 full shows, and all
these little documentaries, and snippets... didn't care much for the shorter
TV appearances though... most seemed similar.

overall, a great addition to the package....

these really are a time capsule that takes you back to moments in time...
a great way to revisit how they used to be...

If you're a fan of the early new order shows, than this is totally worth it.
One of the saving graces for the boxset.

will there be more???????

Final total : 4/5 stars

later
|| || | ||
n egative 1

[end part 2/2]

dont worry, good things come to those that wait..

for each of the boxsets, there was about 15 pages of speculation,10 pages of
complaints of shipping, prices, etc.. 5 pages of 'its here'...... and then a
slow trickle of actual reviews and comments...

and then silence after that for years until the cycle started again...

the funny thing is, as i mentioned, i wasnt expecting it until next week,
and then it showed up....

very new order like... but then again, i ordered from the main store,
which most people didn't, maybe a similar thing happened with the UK store.

later
||| || | |
n egative 1

I managed the find a way to chat with an actual operative through the online chat last night. They cancelled the one that had already shipped and seemed to be in France, then ordered the replacement, which is now due Tuesday by 10pm.

No wonder we've had these problems if it's coming via Royal Mail. They've been shocking over the last 12 months. Some other CDs I ordered a few weeks ago via Royal Mail ended up at a sorting office in Colwyn Bay, Wales (I'm in the south of England)!

The weird intercuts of things like Stephen behind the drumkit during BLT are still there. That hasn't been re-edited.

Oh dear. Yeah - that's the kind of thing that I was referring to.

It really takes you out of the moment when you see things like that.
Like seeing a boom-mike during a movie or TV show or a wristwatch in a Regency period drama.

I've heard that the borders and silly effects are on there too. Damn.

Oh well. I guess they can only use what's available. It's a shame that the original producer saw fit to tamper with the film in the way that he did.
It was Mike Mansfield, I think. He did the woeful Charlotte Sometimes video so loathed by Cure fans the world over. Figures...



Still, it'll be nice to have it on DVD and the rest of the set looks great!

My box and BLT 12" were due Wednesday 27th. Just recieved an email and text from Amazon telling me my payment method for the box has been declined. But it hasn't been declined for the BLT 12". So i changed my payment method for the box but it now tells me delivery of the box will be Friday 29th, not Wednesday 27th. But my BLT 12" will still be delivered Wednesday 27th because i didn't have to change my payment method for that. WTF?


Oh, it is possibly because i selected to have them both delivered to a pick up location, not my home address. So the address is different to what the bank has for me? That's the impression i now get from what the email is stating. This isn't go very well, is it.

Edited by user 25 November 2024 11:28:30(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

That can't be right. Bizarre Love Triangle was released in November 1986. The Academy show was in April 1987.

I saw the video in November '86 because I went and bought the Brotherhood cassette the next day. It was virtually all I listed to for months.

It's either in a book I have of artist Robert Longo's work (the video director), or another candid soundbite by Steve, but there's mention of the concert that was filmed for the BLT video being in Italy.

BLT was played at this June 1986 show in Italy: LINK

Edited by user 25 November 2024 12:22:57(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi guys!

I just wanna mention that my boxset has arrived today in pristine condition, very well packed.

Now - am I the first one in New Zealand who holds this item in his hands?

I didn't feed the Bezos troll, that's probably why it came so fast.

No OBI for me though, but who cares?

I can't wait for the weekend to enjoy.

Cheers |cv|

My shipping just updated after being "dispatched" on Tuesday - it's now showing as "arrived at our sorting facility"

The sorting facility is in Garbsen, Lower Saxony IN GERMANY?!!

I'm in the UK


edit:just cancelled and reordered. Supposed to be here tomorow now, but blimey what a faff

Edited by user 26 November 2024 04:03:01(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified