Jeffari-al-Texani wrote:The sold-out crowd was dense, seemingly sprouting out of every nook and cranny. Even way in the back, beyond a usually curtained-off area, the mass of people was thick. That’s where I stood catching sliver glances of New Order onstage as I tried desperately to avoid ending up behind a tall guy.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Palladium Ballroom so packed on a Friday night. That is a testament to Britain’s New Order. The influential, pioneering group, with its post-punk mixture of dance, alt-rock, electronic and house elements, hasn’t toured the states in seven years. Also, this trek is only seven dates, of which the Dallas gig was smack dab in the middle.
Sumner sang New Order staples plus nods to predecessors Joy Division. (Ben Torres/Special Contributor )
The absence of original bassist Peter Hook, who departed the band five years ago, might have dismayed the purists. Not that you could tell. The mass inside that expansive club was downright giddy during the presence of vocalist Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris, keyboardist Gillian Gilbert, bassist Tom Chapman and guitarist Phil Cunningham.
The sound was loud, pulsating, rocking, thumping and entrancing. But there’s nothing about New Order that screams performance. That is by design. Sumner was affable, chatting with the audience now and then. Overall, however, it’s about cranking out the staples to create a kinetic soundtrack that’ll keep the fans euphoric.
although i agree with the sentiments..
and don't get me wrong, having visuals (like underworld),
and lighting to compliment the music was a very modern,
and sterile touch.. almost distracting and detracting from
the music.
the band themselves are pretty much a corporation now,
devoid of any spontaneity (even the adlibs from bernard
are pretty much the same from show to show),and any of
the punk ethic from which they started..
the rigid structure, timing, and execution of the show,
great as it is on a technical level, and especially to those
that haven't seen them much (if ever) is appreciated.
however, looking back at how they were, and even shows from
the 80's which i went to, (and even remembered), listening
to those old broadcasts shows quite a discrepancy.
new order of now, can't compete or even come close to the
band they used to be in the past. regardless of whether
hooky would have been with them now (debatable) or not.
time has changed all of them, and not necessarily for the
better.
but in this case, knowing we might not see them again anytime
soon, is enough of a reason to see them. regardless of the
musical quality.
later
-1
