New Order "Low-life": A Classic Album

Many bands came and went with the 80's but only one band defined the decade. New Order unparalleled since their beginning as the eminent Joy Division whose music created a genre and a sound that couldn't be hushed with the death that immortalized Ian Curtis. "And the band played on" could not be more fitting for any other group of musicians anywhere across the globe. New Order emerged from the ashes of significance to become without question the greatest band in the world. Not since the Beatles had music been altered with such relevance and purity.

New Order's influence and style have been present in music since the day they were on the scene. Constantly imitated, copied, and stolen from at every turn, but there is no facsimile for New Order. They have a sound that distinctively identifies them from beginning to end with independence in every album. With the release of their third album 'Low-life' in 1985 New Order stood extraordinary and solid with nothing like it on the scene to compare it to. Unrivaled brilliance, devotion and freshness from the hardest working band in music, "Low-life" caught the attention of everyone.

The album opens with the song "Love Vigilantes" light and toe tapping and Bernard Sumner's distinctive singing telling the story of a man waiting to come home and believed dead. Heavy for the 80's but with music so danceable the listener may not pick up on the seriousness of the verse. "Perfect Kiss" follows and lends validity to the idea that everyone stole from New Order, although no one else has managed to use a frog's ribbit so significantly. "Perfect Kiss" a favorite of club DJs and fans has lent its sound unknowingly to nearly every dance song that has come after it. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then New Order most certainly should be the most flattered band in the world.

When "Sunrise" comes in dark one can hardly know what to expect next and is comforted when that guitar breaks through the darkness and the story begins. There is too much for the ear to hear, but the listener will beg for more and that is just what New Order will give them; much more. "Elegia" most may remember from the scene in John Hughes' "Pretty In Pink" where Andie walks past Steph and they exchange a revealing stare, no words, just a glace while this instrumental song speaks. Quite beautiful and rumored to be an homage to Ian Curtis, "Elegia" is the gem at the center of this album.

But when "Sub-Culture" starts the body must obey these beats and New Order is again doing what they do best, erasing that imaginary industry standard line and drawing their own all around them with a dare to try and enter. As proven with the final track "Face Up" New Order can begin something one way and end it so far from what was expected that the mind must pause to accept what it has just heard. Do not get comfortable because the second you think you've got it, New Order just up and changed it. A band, individual in consequence, creativity and impact recently received the NME God-like Genius Award, with "Low-life" being one of many flawless contributions making the award fitting and long overdue.

Once New Order enters your word you wont let them leave and "Low-life" as well as anything else they have done before or since is the perfect place to start.

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