Maybe I ignored the guitar on 'old' New Order, but here there is guitar all over the place. By 'all over the place', I don't mean Steve Vai-isms (many a flame-war has occurred over who is the 'best' guitarist, but the shredding style does nothing for me). Instead, it's the well-placed, chimey arpeggio (the verses of opening track "Who's Joe?", "Turn"), the chunky rhythm pattern ("Hey Now What You Doing"), the winding melody line that ghosts the vocals (the title track). It's not until I reach "Guilt Is A Useless Emotion" that things run a little flat (and a little more electronic). Still, redemption happens on "Working Overtime", which brings it with some seriously fun rhythm swagger.
Waiting For The Sirens' Call isn't going to make me reconsider my low rating of New Order's early era, but I'm certainly looking at this band in a new light. It'll be interesting to read reviews of New Order's fans who loved 'em way back when. Some folks have no patience for change. Others know that you can't be wearin' the same wardrobe for your entire life. Well...I mean, you can, but what fun would that be?
Article comments
1 - entasmiquity
You should give a listen to the bands 1989 effort, technique. Setting aside the first track, the record is not drastically different. You might even find those guitars you were ignoring back then, especially on tracks like the sixth, Run.