The music video disc of the Item collection is filled with treasures. It is a comprehensive look at the band's videos from their first video "Confusion" to videos released earlier this year. "Confusion" is an early 80's historical gem as it features footage shot inside the legendary FunHouse club in New York City and film of breakbeat production legend Arthur Baker in the studio. The memorable images tumble one after another through the videos including the band's big U.S. breakthrough with "True Faith" and its mesmerizing characters in large, round, rubbery outfits. There are fascinating extras as well. Two new videos were filmed and included for 2 of New Order's earliest tracks - "Ceremony" and "Temptation." You can certainly get a chuckle as well out of watching New Order on the beach complete with Baywatch star David Hasselhoff in an alternate video for "Regret."
Some of the most amazing content on the disc of music videos is present in the music videos where art and music truly converge. New Order has worked with some of the 20th century's top visual artists to produce music videos. Robert Frank, the photographer and creator of the landmark book The Americans, directs and stars in the video for "Run." Robert Longo, an acclaimed painter and printmaker, put together the tumble of images that make up the video for "Bizarre Love Triangle," including the amazing blue tinted video of the individual band members that kick off the song. William Wegman, beloved photographer of Weimaraner dogs, fills the video for "Blue Monday '88" with a sense of whimsy. The convergence of art and music, a key element of the work of New Order, continues through the videos released earlier this year. The video for "Krafty," directed by Sweden's Johan Renck, has the effect of a mini motion picture in a tale of young love and exhilaration. Perhaps the best word for the effect of watching the music video collection is exhilaration.
If you are already a New Order fan, the addition of Item to your collection is an absolute must, and you will not be disappointed. If you are a newcomer to the work of New Order, this collection is possibly an even better starting point than any of the various musical compilations. Nearly 25 years into the history of the band, the powerful story behind the group and the lingering images associated with their songs are as important as the music.
Article comments
1 - Bob A. Booey
I have this theory that all smart, hip people from my generation who've heard them like New Order.
Either you love them or you don't get them, which says everything about you.
That is all.
2 - Matty
*lol* Nicely put, Bob.
I have pretty sketchy memories of the accompanying videos (apart from the two men banging each other on the head for 'True Faith' for some reason) but the music...
Quite simply, a seminal group who took the electronica that was coming out from the likes of Kraftwerk and overlaid it with a tarnished, dirty, dark indie soul - without them, you could argue that the whole club & indie culture today wouldn't exist (or at the very least would be a far more 1-dimensional beast).
Still astounds me that 'Blue Monday' is 25 years old...
Matty