New Order:
Live at Bestival 2012:
Sunday Best:
Out: 8th July
8/10
There was a time when the prospect of a New Order concert was fraught with inconsistency, fraught with tension or just fraught. Nowadays though, Bernard Sumner's frequent 'whooops' suggest that performing live is a joy again, almost a relief you might say and certainly a little overdue.
Since regrouping a few years ago, New Order sans Hook have been busy successfully trotting around the globe delivering the 'hits' and more to otherwise new audiences whose parents may already have an original 12" copy of at least one of the songs represented on this rare live album. Since their reformation, new material hasn't been very forthcoming, save for the afterthought that was the often-delayed Lost Sirens compendium issued earlier this year. And then there was the ill-conceived Total compilation, featuring Joy Division and New Order songs on one handy disc and a flop seller (when compared to either band's fine Substance albums). New songs and gimmicks probably don't suit new Order right now - to paraphrase Bernard's cheeky opening salvo at Reading 15 years ago, they just want to 'rock the fookin' house'.
On Live at Bestival 2012, released on Rob da Bank's Sunday Best with proceeds going to charity (the Isle of White Youth Trust), you too get an amalgam of JD and NO belters - with added 'whoops' and a band at the top of their game (again). Yes, the initial intro of Elegia is painfully out of key in places but, after a tentative-sounding Regret and a perfectly-serviceable rendition of Joy Division classic, Closer's Isolation, the band hit their stride on the newest song on here, Sirens Call single Krafty. On record, it fails to ignite - here, New Order have 'lift-off'.
Following track Here to Stay is also pretty potent stuff and heralds, what is normally, the start of an often awkward middle-section of a concert - but, not this one. Instead, Sumner, Morris, Gilbert, Cunningham and Chapman use it to begin a climax that lasts for the remainder of the set.
Leaving the rather muddled recital of The (im)Perfect Kiss to one side, the rest of Bestival is New Order at full throttle. If you've heard the band's recent breathless live takes on Temptation et al, you'll know what to expect from them on this. By the time they get to 'up, down, turn around', they've already carved out faultless grooves on True Faith and the untouchable Blue Monday which still, STILL, sounds like time hasn't caught up with it yet.
Two more Joy Division songs round off the set - Transmission utilizes Steven Morris' whirlwind drumming to matchless effect, Love Will Tear Us Apart well, tears us apart as usual - until a hoarse Sumner offers his heartfelt 'thanks' and an exit stage left/right.
According to the band, the idea behind this live recording is to make you imagine that you're back there again - "And if you weren't there, buy the CD and enjoy the experience that way!".
Sound advice.
Live at Bestival 2012:
Sunday Best:
Out: 8th July
8/10
Since regrouping a few years ago, New Order sans Hook have been busy successfully trotting around the globe delivering the 'hits' and more to otherwise new audiences whose parents may already have an original 12" copy of at least one of the songs represented on this rare live album. Since their reformation, new material hasn't been very forthcoming, save for the afterthought that was the often-delayed Lost Sirens compendium issued earlier this year. And then there was the ill-conceived Total compilation, featuring Joy Division and New Order songs on one handy disc and a flop seller (when compared to either band's fine Substance albums). New songs and gimmicks probably don't suit new Order right now - to paraphrase Bernard's cheeky opening salvo at Reading 15 years ago, they just want to 'rock the fookin' house'.
On Live at Bestival 2012, released on Rob da Bank's Sunday Best with proceeds going to charity (the Isle of White Youth Trust), you too get an amalgam of JD and NO belters - with added 'whoops' and a band at the top of their game (again). Yes, the initial intro of Elegia is painfully out of key in places but, after a tentative-sounding Regret and a perfectly-serviceable rendition of Joy Division classic, Closer's Isolation, the band hit their stride on the newest song on here, Sirens Call single Krafty. On record, it fails to ignite - here, New Order have 'lift-off'.
Following track Here to Stay is also pretty potent stuff and heralds, what is normally, the start of an often awkward middle-section of a concert - but, not this one. Instead, Sumner, Morris, Gilbert, Cunningham and Chapman use it to begin a climax that lasts for the remainder of the set.
Leaving the rather muddled recital of The (im)Perfect Kiss to one side, the rest of Bestival is New Order at full throttle. If you've heard the band's recent breathless live takes on Temptation et al, you'll know what to expect from them on this. By the time they get to 'up, down, turn around', they've already carved out faultless grooves on True Faith and the untouchable Blue Monday which still, STILL, sounds like time hasn't caught up with it yet.
Two more Joy Division songs round off the set - Transmission utilizes Steven Morris' whirlwind drumming to matchless effect, Love Will Tear Us Apart well, tears us apart as usual - until a hoarse Sumner offers his heartfelt 'thanks' and an exit stage left/right.
According to the band, the idea behind this live recording is to make you imagine that you're back there again - "And if you weren't there, buy the CD and enjoy the experience that way!".
Sound advice.