NEW ORDER GET READY ALBUM LONDON, WARNER RELEASE: AUGUST 27, 2001 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 13, 2001

The pop stars New Order are back with a follow-up to the last proper album "Republic", which was released in 1992. So, what has the band been doing for so long? I was more than curious about the album after having heard the hit single "Crystal". It is a fantastic pop song in the greatest New Order fashion, but what about the rest of the album?
After "Crystal", which kicks off the album, they fire off another very poppy smash hit, "60 Miles an Hour". It's a very nice track and would be an obvious choice for a future single.
On the third track "Turn My Way", Billy Corgan begins singing and it sounds very much like a Smashing Pumpkins song in the first 45 seconds. After that, it's back to more traditional New Order sounding pop in a duet between Corgan and New Order's Bernard Sumner. Being fond of what The Smashing Pumpkins did, I would gladly see that Billy Corgan got more space in New Order. He surely has something to offer with that special voice of his.
What is also worth noticing is that the sound at times is rockier than before, like in the great "Rock the Shack". But we still get to hear the classical bass play, a nice trademark of the band.
The rest of the album is full with impressive songs and there aren't really any letdowns. I would definitely say that this is a better album than "Republic". And even one of the best New Order releases ever!

JOHAN ASTEMARK