Their name was synonymous with early eighties New Wave and Modern Rock and their "Blue Monday" hit was proudly displayed for all to hear a few years back, in full neon glitter by the likes of Orgy, and for all anyone knew, New Order was an age old castaway remembered for past dictates but more an absentee in the current climate less welcoming to granddaddy Synth-Pop visionaries… and yet "Get Ready" says all anyone needs to know.

Are they back again?

Did they ever leave?

Might depend on your point of view, though however you look at it, they're here and
"Get Ready" is a proud proclamation of good news-a good record that sounds neither dated nor lost in space.

A vibrant return that captures the essence of yesterday's greatness with a modern edge they and their likeness had once harbored… and with no obvious "Blue Monday" outtakes
that might suggest an empty well of ideas.

From the opening moment, the soothing sounds of "Crystal" beautifully radiate the listening environment before turning into a catchy can't miss Modern Rock hit that
doesn't spend itself after it's four minutes of fortune expire… "60 Miles An Hour" similarly begins in a bed of atmospheric eminence, their synthesized foresight stalled by nothing yet without dominance and another of a hit single variety which should please fans old and new alike; "Turn My Way," furthers the modern scope, very Pumpkin-esque in
voice, beat, rhythms, and verse.

I came into this expecting little. Admittedly, it had been years since I last set ears on anything New Order had done and honestly, the closest I've come was the Orgy remake
of "Blue Monday" and maybe a few passing hints from a "Best Of" release a while ago.

In spite of my mildness, I came away surprised and impressed and I believe most listeners will at the conclusion of these ten songs.

"Get Ready's" an album that both adds to their legacy and starts anew, at once driving an emotive response with dance ability, catchy Pop hooks, and articulate AOR-lifted melodies.

Released by Reprise Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
______________________________
METAL STORM PRODUCTIONS
Vinnie Apicella P.O. Box 763 Brewster, NY 10509
845-669-9470