camj74's Full Review: Waiting for the Sirens' Call by New Order (UK)
I am somewhat a fairly big fan of New Order and have always enjoyed their use of electronica and their knack of making classic pop songs. After an 8 year lay off, their 2001 'comeback' album 'Get Ready' was arguably their best in their 20 year career, and contained some wonderful tracks and combined electronica and guitar perfectly. As a result, anyone would've predicted that their follow up to 'Get Ready' would be a bit of a let down.
Whilst officially 'Waiting for the Sirens Call' is a let down from 'Get Ready', it may be looked upon in 10 years time as an underrated album. All songs on the album are well written, beautifully recorded and easy to listen to. However, it is the albums 'sameness' that is the overarching disappointing part about this album. There are no standout tracks, no catchy lines, choruses or riffs.
There also is an obvious lack of energy in all of the songs, and I think the band had realised this also, with their live promotion of this album virtually non-existent this time around (unlike their 'Get Ready' 2002 world tour - which pushed 100 shows). As I am a New Order fan, and considering their brilliant 2001 album, I went and bought this album without little hesitation - but to the discerning music fan, I wouldn't be recommending doing this. Its far from a bad album, but for anyone other than a New Order fan, I couldnt see this album getting out of its case much. Perhaps because this is the band that bought us Blue Monday, Bizarre Love Triangle, Regret, Shell Shock and so on, we tend to mark them so much harder?
Footnote - incidentally, 'Guilt is a Useless Emotion' (Track 9) was nominated for a Grammy this year (2006) for 'Best Dance Album' - a credit in a traditionally US-dominated category.
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