∑(No,12k,Lg,17Mif) New Order + Liam Gillick: So it goes.. (Live at MIF)

First off: I am a 49 year old lifelong, intelligent, highly critical, and informed fan. My street cred consists of having first seen them in 1986 in a relatively small venue, and then attending almost every other Los Angeles gig since then. OK: here's my review: New Order have reinvented themselves, a la Joy Division-esque landscape, lighting, fit, form and function. If you don't understand what I've just written...then you simply don't understand the essence of what this band are about. But that's still OK! Come, listen, read, and join the present day insurrection! This/these particular live biscuits are a wonderful, unique cross-section laregly and heretofore unheard in live format; and intensely and professionally accomplished at that. "Ultraviolence", unless you are a proud possessor of certain early 80's New Order bootlegs, hasn't been recorded for posterity by The Band since until now. Nor, to my (re)collection has Joy Divisions' "Disorder"...accomplished here with the greatest of talent, precision and passion. Please keep in mind the intellectual and musical prowess and breadth that is involved here in this presentation of live perfomance! READ the booklet included, unless you are one such as to not know anything else that is occurring around you lest you remove your face that is buried in your cellphone! Attention everyone else: purchase this live performance with confidence, using all your senses. And then find a quiet, relaxing place, perhaps smoke something intense (other than crack or heroin), and then ease back in Grandpa's recliner, relax, close your eyes, and affix your headphones on for the EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE. Play it loud, from START TO FINISH. I challenge you to do so undistracted as such.

His vocals are gone. What a mess. Awful. I refuse to see them live ever again.

New Order are not known for being the best band live, but this recording of their MIF performance really stands out and is easily the band's best live album I've heard. The song selection really makes this essential for any long time fan as It's not just the typical greatest hits list. There are a number of album deep cuts such as Dream Attack, Vanishing Point, Ultraviolence, and All day Long which sound fantastic and really stand out. Suprisingly, the 2 late era songs from the studio album "Waiting for the Siren's Call" are also really good. Who's Joe (my favorite song off that album) sounds more grand and Guilt Is a Useless Emotion sounds so much better live and I consider a vast improvement on the cheesy sounding studio version (which I think is one of their worst songs). The inclusion of the Get Ready era b-side behind closed doors is also a suprise and sounds killer live. The Joy Division songs mix so well into the set as well (especially Heart and Soul and Disorder). Personally, I'm glad they didn't include Blue Monday or Love Will Tear Us Apart. It'a fantastic set list and killer live performance. Highly recommended.

As most fans know, live NO performances can be pretty hit or miss. Here Barney is in good form and the stripped down production (?) make the whole affair seem fresh and interesting. The song lineup is a smattering of old and new and frankly is nice to hear some classics without the usual go-to best of playlist. In many respects the performances seem slightly remixed with enough changes to refresh these classics. The JD songs are a pleasant surprise as well. This very well could be their best live album. Kudos guys!

I’m always excited to see a new album by New Order...they have been the soundtrack to most of my life...but...was hoping for a studio album instead with unheard material. Cheers to this group on their longevity and relevance to today!