because u don't end up owning all the tracks twice over when u buy this

it's compiled in chronological order from 80-87, their peak years

it's got all their singles in their original 12" version (except for a couple of remixed tracks which probably won't bother anyone unless they've heard and prefered the originals, unlike me)

it features "True Faith", one of the best singles of the 80's and previously unreleased

it's got all the b-sides on the second disc

and because New Order are one of the greatest & most important bands of the last 25 years
[Edited 10/21/04 15:58pm]

you know, i don't play all four discs from the new order "retro" box set very much, but i have to say i far prefer the greatest hits disc (the one titled "pop") moreso than the "substance" anthology. i certainly like it way better than the other new order best-of anthologies that have come out over the past decade or so.

Anxiety said:

I don't have the Retro compilations, but ANYTHING that edits such masterpieces as "Perfect Kiss", "Blue Monday" (just the thought of cutting the 2 minute intro makes me wanna scream!), "Bizarre Love Triangle" and "True Faith" is an act of heresy, probably more so than with Prince edits.

In fact I really despise all edits. Radio stations and other broadcasters should just get on with it and play the full bloody track.

I love Substance. It's what got me into the band in the first place. I can do without all the alternate versions on disc 2, but taken altogether, it's a great place to start. What's great about it too is that a good chunk of their hits were never on albums anyway. Same with Joy Division. Their Substance is just as important. I like with their Best Of that came out in '95, that they didn't really repeat anything. All the songs are newer versions, even though most of them aren't very good. International is the most half-assed of the 3. The box Set Retro is the yummiest of all though. Disc One and Two are essential all the way through. Can't wait for their new album next month!

If you are casual New Order observers, and you like their Greatest Hits or Substance or whatever, buy Technique - their best album and an absolute classic. I continually forget this album exists, when I'm listing fave albums of all time and all that crap....but whenever I come back to it, I am always pleasantly surprised.

i have all the original factory 12's..

kinaldo said:

Yes, yes, yes. "Substance" is a superb compilation of a superb band - but calling it "the most essential compilation to come out in the 80's" is really pushing it - and I'm a huge fan.

kinaldo said:

What about 12" extended remixes?

RocknRollDave said:

agreed - Technique is my favorite New Order album, by far.

I do enjoy Substance... it was a huge album for me in the late 80's, early 90's.

JonSnow said:

I do think Technique is great, but to me it's half stellar, half pretty good.

I like their '82 EP, Power, Corruption & Lies, Brotherhood and Get Read all better.

But I know that it's most peoples' fave.

Shapeshifter said:

Ok name one that's better, a compilation that offers a single as good as True Faith that's not available on any other album. Go on, I dare u...

kinaldo said:

I can name one that's just as good. Substance by Joy Division.

Thunderbird said:

What I meant by edit is shortening it, like cutting the intro or fading out before that great guitar solo kicks in etc.

I like extended remixes, especially Prince's, and the Like a Prayer extended remix is great so though yes they're technically "edits" I don't mind them.

Or Standing On A Beach, the cassette with all the b-sides.

GangstaFam said:

Maybe, but that's 77-80 so I don't really count it as 80's when only a couple of songs are from that decade. And while it is an incredible compilation I'd still take New Order's Substance over Joy Division's Substance because u get 2 great cds instead of 1.

GangstaFam said:

Love Will Tear Us Apart! Again!

You know, New Order's International LP is great. It's like their fourth best-of and came out in 2002. It has pretty much all my favorite New Order songs except "Slow Jam." Not to mention, the longest versions of "Blue Monday," "Bizarre Love Triangle" and "Crystal." (those awful remixes of Crystal don't count)



source: http://www.worldinmotion.net/

kinaldo said:

Then I guess you could count things like The Hits/B-sides and U2's Best Of, even though they came out in the 90's.

GangstaFam said:

With non-album singles?

GangstaFam said:

Sure the Hits/B-sides would be a good contender, if there weren't so many edits, and U2 suck (ok maybe they don't COMPLETELY suck, but they're really nothing special and are vastly overrated) so don't even mention them. Apparently they botched their best of as well, not that I care.

And I just think mentioning Joy Divisions's Substance was really pushing it, with it being 77-80.

Thunderbird said:

Well, true enough. But not many artists have those these days. At least not very many.

The Smiths' "Singles" has a buttload and they're all great too. "Louder Than Bombs" is just as good if not better.

I say, bring back the non-album single and to a greater extent, the EP.