Hey PopWreckers, Happy New Year! Welcome to an Under Cover: New Order (for a New Year) Edition. In the spirit of a new year, new resolutions, new friends, a new president, and new world concerns, why not feature a band that is/was no stranger to artistic innovation and, well, newness– New Order! Often cited as influential to many indie bands and musicians that we all love, New Order pushed their version of 80s downer, electronica, and experimental alternative rock to memorable heights. If it’s possible for any of our readers to be unfamiliar with this great band (::gasp::), I highly recommend making a new year’s resolution to fully digest their entire discography. As for the rest of us [who hopefully already love New Order], here’s to a great year of new and exciting music. Cheers!
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New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” vs. Frente! cover (1986, 1994)
Best song ever written about an alleged love triangle? Perhaps! Sometimes the mark of a great song is the fact that there’s about 387 versions of it available for your listening pleasure, whether it be the original uncut version, extended version, radio edit, DJ so-and-so remix, what have you. It’s also a good sign when this song comes on the radio or at a bar on the jukebox (I almost always select this one) and it still excites you like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard it. “Bizarre Love Triangle”, apart from being one of my favorite all-time songs ever, is probably one of New Order’s most recognizable hits.  It boasts simple romantic lyrics, a catchy tempo, an infectious blend of electronic bleeps and sounds, earnest vocal delivery, and a drum and bass line that make you want to dance around freely while mouthing the words. It is poptronica at its finest. And that lovely chorus: “Every time I see you falling, I get down on my knees and pray… I’m waiting for that final moment, you say the words that I can’t say.” Could it get any more beautiful? I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve been out and this song comes on and people in my company will sing along even though they admit they have no idea who sings it.  And this is the genius and power of ”Bizarre Love Triangle”.
Perhaps one of the more famous covers, Australian band Frente! served up an acoustic version of “Bizarre Love Triangle” that may have gained popularity due to its complete departure from the original. Stripped-down, bare-boned female vocals, gentle plucks on an acoustic guitar, half the length of the original, this one starts as quickly as it begins. There are absolutely no washes of that gorgeous electronica here, an element that essentially makes New Order’s version as great as it is. However, the simple melody still remains catchy and, perhaps surprisingly, still holds up. The fact that the original song can be performed myriad ways in different styles and genres is merely a testament of its versatility and general greatness.
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New Order’s “Ceremony” vs. Galaxie 500′s cover (1981, 1989)
This isn’t the most popular song in their catalog, but it’s utter Joy Division-ness (at least moreso than their other songs) speaks to me since this is actually an original Joy Division track. It wasn’t until leftover members went on to create New Order that this song was modified and re-released. And all it takes is a few seconds into this version for it to become decidedly new (Order). This is a great example of the fluidity of their musical abilities and shuts up any critics who want to write them off as just some electronica band. The guitars are atmospheric and lush, the vocals are muted but powerful, the bass line is so entrancing, and the synergy of sounds exceeds the sum of the musical components. And there is just something about New Order’s guitar riffs upon listening that literally cut your emotions to the bone. Their music makes you… feel. It’s hard to explain, you just have to hear it.
Apparently, indie trio Galaxie 500 felt a little something, too, after hearing “Ceremony” since they offered their own slowcore cover version. The tempo isn’t as fast, the guitars don’t wail as hard, and even though the vocals are rather soft, the song still comes together quite nicely. Particularly, the musical outro with all that moody guitar.  It’s quite evident that The Velvet Underground is one of their influences since there are some stylistic similarities in this version’s guitar playing. Not to mention, this plays like something the Jesus and Mary Chain would put out. So I wouldn’t be surprised if shoegaze fans rate this cover highly.
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New Order’s “Blue Monday” vs. Orgy’s cover (1983, 1999)
Another great New Order classic that has more recorded varieties than the measly 57 that Heinz Ketchup brags about. If you’ve never heard this song than clearly you are living under a sound proof rock dwelling of some kind and need to check into music rehab. Chilly deadpan vocals, dark lyrics, throbbing synth lines and heavy electronica bordering on a slightly industrial feel, “Blue Monday” will make you want to start break dancing even if you don’t know how.  The song dares to ask “Tell me how does it feel, / When your heart grows cold?” Hmm, who cares to answer when the music takes you to your own personal island away from everyone else.
Then there’s 90s industrial rock outfit Orgy that set out to prove that they weren’t just Candyass rockers with a penchant for guyliner. Their hard-hitting cover of “Blue Monday” was a huge hit for them and a rousing version to boot. I love the Wolfsheim-y “insert generic German industrial band” stoic vocals laced in with heavy guitar licks and an almost sinister synth lining. They subtract New Order’s signature electronic solos and transform them into a memorable guitar riff that spirals through the song. These guys take the original and turn it into an anthem-like, musical “Leave me the F alone.” And hey, sometimes all we want is to be left alone… hopefully, so we can lay around with our favorite music.
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Stay tuned for Part 2 of Under Cover: New Order next week because a great band deserves two posts!
