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"... but I've no passion for this hate"


We're down to the final two, and today's entry in the Top 10 Albums list is so good, aside from being rather nostalgic for yours truly.

#2 - New Order / Republic (1993)

1993 opened the floodgates for me when it came to music as an late-teen/young adult. A lot of great music was released that year, and I was paying attention to it. I devotedly listened to the radio, watched MTV, VH1, Friday Night Videos on NBC, and even recorded a sort of countdown show with a friend, of our favorite songs of the week.

Friday Night Videos is where I first became aware of Regret, the lead single off of New Order's Republic album. I came late to New Order. They rose from the ashes of Joy Division in the early 1980s, after Ian Curtis' suicide, and Bernard Sumner took over lead vocals. The group evolved over the years and I have, in retrospect, enjoyed most of their work.

Republic is, of course, my favorite New Order album. It was the first one I listened to, it arguably sounds the most polished, it has a sound that was (at the time, anyway) very fresh. It sounds... very early '90s, in a good way. Much of this can probably be put down to the production of Stephen Hague. He is one of my favorite music producers, and also produced my #1 favorite album of all-time (hint for tomorrow).

Many of the lyrics found in Republic's song are typically New Order. That is, they're fairly barmy. But that's partly why I love it. Following is just a sample of what I mean:

"I turn sideways to the sun, keep my thoughts from everyone
It's a jungle, I'm a freak
Hear me talk, but never speak"

"I was a short fuse, burning all the time
You were a complete stranger, now you are mine"

"You are a color and you are a number, 
We need a sanction to see one another"

"I would brave the rainstorm in my car,
Maybe you can leave but you won't get far"

And so on. I love Republic. It has a special place in my heart and, every time I listen to it, I'm transported back to 1993 (to the good parts). When I was young, when music seemed fresh and new, and when emotions rode the rhythm of the sound.




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