Brotherhood

'Brotherhood', released in 1986, is the fourth album from New Order, sandwiched between the darker 'Low Life' (1985) and the more pop sounding 'Technique' (1989). Supposedly the album came out so quickly after Low Life because the Hacienda nightclub (owned by Factory Records) desperately needed a cash injection, but in no way does this album feel rushed or 'stop gap'. At the time critics said Brotherhood was a concept album with the first half of the album featuring more of a rock sound than the second half's slide into dance. I don't make that distinction. All ten songs are very melodic with great vocals and a mix of acoustic guitar, Peter Hook's instantly recognisable bass, and trademark synthesiser.Brotherhood includes the band's break-out single in the USA and Australia, "Bizarre Love Triangle" which has rightly become one of their anthems. One reviewer at the time stated: "This was New Order becoming New Order ". I have to agree.I bought this CD as a 'companion piece' to Technique but quickly realised that Brotherhood is actually a better album, with consistently great songs, strong vocals, and beautiful and creative guitar elements.Also, it showed a maturity in lyrics that was not seen on previous New Order albums. The song 'All Day Long' deals with child abuse. Here are the lyrics:"This is a song about an innocentWho died at the hands of a desperate manHe trusted those who he thought he knewHe trusted those who he looked up toI'll never forget the joy in his faceHe'd laugh and he'd cry and he'd ruin my placeHe'd drive me crazy, and he'd drive me wildI used to scream and shout all day longNow I hope you know this songIs about a child who now has goneAnd other children like him, tooAbused and used by what adults doSo don't tell me about politicsOr all the problems of our economicsWhen you can't look after what you can't ownYou scream and shout all day long"Bernard Sumner sings with passion and showed an emotional side to the band, perhaps for the first time. I am so glad I finally bought Brotherhood on CD. It is a real pleasure listening to it. I had forgotten just how good it really is.

Popular folklore would have it that this was cobbled together to raise money to save the Hacienda and Factory. Well, if it was, then it is even more of a work of genius. Wrongly in the shadow of 'Low Life' and 'Technique', 'Brotherhood' is crammed with New Order's best songwriter. Plus, it is the LP where Bernard Sumner really sounds like he is a confident vocalist. There has been a lot of nonsense written about how one half is rock and the other electronic. To be honest, you'd be hard pressed to tell because it is a seamless blend of everything they do so well.

So good to hear this again. I'm really glad I now own it on CD - the limited edition casette format was totally worn out, and very difficult to file away. In fact I might send it back to the person I borrowed it from in 1987. I'm through with it now I've gone digital.

Good album from legendary band. Broken Promise and Bizarre Love Triangle are the best-known, but it's all quality.

excellent

The record was warped. And no download code as stated

great

Spot on.