New Order's first compilation album, Substance (1987), finally broke the group through to commercial success in the U.S. Its second one, The Best of New Order, isn't exactly Substance II. The previous set was a singles collection, and Best Of does pick up that story, including a series of songs - "True Faith" (in a new remix), "Touched by the Hand of God," "Blue Monday 88," "Fine Time," "Round & Round" (in a new remix), "Run," and "World in Motion" - that were bigger hits in the U.K. than in the U.S. (Also included is the group's biggest U.S. hit, "Regret" as well as its charting follow-up, "World [The Price of Love].") But in addition, the compilers have included one song each from the group's albums…
Any band that's released nearly as many compilations as studio albums in the past 15 years certainly doesn't need another one, but International appeared anyway, and though it's slightly better than The Best of New Order, it's not nearly as solid as Substance. Beginning with New Order's recorded debut, 1981's "Ceremony," the collection proceeds immediately to the group's worldwide breakout with 1983's "Blue Monday," then slots mid-'80s classics "Confusion," "The Perfect Kiss," and "Bizarre Love Triangle." It certainly didn't need three tracks from 2001's Get Ready. Most of the tracks are album versions, though the compilers made wise choices on remixes of "Bizarre Love Triangle" and "Touched by the Hand of God." As befits a middling compilation from an excellent band, International is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition.
In the wake of early-'80s post-punk artiness, New Order must have seemed like a welcome return to the world of tunes. Those not blinded by Ian Curtis' pyre were certainly pleased with the direction of the band, while those that needed shades had been finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the melancholic hooks pervading even the most synth-laden dance singles coming out of the group. Which makes this live capture of New Order's divisive skill that much more appealing.
Recorded on June 19th, 1987, at Glastonbury, this live set includes everything from the band's major hits ("Temptation," "Bizarre Love Triangle") to the more undisclosed favorites ("Touched By the Hand of God") all with a raw, sometimes po-faced, interpretation of their studio-friendly talents…