32. Republic - New Order 1993
The original Dance/Rock band had ended their association with Factory Records, as that label had now ceased to exist. The band brought back a more organic sound following the heavily electronic leanings of previous release, 'Technique'. The dance music element that had always been part of their sound was still present, but not as dominant. The searching, high-end bass playing of Peter Hook is still leading the charge, and Gillian Gilbert's lush synth playing is, as ever, very pretty and housey. Singer/Guitarist, Bernard Sumner, sounds much more, human, this time around and it definitely enhances the album's overall mood. Lead single, 'Regret' was ubiquitous, following its release, and for good reason. A guitar based, dance beat driven summery pop song that was a perfect way to herald in the bands first new music in four years. The song reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and 28, in America, the band's highest position, Stateside. It was also a huge club hit, based on the remixes that various producers treated it to. 'World', another single, took the sound back to one akin to the mid 80's era of the band, almost like a younger sibling of 'True Faith'. The chorus is among the band's finest. 'Ruined in a Day', was the band at their reflective best. The subject matter of the song is said to be in reference to the whole dismantling of their former record label and the mess that co-owner, Tony Wilson, made of the whole affair. Other album tracks, such as 'Young Offender' and 'Chemical', helped put to bed accusations that the band front loaded 'Republic' to disguise the fact that they weren't what they once were. Taking their sound from the previous decade and giving it a modern kick-in-the-ass. Across the 11 songs, the band showed younger artists, mixing Dance and Rock, that they were still the masters. The members had used their time apart to create music, out from under the New Order name, most notably, Sumner, who had formed Electronic, with The Smith's guitarist, Johnny Marr. At the time. many saw these extra-curricular activities as a negative distraction. 'Republic', is proof that this was false. The album itself, and 'Regret', are now undoubtedly, definitive 90's releases.