On the 30th January 1989 New Order released their LP Technique on cassette, compact disk, record and digital audio tape! Released on Factory Record with the Factory Number - FAC 275.
Recorded partly in Ibiza (although very little of the Ibiza recordings made the final record), where the band spent the time partying, crashing cars and soaking in the emerging Acid House/Balerica Beat club culture. The new club sounds clearly influenced the band and bleed through to the LP. You can hear them in the indie acid of Fine Time to (the first single) to the general sun dappled production, upbeat melodies and rhythmic thrust. The shift from the band debut LP Movement in 1981 with its heavy Martin Hannett production and difficult lyric and deep vocals couldn't be more marked. If a year is a long time in politics then eight years is generation in musical terms. They simply don't sound like the same band at all, the only clue that links the bands is Hooky's melodic bass and the brilliance of the drumming.
I remember buying at the time on cassette from Our Price in Woolwich. It is one record that has really stuck with me through the last 25 years, it arrived at a rather difficult part in my own personal life and I have bought it on CD a number of times as I have lost or damaged them across the years. It always brings a smile to my face and is an uplifting listen.
"It
begins. It thumps with glee, it swirls with lackadaisical intensity.
"You're much too young to be a
part of me, you're much too young to get a hold on me." And
never have veterans sounded so
brilliantly arrogant,
masters so eager. Jesus.
"Technique" is so
effortlessly GREAT, so
languidly heroic, so vibrant and thrilling
despite itself, that one
wishes one could weep....."
Chris Roberts
A can remember Chris Roberts review in Melody Maker at the time and it can viewed here
A great review from Ian Wade at the BBC website from 2008
Rate Your Music Page on Technique
The LP reached number one in the UK Album charts, the singles released were Fine Time (11th), Round and Round (21) and Run 2 (49). It would be the last LP the band released on Factory before the label went bust and the band moved to London record for the release of Republic in 1993.
Happy birthday Technique you are still a joy to listen to.
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