NEW ORDER

TEMPTATION
(ORIGINAL 7" VERSION)
(ORIGINAL 12" VERSION)
('87 SUBSTANCE VERSION)
('98 REMIX)
(SECRET MACHINES MIX)

Temptation was released as a single by New Order in 1982. It was available on 12" and 7" vinyl, both formats had the catalogue number FAC 63. The two formats are not merely different mixes, but entirely separate recordings of the same song. The 7" version is a more structured version with a commercial synthpop feel; the 12" is more chaotic with the emphasis on electronic rhythms rather than melody. The 7" version plays at 33.3rpm to accommodate its length of around five and a half minutes.

Interestingly, the 12" version has a fade-in at its start, with a cold end, and the 7" version has a cold start and a fade-out at its end. As a result, a popular rumour among New Order fans that to experience the complete "Temptation", one has to paste together the 7" and 12" versions, to produce cold start and a cold end. In fact, etched inside the inner groove of the original 7" is, "Try listening to the 12!"

The vocal track on the original 12" version (this is the version featured in the 'Retro' box-set) features an audible scream during the song's intro. Supposedly, as Bernard Sumner was recording the vocals, other band members ran into the studio and thrust a snowball down his shirt. Because the original 1982 7" version sounds completely different from the original 12" and the fact that it is rarely heard, I've included it here.

"Temptation" is considered by many in the band to be their favourite New Order song.

TEMPTATION (ORIGINAL 7" VERSION)

TEMPTATION (ORIGINAL 12" VERSION)

TEMPTATION ('87 SUBSTANCE VERSION)

TEMPTATION ('98 REMIX)

TEMPTATION (SECRET MACHINES MIX)

Here's a clip New Order in 1984 doing Temptation live at BBC Radio 1 Studios.

COCTEAU TWINS

PEARLY-DEWDROPS' DROPS
(ORIGINAL 12" VERSION)

Here's a track from probably the best band ever to come out of Scotland. Cocteau Twins were formed in 1980 and were named after the song The Cocteau Twins by fellow Scotsmen 'Johnny and the Self-Abusers' (who later renamed themselves Simple Minds). The band's influences at the time included Joy Division, The Birthday Party, Sex Pistols and Siouxsie & The Banshees. Although the entire band was praised for their performances, the band's vocalist Elizabeth Fraser received the most attention. At times barely decipherable, Fraser seemed to veer into glossolalia and mouth music.

In 1984 the band released the 12" E.P. The Spangle Maker which featured two versions of Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (7" & 12" Versions) and two other B-sides. The track would later appear on the compilation The Pink Opaque which was comprised of tracks originally recorded between 1982 and 1985. This was a joint release by the UK-based 4AD records (the band's label) and the USA-based Relativity Records and marked the first official domestic USA release by the Twins. The Twins single Pearly Dewdrops' Drops fared quite well on American college and modern rock radio a year earlier, which lead Relativity to seek out this American distribution deal with 4AD.

PEARLY-DEWDROPS' DROPS (ORIGINAL 12" VERSION)

ORIGINAL DJ REMIX

ITSTHEKID

JOY DIVISION

ATMOSPHERE
(ITSTHEKID'S NEW ORDER MIX)

Here's a great original remix of my favourite Joy Division track Atmosphere. It was sent to me by a nice fellow named Vincent (aka itsthekid). In his email he said about this mix:

"I made this remix of Atmosphere for my brother, who is as big a Joy Division/New Order fan as one can be. This mix actually has a lot of New Order samples in it. This mix was done many years ago, using an old version of Acid. Not being very experienced, it's not as clean or polished as the mixes I've heard on your site, but I thought I'd send them your way anyway.

Hope you like."

ATMOSPHERE (ITSTHEKID'S NEW ORDER MIX)