(Track from album, “Movement”)
Its been a while since we've had a song this old on the blog; never fear - this is one of the best...
Do not be fooled by that incredible chart placing; in 1981, New Order were a band fresh off the Manchester new-wave scene, evolving slowly away from the dark, gothic atmosphere of Joy Division and into new, unchartered indie territory which, for the most part, would lead them to setting the bar for pretty much every band after them...ever...
Joy Division was dark, and, like it or not, Joy Division was miserable. Lead singer Ian Curtis killed himself in May 1980, and, after that, the rest of the band were left to their own devices, with legendary manager Rob Gretton at the wheel of a ravine bound musical vehicle, and record company Factory desperate to save the band that founder Tony Wilson infamously poured his life savings into producing. The guys got it all sorted out (eventually), and with guitarist Bernard Sumner now behind the lyrics and the singing, and the collective rebranded as New Order, Manchester's indie gods were, effectively, re-born.
The track opens up with a speedy and flanged guitar riff which loops around to the opening drum track. Over the top, a higher pitched guitar rips out to create a building crescendo of joyful tension, just as the looping riff changes its pattern and joins the build up to explosive genius. One indie drum roll later and we're in. The bass rolls in, fat and squelchy but retaining an aura of cheap, raw sound, and the nervous, imitating vocal groans alongside, pretending desperately trying to sound like Ian Curtis, and to pretend that nothing has changed, despite the obvious sonic shift. This perfect combination of gritty new-wave rock carries on for an intensive, yet pinky, 3 minutes before closing up like a dead flower, and dropping off before the melancholy of the album ensues.
Sumner used to be nervous about singing, and so, during live performances would do so with his eyes closed. This image fits wonderfully with the neurotic and anxious lyrics, beautifully Joy Division in tone and subject matter, but essentially New Order in the phrasing and fitting out-of-tune delivery. I really love how elements of every indie song to follow this band, appear either on this track, or later on this album; its a shrine to independent music like no other, and there isn't even any competition here with a Smiths record - this is supreme in its kiddish, punk-like spontaneity and genius, and I love it.
Many of the songs on "Movement", and indeed the 1980 stand-alone single "Ceremony", were in the process of being written (and played) during Ian Curtis' final months. Opening this bizarre, but seminal and evolutionary album, "Dreams Never End" contains some of the classic Joy Divison elements whilst birthing a new and more optimistic tone. Tellingly, this atmosphere doesn't continue the length of the album, and Peter Hook's moody bass-lines in conjunction with Stephen Morris' interesting new-wave drumming pay homage to music's late hero rather than forging the path forward, as the second album, "Power, Corruption & Lies" manages through the extensive use of synthesisers in place of guitars. Still, this is an incredibly important moment for independant music, and "Dreams Never End", despite its obvious connections to the past incarnation of this incredible band, is an interesting piece of musical evolution, and one which, is to be cherished by music lovers for years to come.
★★★★★
Versions of "Dreams Never End"
Album Version - 3:16