Low-Life

New Order's evolution from post-punk survivors to state of the art electronic unit became complete with the superb Low-life, the first of their albums to receive a proper American release. Tracks like Sub-Culture and The Perfect Kiss represent dance-pop at its very finest -- propulsive, smart, and edgy, they combine lush synth patterns and programmed beats with a level of emotional investment seemingly at odds with its environs, creating a tension which keeps the music fresh and involving where other club hits from the era now seem dated and vacuous. In spite of their new technological mastery, the group remains as eccentric and unpredictable as ever -- Elegia is a delicate instrumental piece, while the opening Love Vigilantes is quite nearly a folk song, complete with a squawking harmonica intro, and is utterly unlike anything else in the New Order catalog; still, it succeeds brilliantly, the work of a band at the very top of its game. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide