As written in the review of "Movement", I first started to get into New Order around 1986 when they released the single "Shellshock", which I bought, and then the 1987 compilation album "Substance". I then subsequently worked backwards until I got to their 1983 release "Power, Corruption & Lies", which was their second album.
Frankly, it was a record that I struggled to relate to. Whilst I took an instant like to the outstanding "Age Of Consent" I struggled to really like too much of the rest, and now only vaguely recall "Your Silent Face" and "Leave Me Alone".
I subsequently learnt that the album was highly acclaimed, with its heavy use of synthesizers, being a definitive break from their Joy Division past, and pioneering the dance-rock hybrid music of the 1980s. Not that I knew this at the time. It was released at more or less the same time as "Blue Monday" which became a huge hit worldwide, but was a song I was ambivalent about when it was released in 1983, but liked it on the "Substance" LP four years later.
The album cover was confusing, with no name, title or track listing, which were only circularly written on the disc and not easy to read, so you were reliant on recognizing it by the flowers on the front.
Side One opens with the fantastic bass riff of "Age Of Consent". I love the soaring synths that come in around 1 minute 40 followed by the guitar break. The drumming is also impressive. It's an almost perfect track.
The pace and mood changes with the "We All Stand". Starting with a slow jazz/funk bass line and synth motif before a gloomy vocal. It could have been on Joy Division's "Closer". "Three miles to go"
"The Village" has an upbeat bass and keyboards, and by New Order's standards is almost happy. "Our love is like the flowers, the rain, the sea and the hours".
"5 8 6" has a very Kraftwerk intro before morphing after nearly two minutes into virtually a copy of the riff from "Blue Monday". "I see danger" & "I heard you calling". It slows down and splutters for the finish as if running out of power.
The side two opener "Your Silent Face" has more nice synths over a hypnotic electronic beat. The bass plays the synth lines for the instrumental break then the guitar takes over before then the synths return. There is also some whimsical melodica. "You've caught me at a bad time, why don't you piss off".
"Ultraviolence" has funky bass and drums and a computerized dance beat in the vein of "Blue Monday".
"Ecstasy" has a robotic Kraftwerk type encoded vocal, think Space Lab, over throbbing bass and drums. Otherwise its virtually an instrumental.
"Leave Me Alone" is a great closing track. It has another great bass line intro with some pretty guitar playing and a lovely melody. It is both beautiful and sad, and reminded me a little of "Every Little Counts" from Brotherhood. "But from my head to my toes, from my knees to my eyes. Every time I watch the sky, for these last few days leave me alone. But for these last few days leave me alone, leave me alone".
I have to say "Power, Corruption & Lies" was so much better than I remembered it to be. I liked all of the tracks except for maybe "We All Stand".
Track Listing :
Side One :
1. Age Of Consent
2. We All Stand
3. The Village
4. 5 8 6
Side One :
2. Ultraviolence
3. Ecstasy
4. Leave Me Alone
Released 1983
UK Chart Position : 4
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