New Order "Substance 1989" Review

NEW ORDER: SUBSTANCE 1989

NEW ORDER aren't, admittedly, a band who lend themselves to the usual video toss: they don't smite much, they have no known pretensions to acting fame, and frequently they don't even appear to move.

On the duff videos here, they are glimpsed standing on stage, sitting in cabs or hanging around in concert halls while the director intercuts interesting bits of drama — a bit of silly dialogue (featuring Jonathan Demme) on Robert Longo's vid for 'Bizarre Love Triangle'; a lot of Arthur Baker nodding along to 'Confusion' (the work of one Charles Sturridge)and I've already completely forgotten what happens in 'Shellshock'— and the result is wildly forgettable.

However, when the director shows either sympathy for the band's attitudes or a creative imagination which matches New Order's style, then things are topper.

Here we have Robert Breer and William Wegman's film for 'Blue Monday 1988', a mixture of flying ball (look out, Steven) and a dog called Fay which can stand on upturned chairs; it's pretty funny.

We have astoundingly hilarious 'True Faith' video, with choreography and direction by Phillipe Decoufle— this is the one with the ridiculous pantalooned dancers and the marvellous start where two men in foam rubber barrels, one clearly painted blue, slap each other around the face in rhythm; the effect is well bizarre and the viewer rolls about the floor in chortling fits of delight.

Kathryn Bigelow directs Touched By The Hand Of God' (from her underrated Salvation) and here New Order lose all control as, dressed like Poison in leather, chrome codpieces and frightwigs, they go rock barmy in an apparent stadium.

But the best thing here —and indeed almost anywhere— is Jonathan Demme's video for 'Perfect Kiss'. Filmed in New Order's rehearsal studio, it seems to be quite simply a recording of the group playing the single and indeed has a rather live sound. Apart from Demme's obvious fascination for Gillian Gilbert's serious face, the video actually looks and sounds like the overpowering force and unity of New Order on those occasions when they choose to play and write the stuff no-one else can do.

The whole thing is completely awesome, a stone representation of what New Order are, quite possibly the best video ever made— it's the fussy vids that are easy to make, not the simple ones.

All that combined with the bizarre incidental music suggests to me that, for once, 40 minutes for a tenner is a fair price. Invest and investigate.

David Quantick