While New Order rose from the ashes of Joy Divison following Ian Curtis’ suicide (31 years ago this week, in fact), never the twain have met in compilation form, though separately each band has been the focus of a more than a few over the years.
Next month, Rhino Records UK rectifies that oversight with the release of Total, an 18-track set that joins Joy Division hallmarks like “Love Will Never Tear Us Apart” with New Order classics like “Bizzare Love Triangle.” (The target market for the release must be folks who are iTunes playlist-phobic.)
Still, the reason Total merits mentioning is the inclusion of a previously unreleased New Order track, “Hellbent.” With the band ceasing operations in 2007 after bassist Peter Hook unceremoniously announced his departure, it’s assumed that “Hellbent” is a leftover from their last album, 2005’s Waiting For The Sirens’ Call, though no confirmation has been given.
Here’s the tracklisting for Total: From Joy Division to New Order, which features artwork by legendary Factory Records art director Peter Saville (more info on the cover design here). No plans for a U.S. release have been announced:
1. Joy Division, “Transmission”
2. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
3. Joy Division, “Isolation”
4. Joy Division, “She’s Lost Control”
5. Joy Division, “Atmosphere”
6. New Order, “Ceremony”
7. New Order, “Temptation”
8. New Order, “Blue Monday”
9. New Order, “Thieves Like Us”
10. New Order, “The Perfect Kiss”
11. New Order, “Bizarre Love Triangle”
12. New Order, “True Faith”
13. New Order, “Fine Time”
14. New Order, “World In Motion”
15. New Order, “Regret”
16. New Order, “Crystal”
17. New Order, “Krafty”
18. New Order, “Hellbent”
Don’t expect a New Order reunion any time soon, as the split seems to be permanent. Both Bernard Summer and Peter Hook are busy with new bands (Bad Lieutenant and The Light, respectively). Hook has been touring the Joy Division catalogue with The Light, and this week released 1102/2011, a 4-track EP of re-recordings, including the previously unfinished “Pictures In My Mind.” The EP features vocal contributions by Happy Mondays singer Rowetta.