Republic

Amazon Review

When a group called "New Order" releases an album titled "Republic," one might imagine something liberating and hopeful, but that's not the case here. This 1993 album was apparently painstakingly crafted almost entirely by guitarist and vocalist Bernard Sumner, and while tracks like "<1>" are certainly upbeat, they also exude a melancholic atmosphere. It's often said that "<1>" is so good that the other tracks overshadow it, but that's not the case at all. This is a masterpiece, featuring a collection of small but well-made songs with comfortable digital beats. (Minoru Asaro)