Low-Life
Encyclopedia
Low-Life is the third studio album by English rock
band New Order
. Released in May 1985 by Qwest Records
, Low-Life is considered to be among New Order's strongest work, displaying the moment in which the band completed its transformation from post-punk
hold-overs to dance rock pioneers. The album shows New Order's increased incorporation of synthesizers and samplers, while still preserving the rock
aspects of their earlier work.
The album's artwork is the only New Order release to feature photographs of the band members on its cover. By default, drummer/keyboardist Stephen Morris is on the front cover, but it actually features four photographs inside the case and a semi-transparent piece of paper with the band's name on. Owners can choose which band member is seen through the sleeve.
The original Factory release (Japan and UK) CD versions of this album are mastered with pre-emphasis.
The album was preceded by the release of the full-length version of "The Perfect Kiss
" as a single (only an edited version appears on the album). John Robie's remix of "Sub-culture
" was also released as a 12" single. Both of these extended versions eventually were included on 1987's Substance.
The songs on this album formed the basis of New Order's live concert video, Pumped Full of Drugs, filmed in Tokyo
shortly before the album's release.
The music video for "The Perfect Kiss" was directed by Jonathan Demme
. The song "Elegia" was featured in the Academy Award
-nominated short film More by Mark Osborne
.
In 2000 Q magazine
placed Low-Life at number 97 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. Low-Life (alongside New Order's 1989 album Technique
) was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
.
In 2008 the album was re-released in a Collector's Edition with a bonus disc, including the rare 17-minute version of "Elegia" and, for the first time in digital format, the unedited 12" mix of "The Perfect Kiss".
, Peter Hook
, Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
. Released in May 1985 by Qwest Records
Qwest Records
Qwest Records is the American record label started by Quincy Jones in 1980 as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records, and owned byWarner Music Group. although Quincy was still under contract with A&M records through 1981. George Benson's 1980 Give Me the Night LP was the first release on Qwest,...
, Low-Life is considered to be among New Order's strongest work, displaying the moment in which the band completed its transformation from post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
hold-overs to dance rock pioneers. The album shows New Order's increased incorporation of synthesizers and samplers, while still preserving the rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
aspects of their earlier work.
The album's artwork is the only New Order release to feature photographs of the band members on its cover. By default, drummer/keyboardist Stephen Morris is on the front cover, but it actually features four photographs inside the case and a semi-transparent piece of paper with the band's name on. Owners can choose which band member is seen through the sleeve.
The original Factory release (Japan and UK) CD versions of this album are mastered with pre-emphasis.
The album was preceded by the release of the full-length version of "The Perfect Kiss
The Perfect Kiss
"The Perfect Kiss" is a song by the English rock band New Order. It is the first New Order song to be included on a studio album at the same time as its release as a single...
" as a single (only an edited version appears on the album). John Robie's remix of "Sub-culture
Sub-culture (song)
-Release:It was the second and final single that also appeared on the group's album release of the same year, Low-Life. The B-side is a remix of the A-side titled "Dub-vulture"...
" was also released as a 12" single. Both of these extended versions eventually were included on 1987's Substance.
The songs on this album formed the basis of New Order's live concert video, Pumped Full of Drugs, filmed in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
shortly before the album's release.
The music video for "The Perfect Kiss" was directed by Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop...
. The song "Elegia" was featured in the Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-nominated short film More by Mark Osborne
Mark Osborne (filmmaker)
Mark Randolph Osborne is an American film director, writer, producer, animator and Guggenheim Fellow .-Biography:He got his start by studying Foundation Art at Pratt Institute in New York before receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of...
.
In 2000 Q magazine
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
placed Low-Life at number 97 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. Low-Life (alongside New Order's 1989 album Technique
Technique (album)
Technique is the fifth studio album by New Order, released in 1989 via Factory Records. Partly recorded on the island of Ibiza, it incorporates Balearic beat and acid house influences into the group's electro/rock sound...
) was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
.
In 2008 the album was re-released in a Collector's Edition with a bonus disc, including the rare 17-minute version of "Elegia" and, for the first time in digital format, the unedited 12" mix of "The Perfect Kiss".
Track listing
All songs were written by Bernard SumnerBernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
, Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert
Gillian Gilbert
Gillian Lesley Gilbert is an English musician, keyboardist, guitarist and singer, best known as a member of New Order and a founding member of The Other Two.-Biography:...
.
Side one
- "Love Vigilantes" – 4:16
- "The Perfect KissThe Perfect Kiss"The Perfect Kiss" is a song by the English rock band New Order. It is the first New Order song to be included on a studio album at the same time as its release as a single...
" – 4:51 - "This Time of Night" – 4:45
- "Sunrise" – 6:01
Side two
- "ElegiaElegia"Elegia" is a song by the British electro/rock band, New Order. Unusually for New Order, it is an instrumental and a waltz. It can be found on their third studio album, Low-Life ....
" – 4:56 - "Sooner Than You Think" – 5:12
- "Sub-cultureSub-culture (song)-Release:It was the second and final single that also appeared on the group's album release of the same year, Low-Life. The B-side is a remix of the A-side titled "Dub-vulture"...
" – 4:58 - "Face Up" – 5:02
2008 Collector's Edition bonus disc
- "The Perfect Kiss" (12" version) – 8:49
- "Sub-culture" (12" version) – 7:26
- "ShellshockShellshock (song)"Shellshock" is a single released by British group New Order in March 1986. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Pretty in Pink one month prior to its single release...
" (John RobieJohn RobieJohn Robie is an American musician and record producer, widely credited as the driving force behind many of the most successful songs from the early 80's electro boom and is best known for his work with the New York record producer Arthur Baker.-Early years:...
remix) – 6:28 - "Shame of the Nation" (12" version) – 7:55
- "Elegia" (full version) – 17:28
- "Let's Go" – 3:43
- "Salvation Theme" – 2:16
- "Dub-vulture" (12" version) – 7:56
- Total length: 62:01
New Order
- Bernard SumnerBernard SumnerBernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
– vocals, guitars, melodica, synthesizers and programming, percussion - Peter HookPeter HookPeter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
– 4 and 6-stringed bass, electronic percussion, backing vocals on "This Time of Night" - Stephen Morris – drums, synthesizers and programming
- Gillian GilbertGillian GilbertGillian Lesley Gilbert is an English musician, keyboardist, guitarist and singer, best known as a member of New Order and a founding member of The Other Two.-Biography:...
– synthesizers and programming, guitars
Others
- New OrderNew OrderNew Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
– production - Michael Johnson – engineering
- Mark, Penny and Tim – tape operators
Release details
- UK 12" – Factory Records (FACT 100)
- UK cassette – Factory Records (FACT 100C)
- US 12" – Qwest (25289-1)
- US cassette – Qwest (9 25289-4)
- UK CD (1993 re-release) – London RecordsLondon RecordsLondon Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
(520 020-2)
Chart positions
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... Albums Chart |
70 |
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Albums Chart |
26 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Album Chart |
11 |
| Swedish Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
20 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
7 |
| U.K. Independent UK Indie Chart The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered... Albums Chart |
1 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
94 |