Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 9, 2009

01. The Jesus & Mary Chain – Darklands, (Blanco y Negro/WB.1987)
02. Girls – Album, (True Panther.2009)
03. New Order – Power, Corruption, & Lies, (Qwest.1983)
04. “The Perfect Kiss” by New Order, (Qwest.1985)
05. Maximo Park – Quicken the Heart, (Warp.2009)
06. The Twilight Sad – Forget The Night Ahead, (Fat Cat.2009)
07. The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms, (A&M.1980)
08. Why? – Eskimo Snow, (Anticon.2009)
09. Deastro – Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
10. The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday, (French Kiss.2005)

I first heard “The Perfect Kiss” waaay back in the halcyon eighties. It was the time when Substance – New Order's uber-opus collection of kick ass singles released in 1986 – was making waves in discerning music listener circles; I had to get that double disc compilation magic. This song immediately stood out. As you know, the version here is a remix, while not drastically different than either the “original” version from the 12” or LP version from 1985's Low-Life, it is subtly superior. As always, it's the melody and the hook that drive its immediacy.

“The Perfect Kiss” starts off with a cool left/right channel fader club-by production trick that goes straight into bouncy synth-inflicted UK alt.pop with Hooky's awesome bass melodies. Between these verses/hooks comes synthpop breakdowns, then the last half moves through several types of dance music (that gets slammin' at the 2.38 mark). Poly-rhythms, fake hand claps, tempo changes, electro-funk bass lines, atmospheric washes, even a goddam cowbell! In the last 45 seconds, all of the above comes together to a bittersweet fadeout.

This does totally kick ass, but it isn't perfect. I'd be remiss not to bring up the lyrics. In general, I've never thought much of Barney's lyrics, but I cannot … believe this came out of his mouth: “Tonight I should have stayed at home/Playing with my pleasure zone.” Especially within the context of a song about guns, street violence, guilt, and death. Oh Barney.

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