New Order - International

This is the first time since 1987, when Substance was released, we have a collection in chronological order with the most of the main singles in the original version. This time it was harder, because they had to cover 21 years of career, and how can you fit such a career on one CD?
You just can't, in fact... "they" (those who compiled the CD, I think the band had very little to do with it) left off Temptation, certainly Shellshock wasn't as much essential... Maybe a 2CD set would have been more appropriate, here we miss also great successful singles like Fine Time and World In Motion. Also, there's not anything unreleased, though Here To Stay has been available only on sigle and on the excellent 24 Hour Party People soundtrack, which aren't so easy to find in the most of the countries.
So, what is International good for? I think the title is cool, and also shows its target. This is a compilation for the novices in the non-English markets. People who have seen a couple of video clips on TV or have only one album and want to know more about the band without spending too much before buying anything else.
And it works. If I should recommend a single album to a total novice, I'd say this. How can you resist falling in love with a band giving you all these good songs? The fact these songs cover such a long career guarantees that you'll find something excellent whatever record you'll buy next, whatever the year of release was...
And it's good for the fans as well. True, you don't have Temptation and other masterpieces, but you still have the most of the best songs the band did in 21 years. Having only one CD where you can listen to Ceremony and Here To Stay, Blue Monday and Crystal, it's a small miracle, and just makes you wonder how can a band be so great over all these years through different styles.
There's also some sort of rare track, the 12" version of Touched By The Hand Of God, you find it only here if you don't have the 12" or the CDS.
In the booklet there's a funny but sometimes pompous foreword by David Blot. There's also one of the most beautiful record covers ever, the illustration by Victoria Sawdon makes it worth the price of the CD alone. You can bet Peter Saville has still got taste. Just like New Order.