New Order – Live At Bestival 2012 (Sunday Best Recordings)

I could be really flippant and just say that this album is just what it says on the tin. However, that would be to do everyone involved a disservice. By now, most people are familiar with the story of Joy Division and how they became New Order (and if not, good fun watching, reading and listening to it). It’s not overstating the case to say that despite the dramas, the people involved have managed to amass an amazing catalogue, one of the best in the post-punk world.

And over the course of the thirteen tracks here, we get a lot of hits and some key album tracks. Sure, they sound slightly different to the studio recordings, but that’s the point, surely, after all? I wasn’t there, alas, but it sounds like everyone who was hugely enjoyed ‘Blue Monday’ ‘Perfect Kiss’ and ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and many more.

It’s not always clear where the New Order story is going, but this is an important document of what it has done so far.

[Rating:4]