After a much media-maligned review of their sophomore effort Raise the Pressure as being over-produced and lacking in natural energy, this third release from Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr (Electronic) tries to prove all those critics wrong. The album was said to be recorded in roughly 2 months time and inteded to sound extremely raw and energetic.

Initially only available in Europe and Japan, Twisted Tenderness finally is availble in the US through Koch Records.

Putting on the first track Make It Happen starts with squiggly electronic sounds, a techno drum beat, and funky guitars, similar to Idiot Country from their first effort. Bernard Sumners quirky lyrics are back here "Though..you caught me naked, I didn't enjoy it. In fact I regret it...Let's make it happen, why don't you understand? I am a refraction of a broken man...." before the funky beats start up again. Rockin!!!!

The next tracks Haze and Vivid continue with more indie style guitar from Johnny Marr. Vivid which was released in the UK as a single features a Marr harmonica intro and solo throughout the song. Fans of New Order and the Smiths should be getting really into this album by this point. Breakdown continues with fat, crunch guitars with an echoey type of Sumner vocal.

A Winwood/Clapton cover, Can't Find My Way Home, starts with an acoustic strum before a the drumm and synth beat kicks in the background.

Like No Other, Late at Night, Prodigal Son and Flicker continue driving guitar rhythms to Bernard Sumner's more than ever emotive vocals. Are we seeing a pattern? Lots and loads of guitars on this album. Not your typical album for New Order "fans" that bought all those albums for continuous remakes of Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle. This album will definitely appeal to the "well-rounded" New Order fan, those that found Brotherhood, and those guitar-based tracks on TEchnique great albums and tracks.

Probably the only "techno" or synth-based track here is the title-track Twisted Tenderness. It starts with synth waves like with a disco feel and progresses with a bassy synth rhythm. "You...must think I'm a fool..this twisted tenderness..just leaves me cool. YOu got me in a mess, you know it's true ...". I just love those Bernard Sumner obscure lyrics that you can make out to be about twisted relationships and longing for more. This track would have fit in quite nicely on New Order's Technique album. When She's Gone sounds like came out of 70's disco club with backing female vocals working with Sumner.

Finally, the US version comes with bonus tracks King for a DAy, Warning Sign and a remix of Make it Happen.

Overall, a great effort from Sumner and Marr. Love the driving guitar rhythms and the mix of New Order and the Smiths sounds working in this album.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving