New Order

“Blue Monday” alone has cemented New Order’s place in history, but it also created a hurdle the band might never quite clear. Furthermore, the newest incarnation of this 25-year-old institution might be too guitar-y for dance enthusiasts, while too dancefloor-savvy for the rawker crowd. Nevertheless, on Waiting for the Sirens’ Call, New Order sounds better than most of its soundalike disciples. This is a familiar affair, from the chiming opener “Who’s Joe” to the upbeat “Krafty” and the similarly positive vibes of “Jetstream,” but Bernard Sumner’s delicate vocals still carry a formidable force within their frailty. The diverse slate of producers (Stephen Street, John Leckie, and Stuart Price of Madonna fame) give the songs variety while maintaining an overall sonic balance. A quarter-century in, the only band New Order can’t top is its own former self.