Electronic – 1989 Remixes 1992

Did anyone else notice the typo on side 2? IC2 (DNA Groove mix)

Solid remaster and packaging. Although the release contains previously released tracks, you are essentially buying this for the remastered SQ - and that alone is worth it.

To have a supergroup, pulling from three extraordinary groups – one each from New Order and Smiths as “”; and both from PSB as “collaborators” for the first album and the ‘Disappointed’ single – if you like these three groups, then you can expect something special.

The first self-titled album is a favourite album of mine, including some great tracks. They were all coming to the project afresh, they were obviously excited and created some stunning music. Of their albums, this first album is the best by far. A funny thing about this album is that when Bernard Sumner sings, the track could often be a New Order track, likewise the songs sung by Neil could be a Pet Shop Boys track. ‘Reality’ and ‘Tighten Up’ for instance sound like they could have been New Order tracks. But it works in perfect balance. Because of instrumentation by the same players, there is cohesion throughout the album, yet a good amount of variation.

The fact the individuals were a supergroup meant they were busy people, they also had their own groups to attend to. Importantly, it’s for that reason they didn’t produce many things together. Also, of the singles, I have to say, the remixes didn’t bring that much new, and sometimes those remixes, far from an improvement, were NOT as good, and could be shorter in duration, often confounding expectations of what the remix should be. It makes you realise how much of A REAL GEM the first Electronic album is – every track is perfect as is, great lyrics, instrumentation and singing. Beautiful.

Usually I like remixes, they are very much an Eighties thing, exciting, offering new interpretations, truly “extended” for the fans who want more from their favourite tracks.

Because that album is so stunning I bought all the single releases and remixes and I do play them, but the album is better. This RSD compilation takes some of the remixes from all of the tracks which had remixes from the first album. [+ The ‘Disappointed’ single which didn’t appear on an album.] To make it clear, I like this RSD compilation. As a fan it is nice to have the tracks on one album; it’s a good companion piece to the proper album. However, bearing in mind what I have said about the remixes of these tracks, in my opinion it is not exciting. For instance, the 808 ‘Disappointed’ remix is exactly that: a disappointment; for me that remix is not worth playing, the funky remix additions detract from the carefully crafted purity of the single version.

Fans will have their own opinions on this, but anyone new to the group – try out the classic album first. Much better for a RSD release would have been a special 7” single of ‘Patience of a Saint’ on heavy black vinyl (with ‘Tighten Up’ as an AA side?). Despite the said-above, the Electronic album is so great, I can easily give this album five stars. Stand out tracks are A1-2 and B1.

Can anyone confirm if the version of Idiot Country Two here matches the duration on the sleeve (6:24)? At least one person has mentioned the intro speech sample is edited out, which was previously done to the mix when it featured on the 2013 2xCD Special Edition of Electronic. The duration there is 6:06.

If so, it means the sleeve is wrong, and this 12" marks the first time that particular edit has been committed to vinyl (so an exclusive, of sorts).

The speech on the intro of 'Idiot Country Two' has been edited out. Just why??

A strange RSD release. It's great that Electronic have a new release out, but a) the cover is from 1996 (Forbidden City video) and does not fit the songs on it and b) the track listings are crap. Many (P) and (C) dates are wrong (for example Get The Message ist from 1991 and not from 1990) and some tracks don't list the remixers (Gangster).
Nothing new on the record itself. It's a nice addition to the collection, but it's a bit boring and poorly put together.

The front of the cover is horribly pixelated. If the artwork is not in sufficient resolution, perhaps Warner Music should have opted for a different design.

Wow. Worth waiting those extra few days, there are now loads of this on Discogs, and the Discogs' price has more than halved as of today, Friday, and precisely at 8:00pm (!) Before this time I did notice there was ONE Discogs seller who sold this Electronic 12” at a fair price, but it was snapped up immediately. Others were trying to sell it for £50.

As this thread shows, this particular release isn't that limited. It's weird, sleuthing out the press numbers, values etc, for the 'ultimate' deal.

[This is from somebody who has generally enjoyed Record Store 'Day'. Over the past years there have been some good releases, the looking around and enthusiasm is fun. But the organisers shouldn't take advantage, the good ‘spirit’ could so easily tip onto the sour side. RSD prices for vinyl, 12" + 7" peaked this year - tipping the balance right over to the retail outlets' pleasure. For me that's not the heart and soul of record collecting. Perhaps a bit more respect for the buyer should be demonstrated? An album for £30. A 7” single without an inner, thrown into its card sleeve and sold for beyond £15. OK, go ahead, but it might ruin a good thing, punters will wise up and turn their backs . . . ]

Anyway: take care buyers. And to the good sellers out there – thanks.

Rough Trade US state a limited release of 2,000 copies.

Rough Trade UK state a limited release of 3,000 copies.

I wonder how many others there are?

Agree all these mixes are previously released--if you can find them. IC2 is rarer, but a nice addition to the New Order completist. As an aside, RSD.com claims 2000 released, while this entry states 7500 copies. Which is correct?