The Happy One, uncut, as recorded.

Any abandoned single mixes of "Vanishing Point" that could potentially exist would also be very nice to have.

-Mike

I have an edit that was done in '89 for a possible single, then resurfaced in '94 for The Best Of, which is why it's included on the UK pressing. It clocks in at 3:59, which is over a minute shorter than the album version.

My favourite NO album.


Would love to hear the Vanishing Point demo which had different lyrics.
Apparently, this did leak at some point. If anyone has this, PLEASE get in touch.

Though it probably hadn't progressed to the edit/mixing stage like "Vanishing Point", I've always been intrigued by the legend that "Mr. Disco" was going to be a single. "Vanishing Point" was apparently the band's choice for lead single, before Rob Gretton talked them out of it. But the legend about "Mr. Disco" is that it was supposedly discouraged by U.S. marketing wizards because the word Disco was by then a dirty word that would tank sales.

At least this thread won't turn into a Substance discussion - Andy will be pleased

I wasn't aware the single edit of 'Vanishing Point' had ever surfaced. Would love to hear it..... [DM hint...]

Wasn’t there Marmion remixes commissioned for Vanishlng Point? ‘Schöneberg’ was massive in the clubs in 1994 and I’m sure I read that they were working on VP around this time.

There's a Marmion remix of The Perfect Kiss (that was unreleased), they later reworked it into a new track of their own (can't remember what it was called though).

The other thing of note is the fact that, presumably, there will be seven accompanying 12” singles:

Fine Time
Fine Time Remix
Round & Round
Round & Remix
Run 2
World In Motion
World In Motion Remix

That’s a lot of records.

It’s presumably going to be just as ‘busy’ for Republic, with the four LP singles plus 12”s for True Faith-94, 1963-95 & Blue Monday-95.

And presumably, all those 12 inches will also get digital releases too.

Let's hope the correct, 12" version of 'Fine Time' goes on those single releases, as it's ever so slightly different to the 'Technique' version (compare them at 1:17). The 'Fine Time' 12" version has yet to come out digitally.

So far, I've not re-bought all the re-released 12" singles, as I have the originals - with the exception of 'Sub-Culture' and the silver/clear vinyl 'The Perfect Kiss' (as they had new, unique artwork). But I have bought hi-res versions of their digital equivalents. As we edge into "90s remixes" territory, with 'Republic' and beyond, I may find I don't bother buying the digital single remasters, as I already have almost off of the tracks on CD anyway, and the releases get less interesting when they're mostly dance remixes and no B-sides or band 12" versions.

I also wonder how they'll handle the digital single re-releases when so many tracks and mixes were spread across multiple formats including CD singles and even cassette singles. For example, 'Regret (New Order Mix)' was only on the 7", cassette and CD single, and 'Vicious Circle (New Order Mix)' only on the 'Ruined In A Day' cassette single - so neither track ever appeared on a 12". It might be a good idea to start doing just one, combined digital re-release of each single from 'Republic' onwards that contain all mixes and B-sides together from all the different original formats.

But I'm getting way ahead of myself here!

Edited by user 05 September 2024 06:31:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I still believe there's a market for a Recycle-style box set covering the Factory-era singles.

01. Ceremony
02. Procession
03. Everything's Gone Green
04. Temptation
05. Blue Monday
06. Confusion
07. Thieves Like Us
08. Murder
09. The Perfect Kiss
10. Sub-culture
11. Shellshock
12. State Of The Nation
13. Bizarre Love Triangle
14. True Faith
15. Touched By The Hand Of God
16. Blue Monday 1988
17. Fine Time
18. Round & Round
19. Run 2
20. World In Motion

20 CD singles plus a detailed discography book covering each single and showcasing the cover art, with notes by Peter Saville, the band, and any relevant parties. Many of their contemporaries have done the same - most notably Depeche Mode, with CD boxes in the '90s and '00s, and now the vinyl box sets. Include a Blu-ray with all the videos upscaled like Pet Shop Boys did with Smash.

Alternately, start adding a 3rd or even 4th CD in with the Definitive Editions.

Personally, I'm not fussed with anything beyond Republic and its 4 singles. The mid-90s were bleak.

Edited by user 05 September 2024 07:19:25(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

100% in agreement. I've been waiting for something like this since like 1990. Considering that there have been extensive CD single box sets for artists like Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Morrissey, Cocteau Twins, even Joy Division, etc., it's rather shocking that this hasn't happened yet. Heck they even released a CD singles box for Wham! recently. While it's nice that these 12" remixes have been released digitally, I would still love to have well mastered hard copies on CD.

-Mike