NEW ORDER - Republic

The '90s loomed large, and no matter how hot you were in the '80s, the new decade was gonna' put you down at some point.

Not that this a bad album, but for the first time, New Order just sounds like any ol' UK #Rock group trying to fit in with what's poppin'. Props in getting the second Summer Of Love started, but #Rave culture was rapidly evolving, and with all their internal turmoil, a clear lack of motivation to musically keep pace is apparent. Time for a sabbatical.