Power, Corruption And Lies arrived at a pivotal time in my life, when it's exquisitely packaged themes of loss, sadness and isolation were able to make a direct hit to my heart. Four tracks in particular had that delicate intelligence, uniqueness of style and emotional rush which made them as good as anything I'd ever heard. "Age Of Consent" is highly charged power pop, or maybe electric folk; "The Village", the album's one truly joyful track, is pure pop, but so English, arty and progressive. "Your Silent Face" turned the "disco sound" into a sublime experience of introverted, understated beauty that was truly art rock for the eighties; and "Leave Me Alone" closed the album on an epiphany of pure multi-layered guitar-pop perfection.
New Order had an unparalleled knack for crafting simple melodies that pricked the heart like rose thorns, and lodged in the brain permanently. It was a gift that was to make them my favourite band of the eighties. The band was grieving the loss of their close friend Ian, a fact that is quietly but explicitly stated in this recording. Consequently there is a real sense of death and renewal about this album. It was during the time of this album that I literally, truly found God. As a postscript, I've always believed that "Leave Me Alone" was "borrowed" for The Dream Academy's beautiful hit, "Life In A Northern Town." One of my favourite albums.
By: Slipyoursoul