New Order “Brotherhood” 1986. Factory Records/Qwest Records promo copy. New Order’s fourth LP released almost exactly 40 years ago. Synth-forward post-punk, the album went to #9 on the official UK album chart (#1 on the indie chart) and to #117 in the US. New Order released just one single from the record, “Bizarre Love Triangle” – it hit #4 on the US Dance/Disco charts and #5 in Australia; it only went to #56 in the UK.  A new mix of “Bizarre Love Triangle was included on the 1994  The Best of New Order and that went to #98 on the US Hot 100. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked the song was ranked #204 on its “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list, considered by many as an example of a synthpop masterpiece. While “Bizarre Love Triangle” was the only official single from Brotherhood, the single “State of the Nation” (US Dance chart #4, UK #30) was included on the CD release as a bonus track; it is not on the vinyl release. A 2024 extra super-duper re-release (has all the tracks plus a ton more) also has the single-only/Pretty in Pink soundtrack “Shellshock” (released in early ’87). Besides “Bizarre Love Triangle,” which is excellent, my top picks include most of Side B (the synthpop side): “All Day Long” and “Angel Dust” transports me square to the dance floor in an alternative club in the late 80’s. Side 1 is great, too, though slightly less techno/pop: “Paradise” and “Weirdo” are definitely danceable but both feel more angular and experimental. The bass on “Broken Promise” is amazing – another great dance track.