'Decades' Review: Showtime documentary on New Order is a testament to their enduring triumphs
Showtime has presented us with an hour-and-a-half long documentary film on the new wave electronica furore New Order, titled 'Decades', and their preparations and executions of their restaging of the 'So It Goes' show.
In June 2017, the group, in support of 'So It Goes', took over Stage 1 of Manchester’s iconic Old Granada Studios for five nights for the elaborate Manchester International Festival, and now guide us through their re-imaginings and reconstructing with 'Decades'.
Although the documentary initially carries minor flaws on its shell, the shell breaks off humbly very early on and it carries through dynamically in presenting us with an aesthetic order to pay mind to its purpose hidden beneath careful artistic subtlety and technological ingenuity.
'Decades' portrays itself as a piece of art, a rather timeless one in fact, and what begins to surface through is a portrait of sincerity and technological creativity.
The film is also majorly part performance as it runs a live show at its spine held in Vienna, moving the documentary forward and maintaining a consistent energy that we are enticed to revert to between the dialogue scenes. Songs included are 'Plastic', 'Subculture' and more.
In order for one to comprehend the new wave giants that are New Order, it is a healthy necessity to integrate the group that started it all, post-punk band Joy Division. Ian Curtis, the leading member of Joy Division, suffered from epilepsy and depression, and died by suicide the evening of Joy Division's first North American tour which was shortly before the release of 'Closer', their second and final studio album released in 1980. His suicide resulted in the band forming New Order which carried a similar spirit to Joy Division.
New Order consists of lead singer Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris on drums, keyboardist/guitarist Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman on bass and guitarist Phil Cunningham. The film humorously discuss the circumstances they faced with the addition of its female member, Gilbert, and also explains the addition of its other members, including its intriguingly peculiar addition of a 12-piece "synth orchestra" which comprises of 12 students playing on synthesizer keyboards along with the band.
It is a retro tapestry with new wave and contemporary sounds that is mathematically and carefully put together, a feat that requires nothing short of sheer hard work and musical ingenuity. It creates a fascinating challenge for musicians to break up each instrument and figure out who is playing what. This is all shown in intricate and honest detail as we get to see a large display of various instruments and equipment in the studios and jam sessions, an electronic wonderland for tech lovers and musicians alike. Additionally, without revealing large spoilers, the design work and stage work of including such a large display of equipment and members is shown and discussed. It is one-of-a-kind and beyond impressive, to say the least.
The documentary is shot with mechanisms that avert one from a saddening atmosphere of thinking of the loss of Ian Curtis and its previous manager Tony Wilson, but rather respectfully, and with pleasant nostalgia, reminds us of their amazing contributions.
Although partially nostalgic, it does not dwell in the darkness of pain and loss, but rather of triumph and enduring together as a band... with their title "New Order" being a very fitting component to the documentary itself. The artist for the band, Liam Gillick, puts it, "What this project is, it's not about nostalgia, we are trying to work at what can be done now. We're trying not to look backwards, I think."
The opening scenes of 'Decades' come off a tad slow as the band and crew discuss plans for their future show. It doesn't leave room for a detailed explanation on the band's or Joy Division's origins as an opener you would commonly see in a biographical of a band. However, 'Decades' is not entirely a biographical and doesn't necessarily have to be; needless to say, it breaks away quickly and begins to energize its viewers as the live show begins. Its charm lies mainly in its content of the dialogues interconnected with the glamorous live show.
As the film progresses, the members speak of their origins in Manchester and the city's culture. The band discuss their major impact on the culture of Manchester and go into detail of how their influence has evolved and regenerated the city. Art, history, culture and the impact of their music in such realms run through the theme of 'Decades' transparently and we are treated to some shots of old photos/videos of the group and Joy Division, as well as the direction behind their album covers and inspirations.
In 'Decades', we witness a beautiful time piece as the band has to reflect on its history, its trials and tragedies, and the fruition of pure art through mature musicianship and camaraderie, even amongst its long list of members. Tom Chapman puts it best, "I think it's in the band's DNA to go forward, to always seem to want to take risks and be creative and try something new."