Section 25 ‎– From The Hip

Please note that the times listed on the back of this cd, as well as those listed inside the booklet, are significantly in error. Generally, the times of the tracks on the cd match up with the times of the same tracks on the original vinyl Lp

When I purchased my original vinyl copy of this album some time in the 1980's, I had no idea of the New Order connection, though I was a New Order fan. I found the cover art fascinating, the band name inscrutable, and the minimalism appealing. Little did I know that the grooves contained therein would become permanently etched in my brain to such an extent that this album has become a personal touchstone of excellence for me. Talk about bootstrapping, From the Hip is light years from Section 25's first two releases in nearly every way, from melody to instrumentation. Album opener "The Process" is an exercise in ambient restraint that builds layer upon layer until it finally erupts in a wash of synth chords, blending seamlessly into minor dance club classic "Looking from a Hilltop," which pulsates majestically along until it fades out. While it's hard to beat this initial salvo, various moments come close. "Program for Light" is a relentless, pummeling experience, followed closely on the heels by the langorous, whispery "Desert." The closer, "Inspiration," is aptly named because that is what it causes me to feel when I listen to it. From the Hip is a neglected masterpiece of 80's electronic rock, equal to, but on a separate tangent from, New Order's finest moments. The U.S. vinyl pressing sounds superb.

This is the release that has the tape error during "Looking From A Hilltop (Megamix)" at the 4:30 minute mark. Not sure if all or some of the other releases have this as well.

If you have a copy of this record, and a copy of Power, Corruption and Lies by New Order, take a careful look at the poles on the front cover - they match up with the color wheel decoder on PCL!