Bad Lieutenant
Never Cry Another Tear
Original Signal Recordings

New Order frontman Bernard Sumner has a new side project. Bad Lieutenant possesses a newness yet feels nostalgic. It’s haunting and soothing. While full of 90s sensibilities, the edginess brings it into the now. There’s the keyboards and guitar combo that provides that mix of yesterday and today. Sumner [vocals/guitar] has always been in touch with real life situations. His writing catalogues all those observations of the mistakes and joyful moments around him. Never Cry Another Tear kicks off strong with the soaring “Sink or Swim,” is quite the catchy one: Whatcha doin’ with that stupid little girl/ stop you’re foolin’/ don’t you know it’s gonna hurt/ when she leaves you. “On Summer Days on Holiday,” drums and keyboards provide that swirling atmosphere for the wistful vocals to make you fell like you’re out in the sun enjoying a cocktail. The harmonizing chorus: So shine on me/ along adds to the soothing yet imminently dance-y vibe. “This is Home” is stunning. Just lush and gorgeous. The vocals are impeccable. Newcomer Jake Evans (vocals/guitar) soars and Sumner brings in his trademark sound— just tell me that it’s true, I want you by my side. Probably my favorite song on the album. “These Changes” becomes introspective and exudes a bit of regret and confusion. It’s quite lovely. Once again, Sumner succeeds in creating an eclectic mélange of arrangements and melodies. Never Cry Another Tear will delight the most discerning music fan.

GRADE: A-

–review by Amy Steele

[review copy provided by HER FITZ PR]

BAD LIEUTENANT: Never Cry Another Tear

My initial take: There’s a newness yet I feel nostalgic. It’s haunting and soothing. Full of 90s sensibilities but with an edginess that brings it to the NOW. I adored New Order like many 90s-era alternachicks [and guys].

**new project from Joy Division/New Order‘s Bernard Sumner (guitar, vocals) with Phil Cunningham (guitars) and new UK “find” Jake Evans (vocals, guitars). Former Joy Division/New Order drummer Stephen Morris played on the album and will also be on tour along with bassist Tom Champman.

Bernard Sumner and members of Bad Lieutenant

U.S. concert dates
Wednesday, November 18 at the Park West–Chicago
Saturday, November 21 at Webster Hall–New York
tickets available at TICKETMASTER

Never Cry Another Tear is available exclusively at Amazon.
Beginning November 10 available through all other retail outlets via a partnership with Original Signal Recordings.

New Order, born from the ashes of the near-mythic English band Joy Division, was one of the most innovative and critically-acclaimed bands of the 1980s, embracing the electronic textures and dance rhythms of the underground club culture while maintaining a mysterious and distant image. The group’s pioneering fusion of modern aesthetics and dance music successfully bridged the gap between the two worlds, creating a distinctively thoughtful and oblique brand of pop. Between 1981 and 2005, New Order released eight studio albums, sold millions of albums worldwide and amassed Gold and Platinum awards. In addition, the band’s single “Blue Monday” bears the distinction of being the biggest-selling 12-inch of all time, having sold in excess of 3-million copies.