3.9 - Compared to other UK dance-rock acts of the era (e.g. Depeche Mode), it seems that New Order didn't get as much exposure across the pond. It's a shame because this is a powerful pop sound melding so many great sounds. I love the bass sound, hollow and plodding. Also great are the interplay of acoustic and electric guitar, along with electronic rhythm elements. Bernard Sumner's vocals sound slack and cool, with an almost conversational cadence and tone. It works best ("Love Less", "Round & Round") when they're able to corral all of these elements into a focused and layered sound. But a couple of tracks ("Mr Disco", "Vanishing Point") struggle under the weight of all these elements. From what I can gather, "Technique" marks the tail-end of a string of great New Order records. I definitely look forward to exploring their catalog further.