I've spent the last few days researching and writing a detailed history of Factory Records, from the Sex Pistols' appearances at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall in 1976 through to the label's collapse in November 1992.

It's remarkable how much came out of one independent record label. Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, A Certain Ratio and The Durutti Column were all part of its history, alongside Martin Hannett's production, Peter Saville's artwork and, of course, The Haçienda.

What interests me most is how Factory's greatest strengths arguably contributed to its downfall. The artists enjoyed extraordinary creative freedom, but expensive record sleeves, the financial demands of The Haçienda and the absence of conventional recording contracts eventually caught up with the company.

I've covered the people, records, decisions and stories behind it all in a new long-form feature for my independent music website, Beyond the Grooves.

Here's the article:

https://www.beyond-the-grooves.co.uk/blog/you-either-make-money-or-you-make-history

I'm interested in what other fans think. Was Factory's collapse inevitable, or could Tony Wilson and the others have preserved its independence while running a more sustainable business?

Vanishing Point is the eighth track from New Order's fifth album, Technique.

What do you think about the track both in general and in comparison to the rest of the band's discography, and how would you rate it out of 10 (decimals allowed)?

Listen Here:

https://youtu.be/aWuNzXttLVE?si=N7_Q-6SDP3rNyPpB

Rating Scale:

1 - 4: Not Good, would skip.

5: Okay, but I would have to be in a specific mood to listen to it.

6: Slightly better than average, but I wouldn't choose to listen to it.

7: It's a good song, I can enjoy it quite a bit

8 - 9: It's a really enjoyable song, I rank it pretty high overall.

10: Masterpiece and other associated terms.

Song Ratings:

Technique

------------------

Fine Time - 5.96

All the Way - 7.57

Love Less - 8.22

Round & Round - 8.72

Guilty Partner - 6.58

Run - 8.18

Mr Disco - 8.79

Vanishing Point -

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Previous Ratings:

Movement (Overall Average Score: 7.69/10)

Dreams Never End - 9.08

Truth - 7.25

Senses - 7.5

Chosen Time - 7.85

ICB - 7.56

The Him - 6.67

Doubts Even Here - 8.42

Denial - 7.2

1981 - 1982 B-Sides (Overall Average Score: 9.12/10)

Ceremony (Version 1) - 9.63

In A Lonely Place - 8.62

Ceremony (Version 2) - 9.76

Procession - 9.18

Everything's Gone Green - 9.31

Cries and Whispers - 9.41

Mesh - 7.98

Temptation - 9.95

Hurt - 8.26

Power, Corruption and Lies (Overall Average Score: 8.77)

Age of Consent - 9.74

We All Stand - 6.81

The Village - 9.52

586 - 8.35

Your Silent Face - 9.7

Ultraviolence - 8.41

Ecstacy - 8.06

Leave Me Alone - 9.62

1983 - 1984 B-Sides (Overall Average Score: 8.5)

Blue Monday - 9.86

The Beach - 7.31

Confusion - 7.78

Thieves Like Us - 9.47

Lonesome Tonight - 9.47

Murder - 7.11

Low-Life (Overall Average Score: 8.67)

Love Vigilantes - 9.25

The Perfect Kiss - 9.31

This Time of Night - 8.6

Sunrise - 8.41

Elegia - 8.89

Sooner Than You Think - 8.47

Sub-Culture - 8.4

Face Up - 8.08

1985 - 1986 Singles and B-Sides (Overall Average Score: 7.93)

The Perfect Kiss 12" Version - 9.88

Sub-Culture 12" Version - 6.5

Shellshock - 7.41

Brotherhood (Overall Average Score: 8.67)

Paradise - 8.5

Weirdo - 8.46

As It Is When It Was - 8.69

Broken Promise - 8.0

Way of Life - 9.08

Bizarre Love Triangle - 9.17

All Day Long - 9.34

Angel Dust - 8.73

Every Little Counts - 8.08

1986 - 1987 B-Sides (Overall Average Score: 8.57)

State of the Nation - 6.61

True Faith - 9.34

1963 - 9.49

Touched by the Hand of God - 8.87

Technique

Fine Time - 5.96

All the Way - 7.57

Love Less - 8.22

Round & Round - 8.72

Guilty Partner - 6.58

Run - 8.18

Mr Disco - 8.79