18 July 2020

Band: JOY DIVISION
Album: CLOSER
Artwork: Martyn Atkins and Peter Saville,
with a photograph of the Appiani family tomb in
Genoa’s Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno
Released: 18 July 1980
Label: Factory Records
Score: #6 in the UK / NME’s album of the year

Pitchfork wrote: “‘Closer’ is even more austere, more claustrophobic, more
inventive, more beautiful, and more haunting than its predecessor. It’s also Joy Division’s start-to-finish masterpiece, a flawless encapsulation of everything the group sought to achieve… Joy Division, like many of their Manchester peers, were inspired by the DIY anti-ethos of the Sex Pistols; they just didn’t know what to do with it at first. So, shaped and prodded by notorious provocateur Hannett (who would turn the heat in the studio down low enough for everyone to see their breath), the group embraced space, ambience, and an imposing austerity.”
Score: 10/10 .

Key lyrics: “Mother I tried please believe me, I’m doing the best that I can /
I’m ashamed of the things I’ve been put through / I’m ashamed of the person I am.”

R.I.P. Ian Curtis

Full album…

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JOY DIVISION: Facebook