Joy Division

Doom And Gloom Classic – JOY DIVISION Released ‘CLOSER’ 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

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

‘Digital’ By JOY DIVISION – Happy Birthday IAN CURTIS

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past…

15 July 2020

Band: Joy Division  (Salford, Manchester, UK)
Active: 1975-1980
Track: Digital – part of a 7″ Double EP
called A Factory Sample featuring also
John Dowie, The Durutti Column and Cabaret Voltaire
Released: 24 January 1979

Happy B. Ian Curtis – born 15 July 1956

I feel it closing in
I feel it closing in
Day in, day out
Day in, day out…

Live version…

JOY DIVISION: Facebook

 

Masterstroke ‘LOVE WILL TEAR US APART’ By JOY DIVISION Released 40 Years Ago…

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past…

11 June 2020

Band: Joy Division
Active: 1976-180
Single: Love Will Tear Us Apart
B-side: These Days

Released: 11 June 1980 – 40 years ago today
Score: Their first chart hit in the UK peaking at #13

JOY DIVISION: Facebook

JDsingle

R.I.P Ian Curtis (15 July 1956 – 18 May 1980)

Gloomy Masterpiece ‘ATMOSPHERE’ By JOY DIVISION – 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past…

18 May 2020

The dramatic electronic symphony ATMOSPHERE with spine-tingling
IAN CURTIS vocals will forever be linked to his sad death. A demo of
the gloomy masterpiece was recorded in 1979, called ‘Chance‘ then, for
a London radio session. Forty years ago, in March 1980, the pearl was
released, quite strangely, as a France-only single via indie label Sordide
Sentimental, with Dead Souls as the B-side.

Following the unfortunate passing of the young troubled artist, Atmosphere
was re-released as a 12″ single by the band’s familiar label Factory with She’s
Lost Control as the B-side. An unforgettable tour de force. Gloomy and sombre.

IAN KEVIN CURTIS was born in Stratford, Greater Manchester on 15 July 1956
and he committed suicide in Macclesfield, Cheshire on 18 May 1980, today 40
years ago. Rest in peace.

Walk in silence
Don’t walk away, in silence
See the danger
Always danger
Endless talking
Life rebuilding
Don’t walk away

JOY DIVISION: Facebook

Stay Home, Stay Safe And Dance To PINS Covering Joy Division’s ‘ISOLATION’…

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your sonic batteries…

17 April 2020

PINS is definitely the coolest band on this troubled planet right now. With the five new stompers they dropped so far it’s crystal clear that we may expect one of the best albums
of this messed-up year. And if that wasn’t already enough the all-girl sensation just shared their ace cover of Joy Division‘s’ cracker ‘ISOLATION’ referring of course to today’s surreal quarantine days. They turned the classic cracker into a synth-driven groove made to be a global discotheque hit, but given the lockdown situation, you can go crazy to it at home for the time being.

Move your hips here…

Continue to dance with the five
new tracks of the upcoming album
PINS dropped so far

PINS: Facebook

JOY DIVISION – Astonishing Debut Album ‘UNKNOWN PLEASURES’ Turns 40…

Posted on by JL

13 June 2019

Manchester’s post punk legends JOY DIVISION released their outstanding and spine-chilling debut album UNKNOWN PLEASURES on 15 June 1979, yes, already 40 years
ago. A landmark achievement. One of the best ever longplayers in Turn Up The Volume‘s sonic book. An at times pitch black experience that sounded like nothing else before. Mind-blowing, masterly music that appealed to doubtful hearts and confused souls, still does after all these years. The astonishing record, despite the fact that not all members were happy with the final result due to producer Martin Hannett‘s excessive drugs use and imposing views, became a timeless tour de force for generations to come.

To my and countless other ears and tons of influenced artists this superb album still
has a blood-curdling impact with every single member of the band delivering essential contributions to this incredibly gripping and wholehearted raw diamond. A full track-by-track accomplishment. Each cut is a winner, on-target and terrifically rousing, yet New Dawn Fades gives me just a bit more spine-tingling feelings because as well as musically, vocally and lyrically it’s the most frighteningly arresting outburst on this classic. Here is the lyric clip…

Album in full…

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JOY DIVISION: Facebook

HISTORY – 2 May 1980 – Post Punk Legends JOY DIVISION Played Final Gig… 39 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

2 May 2019

Manchester’s post punk icons JOY DIVISION played their final show with IAN CURTIS
on 2 May 1980, today 39 years ago at High Hall, Birmingham University, England (gig poster on top). A Certain Ratio was the support act. The troubled Curtis committed suicide two weeks later, on 18 May.

Setlist. First song, the new one was Ceremony
The last played song was Digital not ‘Decades’
More details of that special evening here.

Turn Up The Volume! selected three live versions of classic
Joy Division songs to remember this memorable event…

– TRANSMISSION –

– DIGITAL –

– LOVE WILL TEAR US APART –

JOY DIVISION: Facebook