Unknown Pleasures

every band steals from here. the national, the cure, u2, etc etc etc all wanted to be Ian Curtis and Joy Division

The sound of this album is like waking up in the middle of the night, in a sleepy haze, and hearing the echos of a jam session reverberating through the alley and up into your loft window. The album's entire vibe is fitting of the title emo. It is seemingly purpose built to evoke somber emotions wedged somewhere between tears, rage and resignation.

Cool record. It's a hyped band and I'd say they live up to it pretty well. This is the first time I've listened to a whole Joy Division record together. One thing though: What's up with the intentionally "wrong" notes the bass plays in "Disorder?" Yuck. This is a band, based on this record, that I'm glad existed since they insprired a bunch of music that I love. But will I return for another listen? Not bloody likely! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx8jpyM5Vsw

Still don't know 'em

Some absolute classics on here but a lot of moody filler which doesn't really do it for me.

Fine? Didn’t dislike it, but nothing jumped out at me.

I know I should like Joy Division but the music just doesn't do anything to me. I know this is a seminal album but it falls flat to me and just sounds mediocre.

Mixes are spacious and beautiful. Drum tones and instrumentation on point. Vocals are typically pretty emotional sounding, although probably the weakest point of the album for me. Album did well to create a vibe that’s overall kinda spooky and left me uneasy feeling, but could have used some more variation

Groundbreaking and moody but not my cup of tea. Couple bangers.

Kultplatta med bra renommé. lite som en cool poprock-föregångare till Depeche mode. Lider lite av att inleda med "Disorder" vilket överlägset är deras bästa låt(?) Rätt snärtig trumma och bra digitala effekter men annars rätt dåligt ljud på de analoga bitarna, stela och platta instrument och burkig sång skadar de mer simpla låtarna. Känns som sakerna hamnar i o-synk rätt ofta? misstag av musikerna eller i efterhand? O-charmigt oavsett. Några nuggets jag inte visste om fanns, bra jävla rock som växer på mig mer och mer.

Alltså jag gillar det, men det är också så dåligt? Överskattat, men får en trea av bara farten

Næs plata, kannski ekki alveg minn tebolli en mér fannst hún frekar smooth

Actually don't like it very much. Expected too much because of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" It's probably a 4 but it didn't resonate with me this time. The album cover bumps it up to a 3 though

I appreciate what they did for post-punk, but not a fan. Not garbage, just meh.

Le style me dit quelque, pas trop mon style mais j’ai aime l’ecoute et ca brassait assez po7r ramasser les feuilles avec entrain. 3.15

I suppose this is the line where this becomes a personal project. I just find Joy Division so bland and samey... I love unique sound and recognise the talent, but that doesn't mean I want to listen to it (again).

Dark, gloomy, depressing.

Sometimes groovy, sometimes boring

Very difficult listening. It's great but not exactly my style. I can understand why so many people love it though.

-Probably one of the coolest album arts -Really like Joy Division -Love the dark and moody sound, it's great for fall weather -Love how simple it is but how there are different layers to the sounds in the song -Favourite tracks are Day of the Lords, New Dawn Fades, Shadow Play, Interzone,

Good band but not exactly my type of music

One of those ones that I can tell is good but it just isn't for me - too depressing! But I did enjoy a few of the tracks, especially 'Disorder'. Ian Curtis can really sing too, what a loss.

Overall wasn't too impressed by this album. Disorder was good. I think the tone of the rest of the album doesn't quite resonate with me.

6th October 2021 Listened while sunbathing / sleeping by the pool in Spain. Probably more famous for it's cover than it's content now, but I liked it. Progressive, different, and I liked the scope and scale of the music. I also enjoyed Ian Curtis's attitude towards people asking him what his lyrics meant.

Was interested to get this album, I've seen the cover art referenced a lot but didn't really know what kind of music it would be. Very much the kind of music the goth kids in high school would have listened to. Thought there were some good songs, liked the opener, but it was a very hot and cold album with some really drawn out/downer tunes in there too. Surprised to see it was from 1979, definitely feels a bit before it's time.

Gloomily influential but not my cup of tea

Ok for a rainy day mood :)

good

I love the wild opening. Track 2 gives Doors vibes The bass on every single beat is pretty overkill in the middle of the album. The back end of the album picks up and I'm a fan of Interzone's punchiness

A great document that practically screams "What might have been". Less than a year after this album's release, lead singer Ian Curtis hanged himself. This was the only Joy Division album released during his short life. Track 1 (Disorder) is a solid 5. The album gets murkier from there. Probably more on the overrated side, especially from the camp that suggests Joy Division should go in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as a combo piece with New Order. You can hear distinctly the many bands influenced by this (especially The Smiths). I love "Disorder" and "Shadowplay". People tend to really heap too much praise on Curtis' vocals. They're fine, but to be honest, he gets over lauded because he died too young. Overall, it's indecently overrated, especially when compared to their follow up album.

Pretty good, sad bout the singer tho

Underwhelming. My favorite track was disorder

Loved this album. I knew one song before listening. Listened many times.

Muy bueno, original, emocional, depre, musicalmente interesante y como obra homogénea realmente notable

Enjoyed but never moves past it’s first sound. A hugely influential album however, and still very good

#1 was fire, but the rest fell flat. 3of5

Joy Division's debut still sounds wholly original and somewhat unique today which is a real testament for how their brand of gothic rock/post-punk broke norms back in the late 70s. While it isn't exactly my cup of tea when it comes to post-punk, there is a lot to enjoy in the processed drums, the melody driving bass work and dark moods that still feel so unique even after all the imitators they spawned.

pretty good proto-punk 80's sound. Enjoyed overall.

I wanna be one of the cool cats in a Joy Division Unknown Pleasures tshirt but I just can't get into this album no matter how hard I try.

An OK British post-punk album. We've had much better ones on this list so far and although I like the style, it's often pretty samey and this one didn't stand out at all.

Worthy and "important". Not much fun though.

tja 70s

Quite dark, Goth and Punky. Value for the electronic and distorted voice/band in 1979. Not my cup of tea though.

Got rather excited when this one popped up. The first track ‘Disorder’ is a cracking opening and for me, the best on the album. I did enjoy this all the way through, the strong, almost grunge guitar kept my interest. I will note that it seemed slightly samey throughout, that’s not to say it’s bad, just can be difficult to rate it quickly. Will probably regret these comments after some more listens. One brilliant track and some good ones. 3/5

Dark, messy

I don’t know if you have to be in the right space to enjoy this album but I just found it quite depressing. I’m giving it three stars because I know it’s a really well liked album and Disorder is a tune.

I did not know that Love Will Tear Us Apart was not on any of their studio albums. It's good, but a little heavy at times.

Very good. I forget how deep and introspective this band sounds. Katey called it sit and think music and I agree. She also referenced people into art house movies before it was cool.

good album, not something to listen to to listen to the music purely, but decent background music. all a bit of the same as well, not much difference for a passive listener between songs

It's interesting, it's atmospheric, it's uncomfortable and it's unique. I should like it more than I do.

Good music. Don't like the voice

Ich mag, was Martin Hannett hier mit dem Sound macht - diese Schroffheit, das kalt klirrende. Disorder setzt da am Anfang natürlich direkt Maßstäbe. In Kombination aber mit Ian Curtis‘ noch mal extra kalter Stimme ist mir das auf Dauer dann doch zu kalt, zu hart und zu dunkel, so dass man spätestens bei New Dawn Fades zu einer warmen Decke greifen möchte, gegen den dicken grauen Schleier der Schwermut. Mir, als zunächst mal New-Order-Fan gefällt Insights am besten. Und, bei Spotify, die Bonus-Liveaufnahmen aus der Factory. Roh natürlich auch, aber nicht ganz so kalt sondern sogar das Gegenteil. Für den „klassischen“ Teil ne 3,3.

3.5

Shadow Play is phenomenal.

Not as good as the last Joy Division album we had. Sounds like they're trying to be the velvet underground. I'm sure its great for those who want this, not my scene.

I know this is a classic t-shirt that speaks to millions but it didn't really do much for me. I liked it. Shadowplay stands out. I think if there wasn't so much mythology about the band I would have liked it more. Still an enjoyable listen.

The lead singer reminds me just a tad of the B52s. I feel like that sound must have been popular in the late 70s, as I’ve now had a couple of albums like that. Not a bad album in general, though not one I need to seek out more.

Oooo mama. Starts strong but fades. Experimental and ahead of its time.

Good

this was a good album but honestly there were no songs I particularly liked or dislike :S

some of its good but overall it is quite meh

GOOD BUT HASNT AGED WELL HAS IT

Can you believe I've never listened to this album before. I'm giving it a 3 because I think it's worth like 3.5-3.8 but not a 4 and have a suspicion you indie fucks will die for this shit.

couple alright old school punk songs but overall rather forgettable

This definitely was a prelude to the 80s. Not terrible not great

Classic.

I kept getting B-52 vibes. It was an album, alright.

hmmm...

dark, edgy aura going on here. i don’t think i’m used to songs on albums sounding the same :/

Not only does it sound like the singer needs a better microphone, but the singing is just bad straight up. The instrumentals are lame. It's mostly basic drum beats and repetitive guitar chords with weird electronic sounds occasionally thrown in. 1.5 stars.

Gloomy, gothicky post-punk. Feels dirgey knowing Ian Curtis wouldn't stay much longer. While the overall ethic is pleasing, I would have trouble actually naming a particular song that stood out to me.

Seems to me this is either one you get or don't. I spent a minute reading the allmusic review and it's describing a different band than the one I was listening to.

I still don't have a lot of love for Post Punk or Britrock. I found this album pretty rough around the edges and don't really understand the hype. The vocal performance felt lazy and offbeat, the drums overplayed and barely kept time, and overall I didn't find much here I liked.

Helped me better understand the origin of Interpol's soulless concrete intoning ragas, but other than that, practically put me to sleep.

I like the Nazi's first album better than the second. Starts off stronger than gets weaker.

I like the style but his warbling out of tune is unpleasant.

This is a better tshirt than it is an album. Quite boring with a flat, depressing vocal. Another that you can tell they killed themselves, and you wish they'd done it sooner.

This did not spark joy

Drawling, constantly grating, and meditative. I did not enjoy the sound but would assume the lyrics are deep and introspective

It was okay. First ever listen too slow for my liking. 2/5.

i didn not like

Not my fave. Shadowplay and Wilderness more ok than the others.

Just not my thing.

I just straight up don't get Joy Division. It's not bad, and I was hoping that listening to this all the way through would give me some better understanding. But try as I might, I just don't get it.

With as iconic as the album cover is, I really thought I'd like this album more. It was pretty disappointing.

con lo famoso que es este disco de mierda y esta portada esperaba muchisimo. una poronga la verdad.

Surprised this album is such a big deal. Broadly speaking, I found it really boring.

All the songs kinda sound the same, nothing really stood out. Not bad but not amazing imo

Possibly the coolest album cover made, ever. As for the music, well... Have tried Joy Division before without success, and after this album I must say I still don't get it. I don't know how to better describe this music than "uncool". I get that Ian's singing might be a style (not too far off David Byrne), but it just doesn't sound very good to me. The drums sound very bad and boring as well. The whole rhythm section is just so lackluster. I didn't find any interesting melodies in any of the songs either. Really disappointed by this album that is supposed to be a real classic. I get that it's a "me" issue, but still. Does it deserve a place on the list? Sure. But I didn't enjoy it at all. Maybe it's blown up because of Ian's tragic story, not sure.

Not very enjoyable to me. Vocals aren’t great, the songs themselves don’t appeal to me at all. The closest I was to liking a song was the opening track. I’m not giving this a 1 because it’s at least listenable unlike some other albums.

I really want to like Joy Division more…

is this the most overrated album in the history of music it's not even offensively bad. it's just quite boring.

meh

Kept one song. I like the singer's voice but otherwise not impressed

Found it kind of boring.

This felt moody but not in an interesting way for me. I liked Interzone, but it really all blended together. The album cover is cool so it makes sense I see it on T-shirts and phone screens, etc. but I would’ve thought this would be a better album because it’s everywhere. 2.5/5.

A softened version of punk rock, but punk nonetheless. Even the slow songs, which were ungodly slow (I’m looking at you, New Dawn Fades), had a punk feel about them. As the album went on, the music got worse. I’m hoping the last song is prophetic (Remember Nothing) so I can forget I ever listened to it.

Rough listen overall, but couple decent songs in the mix. I found the bass interesting, drove most of the songs and provided the dark moody tone. That's all I got, trying to find positives after yesterday's review, I was tired and cranky. Even brightsiding this one I can't go more than a 2, some cool elements here and there but just a bummer album.

Sounds like it’s made in a factory

No. This music is not for me. I don't find too many redeeming qualities in it honestly. Listening to it though it surprises me how people who were around Ian Curtis somehow were surprised by his unfortunate demise. Did they have ears back then? And if yes, why didn't they use them? Even I, who really don't like this kind of music, can hear that basically every song is a cry for help. "Where will it end?" as he cries out. Luckily for me, it only lasted a day. Rest in peace Ian.

I kinda hated most of it, some of it was bearable, but mostly I was like "are there really people who enjoy this?"pretty excruciating listen So yeah, hope the next one is better. But now I know I do not like this kinda music. I don't like post punk or whatever this was.

I thought I liked JD, but I don't. But I do love New Order. Chalk and cheese.

Never have connected with Joy Division and it's the same here

While this was revolutionary in creating the upcoming 1980s post-punk sound, I found it quite boring. Both Joy Division albums are boring. It's obviously still a tragedy that Ian Curtis took his own life, and for all we know, they were the next big band, but it's just not my cup of tea. Favorite Track: "I Remember Nothing".

First song was great. It's around a 2.9

Was fine.

It’s crazy cause I should be eating this shit up. These guys are pioneers for a lot of the stuff I love. This feels a lot more gothic than even early cure, and honestly I’m just not a fan of Ian Curtis here. I had never sat down and listened to a joy division album before, and I’m realizing why. Interzone is kinda cool. Just feels like filler fodder to me though🤷‍♂️ I don’t think I’ll be back to this one either. Rip.

meh

I was not put on this earth with the comprehension of how people enjoy this

I have never really got Joy Division. None of their songs really make me feel much so not my cup of tea.

Not my style. First songs pretty good though

I thought I only knew one Joy Division song, Love Will Tear Us Apart, which wasn’t on this album. I knew one on this album, Shadowplay, but I had no idea it was a Joy Division song because I have it as a cover by The Killers. The album was fine.

I remember this album, it was circulating around campus when I arrived for my freshman year in 1980. The name of the band was far more controversial than the music, which is basically lo-fi new wave (NOT punk, as it seems to be labelled in many places). I sort of got it, it had the bleak vocals, bleak lyrics, and minimalist instrumental foundation that people talking about Derrida and Foucault were really into at the time. And on some meta- level I guess it is anti-virtuosic, anti-performance music, which is in keeping with the excitement generated by deconstruction theory without lapsing into irony. It almost screams "what does this music mean?" But it really is music of its time; I haven't listened to it in over 40 years, and if I listen again before I shuffle off this mortal coil I'll be (pleasantly) surprised. 4 stars for its place in history, 2 starts for execution and deeper power--a total of 3 stars.

Melancholy monotone Brit rock.

I swear that I tried, but man, this is bad. I mean, REALLY bad. A bunch of shitty musicians barely capable of keeping time and rhythm, childish melodic ideas. 2/5 because at least the cover is a good t-shirt print

I'll just never really get this ablum. Have tried many times through the year, but I just don't love the production or song writing. I get what they were going for and can see how they were influenential but it's not for me. 2-stars for Disorder and She's Lost Control but the rest is forgetable

It's.... fine. Just not a fan of mopey albums.

Sad man sings into a bucket: the album!

Just not feeling this one. Nothing wrong with it - just not feeling iconic

Ian Curtis has such a unique voice. Fav song is ‘Disorder’.

Since I’ve been seeing this album artwork a ton over my lifetime and hearing praise for this album needless to say I was excited to crack into this one…only to be pretty let down. The vocals aren’t the prettiest, but the production early was more than enough to cover over that. However as this kept going and became rawer and harsher, it just didn’t hit for me.

Mediocre.

Decent. A little reflective of some other alternative rock bands.

1.5 - Man, I think the cover is the most interesting thing about this album. I'm not a fan of these vocals at all.

As I was listening to this album, I really couldn't decide what I thought about it and I'm still unsure. There weren't any songs that offended me, but there weren't any songs that I wanted to run out and buy either. I will state that the music was different than what I'm used to listening to. The heavy drum beat and strident electric guitar were kind of an assault on my ears especially in "Interzone".

Big up Macclesfield and all that and I'm sorry you died Ian, but this is rather dull I'm afraid. No rizz. Boring man music that I think people like because of the album cover. Makes a cool t shirt I guess

4/10 Seen this album cover everywhere. After listening to it, I find it overrated. Nothing memorable from it

Intos muy largas, demasiada instrumental en la cancion en general. Tiene un tono viejo que no me encanta, además son canciones muy lentas. Siento que no está mal si te salta una canción cada tanto pero no escucharia mas de una seguida y sin duda no lo escucharía por elección. La única que masomenos zafa es Interzone.

First song was good. The rest was dour depressing bleh

Back again with another review. I’m unfamiliar with Joy Division’s works so I’m not sure what to expect. 1. Disorder: Solid opening song. Too early for me to say anything as I wouldn’t typically listen to songs of this genre. 2. Day of the Lords: I’m definitely liking this better compared to the previous song (it’s the bass really). Slow song otherwise.

mm

I understand it’s inspiration for a bunch of stuff that came after, but I don’t really like it that much

I know it's a classic album but I can't really stand it. It moves so slow. I like she's lost control again, but more so for it leading to covers.

Not the biggest fan.

A few good songs, the other were there fill the album

I had a hard time getting motivated to listen to this one because it’s just not my vibe, but it’s finally grey enough outside for this foray into this gloomy post-punk album. Overall I found Unknown Pleasures to be fairly monotonous and boring. The songs are pretty repetitive and I often found myself checking to see how much album was left. I listened to the remastered release, which includes a live show. As a person who typically prefers to hear a band’s actual performance, I was excited for this. Unfortunately it was not a show that I’d attend. It’s essentially the same, but raw and sludgier. Highlights for me include Shadowplay and Insight (live). Can’t say I’ll ever revisit this album, but I can imagine a past version of myself really enjoying it.

It's ok? Some songs are fun, others a bit too disonant for my taste

Did not like

Thought this would be a lot cooler but it all blended together.

I expected to like this more, but there's not much to grab onto.

Cool sound and I can hear its influence but I found it to boring and repetitive.

Did not really care for this. Too monotonous and weird. 2/5

This album started strong in a way I wasn't really expecting and then to my mind fell off a cliff. First track is the best. Not sure I get them to be honest.

I don't get it.

It might be my biggest unpopular musical opinion, because usually I like the classics. In this case,  I just don't get it. While I came appreciate the darkness and moodiness, I listened to it a few times over the years, and nothing stayed with me. I'm sorry.  I don't like the vocals, I don't find the melodies memorable, and maybe the most important, as an atmospheric experience, I don't find the playing especially good. They play well, but not better. Maybe it's an integral album for the genre, and I appreciate it for that, but I don't like it. A shocking 2.7

least annoying punk album on this list so far

New order is a lot better ….

I don’t get the appeal. Their best song isn’t even on this album. I guess I can see Depeche Mode in this, whatever came first the chicken or the egg. I didn’t really enjoy this.

Interesting sound, not for me. Fave song Wolderness

It's really dour and I'm not enjoying it.

Wasn't that impressed with this, for an album who's cover precedes them. It was a bit morose and bland, which is maybe the vibe they were going for - don't actually know the lore behind them. But yeah, below mid for me

i feel like i'm missing something here

Love the sound of the instrumentals. Not a big fan of the vocals, sorry.

me deprime.

I'm aware of how iconic this is but to me it's just miserable, grumpy mumbling over tinny production, boring basslines and a world of reverb. Bleak and boring.

Given how often I see the iconic cover art, I was really expecting a lot more from this album. It's fine but a bit mush-mouthed and the instruments are minimalist. This sounds like the band is playing underwater, or at the bottom of a hollow metal tube.

pas méga kiffé

this is a terrible album to work out to it was overall pretty meh. again, not sure why this separates itself as an album i need to hear before i die.

Music to slit your wrists to.

3.0/10

That was pretty depressing to listen to even while viewing the rainy day outside my window.

this isn't unlistenable but it isn't good. no thank you.

Instrumentation: the drums and guitars sound loose, if that makes sense; not reverb, just not tight. Vocals: neither sharp or flat all the time, just damn pitchy (Mick Jagger sings that way as well but Mick doesn't irritate me so much). This album is so darkly moody and just left me in a downwardly spiraling angst (on Valentines Day FFS). Thanks 1001albumsgenerator.... I don't want to hear this one again. ⭐⭐

0/10 bekannt 5,5/10 Beste Songs: day of the lords, new dawn fades, she’s lost control again

I get the vibes and the timeliness, but sometimes it really boils down to a Brit being sad over cheery guitar track

meh. 2 for effort

Musically there's some really interesting stuff here, but oof those vocals are rough.

Not listened properly so will come back to it

Dan Flashes can respect it but he doesn’t have to like it

ah the t-shirt album. sounds like a big empty room. i don't really like post punk but i kind of liked the bass-heavy brooding atmosphere. singing and melodies sucked. I'm not cool enough to enjoy this unfortunately

Too droning, too atonal

I enjoyed the music in this one, but the lyrics and delivery didn't work for me.

I just don’t get Joy Division. New Order is leagues better, and you can see where they were headed, but something doesn’t click into place for me with Joy Division. Even the opening track, which is pretty good, has this weird shit going on in the bass that simply doesn’t work. Ian Curtis’s vocals are strange and pitchy. So often, it sounds like they didn’t WRITE the song, they just kind of DID the song. I don’t know. I’ve tried. Great album cover though.

I couldn't say I enjoyed this record very much. Something about the pacing and oddity of the instrumentation didn't really resonate with me. Favourite Track(s): Shadowplay Least Favourite Track(s): Candidate, I Remember Nothing

Well, that’s dreary innit?

An iconic album because of its cover... I guess. This album does not tell me anything at all. It has a very 70's-near-80's-punk-meets-atmospheric feeling, which does not imply anything bad, but the overall is not thrilling or exciting. Instead, it's some bland music guided by repetitive rhythms and sounds. I wouldn't consider it innovative either, so I am confused, I don't know what I'm searching for in this Unknown Pleasures. It isn't that the album is bad, and maybe I'm not currently in the mood to listen to it, but I haven't found anything really of my like on this album except for a few songs that were a bit better. But, again, nothing exciting.

While it's influence on the music world cannot be understated, just listening to the album on its own is not a very enjoyable experience. It just seems a bit boring. Will have to try again at some point.

Honestly, a little boring. It's fine though.

Not bad, just kind of dad rock but not the better kind.

Interesting but not exactly in a good way, Luka did not fw it (he meowed the whole drive oop)

Listened to this album twice and still can’t understand why people like it so much. Definition of overrated.

The only song by Joy Division is Disorder (not from this album). Don't like these guys.

There's no joy here

No

No thanks

Escuchando este disco, creo, finalmente confirme que la única canción que me gusta de joy division es love will tear us apart.

Joy Division isn't bad, depressing, atmospheric, mixed weird yes, but not bad. It's not Oasis elongating so many lyrics I want to smash my head in. So that was nice. I'm in a good mood so some of this was lost on me. It's all very sad and downbeat. You can feel the depression in the music and lyrics. That said if you are thinking of suicide do not listen to this album. A change of speed, a change of style A change of scene, with no regrets A chance to watch, admire the distance Still occupied, though you forget Different colours, different shades Over each mistakes were made I took the blame Directionless so plain to see A loaded gun won't set you free So you say Yeah dude was going though some things when writing this. I was told by a friend of mine he did in fact kill himself. He told me after I read him my review. https://988lifeline.org/

For some reason, I thought I liked Joy Division, but now I'm not so sure....

I have dreaded of the day this album was gonna show up. I have tried numerous times throughout the years to listen to & get the hype around it. Once again, I still do not know.

When I listen to some albums on this list, I don’t understand how they could work for anyone. But while this wasn’t the album for me, I could see it. How others might love this album.

Tedious

Baaaaad. Such a slog of an album. Doesn't feature the bands best music. It must be famous for the cover

Can I go ahead and state the unpopular opinion that Ian Curtis was holding this band back? There are obviously some good (great) Joy Division songs here and there, but listening to this in its entirety is a slog.

I liked the first track ‘Disorder’, but the rest of the tracks I didn’t particularly enjoy - made me a feel uncomfortable/not relaxed… not really my style I guess

Sounds like a guy doing a decent version of bad, weird karaoke.

Dull, dull, god it was dull.

Du rock, pas mauvais mais pas memorable

boring

Kind of boring

Dnf

I don’t really like it

Listening to it as a whole album I found it sonicaly uninteresting and not engaging.

Another British rock band from the late 70s/early 80s. I feel like there can't be that many left on the list by now and honestly I'm kind of hoping it as well. The singing on this album isn't my vibe at all and the guitar parts I liked was suddenly mixed with laser noise and other things in the later songs. I couldn't get in to the album at all and feel no interest in coming back and trying to figure out the band again in the future.

Surprisingly naff, boring with poor vocals One or two tracks would have been good with a better voice

Disco difícil, lo había escuchado antes y probablemente sea el disco más importante del postpunk, personalmente un estilo musical que no me gusta mucho. Lo encuentro un disco denso, pesado, bajos muy rítmicos y distorsionados, baterías con platillos brillantes y haaaarto reverb. Sobre el bajo, yo soy más del estilo de paul mccartney con bajos más melódicos y líneas más interesantes armónicamente, ustedes cachan. Bien interesante en la producción, innovador en algunas cosas, usa elementos nuevos, guitarras al revés, sintetizador, tiene momentos donde hay tensiones y disonancias que si bien son interesantes, no me producen mucho. Si se fijan, sus canciones no tienes estribillos, tienen esa construcción particular. Da la impresión que buscaban eso, algo que no fuera comercial y fuera de lo habitual. Tengo una disyuntiva con este disco, porque se lo importante que es, la revista rolling stones lo pone en el puesto 20 de mejores álbumes de la historia, es un buen disco, pero no mi estilo. Y como la wea es mía y sin intención de faltarle el respeto a este disco tan importante, le pondré un 2 (tal vez sea un 2,5) Canción favorita: she lost control y Interzone Pd: no me gusta mucho la voz de ese vocalista

This is just dark and dull it feels hard to enjoy but accept there is something to it that makes it better than 1 star.

So many of my favorite bands were inspired by Joy Division and I'm always disappointed. I think maybe you had to be there to understand it.

Somewhat boring

Kinda difficult on first listen but I think there’s something there I could get into

Started strong but then got a bit dead - sounds kinda like my dad doing karaoke

The pleasure was indeed unknown

A lot of the melodies are cool and so are the vocals but I have no idea what he's saying because the music is so much louder than the voice. I really dislike that style so this is a 5/10 for me

I have no conscious memory of hearing this album or band before. I did however come in with strong preconceived notions based entirely on my interpretation of their fans & associated acts. The first 1/3 of the album had me thinking "oh shit I've misjudged, there's def sthg here I'm digging." The next third brought me to "ok already, jesus christ get on with it." As the final third drew to a close I had arrived at "thank fuck that's over. At least it's off the To Do list." +2 stars because a lot of the music is quite intriguing and even homeboy's vocals at points work really well. -3 stars because holy shit bro, I understand the knob goes to 11 but what if we try a 5 or 6

Didn’t want to listen to more Joy Division because I like to be a different kind of bummed out. But Decades from the last album was one of my most played songs this year, and I think I almost like this? I definitely like Candidate. Insight would be such a great song if it didn’t go crazy laser mode in the middle?? What’s up with that? Also really dig the bass on New Dawn Fades. There are moments on every song that I like, but also found it really hard to get through this whole album. RIP Insight, I almost loved you.

Sounds like mud? I want to like this but I just don’t really. 2 stars I guess because I think I want to like this

Nothing great. Sounded like an early 80s new wave band, but not particularly interesting.

The dark, goth singing just isn’t for me. Tried to enjoy the music as best I could but the voice just brings the mood down. Might work in some situations for me, but will not go into my normal rotation.

Gitarrensound zwischendurch nicht so schlecht, aber Rest ist sehr deprimierend. Name ist nicht Programm.

Horrid vocals

Pleasure is definitely unknown in this depressing album. Talent is real though. Tracks to Track: Disorder

The best of the album for me is the cover artwork. Musically not my jam.

One of many classic albums I should have listened to by now. While haunting and a good fit with the general vibe and theme of the album, I just can't get behind the cadence in the vocals. Instrumentals are pretty good. Favorite Track: New Dawn Fades Least Favorite Track: Insight/I Remember Nothing

Was feeling any of it really. The singing is bad.

This shit is only popular because the album cover looks good on a shirt.

The inevitable consequence of dividing joy is having less than you began with. That is a very apt description of my experience listening to this drudgerous album.

Meh

24/1089 я не понимаю зачем это здесь

вначале прикольно было потом уже надоел этот голос записанный на диктофон. вайб такой же как у этих рок альбомов которые ничем не отличаются, но чуть получше. ожидала большего…

Just okay. Pretty boring and unmemorable. How do some of these albums make the cut?!

Favourite songs on this album shadowplay and she lost control. Okay album but just not my style bit to gloomy

Mja

Pretty intense moodiness if you're not prepared for it. Didn't quite "get it" but I could maybe see why others enjoy it.

Gonna be honest: I had a shit, dull, and meeting-filled day at work when I listened to this album. I barely retained anything and it didn't improve my mood. So much for the 'Joy Division'.

It was ok. Dark and moody, Not the most fun I've had listening to an album.

Didn't turn me into a Joy division convert. Found it quite depessing. I think Closer is a much better record

Dark, depressive, whiny. Retrospectively a non-explainable success - except "Disorder"

Varmaan brittiläistä, mitälie jenkutusta. Ei herättänyt oikein mitään erityistä fiilistä, ei mikään huonokaan joten kaksi tähtee

1.5 not good but I save my 1 stars for unlistenable albums

Aika masentavaa musiikkia, laulajan äänikin tulee jostain haudan takaa.

Eka biisi kun lähti, niin ajattelin että täähän on tosi jeppis verrattuna siihen aikaisemmin olleeseen Joy Divisioniin. Kakkosbiisi oli sitten semmoista köyhän miehen Danzig kohtaa kuolinkoreissaan köhisevän Jim Morrisonin -meininkiä, niin se kyllä latisti välittömästi tunnelman. Valitettavasti meininki jatkui sitten paljon enemmän kakkosbiisin kaltaisena. Oon nyt kahden levyn verran ihan yrittänyt tykätä tästä, mutta ei vaan lähde. Plussaa levyn kestosta.

I have heard of Joy Division many times, but I have never listened to them. First thoughts, is there is not a lot of Joy with this band. I am a 50 year old male, this late in life, I am looking for more new music to my ears that bring me joy. Today this moody depressive shit is not for me, maybe my younger self would have enjoyed it, maybe I dont know. Its funny how the main Wikipedia article focuses on the creation of the album cover and not the music itself, so maybe it doesn't belong on this list, well then again its shrouded by a musicians death and this list tends to like that subject, whether the music is good or not.

I just don’t get the hype

Not really my speed. Didn't know they were as old as they were, it's kinda post punk 80s sound new wave.

Oh my god, this sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again, New Wave music sucks. This is unbearable. This is like a William Shatner album with this guy just talking over Cure music expect people took this seriously. Interzone is the best song on the album.

I really wanted to enjoy this album, but at the end of the day I couldn't. Nothing really clicked, and I won't probably ever listen to it again. There are some light redeeming qualities, but not enough to justify higher than a 2/5.

Man, I hate having to do this review. Joy Division is just one of the bands you’re *supposed* to like. But I don’t. Like the album from KOL the other day, the vocalist (too lazy to google him) is uhhh not great! The the guitarist (too lazy to google him too) sounds like he learned to play a week before they recorded the album. What is that riff on Shadowplay? Really? Anyway. It’s not offensive, but it doesn’t have much staying power for me. So sorry everyone, and a special apology to all the 90s kids who wore Joy Division t-shirts in high school who I thought had some real street cred for doing so.

Not sure this is the best work from this lineup. I’m a much bigger fan of New Order and the sound they developed in the 80s.

Nice background I guess.

Ça ne vient rien révolutionner dans mon cœur.

I’ve tried several times to get into this album. It just doesn’t do it for me.

not my kind of music, sort of boring

Quite mid

not for me

Top track: Shadowplay

Yikes, that one was tough. Perhaps if your formative years were in the late 70s early 80s it sounds a little better to your ear. Kind of cool to hear those 80s drums sort of early cars type sound but not my favorite.

Boring as fuck except for disorder because it was in skate 3 and is also the only good song on this album

No standouts, not for me

Joy Division’s other album is still the only album I’ve given 1 star to so I had very low hopes going into this. This was marginally better but still such a slog. Whiny sadboi music that was unrelenting in how boring it was. A solid 1.5 stars for me.

No ha sido mi rollo, pero el bajo me ha gustado mucho.

The pleasures were indeed unknown, at least by me.

not for me

Generally good, I don't have much to say about it though.

Never really did like them, this jsut confrims it.

Not a fan.

Great start with Disorder, but for me nothing else really stood out from the album

Best track is the first one, the rest are alright

I know this is a "classic" but I just don't like it very much.

Repetitive, dreary.

Still don’t get this album… sorry music nerds everywhere! It sounds like it was recorded on a microwave and nothing about it compels me rip.

Скучный рок, но понятно, откуда взялось звучание многих известных групп

Didn’t do much for me. I did enjoy some of the guitar licks. My favorite was “New Dawn Fades.”

Oh we are so back ! I am a big fan of dark lyrics put to moderately upbeat music (The Smiths being my ultimate fave example of this). Unknown Pleasures is in my opinion, one of the most influential albums to come out of the 70's. After listening fully, which I haven't done since I was a teenager, I'm seeing the album in a very different light, Unknown Pleasures represents the rage, the anger and the frustration. It's Ian's fighting against his feelings, not quite wanting to let go, but not really having any strength to keep going. In my opinion it's a bit colder and more isolated than Closer, Its minimalistic stripped back nature is creating such a bleak feeling. The production is incredibly seductive and attractive in a strange way. With a lot of reverb on the whole mix, the dynamics between Stephen Morris' stellar echoey drums and Peter Hook's addictive bass lines are leading the mix, while the disoriented eerie guitar riffs are surrounding it and creating its isolated cold atmosphere with plenty of feedback. Lyrically the album is immensely tortured , with Ian going head first into themes of loneliness, religion, death & depression (my favourite cocktail). I really enjoyed relistening, although it has set my weekend off in quite a strange way. 3/5 (A full point lost because I hate listening to men complain on my Friday morning) - HF xo Joy Division is one of those bands I heard people talk about but never listened to myself so I'm going into this with an open mind. Opening track has everything of the 70s Brit Pop/Rock formula, opening with a memorable bassline, monotone lead vocals and high tone distorted and almost haunted guitar, iconic for it's time but leaves me little bored. Lyrically dark and with a tone that leaves each track eerily tortured and with an air of doom about it. I can see why folk enjoy this band and I enjoy aspects of it however it leaves me a little underwhelmed overall , don't think I'll give this another listen tbh 2.4/5 MTW Think it’s fair to say that this album fucks, it fucks hard. I haven’t listened to this from back to front in like 5/6 years probably and I actually think I like it more then I did when I first heard it. The bass tones on this album from start to finish are just delicious, great atmosphere throughout, it’s a dark dingy album and it just goes full force into that. Lyrically I think it’s fine, but maybe too much complaining from Ian, have a gaviscon and run a bath dude you’ll be fine by Monday. Standout album of its time and will definitely re visit next time I want a wear a black trench coat and walk menacingly through winter weather. 3.6/5 FTW

2/5

Okay album. The vocals don't do anything for me. Most of the songs are okay though.

Not my style

Aright. On the underside of good. it all sounded the same, focal point of the song was the stinger who didn;t really have a gripping listenable sound. Guitars and bass had some good moments, just not enough.

No where near as good as Closer. Very much a garage band at this stage and better things to come.

No known pleasure here It didn't speak to me in any way

seeing the album art on so many shirts, came expecting something special. i can see how they might have influenced other bands that came after. but as a stand-alone, doesn't seem to hold up. i guess you had to be there.

i love what joy division became, but joy division itself i struggle with

Not my style

How eerie.

Never listened to Joy Division. I’ve heard all about them though. Let’s give this album a whirl. Ok, unpopular opinion. This sounds like demos and not finished recordings. I’m realizing I’m an audio snob. The songs feel like that drag. Some of the recording sound ok. A lot of ideas don’t feel finished. That was all for “day of the lords”. As I typed the above “candidate” came on. I like this song best so far. And I like the minimalist approach. Not a fan of the vocals still. But musically it’s growing on me. “Insight” sounds like someone is rubbing against a microphone. I’m trying to figure out if it’s intentional or not. I’m digging shadow play. Well, it’s over. 😂. It’s the not the worst thing I’ve ever heard and there are things I like. I feel like I need to listen again to really give it a fair shake.

For a band called joy division they’re not very joyful

Maybe you’ve just got to be in a mood in order to appreciate this.

So I know this is blasphemy and will assure my blacklisting from the hepcat record club, but this...sucks. Some interesting early electronic sounds but tuneless and can't deal with an extremely morose "singer" who makes Bob Dylan sound like Luther Vandross. The 70s seemed like a rough time to be into alternative rock.

creepy basement 80s 2/5

It's atmosphere over content. and I hate the drumming, they always sound out of tune

*reviews, given on first listen disorder - (7/10) gives a lot of 70s feels, very retro and vibey interlude day of the lords - (6/10) he's spitting truth lol, "when will it end?" candidate (5/10) - it went over my brain *sigh* insight (6/10) - weird background music lol new dawn fades (7/10) - bass lineeeee she's lost control (6.5/10) - cool guitar riffs i guess shadowplay (8/10) - this and new dawn fades intros kinda sounds like wilderness (6.8/10) - okayyyy interzone (8.3/10) - a vibe i remember nothing (6/10) - the title describes how i feel about this album 1/2 jk overall - (6.66/10) you need to read lyrics to understand, because it's kinda repetitive. the album's theme is about real life iykwim. not my usual cup of tea but not bad for my first album either. i'm actually generous with my ratings lol

Tis felt like Duran Duran on NyQuil and I didn't have any feelings otherwise

#622. So... when people say Joy Division is good, they literally just mean that song Love Will Tear Us Apart, don't they? Because there's certainly nothing on this album that's any good. 2/5: not

I've always maintained that this album is overrated. Still holds true.

This seems like maybe one of my more controversial ratings. Joy Division is a band that I just really can't get into and I feel like I'm missing something because in theory I should like them. I just get really bored when I listen to them. I've tried to get into this album multiple times and I've always bailed because I get too bored. It's Monday and I'm so bored with this album that I want to bail again. They seem like a band where you just really had to be there to get it.

Lite tråkig, upprepande. 2

I do not care for Unknown Pleasures

I prefer much more what Joy Division became. ———————————— My non-musician scoring system. 5 - Love it. Would play anytime, buy, see live… 4 - Good music. 3 - Average playlist. Depends on time and setting. 2 - I can’t listen to whole songs. 1 - No.

I quite like the energy this band brings. It was a great era for a new sound. But absolutely required to hear before I die? I don't think so.

I thought the album started off strong, and I can see how this was pretty influential to atmospheric bands like the cure that would take this and run with it, but those bands fixed a lot of what I don’t like about this. It’s got a lot of minimalism going on and that’s about it. There just not much here for this to stand on.

Tolerable, a bit too background music-y to me. On more listens might get the hang of it

Bit depressing