Unknown Pleasures

This transported me back to being 13 and depressed in my bedroom BUT unreal album, I will always luv joy division New dawn fades is SO GOOD She’s lost control is in my top songs ever The bass in shadow play should be in a museum or something

Classic minimalistic post punk.

Bass slabs yes, Ian Curtis maybe.

Good album that I didn't know at all. Parts of it reminded of The Doors.

Even though it was depressive, it was better than I expected. I liked the moody rock music that occasionally picks up. Stand-out: New Dawn Fades

ian curtis forever <3

A certain poignancy is added due to Ian Curtis' untimely demise which takes it to a 4

Pretty good album. I know the band and now re-listen to the album reminds me some first old Italian rock band named Litfiba that I grew up to.... that's where they got inspired from. Anyway 3.5/5

I liked the first song best I think but all of em were pretty good, overall very solid imo 8.5/10

I just did not enjoy this album as much as their follow-up Closer. It's cutting edge and all - listen to the Replacements or Sonic Youth or REM or the Jesus and Mary Chain and you hear Joy Division in what they do. But disappointingly part of it's cutting edge is their producer Martin Hannett's tricks in the editing room. And then there's Ian Curtis' vocals - they feel so front and center and they're so one-dimensional and depressing. Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris can play - I particularly enjoyed Disorder, New Dawn Fades, She's Lost Control, Shadowplay, Interzone. I want to rate this lower than Closer and so a 3 is what it should get even though it's closer to 3.5. But when Curtis isn't heard, it's just so commendable. It's vintage, it was one of a kind, it's iconic. They get a bump.

Pretty decent

Very good, but reckon it needed a Love Will Tear Us Apart or equivalent to hit 5 stars. Simpsons: Yes

Songs are great, production is awful. Favorite song: new dawn fades

I think i like it

I own this album. Hell, I own a couch pillow based on the design of the iconic album cover. I really enjoy this album and Joy Division as a band. The lyrics are intense, the music was completely innovative for its time and still sounds great today. They're a seminal band in post-punk and goth history. And I slightly prefer this album over Closer, which I know is a hot take. As a songwriter, Ian Curtis was amazing. As a person, his story was incredibly tragic — a super young man slowly destroyed by depression largely brought on by struggling to live with the debilitating effects of epilepsy. His pain is everywhere in the lyrics. However — and I know this is blasphemous — as a singer and performer (granted I never saw them live and haven't watched many performances, so going by albums only), Ian's voice kind of drags the band down a bit for me. I want to like him. I really do. And his voice has grown on me a bit over time. But Ian Curtis will forever sound to me like a bored history teacher reciting off a page in the majority of JD songs. It gets a bit better on Closer, but on this album, he just sounds really flat most of the time (and verging on off key a lot). There are exceptions — Disorder being one — where you can hear the emotion in his voice; but they are exceptions. And yet, for some reason, so many post-punk and goth vocalists seem to emulate his voice, which just drives me nuts. I feel like Ian Curtis has been deified in much the same way as Kurt Cobain was after his suicide. And for everything they both did for their respective genres, I have to wonder if they'd be seen in the same light if they hadn't both died so young and so tragically. Given that the surviving members of JD went on to form New Order, we do get some sense of what impact Ian had on the sound of the band. I really enjoy New Order, and I find a lot of their electronic/synth stuff more enjoyable for a *casual* listen than a lot of Joy Division songs. And while Bernard Sumner isn't winning any singing awards, I much prefer his voice to Ian's most of the time. But it's definitely true that Ian's lyrics elevated the group and that New Order has had much less of an impact on music (though that's not to say they're not also hugely influential). I just really, really wish Ian had a better voice. That's what keeps this from being a 5 for me. 4/5

Mf classic

Not joyous, but still fantastic.

Possibly an unpopular opinion but I definitely prefer New Order to Joy Division. That is not to say that I think it’s better off after the death of Ian Curtis, if anything I think the rest of the band continued in his footsteps and their sound evolved naturally into a new era. It’s insane that he was only 23 when he passed. His voice is tremendous on this album, like a punkier Jim Morrison. I think that if he had continued living, the band probably would’ve continued to trend more in the direction of New Order’s style, but possibly with darker overtones to complement Curtis’ voice. More than the songwriting though, the production on Unknown Pleasures is incredible. There’s an interesting technique like Phil Spector’s wall-of-sound which is unlike anything from the late 70s/early 80s, and predates the similar shoegaze sound by 10 years. While I think that many of Joy Division’s best songs were released as non-album singles, Unknown Pleasures contains a lot more interesting material than Closer. “Disorder” and “She’s Lost Control” in particular are my favorites and hint at what’s to come from New Order.

It's a really solid album - especially the back half - but I genuinely don't get why it's such a cultural touchstone.

Can’t believe I’d never heard this until about five years ago

This album was way ahead of its time, I loved all of the background sfx and ambience, they added a great vibe throughout. The album is very thematic as a whole, it would be great to see the whole thing live. It sounds like a stage performance rather than a studio production in the best way, it's very complete and My one critique is that, for me, none of the songs were terribly memorable, rather just certain parts. That might actually be a compliment to the whole album but I thought it was juuuust a tiny bit boring.

Not my usual cup of tea, but a cup I enjoyed nonetheless. Seems like an awesome album to put on while hanging with a small/medium group a friends on a Saturday afternoon.

Bleachers and Arctic Monkeys were def inspired by these guys. I enjoyed the listen. Best album cover so far. 4/5

I don’t think I ever listened to this album all the way through before, but it feels so cohesive. All of the songs sound like they live in the same world. I really like that. Love the bass part on wilderness. 4.5

I can't believe they used that Hot Topic t-shirt graphic on their album cover!

Great album Two criticisms Bass plays alot of out of tune notes that don't sound good You need to be in the right mood for it

Catchy/jammy drums. Cool guy caricature cool vocals. Quirky bass lines. Noisy synths. My jam.

Dark and atmospheric, amazing soundscapes with some great bass especially. While there are some great lyrics that paint a bleak picture that works so well, Ian Curtis is very hit or miss as a vocalist. A super impressive album that is only just held back by being off pitch. After 10 years or so, I finally like this thing.

Honestly a tough listen at times but in the best way. They managed to create such a dark, depressing, moody atmosphere and it is incredible. I actually feel haunted after listening to it and I can't tell if that's good or bad. Also, probs one of the best covers of all time. Fav songs: - Disorder - Insight - New Dawn Fades - Shadowplay

Really enjoyed it

I for one do not find the production an achievement, but who am I to differ to everyone else. I totally like the album tho.

Personally, I think this is possibly the best that the post-punk genre has to offer. I don’t want to make it sound like it isn’t offering much, this is really a fantastic album. The production is certainly incredibly pleasing. The instrumentation is on par and the writing is original and unique. I don’t enjoy the vocals as much as some people probably do. Also, the album will get repetitive before it’s over. However, I enjoy it whenever I listen. That opening is just killer. 4/5

Good sound overall, I like his voice. This is a 4+ for me. The vibe goes into a lot of interesting places. My personal enjoyment of this was a 5.

Wow! Excellent.

Excellent early wave, goth album

Second time this month that I got a perfect album for me, but the teenager me. Joy division is a pearl for the sad young boy with no problems at all. Nowadays, it is good song.

Amazing album. I love it, although it’s probably not my favourite post punk record.

It's hard to overstate the importance of this record, its influence on subsequent artists, and Ian Curtis as cultural totem. Heavily indebted to obvious (The Idiot, Lust for Life) and less obvious (The VU), it makes these materials into its own thing. Inspired by, but never derivative of, Joy Division are because they are.

The classic Heliski album cover

That was a fun album!

Love the vibe!

Favourite song - New Dawn fades

This was a great listen that still sounds unique today. The vocal style however did grow tiresome as the album wore on, but still really enjoyed and glad I've heard it. Strong 3.5/5

Classic for a reason and exactly the kind of album I do this for - a titan that I've mostly overlooked. It's great but for me can't overcome that super reverby vocal treatment that is so distancing for me. Three and a half. Fave track: Candidate

Awesome album. Captures a tone that’s hard to replicate and it feels like this ushered in a new world of music entirely. Has anyone ever put the cover art on a t-shirt before? Might give it a go Four and a half. Fave track: I Remember Nothing

As canonical this album is for any contemporary record collector, in all, it kind of disappointed me. It's not bad, but it didn't knock my socks off, either. I think "Closer" is a better Joy Division album.

Blind album and artist. O ly know them by name and the albums cover. This album definitely grew on me upon listening to it for the first time. No clue how or why but I love it.

Joy Division makes me feel old. I never felt old, like *old* old, until I listened to Joy Division, it was harder music to listen to compared I was listening to before, thematically definitely, it was grown up music... I finally saw what NME, Q, and Melody Maker gushed so profusely about. Finally I was a man. But then I didn't listen to Joy Division for a long time, and then decades later had a chance to see Peter Hook perform the Joy Division albums and being the kind of person I am, I went to experience it. It was an interminable 3 hours standing in a small club venue, my back and legs were killing me, it was way past my bedtime, and those feelings of not being the young man I used to be soured the whole night. Joy Division makes me feel old...

It's cool! It's iconic. Such a great album cover too! Not sure if it's a 5/5 though! But man for 1979... gotta give it a 4. It’s just so important.

Joy division känner man ju igen. Bra musik för långa carvingsvängar i röda backen. 4 / 5

Disorder är en banger Älskar denna genren. Snyggt omslag Han sjunger väldigt speciellt men lite coolt ändå. Vill dansa i något övergivet varuhus

Dark, depressing, hypnotic. Great post punk album. Glad to see Joy Division on this list.

This was a huge album for me as a teen, and directly led to several friendships when I went to University and bonded with people over how much we all loved Joy Division, so there’s obviously a lot of good memories and nostalgia wrapped in an album which is actually quite bleak and distressing. It doesn’t have quite the impact on me that it had then, but the sheer ferocity of the music and the sense of Ian Curtis being on the edge of something horrible is hard to deny.

Good songwriting, some solid basslines, overall a great listen. Set the level for post punk

Interesting to finally listen to albums that have such big influences on bands that I listen to.

Revolutionary and way ahead of its time. A bit droning over the entire album but it’s the deal.

It’s not bad music, but I never really got into Joy Division for some reason.

My first thoughts after being served another Joy Division album was "oh great, another depressing mess", but that's not what I got surprisingly! This album, unlike the first album of theirs that I reviewed, Closer, had a pulse. It felt more alive. While still clinging to that gothic sound that they were known for, this music had a discernable direction. My biggest complaint about Closer was that it was so dark and depressing, and vocal delivery was bored and unenthusiastic. I think a large part of that was because most of the recording was done while Ian Curtis was suicidal, and the album was left unpolished after he killed himself. With this album, they were able to polish it, and really drive home their musical talents. This album reminds me of Morrissey's better stuff, or Bauhaus. Favourite songs: Interzone, Disorder, Shadowplay, New Dawn Fades, Wilderness Least favourite songs: Candidate, I Remember Nothing 4/5

great album from an iconic band...it sets you on a trip to a place that is dark but in some way you came better after going trough that place. cant say the same for Ian Curtis.

Just for the album cover I should give this a 5. It’s very innovative considering the year and I’m sure these sort of arrangements have been a great influence for a great deal of music nowadays. Curious about what would they have done if they would continue with Curtis. But New Order is pretty outstanding in their own.

1970’s Britain perfectly incapsulated in sound.

Obviously a classic, definitely need a couple more listens tho. RIP Ian

Definitely an acquired taste, and I have to be in the mood for this album but I do love it. For me a lot of the credit goes to Hooky's bass lines. It would be stronger were Transmission included, but I can only dream.

Joy Division is the type of band whose music did not make as big of an impact as the music they influenced. Bands are still copying Ian Curtis's goth baritone and the overall post-punk sound of the band. I personally prefer New Order to Joy Division, but that's just me. This is a good album and you can feel the influence all over the record. I still find it odd "Love Will Tear Us Apart" isn't on this album, as that song is probably their most notable "hit" for those who aren't into a deep dive of Joy Division. This album deserves a place in this book, as a lot of the post-punk and rock over the next 45 years find their start here.

Иконик обложка. Супер-влиятельный, популярный альбом, который все еще звучит впечатляюще, но на мой взгляд меркнет перед целой пачкой пост-панк/готик-рок альбомов, старых и новых. Лучшая песня - New Dawn Fades.

Peak depression music

IVE GOT THE SPIRIT , BUT LOSE THE FEELING... FEELING, FEELING, FEELING, FEELING, FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELING

A very atmospheric, powerful and dark album with amazing lead vocals from Ian Curtis. A classic album that I will never tire of listening to, always being made aware of slight nuances and moments of brilliance throughout. The opening track Disorder is my favourite on the album.

As melhores músicas são as mais famosas e as finais com guitarra.

This has a great, bleak atmosphere. I think I prefer Closer slightly though. Still really good.

Moody

Enjoyed the punk vibe

Here it is, the big Joy Division album that people love. I think I've heard it before, but don't remember much. And this is our second from Joy Division, but today I'm really digging it. Morose, emo alt-rock with some strong melodies. The opener is such a fantastic song, easily my favorite. I like that this whole album has a sort of spooky quality to the production. Not entirely sure what it is, but it seems like the bass is pretty clear in the mix amid guitar and drums that are slightly washed out, that plus the overall reverb gives this a unique sound. I can't say I quite find it to be as monumental as many assert, but it's a great album to be sure. I could see this one growing on me more with further listens. Favorite tracks: Disorder, Day of the Lords, New Dawn Fades, Shadowplay, Interzone. Album art: Of course I love this one, it's undeniably iconic. I described this previously as a bat signal for hipsters, and that holds up. It's a cover that I honestly think I see more on shirts than I do in relation to the actual music, and that's saying something. Very simple, very strong. The mountain pattern is dope. 4/5

Unanswered question of whether this group would have evolved into New Order without Ian Curtis' death?

Good album, I haven’t listened to it in a while but I forgot displacement inspired give yourself a try by the 1975

Having a little more energy than Closer makes this a significantly better listening experience in my opinion. Almost a 5.

The better Joy Division album. Love how it sounds and better writing in my opinion.

I enjoyed it! A mix between Billy Idol and Pink Floyd!

I knew instantly that Kyle must enjoy them.

Mostly claustrophobic but catchy. “Interzone” stands out for rocking. Excellent.

fitting start to the year

Ätherisch, knackig, elektronisch, vorwiegend in Moll. Ein wenig wie The Cure: Live Großes Tennis! New dawn fades

Dark and moody and probs not everyone’s cup of tea. However, still a brilliant little album.

increible

Post-punk 80s Dead Singer (Suicide) Haunting/Melancholy

I felt like I really got this album much more than Closer. Obviously classics on here I already knew and liked. It's such an atmospheric album.

Great stuff. I don't really listen to Joy Divsion much bit this is a great album, no denying it

Always think this album starts really strong with Disorder and then doesn't reach those heights again. Do love it though, and Ian Curtis's voice. She's Lost Control is a great track. And I Remember Nothing always reminds me of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-KvyKNSV7U

Dark and moody. I’d listen again

Eh.

Foundational record for sure

The original alternative rock album.

1st listen Wow alternative rock in 1979

Much better album then its successor, Closer. I like the atmosphere, being darker, more gothic. Guitar and bass melodies were original and interesting, vocalist was doing a lot of work by not doing too much. Definitely not your average post-punk album. Also, the artwork is present on at least 10% of people's arms as a tattoo. I'll give it a 4 for now, but I will be happy to revisit this record soon and maybe I will change my mind.

Disorder- 6/10 Day of the Lords- 7/10 Candidate- 7/10 Insight- 6/10 New Dawn Fades- 10/10 She's Lost Control- 6/10 Shadowplay- 8/10 Wilderness- 7/10 Interzone- 7/10 I Remember Nothing- 7/10 71/100

Listening to this album made me want to dye my hair black, put on a spiked dog collar, goth makeup, black clothes and then retreat alone to my darkened bedroom to stew in a nihilistic funk. This album pulls me in two directions. It's dark and depressing which doesn't really reflect my attitude or a demeanor that I would want to dwell on but at the same time I like the music itself (Dig the forward bass!) and the mood/atmosphere that it sets. I can't give it a 5 and it's more interesting than a 3 so it's a pretty solid 4.

Masterpiece

Good album. But my view is Closer is better.

Onheilspellend, minimalistisch, duister, industrieel, dystopisch, unheimisch, melancholiek, iconisch.

Fantastic! The energy is great.

Very raw, simple and haunting.

great rangy basslines, deep echo mixing. will listen again and try to focus on the lyrics.

One of the moat depressing listens I've ever had. Excellent stuff!

A beautiful and seminal album. The sparse industrial rhythm perfectly match the dark lyrics that evoke the industrial north. A relisten highlights the fact that the vocal and the guitar are duetting throughout.

Pre-the doors for the cure/smiths, alt-emo

A classic but not their best in my opinion - I always found it hard to get into Joy Division despite on paper influencing almost every band I like - and while this starts strong it tapers off quite quickly. But Peter Hooks bass lines - oh yeah - and that record cover - legendary.

ja hit

I've always struggled to fully embrace JD to the level I felt I should. After many tries, I feel Ive finally synced with their vibe as much as I ever will.

Got repetitive, but an interesting unique style.

8/10 odd production choices mar an otherwise excellent album (with an iconic cover) favorite song: She's Lost Control

3.9 Used to love this album a lot more a few years ago, but i've always loved new order more. other than the big ones, the songs tend to get a little samey. Fave songs: Disorder, She's lost control, candidate, shadowplay

I appreciate hearing Unknown Pleasures end-to-end to remind me that some of the most iconic artists of an era could deliver an uneven record. This album is excellent, but not without some warts and wobbly moments that tend to get erased with collections and greatest hits. Sometimes you only get some of the substance with those things and I understand why. This record is near perfect Joy Division.

I'm more of a New Order guy but this is not as grimly depressing as I remember 🥲

Hits you over the head like a jackhammer, full of early 80s paranoia and fear. Sounds like the threat of nuclear war is looming, so what's the damn point of anything. If the aim of art is to impact the emotions of the audience, this is most definitely art. Not a great deal of nuance, but that's not what they were aiming for!

YESSSSS.

3.5/5

I just listened to some New Order and Closer which I’m sure is on here so super excited to get this one. I remember not liking this one the first time so interested to see how I feel now that I really like 80s new wave and gothic sound. After listening again, I respect this one more for how it influences the music after it. Don’t think I like as much as Closer or Power Corruption and Lies. It feels like post punk as a genre just getting its footing, Also has one of the best album covers ever. Rating: 4.2

Pakkend maar niet iets waar ik nou echt blij van word of dat er echt iets word geraakt in mij

can't rate this too low for aeri purposes but also this had a vibe to it

i'm scared to rate this one low

Turn the reverb up to 11. Liked it pretty good.

One of the big things I've learned about myself over the last 470+ albums is that I didn't realize just how much I like punk but especially post-punk. While I am familiar with this album cover (does every Gen X dude own a t-shirt with it on the front?), I'd never listened to it before. I was excited to see it pop up this morning. Anyway, I definitely dig it. I'll be listening to it again.

Another one where I knew a lot of the songs but never listened to the album all the way through. Thia really delivers something

good album, but Ian Curtis' voice is a tad distracting.

For a while I really thought this album was carried by disorder (which it still kind of is), but actually the rest of the album is really cool. still kind of mad at it for making me think all post punk was sad goth stuff

It’s good

Dark, spooky vibes. Hypnotic instrumentals and haunted vocals. First time I've heard Joy Division and definitely interested in checking out their other record.

As others have mentioned, I never properly got the hype with Joy Division. Always thought they were good but not incredible. They should be my favourite band and they have certainly influenfed my favourite bands, but I never properly got them. Its been years since I’ve listened to this but I think I’m coming round to them a bit more now. Maybe it’s because time has passed and I still remembered bits of songs? Who knows. I think what possibly lets this down is the production value: sounds a bit sloppy at times. Yet at other times it sounds way ahead of its time - maybe the ‘loose’ nature is intended? If so, it’s not as successful for me as Atomiser by Big Black, who really nail that type of production for me. The entire record is full of great songs, just not executed great at times. Anyway, this is well ahead of its peers for the time, and I’m certain in a world of Sex Pistols and The Damned Id have been a Joy Division fan. Day of the Lords / Candidate / Shes Lost Control / Disorder are my highlights. Will definitely pay this one more attention

On paper joy Division should be right up my street... I do like them, but clearly don't get them like some people do. This seems to be a theme in the public reviews too. Would've heard this a lot growing up, my dad's favourite band. I definitely get it more now than I did as a kid Massively distinctive sound and voice. The off beat drums and bass are quality. Some of it is great, some not so much. The start of disorder gives me goosebumps, which is pretty rare Highlights: Disorder New dawn fades She's lost control Shadowplay

je ne pourrai jamais être elle (tumblr girl)

Contemporary classic that still holds up today. Beautifully haunting to its core.

Sounds like the late 70s

A classic

i hated this album as a teenager but now that i’m 25 and have had a small taste of life’s miseries i’ve really come around to it! great record.

Captivating and strange. I'm not sure why I like this album, but I do. But if it took "Joy Division" to get us to "New Order", I'm OK with that. Ian Curtis was clearly a troubled and tortured soul, and this album proves it. But it's a good listen and definitely worthy of "the List".

The sound they captured is unreal, but it feels like they don’t know what to do with it yet. There are high highs, and a handful of meandering songs as well. The 4 star rating comes more from what they’re doing sonically, not so much from the compositions themselves

This is one of my lifelong faves but an album I haven’t listened to in a while. I have to say, parts of it don’t hold up like I remember. Candidate is kind of a dud of a track to have in the first few tracks, and the closing track I Remember Nothing has a melancholy crawl that doesn’t quite have the emotional pull to keep it engaging. That having been said, this is still a phenomenal record. I could go on and on and on…but I just want to draw attention to one moment in particular. On Shadowplay, there is the moment where the guitar switches from the low rhythm power chords to the lead part interlude between verses. It’s in this moment that the guitar truly embodies the loneliness and isolation that permeates this album, just a soft quiet lead part that sounds like a human cry for attention. It’s great stuff that really brings the record to life. I know this is nowhere near the musicianship or quality of production that would come with the later New Order record after Ian Curtis passed away, but what this album does have is unflinching sincerity. Ian’s vocals sound like they come from an old broken man, and it’s easy to forget he’s a 22 year old man at this point! Watching live videos it’s clear they’re all still novice musicians (Bernard Sumner can barely play the guitar parts live at this point) but they still worked their ass off to hit out of their weight class and make a weird, unique thing. All and all, it’s a very emotional and strange piece of music history that for the most part really holds up. It’s dripping with atmosphere and genuine energy. Very good, I still love it, but it’s not the perfect album I remember it being. Maybe their other record is???

8.5/10

Pretty good album!

Felt kinda boring at first but then I got high and it all made sense. Not sure if the second half is really that much better than the first or if the weed just made me understand it better. Either way it deserves a second listen.

4 stars

4 stars

Disorder // Day of the Lords // New Dawn Fades // She’s Lost Control //

This sounds like a more recent alternative album. Pretty darn good album.

A Classic, stumbled upon it a little late but not too late

Честно: первый раз я этот альбом послушал чисто на хайпе. Где-то классе в 9-10. Начитался каких-то чуваков в интернетах, что вот, хочешь быть трушным мрачным пацанчиком - послушай жой дивижн. Ну я послушал. Честно говоря, тогда я его совсем не понял: скудновато и старовато он звучал. Ну то есть - не выкупил стиль. Возвращаясь не раз потом к этому альбому, я всё больше втягивался в этот мрак и минимализм. Потом, когда начали хайповать всякие современные пост-панк группы в российском пространстве (Молчат Дома, Дурной Вкус), я начал проводить связи и осознавать, откуда ноги вообще у всего этого растут. Наверное, этот альбом - не самый идеальный с точки зрения продакшна и наполнения, но ему обязаны многие последующие альбомы этого жанра, потому что так не делал ещё никто.

Hieno on. Parhaimmillaan kaiuttimista kovalla, ei minusta oikein sovi kuulokkeille bändin tuotanto.

Ah t-paitalevy. Toimiihan se, 4/5

I've always been just a touch disappointed in this, the way some people go on about it. this as much as many people do. There's no doubting there's some masterful stuff in the band's short lifespan but it isn't all here. Some of it is. It's stuff like Candidate I can't quite get on board with, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. Also with Wilderness and Interzone where the soundscape is absolutely on point but the overall tune maybe just isn't quite. Stark contrast with New Dawn Fades which absolutely does go somewhere and is a masterpiece. As is She's Lost Control. Lots of proto-new order to enjoy here also, in Disorder. I'd give it a 5 if the non-album singles were here instead of a couple of tunes.

Listened Before? Y Amazing album. Universally loved. I'm no exception. There are a few rough spots but not many. This one influenced a generation of new wave and goth fans. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Disorder

Gloriously and perfectly grim and moody, but the whole album is a lot to take at once.

Yep, that's Joy Division. Lots of bass and talky-singing. It's not something I'd choose to listen to but I don't mind it.

Did I need another album from the paradoxically-named Joy Division? I’m not sure. Still, I did play this while working on a construction project and it repeated three times and I was starting to feel it a bit more. Still a bit more misery than I might generally gravitate toward in my music but that third listen rounds this up to a 4.

Adding to the rotation.

This is pretty sick 2 tracks in. Its a heavy goth ambient record, see She's Lost Control. Pretty cool!

I had never heard this before and liked this a lot more than I expected to. The opening track was my favorite.

dark, disturbing, unique - great stuff though!

Not one of my favorites, but an influential early new wave record.

4.5 stars. Creative basslines, catchy guitar riffs, steady drumming, this album derives a lot of it's feel and mood to the production which creates a dark and eerie, atmospheric sound. Only Joy Division record before death of front man Ian Curtis and spinoff of New Order. Standout is the leadoff "Disorder" which is phenomenal.

I like Joy Division and New Order.

This album is good, but I don’t adore it like many do. Maybe I don’t appreciate its importance in music history, idk. 7/10

Pretty damn good. "Insight" was my favorite, but I liked the overall sound and mood of these tracks.

A dark crooning album mainly because the lead singer had such a distinct deep voice. I never listened to Joy Division until recently and found their music to be hauntingly nice. The band was short lived and this album is known for being great. Shadow play was a song by the killers I always liked and found this version equally great. I find it good and the instrumentals are solid. This is a stronger version of the band than New Order. Overall this is solid and will get replays. 7.8/10

Bit samey towards end but very soothing, class drums throughout some nice synth as well. Just scrapes a 4 no higher

Great, even though it peaks with the first 2 songs

Wow this was 1979. This is a good album and one of the OG's for the post punk sound.

I think the words I used to describe the other Joy Division LP, the one released after this, were dark, moody, disturbing, etc. Same this time around. I was thinking the song-writing here wasn’t as good, but it picked up as we headed to side 2, with songs like “She’s Lost Control” and “Shadow Play”. Ian Curtis had such a great voice, as is the interplay with Peter Hook’s bass hooks. A definite blueprint for decades of gloom to come.

Enjoyable

Favorite songs were "Disorder" and "I Remember Nothing"

Love it! The bass is awesome, really drives the music while the guitar layers weirdness on top. Goes downie sounds a lot like the singer.

What a tragedy that this is the only Joy Division album Ian Curtis lived to see. His raw expressions of alienation and sadness set a new, glittering standard that alt bands are still copying today.

Dark and droney and much more powerful on headphones.

A moody post punk album that’s been very influential in the genre. I need to be in the mood to enjoy Ian Curtis’s vocals but love the instrumentation. The rolling drums and plucky bass high in the mix is quite catchy.

Really good rock album. Fun to dance to.

Found Joy Division late and love it. Great sound and album. Shadowplay is one of my top 50 songs

Wtf same band. Oh shit, Disorder is a song on skate 3 i think. me likey. Might even actually save this album, i like it.

I absolutely love how focused on the bass is in this album, often being the main part of a song, and it makes it so even the songs I don't like as much are still fun to at least bop your head to at various speeds. I was worried I would end up not liking this album too much, as I got their second album already and I figured they had honed their craft more at that point, but this was far more enjoyable. I liked the manic energy that I assume spawned from the punk influences, but the dreary sound makes it so each song doesn't really sound the same, which is my main issue with a lot of punk albums. A really solid four, and I imagine re-listens would only help its cause.

Strange, that despite the ubiquitous artwork, I didn't know any of the songs on this album except She's Lost Control. Pretty good though

I really enjoyed this. Way better than the previous Joy Division album on this list (Closer). So much so that I had assumed (wrongly) it was the earlier of the two. This album is much more accomplished and the band sounds more confident. I wonder what went wrong with the second album? But apparently everyone else in rock-critic world has it the other way round, so I must be wrong again.

not bad, i like their earlier stuff more now because of the vocals

This album has a really comfortable sound, like an overcast day waiting to rain. It generates atmosphere and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Very enjoyable.

Joy Division were one of the bands me and my friends loved whilst growing up. This still sounds fantastic, but I always rated their second album, ‘Closer’, as their masterpiece.

Definitely need to listen to with good sound staging headphones, sounds wild

wonderful

I'm in a good mood today. IDK if I typically give this a 4 but it just felt right this morning. So sad this band ended so soon but at least they spawned another great band.

Moody as hell. Nihilism manifest.

I want to buy this vinyl

Best listened to on a Sunday night with your head in a bucket. Emotive as hell, and a stand out for 1979. Many of the best Joy Division songs never made it to an album though (Love WTUA, Transmission, Atmosphere). Still, a breath of fresh air and I feel a cool cat just for having listened to it

Gloomy, dark and tortured. You feel like you’re in the depths of Ian Curtis’s mind

British Industrial version of The Doors. Guitar technique is pants compared to the majority of what came before but it held its own and influenced many. Sot Disorder Insight She’s Lost Control Shadowplay 4/5

4.25

31/01 oscuro, like

I see why folks adore this album. Lovely dark bits make for some bright points. So different from anything else at the time.

I've been wanting to get into more gothic music so I'm glad this one was so early on the list for me. I knew maybe one or two songs before this so I'm interested in learning more. I think a couple of the songs sound pretty similar but that's not completely a knock of it. My favorite song is probably New Dawn Fades, just something about it is really nice. This album is honestly really relaxing. Bass is one of my favorite instruments and you can hear it really clearly here.

With the exception of the explicit gothic, which I went in expecting less of (thank New Order), the iconic elements of Unknown Pleasures, of which there are many, kinda passed by. I was more attracted this time to the substrate, the whooshes evident on studio album and not live. Both experiences, though, are good, and the album is fine enough to return to with hope for a more holistic journey.

I feel like I should be listening to this in a dungeon.

I liked the drums a lot, as well as the guitar bass and singing. His voice was very powerful and I like his accent. Best songs: Disorder, Day of the Lords, New Dawn Fades, Shadowplay, I Remember Nothing. Overall great album.

Nothing short of memorable, Joy Division's debut album is a dark and somber reflection of living in the modern age. Where will it end? Admittedly, I mainly adore the album's opener. Disorder is a sleek song with undeniable atmosphere. It embodies the finer production of Unknown Pleasures that receives much praise, and rightfully so. It's a beautiful masterclass in auditory space that puts the listener right in the room where the band is performing. Unknown Pleasures requires you pay close attention to the overall sounds, that which encompasses the music, rather than the music that encompasses the sound. Every time I revisit this album I appreciate more about it. Best heard with eyes closed and mind open.

Good alt album

Would’ve been pretty cool to be emo in the 70s and 80s. The mixing was weird 8/10

8/10. Solid as an album, didn't blow me away

It doesn’t scratch the same itch for me that it must for a lot of people. Sure, it’s good! The album cover is cool! But it’s just not in that upper echelon. And the vocal performance is pretty meh. 7/10

already listened to it, pretty good

a bit monotonous but i enjoyed it

Peter Hook is a genius. This album isn’t flawless, but it bridged the gap between punk and post-punk and launched the sale of millions of tshirts. “Disorder” and “She’s Lost Control” are classics not to be missed.

Not sure what it was exactly but something about this album that just sounded so relaxing and cool

Love will tear us apart is a classic.

favorite tracks - disorder, new dawn fades, wilderness, interzone least favorite tracks - day of the lords Appreciate this one as a piece of art reflecting Ian Curtis's turbulent, and ultimately tragic, struggle with mental and emotional health. Definitely not a daily listen. Slow burn and at times patience testing. That said, each track tends to payoff.

You don’t have to hear this album before you die because in all likelyhood you already have. Even if it’s reputation exceeds it’s quality, it’s still a great album

Klassik

I've never heard of this band. But I enjoyed this album. Great vocals

I figured this was going to be a 5/5 album, but I think I love the idea of Joy Division more than I actually love listening to their albums front to back. 4/5

Great record... more goth than I expected!

I will listen again

Absolute Classic - 4 stars

they made an album out of this shirt design?

Dark. Brooding. Influential.

This is one of those legacy albums that I wish I liked more, but the early 80s production holds back my enjoyment. There's a lot of cool guitar and other instrumentation work that is buried in the mix and the vocals are too up-front. It's also got that 80s digital-coldness sound, although not sure how the production went. Seems like some of the band members agree that they are not happy with the result in comparison to how loud/intense their live shows were. I *like* everything here on paper, it's just not presented in the best way it could be. Regardless, this is the Joy Division sound. Spawned so many great bands so glad this existed. So, about a 3 for enjoyment but 5 for legacy, split the difference and there's a 4.

real doomer music

OOOH erg solide, ik ben fan

I’ve liked all the Joy Division that’s come across my radar for this project, but haven’t been able to access, like, true enthusiasm for them yet. They are a definite, definite influence point for a lot of great acts that came after

Decades is the reason I bumped it up to a 4, otherwise would be a 3 for me

Well, it's a hugely seminal album and *arguably* Macclesfield's biggest contribution to music, so I feel a kinship to it for that. Half of the tracks are classics (the run of New Dawn Fades - She's Lost Control - Shadowplay is dark, twitchy brilliance), while the other half are still big on those atmospheric studio textures, but lacking something in terms of songcraft.

That feeling when you lose a feeling. 4.5/5

Amazing first track. It propels forward like a train locomotive. There is something surprising here, despite the simplicity.

Good tunes

It's great!

It was pretty good. I still don't really understand the amount of hype, or the amount of joy division albums on the list. But I did enjoy this one

Great music to go indefinitely to. In any direction with little regard. Its aggro but also somewhat delicate -There is a deep sense of urgency in the music. Not for everyday listening, but they were really true originals.

Yeh aight

More proper 80s music

I wasnt listening very attentively but i liked it 4/5

Just an incredible record. Just can’t understand why Transmission was a non album single, had that track made the record it would be 5/5

Great album. Was interesting to listen to more Joy Division after really only listening to "Love Will Tear Us Apart"

Really good but extremely depressing

Never actually fully listened to this album! Overall - I'm surprised by the amount of reverb along with the type of reverbs used; the snare drums often have this big room / cathedral type of reverb patch on them and its really unique when there are other instruments that don't have much reverb on them at all. The vocals are much lower than I thought they would be, and some of the songs are much lower energy than I was expecting. I know this is THE t-shirt you have to have if you are an indie head (I guess I'm not an indie head) and I was expecting a little bit more of an upbeat-moving type of sound that is typical for indie rock music. I don't love love the album but I did enjoy listening to it and I do recognize that it is monumentally influential.

fav - shadowplay - great blend of energy and dissonance least fav - insight - felt like it didnt have the same emotional drive as most of the other songs

Solid dark rock

A classic

Me impresionó el uso de efectos, tanto en los instrumentos como en la voz. Buena atmósfera y un sonido muy fiel.

Nog nooit eerder geluisterd, uiteraard wel zo nu een dan een nummer maar niet als album. Lekker donker, passende stem.

Joy Division, zo vet!

De mythe is misschien de helft van waarom ik deze band zo tof vind, maar ik ga ik wel hard op. Tikkeltje aan de zwaarmoedige kan ;-) maar erg indrukwekkend!

I had honestly never listen heard this album before. It wasn’t bad. I’d listen to it again.

I weirdly really liked this. It fit my dark mood today. For some reason I had it in my head that Joy Division was upbeat 80s music. I now understand why this album was so influential, and can actually say I've listened to this very famous album. Really liked the following songs: New Dawn Fades, and Shadow Play.

Great listening for a stormy night. Fave track: Disorder

Good

I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this...

Þetta er svo dimmt og drungalegt. Ef emo hefði verið til kringum 1980, hefði þetta verið prime kandídat í það. Plokkar nokkra hjartastrengi. Hlustaði ansi mikið á þetta á myrkum tímum í lífinu.

Beautiful, haunting, groovy

So. It's nt a *great* album. But it is good, and it did things that no one else in the post-punk period were doing, and it set a template for a style of music that is – literally – timeless.

06/05/2022

Legendary and one of the landmark albums to define the whole postpunk/ goth scene that followed

Well known to me. Still sounding so fresh.

4.5

I love an album that carries its energy all the way through, this is what separates a great album from a great collection of songs. And while it's far from uplifting, the peak songs on this come at moments which make them feel sublime.

Really fun, def a great vibe. 4/5

Excellent album as a whole- big fan of Disorder, and I enjoyed the other songs I listened to more than previous listens. Solid 4-4.5.

Really good slow, sad rock.

Stilprägend. Killer Lieder, aber auch einpaar schwächere.

Liars + Airborne Toxic Event + _________. Not bad, loved the guitar tones and noodly sections.

I liked it and I'll come back to it

I like the dark atmosphere of this album. Definitely worth a listen. Good bass. I liked Interzone.

Brilliant

Not actually happy music but nice for the background

fuck yea

A very enjoyable listen

The best of this album IMO: - Candidate - She's Lost Control - Shadowplay - Wilderness - Interzone I like how imperfect it sounds. But it's almost grating at times (especially the vocals). That's the charm I guess. I had high expectations for this album and was not disappointed. 3.8/5

If dystopia had a soundtrack, this would be it. Pretty awesome, but some of the songs at the beginning were a bit repetitive. May not be my favorite Joy Division album

Ur-goth spaciousness.

7/10

It's great, but honestly a bit samey for me to give it the full 5

I’d seen the album cover art plenty of times. But had never listened to the album. I liked it

Weird how I don't think this is that good but it somehow draws you in

Neat little album! That first track is a bop.

I recognized a few songs, a very harrowing but enjoyable album.

Considering my only exposure to Joy Division is through Love Will Tear Us Apart, this was certainly an experience. Really liked it, it's going into the répertoire as a firm favourite

Love this music, but it's so depressing

Francamente creo que lo estoy calificando más mejor de lo que me gustó pero creo que se lo merece.

post punk greate album nice cover / // lov the voice and my fav is Candidate //

Fantastic

Now That's What I Call Goth Rock: The Early Years™️

Pretty good

Very loose and fun. Bassdriven riffs with a very punky attitude.

5/5 - not my jam, but interesting for what it is

It’s quite hard going. There is so much sadness behind it. Isolation, loneliness. The up tempo tracks are thrilling. The production is excellent.

This album is different from what I normally listen to but I like it. The mellow moments throughout the album are really calming and add to the odd sense of nostalgia the album gives me.

Nice, chill, and rock-esque

Eerie,simple, synth. 2/3rds of the way I dug it particularly. Can't believe it was a debut LP in 79.

A true classic but perhaps a little dark for me

Album Song Ranking: Day of the Lords I Remember Nothing Insight Disorder Wilderness Shadowplay New Dawn Fades Candidate She's Lost Control Interzone

Very melodramatic, but a great post-punk album. 8.0/10

Nice, if a little short

Tolles und besonderes Album. Endlich mal gehört und nicht nur gesehen. Für 5 Sterne fehlt mir der Gitarren-Fokus!

Wenn noch Gitarre dabei wäre… aber große Songs

Dark and uncompromising. Let's dance to it.

Schönes düsteres kraftvolles Album. Shadowplay ist stark. Kathi, wir haben doch mal die Doku über den Sänger im Kino gesehen, fand ich sehr berührend.

This is a great album and also a great example of the bands work. Every track throughout thoroughly represents the genre at the time. I’m certainly more interested in digging into more Joy Division albums because of this one. 4 Stars!

Duistere muziek en een inspiratie geweest voor veel New Wave. Op zich niet erg fan van het genre, maar dit album vond ik wel oké. 3,5/5 voor de muziek + 0,5 Nerdpunten voor de artwork

An obvious post punk classic. "New Dawn Fades" "Day Of the Lords", "Shadowplay", "Remember Nothing" are my favorites.