Reviews (page 8 of 15)
Ok
Interesting to see where New Order started out.
It’s decent
With the iconic album cover, I think I expected more from this record than I ended up getting. Fine, but not an all-timer for me.
fantastic, love the sound palette they use across this album. Often unsettling. Disorder one of the GOATS
It's another easy five stars but when they come up, imagine I'm giving New Order fifty as I like them disproportionately more
I expected to love this but it just feels really flat. If I'd never listened to them before I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to them again following this.
It’s alright. Don’t really understand the appeal if i’m being honest
👍🏻
Great listen for 3 AM depression time.
6.5/10 Not a big fan but not bad.
Some gems in there. Consistent sound and style throughout, got a little boring sometimes. VERY VERY clear influence on a lot of what I listen to today, though.
Did not bring much joy…
Album is just overhyped to me based on the review. It was okay but not great and nothing memorable.
His voice got a bit annoying
Meh. This is about on par with their other album we had, "Closer". Dude still can't sing. Just kinda painful. Musically it's okay, I can appreciate the stripped down sound to match the lyrics, that works well. But seriously this man cannot sing. I will never listen to Joy Division by choice in my spare time. Another forgettable Brit band.
(sigh). another brit/nuwave band that I just don't get the appeal of.
⭐ Rating: 3.8/5 Well-Groomed Sad Boys in Perfect Harmony It’s clean. It’s charming. It’s not trying to change the world—just trying to get their girlfriend back. And you know what? There’s something comfortingly dramatic about that.
Anything less than a 5 might be controversial, but a couple of the songs were just a bit too morose for me. Other than those few tracks, it would have been an easy 5.
Even if you are not a fan it’s hard to deny its huge impact on the music. The way it sounds , the way it looks and even tastes. I’m not a cult follower but the “New Dawn Fades” takes me somewhere where most of the songs can’t Solid 5
I have heard multiple times that this album is too depressive for some. I used to play in a post punk band for some time and my band mates were even scared to listen to it, saying that they don't want to experience what this album would make them feel. But what would be music without feelings? I believe that it's the ultimate goal. For me this album has been very comforting. In my early 20s when I would be frustrated or something I'd just blast this album to the max. I think there is joy in there, just different type of joy, not the "happy happy" joy. Absolute masterpiece!
No thanks, I'm depressed enough already as it is. And no wonder Ian Curtis killed himself, making such music.
Ho boy. Talk about overrated. It's a cool sound some of the time. I can tell they lifted a lot from Kraftwerk and plenty of other German post-punk bands, but more importantly I can tell you how they influenced a generation after this.
Not really the "punk" im used to but not bad as a whole. got a little dreary throughout but had some good sounds overall
Overrated
Good, not great.
I really loved this album. I was only familiar with one Joy Division song prior to this album (Warsaw from substances). But I was completely misunderstood about what they sounded like cause Warsaw is more of a traditional punk song and the rest of their music, especially this album, is more post-punk and is more emotional and dramatic. The other big difference is that the music is more electronic and melancholy than what punk music was at the time. This album is way ahead of its time to the point where it almost sounds modern, almost. Seriously though I loved this album, I think with time I’ll grow to like this album more and more over time. (Update several months later, yah I was right this album totally grew on me and I just bought it yesterday. Seriously this band was so perfectly ahead of their time and total trend setters for decades.)
Another classic album
ehh 3/10
I was a teen in the 80s, and have spent decades defending my right not to like New Order, despite the fact that all my friends like them. What makes it worse is that I've now spent 30 years living in the NW of England, where everything Hook- and Factory-related are Revered with a capital R. (My main problem with New Order has always been the aforementioned Mr Hook, whose tendency to play plinky plonky high notes in the bass is not to my personal taste, and I don't find Bernard S very engaging either.) And so, reversing in time, to Joy Division. I only really ever heard Love Will Tear Us Apart, growing up, and I wasn't keen, just not really "digging" the vocal melody being in unison with the instruments. However in the last few years, thanks to social media, I've been hearing more snippets of Joy Division, including stuff off this album, and liked what I was hearing. And, hooray, this album proved to be more my thing. There were still tracks where I just don't get why anyone would do that with a bass guitar (eg Insight, parts of She's Lost Control.) But I was frequently able to get lost in the bleak darkness. Loved the guitar and synth. Loved the driving rhythms. And, we need to talk about Ian. I've spent time in Macc, where he grew up, and it's impossible not to connect with his voice and his spirit, hearing these songs. Atmospheric and darkly wonderful, most of the time. I'm genuinely sorry that I can't sit through the plinky-plonk bits; I feel it's my loss.
This was fine, not great not horrible
No matter how many times I’ve listened to this, I just don’t see what’s so great abt it. Maybe it influenced some other bands, but there’s just really nothing that sticks out abt it to me aside from the uniqueness of the singers voice, which can be annoying. 2.2/5 Fav song: Disorder
Another unimpressive Brit-punk band. Hooray
I played in a band where the primary song writer was a bassist. He would write the songs using his bass, play it to us then ask me to figure out which chords should go over the bass line. In some cases it was obvious, but in others it could be either a minor key or major, and others fitting chords on top of those bass lines just didn't make sense. In that case I may have to play single note melodies or riffs etc. I have a strong sense this is what Joy Division was doing. It can work, and a lot of these songs do, but it also makes the arrangements feel a little thin. That aside, this was better than i thought it would be. I'm sure very influential. Shadowplay was a highlight.
I misheard the first line of this album: "I've been waiting for a guide to come and take my hand / could these sensations make me feel the pleasure of a normal man" as : "I've been waiting for a GUY to come and take my hand / could these sensations me feel the pleasure of aNOTHER man" and so for the rest of this album I thought Joy Division was some kind of seminal gay punk band (no pun intended). Then I looked up the lyrics after nothing gay was mentioned again. Anyway, I think this album would be more interesting if they were actually a seminal gay punk band, as opposed to just a bunch of straight moody dudes. This album wasn't bad - I like the way they center the songs around the driving bass, and the upbeat drums mixed with melancholy makes a unique sound. Its just been raining a lot the past few days and so didn't really need another downer. What I need, maybe, is a guy to take my hand and show me the pleasures of another man. Wait no, ha ha, I meant a GUIDE. A NORMAL man. I'm straight, I swear. A GUIDE AND NORMAL MAN!
Not my first time through Unknown Pleasures, but I wouldn't have called myself a fan beforehand -- just a guy who got curious enough after seeing enough folks around SF wear Joy Division merch (generally younger, Millennial hipster looking people from recent memory). I think the music is pretty interesting, but I don't connect with it like most of the critics of this album seem to be. Having this released in 79' is jaw dropping, I can't deny that. The lore surrounding the studio techniques was also hilarious to read about -- cranking the heat to make everyone exhausted and sweaty is downright sick. Shadowplay is the only song I'd say I enjoyed enough to add to a playlist. 3 stars. Bravo JD.
Always knew the name, but don’t think I knew any songs at all. Nice sound, reminds me a lot of that band Interpol - haven’t thought about them in a while. Not a ton of standout tracks - maybe Disorder, New Dawn Fades, Shadowplay -but an album that deserves a complete listen. This has grown on me a ton after a few times through.
Couldn’t crack the code. Too slow, still trying to find out the “why”. Maybe another listen might help, but I’m definitely not encouraged to look for more by them.
Nothing I know of makes you feel better, as an 18 year old man, than exorcising your demons (anxiety, sexual frustration, grieving the death of your own childhood, etc.) by torturing a guitar until it gives up its secrets, as unreasonable and unexpected and unacceptable as some of those sounds can be. And it doesn’t have to be just a guitar. Maybe it’s the drums or bass or your voice. Maybe it’s the idea of music altogether that has to be wrung out, burned in a pile of “I don’t care” and then rebuilt as a lumbering skeleton from the grave. Might not sound beautiful. Might not supposed to.
I know it's an iconic album....but got I just didn't connect with it. Chromatic guitar/bass lines, bumbly vocals, fast drum beat, repeat
Less taken by it than I would have presumed to be based on the (admittedly little) Joy Division (and even more New Order) that I’d heard prior.
It was alright, maybe I wasn’t a product of the time. His voice is a bit too monotonous for me, not very inspired riffs, I like a bit more colour to the tracks. 2/5 a few tracks were decent,
I saw Hooky live the other night, he played Disorder, Shadowplay, New Dawn Fades and She's Lost Control, it was bloody ace and despite the many immitators I don't think anyone will capture the same magic that Hannett and Joy Division did here.
heard this a few times before, but not in full i don't think, so i'll rate it Disorder - 5/5 (classic) Day of the Lords - 5/5 Candidate - 3/5 Insight - 3/5 New Dawn Fades - 4/5 She's Lost Control - 5/5 Shadowplay - 5/5 Wilderness - 3/5 Interzone - 4/5 I Remember Nothing - 3/5 Average score: 4/5
« Joy Division » bro où est la joie dans ta vie?? ☀︎j’aime pas Day of the Lords, Insight, She’s Lost Control ☀︎j’aime vraiment pas: Candidate
No me gustó, es muy lento y melancólico. A pesar que me suele gustar ese tipo de música, en este no pude disfrutar con ninguna canción
If this is public, I'm sorry... I don't know what i'm talking about at this point. I think I know some songs from this album, we'll find out. It sounds good so far, i'd prob end up skipping these songs for the sake of my friends not liking it :( also sort of making me feel slower and sadder. Disorder 6/10 Day of the Lords 7.5/10 Candidate idek maybe 6/10 too Insight prob not gonna choose to listen to this but its cool 7/10 New Dawn Fades 6.5/10 She's Lost Control I don't mind this song, I don't know if I love the singers voice though... 6.5/10 Shadowplay good guitar, I like this song but I still don't think I would add to any of my playlists.. 7.9/10 Wilderness I didn't mind this song at first but then as it got to the end I was kinda bored of it.. 7/10 Interzone I like this song I guess I would add this song to a playlist 7.99/10- I Remember Nothing I fear I did not love this song.. 5/10 Transmission I like this I guess........ 6.4/10 Idk according to MOGO this album is rated 4th out of their best albums and they are an English rock band. I really wanted to skip some of the songs but because of FOMO I didn't, I wouldn't add any of these songs to my playlists which include many older rock songs which kind of makes me sad that I don't like these songs. I would describe this album as if it were a gloomy night driving through the mountians.? DONE:)
An absolute masterpiece
Dark, brooding, captivating. I love Peter Hook's bass playing and Sumner's crunchy guitar riffs. Ian Curtis sounds gloomy and to me is the least interesting part of the band (I'm more of a New Order fan). But I enjoy this brand of JD much more than the "Love Will Tear Us Apart" version. Obviously this was immensely interesting influential on so much music to come. And rightfully so. Songs like 'Shadowplay' just command a lot of attention.
Some decent stuff here - not an everyday listen, but I hadn't visited this in years. Can definitely recognize some of the groundwork for what became New Order.
Sounds like it was recorded in the bathroom. I have made better sounding recordings on GarageBand with one mic and zero idea of what I’m doing. But “Shadowplay” is gloriously moody and broody.
Not my thing
Just no
I can’t tell you anything new about this album but if you aber felt the need to wear a black outfit, this is your soundtrack for that. Solid 10/10
I like the synths more than the guitars.
БУРБЗДУМ, вайб лютейший, 4/5, 10 из 10 только сумеркам
This is one of those albums I always felt like I should have listened to, but somehow never did. I wish I’d got round to it sooner.
后朋克乐队的不那么朋克的朋克
5/10…post punk / new wave
Better than I remember. Like a goth Jim Morrison. I just can't square the circle that this band ended up being new order
Decent album. Quite chilled and interesting 6/10
Underwhelming somehow. Kudos for being experimental. But I still was left wanting more.
Pretty mediocre
Some longer songs with sound effects, some short songs with sound effects. Very British, solid beats
It's Joy Division! I appreciate the chance to really listen to this album. I could listen to Disorder on repeat forever. This deserves a 5 because of how striking and impressive and influential it is, but for my personal rating, a 4 feels more fitting.
Not much joy but I didn’t hate it
Heb hier m’n leven lang niet in kunnen komen, ik vind er niks aan. Sorry als ik mensen hiermee teleurstel
What an amazing album. Sonically and thematically immaculate and ahead of its time. 10/10
I did not like a single song on this album. I don't think I will remember any. At least I know I don't like anything from Joy Division except Love Will Tear Us Apart.
I have somehow managed to never listen to this before today. I haven't missed much. Boring, or rather non existent melodies, no variances in energy, I just couldn't get myself to even go through all the songs completely.
I’ve listened to this album a few times and it always hits me with its dark beauty but when you put it in the context of 1979 (!!!) it’s absolutely remarkable. The Cure doesn’t exist without this. Sludge metal doesn’t. I’m not sure if grunge does either. Neither does half of 90s alternative. Worth listening to and paying attention to every detail.
i used to listen to disorder by these guys a few years ago. i tried this album before but i just didn't like it but that's probably because i would like skip around the song and listen to a few seconds of it and never listened to it full length. but now that i listened to it full length i gotta say i appreciate this album a lot more. i really was vibing with both disorder and shadowland. but anyways this album is not a five out of five but its good don't get me wrong i was fwing with this album.
Genuinely did not like.
One of the greatest debut records of all time
I can't stand bellowing masquerading as singing
There aren't enough stars for this one....
Cool, but too little variety among the songs
used to love this one when I was a teen. It's still really good, but the angst just isn't there for me anymore.
2.5 - not bad!
Some of the tunes are alright pity about the SINGING. Why did they let him away with being so off key? Is it supposed to add charm? It does not add charm.
Knew 1-2 songs before, had never listened to it in its entirety. Very good and very sad
shadowplay live was easily one of the most iconic things i’ve witnessed irl
Good sound, but I'm not sucker in. Yet.
Unmatched atmosphere. Encroaching darkness accompanied by one infectious groove after another.
This album isn't my favorite Joy Division album but it's so obviously great. As time goes on I see more and more people just kinda say it isn't as good as everyone has said it is or that the production is bad or that the songs are bad, etc. It weird to read this backlash from people my age because, I can't picture an album more timeless like this one, I can't imagine another album sounding like this one, way it sounds so cavernous and sort of making the most of how simple it is and how simple their playing is (something they use negative space). When people say "Post-punk" this is it, this is the album that very plainly puts to practice the idea of random idiotic punks like these guys taking the fundamentals of punk and stretching so far away from what The Sex Pistols and The Clash were doing into something that knew how add so much atmosphere and interest to such simple playing and inspired god knows how many people. Like I said, not my favorite of theirs or of this genre, but I still love what it does so much, I can come back to it so comfortably so many times and still have a great time with it, absolute monster of an album.
Nearly a 5 and may get re-rated over time, depending on how often I find myself revisiting. Candidate is skippable for me, but love the atmosphere and interplay of guitars/bass/vocals.
I listened to this like 4 times while I was working, so it was pretty good work music
One of the greatest albums of all time. It is a revolutionary album in the Punk scene really moving to the post-punk/new wave moment. The band is incredible. Hook’s bass lines amazing. Curtis exudes feeling. Perfect on every front.
Eh, OK. Too moody. 2/5
Das stelle ich mir unter dad Rock vor, nur das dad Rock normalerweise gut ist
There are things I like about this album. The bass jumps to mind straight away, and the quality is evident, but unfortunately I don't love it in the way that a lot of others appear to. It starts well enough with Disorder, and although there's nothing I actively dislike, I do find listening to it draining in a way I don't experience often in other albums. The vocals are possibly where I struggle most.
Jangle jangle mumble mumble. It's *fine* -- but I don't get the towering love for this album. Good songwriting, sure. Interesting sound, but it gets really samey as it goes along. Just so much angst to wallow through. I get that's the idea -- especially with the death of Ian Curtis, but you gotta be in the mood for this one. And I guess I wasn't.
Áhrifamikil plata. Ótrúleg saga kringum þetta band. Soundið er einstaklega þétt og sérstakt fyrir þennan tíma. Gott plötuár 1979.
FRÁBÆR plata! Flottasta cover allra tíma og gríðarlega mikilvæg plata og hljómsveit. Lögðu grunninn að postpönkinu og höfðu áhrif á það sem á eftir kom allt fram til okkar tíma. Elska þennan hráa og kuldalega hljóðfæraleik og sönginn hans Ian Curtis. Svo eru það textarnir hans. “I’ve been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand. Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?” Angist í hverju orði sem gat ekki annað en orðið honum ofviða.
I despise this late 70s/early 80s moody synth pop. Stuff like this and Depeche mode can just get in the BIN. Honestly who actually likes this kind of music, it's soulless, boring, drab, nothing music. Crap!
I don't get it...this album is sooo gloomy and depressing. ALSO, please...for the love of God sing in tune...ugh. he's a horrendous vocalist. Not good. The album is not unbearable, but bleh. The bass lines are cool, but this is just bad. Similar to Depeche Mode but wayyyyyyy worse. Play something not slow PLEASE. It has moments tho so I'll be nice and give it a 2. Actual rating....1.5. Liked Songs: "Disorder" , "She's Lost Control" , "Shadowplay" , "Interzone"
liked songs: Day of the Lords, Shadowplay, Wilderness, I Remember Nothing This is such a unique album. In every song, there's a ton of space for all the weird instrumentals and sounds to breathe. While I wouldn't call Ian Curtis's vocals conventionally good, they absolutely fit the strange, dark mood of the album. 3.75
I didn’t much care for this, the only stand out to me was “She’s lost Control”, that beat has a hook.
Love of this album might not tear us apart, but it might make us take a break from each other for awhile. I get it. Without this band you don’t get the much more successful New Order. And while the production of this album is the real winner, as an overall listen it was just ok. Nothing really stood out. Much like my view I’ve always had of this band. Rating a bit up due to influence and the iconic album cover art.
I know a lot of people are way into this band/album. I had high hopes after the first couple tracks but then really lost interest. To me this is similar to how I feel about the National. A band some people love but a just find boring and monotonous. Apologies to the National for having to catch that stray in this widely viewed Joy Division review.
Had a couple starts and stops with this. First time I thought it was a little simple and boring. Second attempt started to appreciate the simplicity and got into the first few songs. Then it dragged. A lot of cool and interesting parts but never fully came together or climaxed for me. And I need a good climax. Regardless, enjoyed some of the guitar riffs and drums parts so rounding up. 2.75
Joy Division and this album are criminally overrated. Fight me. 2.5/5
It’s alright… not too crazy, but it gets better towards the end.
Never a huge JD fan, but I get their impact and influence. 3 just for that.
Please stop giving me whiny British people who think there too cool to make good music
No puedo creer que este disco sea de los 70s. Es una biblia del género y sigue siendo súper actual a pesar de los casi 50 años que tiene. Masterclass de roles de instrumentos, las líneas de bajo cuasi guitarrezcas y cantables (te amo peter hook), la performance vocal es única, batería acústica casi electrónica por la gated reverb (además del timbre específico de la electrónica). Los noises y sintes, el bajo (de nuevo) ya guitarra intercambiados qué carajo peter hook te amoooo
what the freak why is I remember nothing so depressing dawg the last song seemed happy 😔
This is absolutely a milestone in modern music history and culture. I love this album, I've recently gotten more into both Joy Division and New Order and not only recognize the cultural influence and importance, but love the sound of this record.
Because of the cultural zeitgeist around this album I have of course avoided listening to it until now. And now I'm absolutely loving hearing how this album so clearly influenced the sounds that I listen to today, from the Oh Sees and the Melvins, who were mavericks of their time and belong on this list (plot twist: they are not on this list), to LCD Soundsystem (who seem to have basically copied their style from this album??). This album inspired so much of the stoner metal stuff I love. And of course all of the 90s post-punk that I dgaf about, but I see the culture
Sounds flat, heavy—but not in a good way— and repetitive. The mixing is not great —“singer” sounds disconnected from the musical backdrop. And, the vocalist is mainly talking through the lyrics. A 2, but on the edge of a 1.
Love
fine
Not as advertised. These songs are all sad.
I feel foolish for not knowing how Joy Division-coded Interpol is until listening to this I have to be in a verrryyyy specific kind of mood for this but I do really enjoy it (“Disorder”!!)
One of my (if not THE) favorite albums, 110/100 <3
Good but very same-y
Pretty good. Really vibbed with some songs more than other
classic t-shirt
Have you ever noticed that when a genre starts with "post-" it basically means "a worse version of "?
Meh
Höjdare!
3.5.
Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Iyt wasn't terrible, but neither was it very good. The vocals were pretty awful. I did think it was quite interesting that you could hear the New Order sound in there. I made it all the way through so it gets 2 stars!
So....I believe this album has been hailed as timeless and a genre defining album....I just found it really really boring. I feel like I should like it but honestly I couldn't wait for it to be over.
I love this album and band and think that for context its important to watch this movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/ and then watch this movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274309/ The order is important, the first movie is awesome, but also obviously quite depressing. The second movie is a blast! Fucking loved it and also went to my first New Order Concert this weekend!
Why haven’t I spent more of my life listening to Joy Division?! This was great
Never enjoy this, still don’t today. Mid paced post punk that’s all gloom and doom, and guess it was all very real for Curtis and not some act. So non of the theatrics of the goth bands that followed, that “lighten” the experience. I can appreciate and accept it has a valid place in music history, but just don’t like and would never consider playing voluntarily, just glad it’s a bright sunny weekend day today while listening, 3 Star.
Currently 4/5 but may increase with more listening. I didn’t have time to listen to the whole album properly so I’ll definitely be listening again. Love the goth vibes and can completely see why the post-punk nature of this album was influential for so many artists.
Guitar was nice :)
I LOVE IT. I've listened to this album quite a bit in the past. Disorder goes so hard it’s unreal. Actually unreal. It’s one of those albums you either “get” if you’re in the right mindset, or else it doesn’t appeal as much. Peter Hook is my favourite bass player along with Simon Gallup from The Cure There’s a reason this album was used as the cover to one of the versions of the 1001 Albums To Listen To Before You Die book. And it’s not just because the album cover is so cool (even though it *is* a really cool cover)
I like how I played the album multiple times through without being able to discern the beginning, and each time new bits of guitar would jump out at me or melodies would become familiar. felt very stylishly dreary
Post punk goodness.
Didn’t enjoy this.
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures This was such a HUGE improvement that I had from last time when I had to hear the entirety of Devil Without A Cause by Kid Rock, the difference of quality between that album and Unknown Pleasures is INMENSE. WOW, what an album. Probably the most darkest and yet warmest album I have heard in awhile. Way ahead of its time. It feels nostalgic in a way listening to this album, and how despite it being grim and obscure, still feels human to listen to it. There's fewer albums that were ever made that can make you feel emotions you never had in your life, and this is one of them. That last song was absolutely devastating to hear, it's beautiful. Overall, this is amazing. 1.- Disorder = 9/10 2.- Day of the Lords = 10/10 3.- Candidate = 8/10 4.- Insight = 9/10 5.- New Dawn Fades = 10/10 6.- She's Lost Control = 9/10 7.- Shadowplay = 10/10 8.- Wilderness = 8/10 9.- Interzone = 8/10 10.- I Remember Nothing = 10/10 FINAL SCORE: 9.1/10
Dope
The splendour of bleakness
Заунывно, но по большей части ничего, не понял зачем футболки
После 1-4 композиции: Звучание: наисочнейший бас, интересные гитарные риффы, но приглушенный вокал фоном Эмоции: басс+вокал нагоняют много грустных мыслей, особенно о том что я упускаю каждый день. Заставляет задуматься об этом, и хоть и создает боль в сердце, грустное настроение, зато мотивирует использовать все возможности сегодня.
Certainly influential and basis for many great things, but really dated and improved upon so much by newer indie rock bands, that this pales in comparison.
Great stuff by Mancunians!
Ég vann einu sinni með manni sem var forfallinn Joy Division aðdáandi. Á þeim tíma fattaði ég ekki alveg hvað var svona æðislegt við hljómsveitina. Ég fatta það ekki enn. Mér finnst þeir frekar leiðinlegir
Me causou tédio
Joy Division’s debut album is a haunting and atmospheric masterpiece that helped define post-punk. The stark, reverb-heavy soundscapes create an eerie and isolating mood, perfectly complementing Ian Curtis’ raw, anguished vocals. The bleakness and hopelessness are palpable on every track. Tragically, Curtis’ struggles would cut his life short before the band could fully realize its potential, but Unknown Pleasures remains a timeless and influential work.
This wasn't as good as I remember it being, but points for being monumentally influential.
not what i expected at all. i always confuse joy division and new order so i was expecting a much more upbeat album. the album was fine overall but i have to admit im a little disappointed in the lack of synth even though its my own fault for expecting it.
I really don't think this album is as good as it's perceived in media
To discover this album before you die is one of the advantages of being alive.
This generator got me on a good day. While I have never sat and listened to Unknown Pleasures, I’ve heard songs here and there. I know this iconic cover. I would not have thought I’d give it a 5 but here we are. I would and will listen to this again. I’m sad we only get one Joy Division album and we have to suffer through multiple New Order albums on this list.
La voix d’Ian Curtis est si singulière qu’on s’y arrête naturellement: le poids de l’angoisse s’y ressent parfaitement. Les partitions de basse participent aussi à la lourdeur, à la viscosité des pièces. On se sent presque isolé dans une chambre d'échos. Vraiment un groupe à part.
This shit hard. And make me wanna die. But in the best coolest suicidal way. Divine tragedy in one of its most paletable forms.
This was ok. Nothing special or standout here and honestly, mostly forgettable. It was fine to listen to once. 2.5/5
First half is dreary and unispiring but second half saves it. Too happy to listen to music like this. Would have scored higher in the past. Stand out song - Shadowplay
Overall: 9/10 I listened to this one twice: once in the morning before I went to work and once on my way home. The first time I picked up on the vibes and I knew I'd have to listen to it again when I could really pay attention and soak in a the melancholy. That's exactly what happened on the second listen. This album hits like a brick. Peter Hook plays the bass like he's the only person in the world who matters. The mix of acoustic and electronic drums can give the tracks an eerie vibe. The guitar work is simple yet effective. And then there's Ian Curtis...who's voice I have mixed feelings about. He seems to have graduated from the Lou Reed School for People Who Can't Sing But It's Chill Cause They're Chill. He had a way of showing off his energy and personality with his voice that a lot of classically trained singers can't pull off. I'm rambling a bit but overall, I think this is really great and well worth your time (just be patient with the vocals). Fav Song: Disorder Least Fav Song: Candidate
Not a fan!
Masterpiece. One of my favourite albums
Similar to Bob Dylan for me where I somehow love covers of their songs but find the originals to be missing something. The music is great but Ian Curtis's vocals just don't do it for me. I also somehow never until now realised quite HOW depressing this album is??
I get the importance, and Ian’s voice gets better throughout, but I’m not coming back to this one
Ian Curtis still lives
Could use a little more reverb…
It's OK
The album that launched a dozen bands! Shit is an absolute masterpiece!
Great album.
My first 5 star on here. Amazing album. Insane imaging. Clearly influential.
I will give it 4 stars, because although I don't think it is great, it is probably the best post-punk album I will ever listen to. So that counts for something. Plus "Disorder" is a bop that was on Skate 3!
Fav song: Disorder Pretty haunting album. So insane to think it came out before the 80's. I went into it thinking it would be kinda overrated but I think it deserves the praise honestly. I don't really like the sound of the production for the most part, and some of the songs feel like they kinda get a bit lost and don't go anywhere, but the stand outs are really great. Knowing what Ian Curtis did really recontextualises the whole thing too, and I think it's impossible to remove the relation between the artist and the music in this sense, creating an almost emotionally disturbing listen. Pretty good.
11/10 There is nothing closer to perfection than listening to this album while staring at the ceiling. I love this album and it has a permanent spot in my top five of all time. 2-18-2025
I understand the importance of this album so much so that I already had it in my library. First off, I really dig the guitar tone on many of the tunes. However, I only like certain songs from the album and not the album as a whole. Love Disorder, Shadowplay and Interzone and to a lesser extent, New Dawn Fades, She’s Lost Control and Day of the Lords. The rest I can do without. To actually sit and listen to the whole thing is not something I really care to do. Unfortunately, that knocks this down a few stars for my rating.
Bought this one recently. Somewhat depressing but I like it.
Although it could be more consistent, the atmosphere this album creates is immense and it was massively influential on gothic rock and post-punk to follow.
This is a great gloomy post-punk album & pivotal for the genre
I Remember Nothing of this album. Maybe you’ll have some Insight into this Disorder.
Wonderfully dark. So much influence.
Nice
The music doesn't click for me which is a shame, but I really appreciate the technical side of things: the instruments sound good and the songs are interesting. the crispness of the drums, the sound of the guitar tracks, very nice indeed. 3/5 stars.
IT was OK, but got repetitive.
Its Joy Division. Great sound, unique track flow throughout the album. Will definitely listen to again.
Good instrumental in all songs. Vocals weren’t that great on all songs.
A lot of these English bands from this era sound the same to me
3 out of 5.
Also not my cup of tea
One of the greatest of all time. Easiest 5 stars.
First time listening to the whole album. Some really great songs on there
Seminal album. Another example of a band with small output and huge impact. Everything about Joy Division fascinates me - from Ian Curtis’s dancing to their evolution into New Order. While this is the only album that JD released in Curtis’s lifetime, I still somehow own eight of their records. Evidence that their fans will buy as many bootlegs, live recordings, and demo albums as they can get their hands on. Absolutely one of the best.
Nothing special.
In January i was listening to this album while walking through the rain in London. I like this album a lot. Wish they did some more Love will tear us apart songs in their career. Love the Cover, it looks even better on Vinyl. (4.5/5.0)
I liked Joy Division after they became New Order. There are only a couple JD songs I ever liked and this album doesn’t contain them. I don’t understand how this is considered a great album. It’s almost like I’m being gaslighted.
A classic for a reason
★★★★¼
Easy 4, if not real close to a 5. No notes, unknown Pleasures is a treat.
6/5
That I had to phone her friend to state my case And say she's lost control again And she showed up all the errors and mistakes And said, "I've lost control again" And she expressed herself in many different ways Until she lost control again And walked upon the edge of no escape And laughed, "I've lost control" OK, so there's a good reason why you see this album cover everywhere. 5/5
Better T-shirt than album. Yeah, I said it.
Roughly as cool as the dudes wearing the t-shirt
This is what the emo kids in South Part listens to, when they hang around and smoke their cigarettes, «longing» for the sweet mercy of death
1. Shadowplay 2. Disorder 3. She's lost control
6/10 Favorite Tracks: Disorder Least Favorite Tracks: Day of the Lords, Candidate, Insight
Was in the mood today. Kind of fun. I wish there was a 2.5 - not convinced the musicality of it was that great.
No 1
As a kid this was the heaviest music and I just couldn’t get into it. Someone then played the Doors for me, and I realized these bands hit me the same way. Even the older me wouldn’t seek this album out, instead I’d pivot to New Order. So with that statement, I couldn’t have the dancey accessible, bouncy NE without Joy Division. Thanks Ian.
I feel no joy when I listen to this album
there wasn't much about this I enjoyed, largely boring and similar sounding songs. Did not need to listen...
Disorder er virkelig en fed åbner! Og albummet er klart blevet bedre af at få flere flytninger end normalt, plus tiden hen over en weekend. Jeg vil forsøge at vende tilbage igen en dag, og se om lidt afstand har rykket noget.
Det er så vanvittigt at det her er et debut album lavet af unge knægte i starten af 20erne. Det er standarden alt dyster musik holdes op imod. Verdens bedste plade når man har lyst til at danse og græde samtidig 🖤 Det er ultimativt dyster, deprimerende, cool’t og alligevel så rytmisk opløftende at man som minimum bare må vippe foden og boppe med hovedet. Jeg “opdagede” desværre først pladen alt for sent i mit liv. Eller også er det heldigt, for jeg er ikke sikker på at teenage mig nogensinde var kommet ud fra mit værelse igen hvis han havde det her album.
The vocalist of joy division has a pretty interesting voice which I like. Disorder was my favourite song on the album. I think I thought that the songs on the album sounded a little bit similar but I think it's fine in this case since all the songs sounded good. Overall a really good album
Just meh
A stunning album and very influential too, so an easy 5 for me. I love the unique sound they produce, with a dragging tempo adds to the feel of the songs. A great instantly recognisable rhythm section with tight drums (almost like a drum machine) and an aggressive bass which often plays lower than the guitars. Love Ian Curtis (RIP) vocals and contained anger. As good as it gets for late punk/ early new age, whatever box this fits is - just great music.
3.5
A boring and less enjoyable British version of the Talking Heads? No thanks. This is just bizarre, moody, and so unenjoyable. 2.5/10 (1.25/5)
Didn't love this album. The hits are good but it felt like it sounded the same.
Some of the tracks hit for me and others didn't. I can see the appeal, but it's otherwise just alright. Day of the Lords and Interzone stand out for me.
Just meh, no real comments.
Pretty perfect
It was a little dull for me. I understand the praise for them lyrically and for the influence, but it was just too consistently gloomy for me to enjoy it for the music. I don't really like art when the artist themself seems bored by their own work. I guess I'd rather dance to "Let's Dance To Joy Division" than Joy Division itself.
Not my thing. Sloppy guitar, awful singing. I get they were ahead of their time or whatever and a very influential band but I just don’t enjoy listening to this. I’m not a lyrics person. Give me a good melody over lyrics 10/10 times and this album had 0 good melodies. Probably won’t ever listen to joy division again. Album cover is iconic though. 1.3/5 so gotta round down to 1 star ⭐️ 👎🏻
Moody, dark and great to fuck.
Incredible album for my first selection. Original, intense, and dark. Owned and listened to Substance since college but not this iconic album.
OOOSH! A banger. Love this one and used to spin it all the time when I was a teenager.
- Familiar with the band, less with the actual music. Thought I was going to love this, because I adore the first track ("Disorder"). Sounds like it could be from an indie rock band from the early 00s. That fast bassline is super fun and modern. - Unfortunately, the rest of the album did not live up to that initial jam. Definitely find their faster stuff more interesting. The rest gets monotonous. - Feels like a mix of the Doors and David Bowie?
This album was and continues to be massively influential in defining the sound of post-punk.
Understandable classic
It's not bad, but my overriding thought was "oh, it's all the stuff that makes me think The National is boring as hell."
Didn't know any of this one. Woulda been my vibe in the 90s though.
I like to imagine hearing certain albums played live, in the era and place where the album landed, and this is one of them. There's a counterpoint between the sparseness of the production and how full the songs feel that must have been mesmerizing to witness in person.
This is thr first record to come up on my list that I already had in regular rotation.
Omg I listened to this so much in my 20s I can't not love it now. Would be interested to know what a tabula rasa experience with this lp is like. Gotta 10/10, sorry not sorry.
[this is good]
Sure, why not?
Cold and almost heartless, but still offers plenty of variety and passion.
This is named appropriately because any kind of pleasure from this album is completely unknown. Seriously, why are there so many British Albums on this list? We haven't cared about anything they do since 1776!
Nice ending. Reminded me of The Stooges a little.
low 4
Melancholy? A bit! Tortured? Maybe! Brilliant? Undoubtedly!
I used to love it. Now kinda meh on it. Definitely for a certain mood, though I think even if I were in that sort of mood I believe that this would make it worse. Would revisit.
I really did not vibe with this.
Proto Post rocky
Brytyjski rock / 5 Album, który ginie trochę w zalewie sobie podobnych krążków innych brytyjskich zespołów. Zgodnie z tym, co mówili z niezadowoleniem sami muzycy - przez produkcję brzmi to bardzo jak Pink Floyd. Solidny album, fajna głębia dźwięku przy względnej prostocie muzyki. Ciekawy krążek, ale nie jakoś przesadnie wciągający, przynajmniej dla mnie. Przy drugim przesłuchaniu lepszy. Nie wiem, czy coś by zyskał, gdybym nie robił na boku czegoś innego, ale nie sądzę.
No joy nor division. The album is mid. There was a moment when I was suprised to hear something more engaging but I found out that the album was over and it was random rock song.
The hipster kids who have been wearing this album cover on their shirts my whole life tricked me into thinking this would be a top-tier album. It’s okay.
Typical sound of late 70s/early 80. Ok, but not more.
Solid album. A good listen with some good tracks. Sounds like the papa to some of the albums I really enjoy now. On the 4 side of a 3.5.
Hard to get into, I hated it at first. It's still not one of my favorites but I at least enjoy and understand its importance in music history.
There's a film producer called Jon Davison, whose credits include "Starship Troopers," and whenever his name came up at the end of a movie I used to shout JOY DIVISION.
a very moody and tense album. one that i think is very well put together and has some cool instrumentation when it does show up (some songs feel a bit barebones), but frankly it is not an album i could listen to all the time. it would require a proper mood i feel to properly enjoy this album, one that i dont always experience or feel. still, the alhum is competent and gives the feeling it conveys well enough, its just not for me
Bien, pero nunca he sido muy fan de Joy Division. Ya sé, es pecado, pero qué le vamos a hacer. Buen álbum, claro.
I didn’t love his voice.
Unknown Pleasures ist mehr als nur ein Album – es ist ein emotionales Erlebnis, das auch über 40 Jahre nach seiner Veröffentlichung nichts von seiner Intensität verloren hat. Es verlangt zwar nach einem offenen Ohr und einer Vorliebe für dunklere Klänge, belohnt den Hörer jedoch mit einer unvergleichlichen musikalischen Reise. Ob man ein Fan des Genres ist oder einfach nur ein Stück Musikgeschichte erleben möchte – dieses Album ist ein Muss.
Really liked this. Didn’t like Closer. Seems like a bridge from punk to bands like The Cure and The Smiths.
Lind of dark and melancholy, which is understand. An album without much actual joy, but still musically OK.
6.5/10 Second JD album in a couple of weeks, liked this more but I am still not sure they are for me. Production wise this was much more route one, but in a good way. Sounded pretty fresh and the sound still exists and is relevant. Bass very good. Preferred the vocals this time, seemed less affected. Overall less intense and doom-laden than the other one, but it still was slightly dragging for me at the end Best: Day of the Lords
Couldn’t even get through it. Not my kind of music. Great drums however that was the only thing I enjoyed about it.
Unknown why this album made the 1001 List, maybe the cover art. Pretty good threefer from Shadowplay, Wilderness, and Interzone but the rest of the songs are mediocre. (2.7*s) Pleasure.
Joy Division made (pulsar) waves in the post-punk world by being moody instead of upbeat, down instead of up, and singing about emotions other than anger. They blended electronic, somewhat industrial soundscapes with dance music and glitchy guitars. You can hear how they were the predecessors to a lot of melancholic music to come (yes, including Seventeen Seconds by The Cure). Is Unknown Pleasures great? No. Is this four 20 year olds exploring introspective, dark themes and displaying raw emotion at a time when all music (in the UK) was the Sex Pistols? Yes. There's a few good songs on here but it's missing "Love Will Tear Us Apart" which is undeniably great. I like their sparse, angular sound for a few songs and dig the very well-known cover art. 3.0 for the short-lived epileptic.
Dank, dark, and pulsating. Some good guitar work and sound effects. Top tracks like "Disorder" and "Shadowplay" carry the album. I listened to it once before years ago after watching seasons of Ink Master. The only shirt judge Dave Navarro owns apparently is one with the cover art on a T. Had to look it up and this time around it left a similar impression...pretty good but not that memorable. The cover of the album is obviously more famous than the music. The pulsar image is cool as well as the band name. Album content however is not as radiating...3.05.
Joy Division has always been a major head scratcher to me. They are frequently cited as a hugely influential band and listed among many people's must listens. This isn't my first time diving into Joy Division and I still just don't get it. I keep feeling like I'm missing something because their music just ends up so hollow to me. I can't say it's outright bad in any way, but it does little to nothing to resonate with me. I respect that this is an early example of the post-punk movement, but somebody please educate me as to why they are held in such high regard. Until then, they will remain shelved as a band that I find overrated and mostly skippable. 1.76 stars
An old favorite I hadn’t listened to in a long time. Properly brooding.
I’m waiting for something good to happen here, but losing what little confidence I have. This is really simplistic shit. Simple guitar, simple base, simple drum. And the synth? I feel like Curtis couldn’t find any adults to back his weird lyrics and creep vibe, so he hit up the local middle school, promising sex and drugs if they’d join his band. There was so much better music coming out around 1980, MY era, and these twits road their coats and made us look like fools. Fuckers! This is cringe.
I was excited when I saw this album was my chosen album for today. I have been wanting to listen to this album for a while. As soon as the drums kicked in on "Disorder", I was immediately reminded of the familiar sound of The Cure. It was also reminiscent of Interpol and Bauhaus. It transports you into this dark and moody atmosphere. As soon as I heard "Candidate" I knew it was my favorite. The melody and vocals are amazing. I played it five more times, it is going onto my playlist for sure. I'm putting this at a 4, Im sure as I listen to it repetitively it will go up in ranking.
Did not enjoy it as much as I thought...
it was ok
not for me, though some were nice sections of early punk
i don't get it...
“the singer sounds so depressed and moody” well he did kill himself this album suffers from the thing that plagues old classics. it is so referential that it seems boring. it’s inspired too much and luckily we’ve gotten some of the best music due to their influence. not for me, I much prefer new order. but appreciated the time to sit with this
fuck The Wombats for making me believe you could dance to Joy Division. This was a hot pile of dookie spice and I know all these hoes walking around with Joy Division band tees have never heard a real song from this album bc if they did they’d never rep this trash band. They’re lucky to get 1 star from me.
To quote song 2, Day of the Lords, “when will it end”? Kinda wish they would’ve kept this album to themselves so I didn’t have to listen to people impersonating this singing style for the last 8 years. My hatred of this vocal style is personal and due to people attempting to give homage to Joy Division, so I will refrain on giving it a 1 for that. Giving a 2 because the background music is okay. However, if a restaurant played this I would probably walk out mid-bite.
Killer album. I was obsessed with this in high school and college. As I got older, I stopped listening at much but it still holds up super well.
Didn't like them as much as New Order when I was younger. Then I started liking The Doors a lot more. Now I get it.
Me gustó bastante. Conocí un bajista espectacular y las canciones dan para un análisis más profundo que el que hice en mí primera escucha de este álbum.
Every time I listen to this album, it still surprises me how innovative this was for such young guys who had no idea what they were doing.
I see a lot of people describing this music as "dark" or "moody". I think you have to show some sort of emotion to be considered moody. I also understand that there is a whole spectrum of emotional tone to art but I really can't imagine anyone describing this as "dark". It's not chipper and poppy, but it ain't dark. The vibe seems more like the absence of a vibe. It's the loneliness of depression. Numbness. Anyway, it was fairly boring but thankfully pretty short,
Not as good a Closer but shows the promise of what was to come. A little rough around the edges but has a certain power and atmosphere
It was a little boring. It sounded a bit like talking heads with the emotionless yet passionate singing.
Never heard any of this before which is not surprising as there were never any singles released and the album never charted. I found it a bit boring but good in parts. I feel it deserved more commercial success than it had especially as this was the only Joy Division album released before the untimely death of singer Ian Curtis
Oof. This was not enjoyed.
Not into this style of music apparently
Post-punk could’ve ended after Joy Division. Doesn’t get better than this.
259/1001
Haunting - sublime - joy and pleasure should be known by everyone
I have never intentionally listened Joy Division. Some songs I have heard and overall sound is familiar. Sparse start and gaining speed towards end and getting me more and more hooked but without final crescendo.
Weird soundscapes are my thing and this album has a lot of chaotic bits in the background. The music itself has a kind of inconsolable feel to it, a sense of otherness, outsider feeling that younger me would've embraced. This music is born of pain and uncomfortable existence. No wonder goth scene has embraced this darkness for well over 4 decades.
This album is more of a downer than I remember. Hah! A classic, for sure, but just not my personal speed.
I remember liking this album alot more, never been a huge fan of the droney singing. crazy Joy division turned into New Order who I love
10/10. The story behind Joy Division is fairly depressing. The lyrics are very sad. The mood is sad. However, everything has been constructed in such a fantastic way. When I first listened to this album, I didn't get it. I felt like Joy Division are overrated. However, upon listening to them more, I eventually realized that they are an incredible band! What an awesome band! They paved the way for so many post-punk bands!!! Take my bloody five stars!!! :)
It’s like if Talking Heads only wrote very sad music and his suit were too small
Totally original
Some good hits, and I should love it, but something about it just misses the mark for me. First listening to it on an airport bus in Pisa, Italy probably didn't help. High 3*
I have listened to Joy Division songs, but never a whole album. I liked this album, but I didn't really hear anything special that would make me listen again.
It was okay
This gave some eerie vibes. I was captivated throughout. Great stuff!
The best worst recorded album ever
Sehr markantes Debüt Album aus 1979. Der instrumentale Wave Sound, mit gelungenen elektronischen Passagen überzeugt. Die Songs sind aufeinander abgestimmt und weisen mit „Shadowplay“ ein Highlight aus und mit „Day of The Hidden Lord“ eine hidden Star. Gerne Wiederhören.
I really like the funky guitar riffs in Disorder - it feels very emo punk-rock. Day of the Lords was a heavy beat but I rocked w it. Candidate and Insight were not the vibe. Liked the beat of Interzone. I Remember Nothing was depressinggg. Overall, this type of music isn’t something I typically listen to and for good reason, it makes me feel sad and alone :( Fave Song: Interzone Least Have Song: Candidate Rating: 2/5
Easy 5/5 Favs: New Dawn Fades, Shadowplay, Wilderness
3.5
First song is great, the rest blends.
Not very exciting, so much so that I forgot it was playing as I was working on other things.
Listened to this with dad. Always saw the t-shirts, never listened to the album. Totally thought they were like a Tame Impala type band— but this is both different from my expectations and fantastic!
This was a known hole in my cultural lexicon. They were just before when I started getting into the alt rock scene and I never went back to listen to them. I'm a little surprised to hear this be regarded as one of the best albums of all time, but it's solid. I still don't think it's getting above 3, though.
Hearing Unknown Pleasures with fresh ears reminds you why it’s considered such an essential work. It captures a moment in late-1970s Britain, a time when punk's energy had begun to fragment and become darker, more introspective sounds began to take root. Yet, this album transcends its era, sounding as fresh and evocative today for me as it must have upon its release. Unknown Pleasures it#s bleak beauty, innovative production, and emotional resonance make it for me at least a true masterpiece of its time, and all time. Martin Hannett’s production work not only elevates the band’s music but also defines the sonic template for much of what post-punk would become. I know some people don't like his production but for me it's almost as much a part of the album as the band is and the lyrics. This is not just an album to hear for it’s an album to experience. The first time I ever heard this was in a car I was about 14 traveling down the mancunian way in manchester, like the perfect setting for this album on a bleak january night, cold, dark, dreary. the car which had been talking since we left home just silenced as my friends brother put this on and it's like we all had this moment in time. by the time we got to where we were going the final notes of 'we remember nothing faded, as if perfectly timed for the journey.Two days later I brought the copy I still have on Vinyl, it's very worn these days but this is where I fell in love with post punk... obviously a 5/5 for me I couldn't rate it any other tbh, as much a part of my life as breathing at this point
This album was just too much for me lol. It was annoying me