Closer

I was never a Joy Division fan. Friends of mine would point out versions of the album art for Unknown Pleasures everywhere with a wry smile, but it meant nothing to me. Joy Division came too late in life to make a difference; I perceive them now how children do the work of Charles Dickens, groundbreaking when it came out but overanalyzed and overloved, trapped in the past, no longer relevant in the modern age. Despite this guide's insistence that Closer is "a quantum leap" musically compared to the Unknown Pleasures, you could shuffle them together and I wouldn't notice. It's not for me.

This album is darker than vantablack. The opening track, when I first heard it, was one of the most emotive and dark things I had ever heard. When you know the story of Ian Curtis and read into the lyrics on this record, it is basically a cry for help. This is a perfect record for me. Favorite track: all Least favorite track: none

I’ve never paid Closer as much attention as Unknown Pleasures and that’s totally my stupidity. Mind blown throughout, haven’t heard it in a long time and have had it on nearly solidly for a day now. The fact they moved to a real synth sound from Heart and Soul to the close just takes this to another level. The influence this album has clearly had on some of my favorite bands today is evident throughout. Decades is a quite spectacular finish - some say it’s about war and some say it’s about a man looking back on his life from heaven and the pressure on him - all the more apt when you remember it was released two months after his death. WHAT. A. RECORD.

I was cutting an avocado while listening to this album and while “A Means to an End” came on, I felt like maybe I should be the avocado. Definitely sad boi shit. I also felt that Ian Curtis was standing 10 feet away from the mic and obnoxiously yelling the entire album trying to blend in with all the other instruments and not giving a fuck about any of it anymore. I learned later today that he took his own life shortly after the album was produced and then remembered the avocado.

I can objectively appreciate what it is, but this is decidedly not for me.

I like this kinda dreamt rock electronic. Like a song in a movie If u were trippin on drugs and spiraling from your show bizz celebrity life lmao.

Released a few months after Ian Curtis hung himself. Impossible not to hear as a suicide note, although the grooves eventually worm their way to the surface.

I thought I was listening to the same song until I was halfway through the album. The drummer uses the same fill for almost everything, and it's a aural barrage of repetitive riffs the whole way through. Also, the singer is truly terrible. I think Tool stole their vibe and made it actually listenable.

Ian Curtis's voice is really annoying on this album. Like, "immediately lose two stars, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars" annoying. I know that sounds petty but I just REALLY hate it. This album was released only a year after "Unknown Pleasures" but, in the intervening year, they stripped every last bit of punk from their sound and all that's left is a grumpy, depressed, mishmash of musical ideas overlaid with thick, tuneless vocal mumbling. Did I mention that I hate Ian Curtis's vocals on this album? Because I hate them. So much. Good grief.

My wife described this (before being told who it was) as "arty, pretentious shit with a vocalist who can't sing". Hard to argue, really. Dreadful dirges. It wasn't love that tore them apart. Occasional flashes of better to come, but this album doesn't belong on any list. Like the drumming, though - and Hooky's bass is clearly the driving melodic force.

I bought this album a day or so after its release. I was aware of the hype around the band and had been impressed by their performances on the radio. But this, this was on another level. A jagged soundscape along a narrow and foreboding route, punctuated with moments of sheer beauty. Altogether way more than the sum of its parts.

Might have its importance in a context, but sounds boring today.

Nope. One of the most overrated bands of all time, with a tonedeaf singer. Listened to all of their albums before, and they're all total shite.

Joy Division is a group that does both rock and art. Multiple small sonic details make the album incredibly fascinating. The percussions are powerful and original, the guitar and the bass so dark and well blend. All this crowned by the strong emotions released by the singer and his inimitable voice. The alignment of the last 3 songs is probably one of the strongest moments of post-punk. Ok, I'll admit it, I listened to the album twice in a row.

Production: 17/20 Songwriting: 16/20 Innovation: 17/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 16/20 =86 Yeeeessssss pleeeeeease

Amazing album, post punk, different sounds. Cryptic, dark, cool sounds, basslines and guitar are interesting. Lyrics and vocals all unique and work well with the music

En ce mercredi après-midi, synonyme d'un week end s'approchant à grand pas, un sacré épouvantail se dressait face a moi: Joy Division Bell, que je me languissais d'avance d'öcouter, et pour cause... Ayant eu la joie d'arpenter les montagnes helvète la semaine dernière, il se trouve que je dispose de quelques albums de retard sur mon compagnon d'écoute, le très inébranlable robpotter. Hors, ce dernier ne tarissait pas d'insultes envers cet album, lui accordant la note minimale (une etoile sur cinq pour ceux qui ne connaitraient pas bien le système en place). Seulement, il se trouve que j'ai personnellement apprécié cet album, malgré un chanteur il est vrai à côté de la plaque, mais peut-on lvraiment lui en vouloir étant donné sa petite forme de l'époque? Des mauvaises passes arrivent dans la carrière de chaque joueur, seul les plus grands arrivent à se maintenir au plus haut niveau, évitant les blessures. Rob nous targue une fois de plus d'une opinion musicale desastreuse, qui construit néammoins sa légende. Que nous reservera t'il la prochaine fois?

C'est tout simplement horrible. La voix du chanteur est atroce. Je vais demander des explications à Robert, que je connais personnellement.

Icy brilliance.

It takes serious balls for a band to start their "difficult" sophomore album with a song like Attrocity Exhibition. Challenging, jarring even ugly at points both musically and especially in subject matter. But JD if nothing else, had balls. This album is as harrowing a personal statement as any in rock and roll. I just wish it had been cathartic enough to allow Ian Curtis to fend off his personal demons...to allow us the chance to hear what would have come next. Unknown Pleasures was JDs statement of arrival and it is visceral and immediate and raw. Closer is the magnum opus for me it holds up better today. Either way both are 5 🌟 albums

Less celebrated than Unknown Pleasures but arguably just as good. It's a shame about Ian Curtis. I've often wondered what would have happened if Joy Division had continued. Would they have had the success of New Order? Regardless this is a great album.

Finally! Joy Division has always been one of my blind spots - and multiple (admittedly half hearted) attempts in the past of trying to find an album representative of what I imagined to be their greatness while also appealing to me provided unfruitful. I had even across this particular album and snubbed it… But now hearing it in context almost every song is a memorable - Ian’s doom echoing over ethereal beats while sounding mystical and punk at the same time. From start to finish, even without some of their more poppy affairs - this is a brilliant album and finally I have seen the light.

It is overcast outside. If it was sunny, it would immediately become overcast when I put this record on. I have never listened to this album with the sun remotely showing. And that's just how it is. A posthumous release two months after the death of Ian Curtis. A picture of a tomb on the cover. All this leading to what is a brilliant album. The start of Goth. OK. The best ever Post-Punk album. OK. What stands out for me is that this a great album as a whole as is each song in its own. You could argue whether each song is great the way it is , was it over-produced by Martin Hannett with weird noises and synthesizers, what if the guitar sounded like that, etc. The album as a whole has an eerie and haunting mood. It is danceable without being dance music. I always wondered how the heck New Order formed from this. There are nine songs with five being earlier-written guitar-based and the remaining four synthesizer-based. However, intertwined in the album, you can't really tell them apart. "Isolation" and "Colony" highlight the style of the album the best for me with the driving bass, danceable drum beats, Ian Curtis' unique voice with one song synthesizer-based and the other guitar. My two favorite songs are "A Means to an End" and "Twenty-Four Hours" and I believe the reason is that they are the closest songs to traditional guitar-based rock songs. I could go on about each song. This is an album that I do get a little bit more and different everytime I listen to it. A revered album worthy of all the praise.

Originally a punk band with songs that were hard on the ears by the time they recorded their first album they had found a unique bleak industrial synth sound and the songs were much improved. The inspiration behind the songs is well publicised which makes them even more haunting now. A brilliant album and for me the stand out tracks are Isolation, Means to an End and Decades.

I always found Closer much harder work than Unknown Pleasures, which I always preferred. Closer is an alienating, hostile listen, even if you approach it with no conscience of the "suicide note" factor. Its intimacy comes up as intimidating instead of welcoming, and despite the spare, minimal, subdued atmosphere that pervades the record, it does sound ominously heavy. All this made me always feel somehow disconnected from the listening experience. Until now. Today I was able to play it only twice (out of more than 20 records so far, I only listened once to two of them, and played several times during the 24 hour arc the rest of them), once in the morning and once in the evening; because it isn't one of those records you can play twice in a row, in my opinion. And still, since the first time this morning, Closer manifested itself in all of its splendor. Magnificent. Even for such a statement of existencial anguish, and also because of this very reason, there is no other word to describe it: Magnificent. This is much more than an album to listen before you die, this is an album to own. And for the rest of your life.

My first time really listening to Joy Division and I absolutely love everything about it. Each track is unique and amazing, with innovative synths and techniques that sound like nothing else of the era. The afrobeat drumming of "Atrocity Exhibition" reminded me of Talking Heads, but is used nowhere else. Tracks like "Isolation" preview where New Order will take synth music in a more elaborate, operatic format. There's a wide range of emotions displayed in this album. Sure, a lot of it is very dark and cold, but "Isolation" is a perfect example of a brighter sound that made Ian Curtis's echoed vocals like an angel from above. I absolutely love Ian Curtis's vocals. His creepy tone and whiny finishes to his lines add to the overall gothic appeal. There really is something to like about each track. "Passover" has whispery back vocals and goopey synth noises that sound like a toxic waste factory. "Colony" is full of stress and anxiety with its repetitive and incredibly fast-paced bassline. "A Means to an End" is by far the catchiest, and has my favorite beat and solo; you can again hear the sound New Order will take. I like how "24 Hours" keeps swapping between fast and slow, and also it sounds the most like New Order. "Eternal" feels desolate and hopeless, like a void. "Decades" definitely has a "closer track" feel; it's synth-heavy and shoegazey, with dreamy and claustrophobic vocals, and some attractive bridges. New Order is for sure one of my favorite bands of the 80s, and everything I adore about their sound is represented here. Joy Division is able to perfectly encapsulate feelings of chaos, claustrophobia, and total dread, and it's honestly hard to believe they came up with all this on their own, with no one to base their music off except several contemporaries. I'm even more excited to explore the rest of their short-lived discography.

Post punk perfection. While maybe a little more sprawling, less focused than its predecessor, it does not suffer at all because of it. The album is flawless even before we reach decade. A special album.

For me; pretty close to perfect. A monster emotional person from all 4!

This feels so contemporary, can’t believe I have focused on Unknown Pleasures and not given this the airtime it demands. Gentle in parts, aggressive in others, melodic, rhythmical, just a great example of the start of post punk. Top tracks: Colony, The Eternal, A Means To An End

Closer is melancholic and austere. Given that it was released posthumously from Ian Curtis' suicide it feels more poignant. Coupled with the cover art image of the Appiani Family tomb from Genoa, you have a haunting album, of which in hindsight makes it seem that Ian's suicide was inevitable. A seminal album in post-punk/alternative with the introduction of the synths so prevalent of the 80s. Best: Isolation Worst: Passover

There are moments that feel like you’re in the studio with the band. Not much sampling going on in 1980, which means most of this album is played pretty straight. That means those are real drums. Really great stuff.

I've spent so much time listening to "Unknown Pleasures" this made me realize how much I'd forgotten about their other album. It's more art-rock, spare, and haunting, but high quality and worth exploring in-depth. You need to be in a mood for it, though. I'm glad I was pointed back to this album.

Dark, complicated and brilliant. Will certainly revisit.

"Immortalists with points to prove, I put my trust in you" (A means to an end) "Each ritual showed up the door for our wanderings Open, then shut, then slammed in our face" (Decades) Lo voy a escuchar una segunda vez y terminaré dando me gusta a todas las canciones, que ya sé yo cómo funciona esto.

Hard to separate from the first Joy Division album

You see someone wearing "The T-shirt." You ask them to name 3 songs. They can't. Neither can you. The average listener doesn't know much about JD other than, "Hey that's a neat shirt!" I was in the same boat until a just a couple months ago when my aforementioned fave punk history podcast did a series on them. I checked out the T-shirt album, "Unknown Pleasures," and really dug it, but I think I like Closer even more. It feels moodier to me, more intimate. You do feel as if someone suffering is pulling you closer and pulling you into their sadness with them. You already know I love full synth tones so they had me hooked pretty early on with this one. Their legacy lived on through New Order and all of the New Wave and Post Punk scenes, so its easy to see that the must listen factor of this album is pretty high. Like Emily I am not always big on Post Punk bands, but Joy Division make it work. Instead of getting too artsy with it, they made it cool for punk to be depressed and emotional as opposed to consistently antagonistic and aggressive.

Dark, moody, desperate, disturbing, hopelessness in the lyrics. Ian Curtis had such a voice. Like Jim Morrison or Iggy but more forlorn. I love the bass and the interplay with guitar and keyboards and drums to create a driving electro-post-punk sound (that got brightened up for New Order) I was only a distant listener in the 80s, but became an enthusiast after watching the movie "Control" a decade ago. Classic.

If you asked me yesterday about joy division, I woulda guessed they were a late 90's hipster darling still making music. Turns out, That is WILDLY not the case haha! || This album is forcing me to more critically consider how I designate ratings. On a personal level I give this album a 3.5. But in terms of influence, creativity, and "need to hear before you die" it's an obvious 5+. I cannot deny how important this album is to such a wide swath of music being created today. || I'm curious to talk more about how each of our thought processes around ratings evolve as we continue listening - what criteria and feelings do we use to inform our decisions?

Way better than I remember.

Depressingly beautiful.

Another band I've long felt I should enjoy much more than I do but have just never clicked with. As I mentioned discussing an album in the other thread earlier today, when it comes to Joy Division I can appreciate what's going on far more than I enjoy it. I understand their importance and why people are so into and inspired by them, but I would only listen to them for a project like this, or if somebody else puts it on. I do enjoy the bass sound on this album quite a bit though!

Good repetitive grooves & depressing tones. I can appreciate when it came out, and the story behind it, but I’m personally not a fan. Keep getting Fred Schneider from B-52s vibes and get taken out of the sadness. Personal problem I guess. Rate 6/10.

3.5 Props to bassist Peter Hook and the drummer for solid, steady state playing. The opening track (Atrocity Exhibition) and The Eternal (the slow track) are the most interesting. Predating Emo by 35 years, this alt-new-wave whining is the reason my high school friend began spiking his hair with Crest toothpaste and threading safety pins in his earlobes. Dynamically flaccid. The singer sounds like he wants to be Jim Morrison, but refused to listen to him on principle.

I'm really glad I finally took the time to listen to this record. That voice and everything behind it is so hauntingly beautiful.

Listening to this, I was struck by how kind of crazy it is that Ian Curtis has always been the focus of Joy Division in terms of the mythology of this band. If dude had just not died the way he did I wonder if there would not be an entirely different story altogether written about them. Because when you listen to the songs… it’s all about the rhythm section. They pick one riff that tends to start with the bass or drums, and they just ride that shit out! Was there even a chorus in any of these tunes? They’re almost anti-songs. And I kind of love that. But yeah. Ian Curtis. No way getting around the mythology. I guess he died so New Order could live? I have no idea what I’m saying and I’m going to bed.

Closer is the second and final studio album by English rock band Joy Division, released on 18 July 1980 by Factory Records. It was released two months after the suicide of the band's lead singer and lyricist Ian Curtis. Closer was also named NME Album of the Year. It was remastered and re-released in 2007. Today, Closer is widely recognized as a seminal release of the post-punk era. Following the release of the non-album single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" in June 1980, the remaining members re-formed as New Order.

I’ve only heard songs off of unknown pleasures and I’ve never been that huge of a fan. The sound is very bare and empty feeling and I’ve never liked the vocals but I suppose I appreciate the impact joy division's and all that.

The man has a very deep voice and I'm afraid it grates on me :(

joy division suck

Redolent of those times, relevant today.

I prefer Unknown Pleasures, but this is still a great album. Easy 5

Long-time favorite which I prefer to Unknown Pleasures, but only just a bit.

I prefer unknown pleasures but closer is pretty perfect and actually quite experimental. Atrocity exhibition and isolation are a good 1,2 punch showing off the sounds of closer very well. Passover feels more familiar for joy division, I could imagine this on unknown pleasures. Colony is like 1% weaker than the rest but I love the whole god and his wisdom bit. A means to an end is honestly my personal favourite I just love the vocal approach on this song… and the lyrics. Heart and soul is a bit strange but I like it.Twenty four hours is another very unknown pleasures type song, love the riff. The eternal and decades make up for a great closing 12 minutes I remember them both being together feeling laggy on past listen’s but it works. Something I’ve always thought about joy division is that when you think back to the tracks you believe they’re more aggressive because of how powerful they are. Strangely my best comparison with that aspect of the band is the boxer by Simon and Garfunkel but across a discography. Emotion will always come through if it’s genuine. 5/5

## In-Depth Review of *Closer* by Joy Division *Closer*, released in July 1980, is the second and final studio album by the iconic post-punk band Joy Division. Following the tragic suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis just two months prior to its release, the album is often viewed through the lens of his untimely death, infusing its music and lyrics with a profound sense of melancholy and existential despair. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also evaluating its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Closer* are a poignant reflection of Curtis's inner turmoil and struggles. They explore themes of isolation, despair, and the human condition with an unflinching honesty that resonates deeply with listeners. - **Existential Themes**: The opening track, "Atrocity Exhibition," sets a harrowing tone with its vivid imagery depicting emotional and physical entrapment. Lines like "This is the way, step inside" invite listeners into a world fraught with chaos and suffering. - **Isolation and Despair**: In "Isolation," Curtis juxtaposes upbeat synth-pop elements with dark, introspective lyrics. The line "I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through" encapsulates his feelings of alienation and regret, resonating powerfully in light of his personal struggles. - **Mortality and Acceptance**: Tracks like "The Eternal" and "Decades" grapple with mortality, time, and acceptance. "The Eternal" serves as a dirge-like meditation on death, while "Decades" captures the burdens of youth with lines that evoke a sense of longing and melancholy. Curtis's ability to articulate complex emotions through stark yet poetic language has cemented his status as one of rock's most significant lyricists. His work on *Closer* is often regarded as some of his most profound. ### Music Musically, *Closer* marks a significant evolution from Joy Division's debut album, *Unknown Pleasures*. The band experiments with soundscapes that are both haunting and expansive. - **Innovative Sound**: The production by Martin Hannett plays a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. He creates an atmosphere that feels both spacious and claustrophobic, utilizing reverb and echo to enhance the emotional weight of the music. This is particularly evident in tracks like "Heart and Soul," where the instrumentation mirrors Curtis's lyrical themes. - **Diverse Instrumentation**: The album showcases a blend of post-punk elements with electronic influences. Songs like "Isolation" feature driving basslines from Peter Hook alongside synthesizers that hint at the band's future direction as New Order. This fusion creates a unique sound that is both danceable and deeply introspective. - **Cohesive Flow**: The sequencing of tracks on *Closer* contributes to its overall impact. Each song flows seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive listening experience that feels like a journey through Curtis's psyche. ### Production Martin Hannett's production on *Closer* is often lauded as groundbreaking. He was instrumental in crafting the band's signature sound. - **Atmospheric Techniques**: Hannett employed innovative techniques to create a sense of space within the music. The use of silence, echoed vocals, and layered instrumentation results in an ethereal quality that enhances the emotional depth of the album. - **Artistic Vision**: His vision allowed Joy Division to transcend traditional punk rock boundaries. By infusing elements of ambient music and minimalism into their sound, he helped shape what would become known as post-punk. - **Legacy**: The production techniques used on *Closer* have influenced countless artists across genres. The album's sonic landscape has been cited as an inspiration for bands ranging from Radiohead to contemporary post-punk acts. ### Themes The overarching themes present in *Closer* reflect Curtis's struggles with mental health, existential dread, and human connection. - **Isolation**: A pervasive theme throughout the album is isolation—both physical and emotional. Tracks like "Isolation" explicitly address feelings of being disconnected from oneself and others. - **Mortality**: The specter of death looms large over *Closer*. Curtis’s lyrics often contemplate mortality, reflecting his own struggles with epilepsy and depression. This theme culminates in songs like "The Eternal," which confronts death head-on. - **Existentialism**: The album delves into existential questions about purpose and meaning in life. It echoes sentiments found in literature by authors such as J.G. Ballard, whose influence can be felt in Curtis’s introspective lyrics. ### Influence *Closer* has had a lasting impact on music since its release. Its influence can be seen across multiple genres: - **Post-Punk Evolution**: Joy Division is often credited with helping to define post-punk music. Their innovative sound paved the way for bands like Interpol, The Cure, and even later electronic acts that draw from their aesthetic. - **Gothic Rock**: While not strictly a gothic band, Joy Division’s dark themes and atmospheric sound have heavily influenced gothic rock artists. Their visual aesthetic—particularly the iconic cover art by Peter Saville—has become emblematic of the genre. - **Cultural Legacy**: The enduring legacy of *Closer* is evident in its continued relevance within popular culture. It has been referenced in films, literature, and art, solidifying its status as a cultural touchstone for discussions around mental health and artistic expression. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Emotional Depth**: The album’s exploration of complex emotions resonates deeply with listeners. - **Innovative Sound**: Martin Hannett’s production techniques create a unique sonic landscape that has influenced countless artists. - **Cohesion**: The seamless flow between tracks enhances the listening experience, making it feel like a singular artistic statement. - **Lyrical Mastery**: Ian Curtis’s poignant lyrics capture universal themes of despair and isolation with remarkable clarity. #### Cons - **Bleakness**: The pervasive themes of despair may be overwhelming for some listeners. - **Accessibility**: The experimental nature of some tracks may alienate fans expecting more traditional rock sounds. - **Contextual Weight**: Knowing Curtis’s tragic fate can overshadow the music for some listeners, making it difficult to separate art from artist. ### Conclusion *Closer* stands as one of the most significant albums in music history. Its intricate blend of haunting lyrics, innovative production, and profound themes creates an experience that transcends time. Despite its darkness, it offers insights into the human condition that continue to resonate today. Joy Division's legacy endures not only through this album but also through its lasting influence on generations of musicians who have followed in their footsteps.

Quintessential in het genre imo. De teksten kunnen haast niet killer maar tegelijkertijd zijn ze nog steeds poëtisch. Instrumentatie is eveneens ruw, maar goed uitgedacht en atmosferisch. Op een subtiele manier nog uitzichtlozer dan Dirt van Alice In Chains, wat een prestatie is, lol.

I was really hoping a Joy Division album would make it on here. This band really paved the way for a lot of bands and basically the whole post-punk/post-hardcore movement in the '80s. Very good album.

Such a dark and gloomy album, but in my opinion no where near as good as Unknown Pleasures. Still a very good album, I just feel like the production is a step down on this one. You can really start to hear them moving towards the New Order sound here with some catchy songs like Isolation. I also love the bass line on Twenty Four Hours. Low 5.

The was the start of something amazing.

5/5

Heavy but beautiful atmosphere!

oh my!

Top tier

phenomenal. unique and haunting. what a classic.

One of my favourite albums of all time along with Unknown Pleasures. I told this story before when I reviewed Unknown Pleasures but I will it again: I was 14 year's old and what you would describe as a weird kid. I never fit it, I still don't, well no really. I had no musical identity or interests beyond what my siblings listened too and I was well aware of this. So one Saturday morning I was doing my usual rounds of the newsagents, book exchange and local Vinnies op shop to hunt for comics. When I got to the Vinnies there was a big box of records there, I didn't recognise any of them but I gravitated to Closer by Joy Division. At that stage I had no idea what to expect. I'd never heard of them before but the cover art drew me in. So for the exorbitant sum of $2 (this was 1987) I bought the record. I took it home and played it on the stereo in our lounge room, glad no one else was home. With each song my mind opened the desolation, the distress somehow mixing with music felt more vibrant and real that anything I had listened to. I still feel that same way 37 years on. I went back to the op shop a few days later and picked up Unknown Pleasures. Time travel would be fun so I could see what else was in that box

Classic

Moody synths <3

Listening to Closer it’s no surprise the remaining members of Joy Division would go on to form New Order. It resembles dance music much more than the debut whole never letting go of the dark substances in which Ian Curtis seemed to thrive musically. A haunting and beautiful epitaph from one of the most important post-punk bands.

Atrocity Exhibition Isolation Heart and Soul Decades

94/100

own

An album where everything fits together perfect- the music, lyrics and art. Even looking at the cover fills me with such a weird feeling with how well it fits with Ian’s death. I feel sorry for people that never “get” this album but it is pretty transcendent to me. This would be a 5 star for its influence in post punk/gothic rock alone, not even considering the devastating context to this album. RIP Ian who was somehow able to write from the afterlife before going there. Rating: 5.0

5/5. Hard to describe the feeling of listening to it, since this is the first time, but kind of feels like the Doors and Talking Heads mixed with a drum track. I know there is no drum track here but it feels upbeat and constant while also being told about how life isn't worth it. It's mesmerizing and inspirational musically. There are two entities here, the loud and progressing sounds of the band, and the other is the depressing and poetic lyrics, creating a weird dichotomy but an interesting feeling. The exact feeling one gets while coping with the existential dread of life with an unhealthy substance keeping their mood lifted but brain damaged. It's a good album. Best Song: Isolation, Colony, Decades

I'm a sucker for post punk. I could listen to this all day which probably says something about me. There's just so many layers and it goes down so smooth. I have had too many people impacted by suicide which usually poisons me against artists that have killed themselves but I think the art transcends the artist in this case.

One of the greatest albums of all time by one of the greatest bands of all time

Har hørt det her nogen gange før, men det klikkede lige for mig på en måde det ikke har gjort før! Shit det er mørkt. Fantastisk plade.

This band helped paved the way for so many who followed. It's a damn shame we lost Ian at such an early age. Can't wait to see Peter Hook again this year - he always plays Joy Division.

Man, what could have been. Joy Division will be one of those bands that I will never tire of listening to.

Good music to watch the end of the world to

A masterpiece from one of the greatest bands of all time.

Dor e sofrimento

Wonderful

Conceptual greatness from the heavens

Classic 6 stars

Dark and depressing. Legendary and highly influential. Ian and company paved the way for goth and post-punk with their two releases. This one is even gloomier.

I first listened to this record when I was about 15, because someone told me "The Eternal" was the most depressing song ever written. By now I've been listening to "Closer" for 20 years and there's so much to say about it. It's been a while since I last heard it and it's interesting what stands out now vs. ~15 years ago. The biggest stand out to me was the drumming, it's methodical and unwaivering while the instruments around it spin chaotically. The album itself takes a dive from the first few songs into darker and darker territory. "The Eternal" truly is a devastating song; its placement near the end of the album feels like a funeral, which is unintentionally fitting considering Ian Curtis's fate. Overall this is an incredible record that feels as vital as ever.

Rating: 10/10

One of the best discoveries since going on this listening journey. Evocative and deeply personal lyrics/vocals complimented by a drummer that really grooves and plays unexpected drum patterns. The bass and the guitar playing is also excellent and together they create an enveloping (at times cinematic) atmosphere. It all comes together to make a band that sounds ahead of it's time, and different. Can absolutely hear how bands that I love have been influenced by them.

I have never listened to this a lot because it is really too much.

Interesting drumming on the somewhat unsettling, noisy Atrocity Exhibition. Isolation then opens with an actual bass riff and bright synths. As the album unfolds, the sparse arrangements and monotone vocals only serve to highlight the drums and fuzzy guitars. It's dark, but there's an energy I find compelling. At times mechanical sounding, often dystopian, especially the keyboards. A Means to an End has a catchy riff though, and Decades is startlingly melodic as it builds to a cathartic release. Stunning.

What an album. Virtually flawless

one of my all-time fav bands, so insta-5 star for me. unreal voice, unreal lyricism, unreal musicianship. love these boyz

I don't need to listen to this as it is in my top 10 albums of all time. My words while I'm on holiday will not do it the justice it deserves.. One of the most desolate, depressing albums ever made. Well, the vocalist Ian Curtis did top himself a few months after this was completed. He obviously lived the pain in his voice. The jagged opener 'Atrocity Exhibition' Bernard Albrecht's (or was it Dicken or Sumner at the time?) Is a masterclass of how to make a guitar sound like a piece of construction equipment and also howl in strange ways, with it's repetative primal beats and like all JD and New Order songs, held together with the melody played on Peter Hook's bass. Probably the most 'uplifting' tune is 'A Means to an End' where Curtis is just complaining about trust issues. I love this album so much it hurts, and probably hurt the makers too. It is a 100% perfect record from beginning to end. The final 2 songs are so gloomy and sad with the use of minor notes, it's enough to cheer anyone out of their own depression with the knowledge that there is/was someone worse off than you. (It's my go to album when I'm depressed and it works for me!). The highest 5. 100% perfect.

Imagining the delight that after the torture of a Maxwell album this shows up! This is my world, Joy Division and the more cheerful New Order after Ian died. An album with Isolation, Heart and Soul, and 24 hour (go and watch the film 24 hr party film!) is 5 stars. Period.

made me feel like I was in an 80s era John Hughes film!

I thought I didn’t like it as much as Unknown Pleasure but now I found out that I was wrong. This is perfect.

A stunning album. The world of music lost Ian Curtis all too soon, but this album and Unknown Pleasures are a befitting legacy for greatness.

Oh, I just adore this. The whole feel is epic. Moody, dark, throbbing, powerful guitar and bass drive everything. And THAT vocal. Overwhelming. And fucking brilliant. I was too young (just) to be into Joy Division back in the day, and it took me a while but I have the oven gloves and all now. Talk to the hands; talk to the hands An easy 5.

Love it

The basis for a lot of music I love and cherish today 5

Where to even begin with this masterpiece. This is one of the most emotional albums I have ever heard in my life, which is only amplified by the fact that I recently watched the film "Control" which tells the story of Ian Curtis and Joy Division. Knowing the story in that much detail makes you listen to this band in a whole new light, and you realise how tragic Ian Curtis' life truly was. I forget exactly who said it, but I have always loved the saying "a tortured artist makes better art", which as sad as that is, it's so true and this album is clear evidence of that. Start to finish this album is perfect. Every instrument does what it does amazingly, and of course Ian's voice is amazing. The way synths are used in very subtle way adds so much to this album, especially considering how well they were used for the time period. Songs like "Isolation" and "Heart and Soul" show this off especially well. "Decades" features what might be Ian's best vocals of his career, in terms of just how well he performs that song and how he sings with enough emotion to bring me to tears sometimes. This is truly one of the greatest albums of all time, and without a doubt my favourite album of the 1980s. I feel like a 5/5 is almost meaningless because this album deserves so much more, but unfortunately that's the most I can give it.