FIRST LISTEN to Unknown Pleasures ALBUM || Joy Division

[@OkieJay]

Glad that you're checking out the whole album. Yeah, the entire album has a sense of dread and foreboding about it. The same is true with the second and final album "Closer" (1980). I think the gloomy tone comes from Ian Curtis' struggle with life spilling over into the art. I love this entire album, but New Dawn Fades is definitely a highlight for me. By the way, if you're interested, there was a really good film called "Control" from 2007 that was about Ian Curtis and Joy Division. It's been years since I've seen the film, but it was really good and the actor that plays Ian Curtis did an pretty impressive job and actually sounded a lot like Curtis when singing. The film is a great insight into the band, and is useful in adding context to the music. By the way, I enjoyed the reaction. Liked and subscribed. I'm especially looking forward to your dive into Radiohead and Joy Division. Another 1980s post-punk band that you should consider checking out is The Chameleons. They don't have that gloomy vibe like Joy Division, but they're pretty fantastic and criminally underrated in my opinion.

[@Reani71]

I'm late to the party, I suppose... great that you're checking out the whole album now and I'm glad that you're enjoying it. Actually for a first impression those ratings seem quite fair and I'm sure that this record will quickly grow on you. Just as you mentioned how it was with Radiohead it's the same with Joy Division: these songs often don't 'work' at first glance, give them time and listen to them over and over and they will expose their magic. Great to hear that you're liking Lush as well. I'd recommend (if you shouldn't know them) to listen to Slowdive, especially their album 'Souvlaki Space Station'. The song 'When the Sun Hits' has a similar impact on me as 'New Dawn Fades', another grower and it still gets better to me each time I hear it. It just came to my mind because it's aso classified as Shoegaze just like Lush as well. And Shoegaze is a genre that took a lot of inspiration from post-punk artists like Joy Division.

[@MrDannMann]

If you haven't heard it I'd highly recommend Joy Division's song "Dead Souls" it is my personal favorite, and probably one of their most impressive, live version or studio, both are fantastic. Thank you for making these videos!

[@IsabelleRSG]

'New Dawn Fades' of course, amazing song. The bass / drums intro to 'Wilderness' is really cool. I wonder what you'll think of 'She Lost Control' since it's one of their more well known songs.

[@Sherdelune]

Can't wait to see part two and your reaction to Shadowplay.

[@FullFathomV]

I find Substance to be the best album to introduce people to Joy Division, as it digs deep into their punkier roots with tracks like ‘No Love Lost’, ‘Warsaw’, and ‘Leaders of Men’ along with the goth rock they’re know for.

[@mctrashpedal]

This reaction got my subscription. I plan on checking out your Radiohead reviews.

[@AuntieMamies]

This is a phenomenal album. Ian Curtis was a master at lyricism

[@mozzerianmisanthrope406]

Great reaction. You also have to listen to the sophomore album Closer. It's even better than UP. Can you please react to The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge, a masterpiece of a first album from a criminally underrated post punk band from Manchester. Also, Viagra Boys - Cave World, a post punk band from Sweden who mix post punk with elements of electronica, punk and jazz I hope to see them pop up soon. Subbed.

[@LauraCollins-nd1ju]

Not sure if you know but unfortunately the lead singer Ian Curtis commited suicide in 1980 at the age of 23. He suffered from depression and epilepsy which caused him to have seizures, he wrote all the lyrics and they in my oponion are very important as he used the music to express himself, you can feel the emotion in his voice as well, unfortunately they only have 2 albums, this one and Closer (released after he died), I really hope you react to it at some point, Closer is even darker and the lyrics are very heavy and haunting, it is basically Ian's suicide note, very heartbreaking, and it's sad that the band members said they thought they were "just lyrics" as they reflected his state of mind.

[@jb7727]

That was Lush at the end, good track, Desire Lines is good too......

[@simply_psi]

Great reaction, yeah New Dawn Fades is a great track, for part 2 Shadowplay and She's Lost Control are great. It was the bass guitar on New Dawn Fades but Peter Hook plays the bass very much like a lead guitar and it became a big part of the Joy Division/New Order sound, along with Stephen Morris's super fast very rhythmic drums

[@StevenCorr]

I first heard this at a party believe it or not, more a gathering of like minded punks. It was dark, fucking dark and definitely the darkest thing I'd ever heard back then and probably since. THey made Leonard Cohen sound like the Smurfs ;-) This was 1979 and I was 16.

[@Zen_Shot]

Subbed.

[@swagless6719]

Try jamming day glows harmony house I love that album or alvvays self titled album

[@CraigJames-rt2se]

She's lost control!

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

Joy Division's recorded music is for the most part very bleak. I think that is the reason why they're appreciated. They chose to not offer "oumff" in the ordinary way, but both of their albums are masterly produced by Martin Hannett and the songs equally written and performed by a band that will create interest forever.