Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: • Joy Division - Disorder
In this first installment of classics week 2014, Anthony Fantano reviews a shirt.
More classic reviews: bit.ly/1Hb5DjC
Buy this album: amzn.to/1LQjLlU
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FAV TRACKS: DISORDER, DAY OF THE LORDS, INSIGHT, NEW DAWN FADES, SHE'S LOST CONTROL, SHADOWPLAY, I REMEMBER NOTHING
LEAST FAV TRACK: WILDERNESS
JOY DIVISION - UNKNOWN PLEASURES / 1979 / FACTORY RECORDS / POST-PUNK
classic/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right? What did you think of this album? Love it? Hate it? Why? What should I review next, eh?

[@AnarchyApple]

I like this, it's dark, light, stylish, doesn't shrink in the wash. 10/10 good shirt.

[@MrApotator]

JOY RIDE no one's replying to your comment and it's bugging me so I'm gonna be the first

[@SmokeyOwOs]

JOY RIDE yes

[@MrApotator]

Jimmy Savile ;(

[@moneyatslander]

True, but the reviewer is chubby AF

[@nc5809]

That is funny

[@TheAmericanDragn]

I have to say that "Disorder" is one of my favorite album openers ever!"

[@TheAmericanDragn]

I just remember it was the first track on the album when I started listening to it. "She's Lost Control" might have been the first track on older editions or in the original plan for the album, but I just remember it as the first track when I listened to it.

[@borohhh]

She's Lost Control is opening track for Side 2.

[@eeeeeeevvvvvvrrrw]

That is such a good fucking song

[@piotrjedrzejczak7782]

Disorder is great. The funny thing is, that the instrumentals seems nearly happy when compared to the rest of the album. And then, at the end, you get I remember nothing. My fav is probably New Dawn Fades.

[@jpmmm333]

I think "Atrocity Exhibition" from Closer is a even better opener.

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

I personally prefer Joy Division’s later work, such as OK Computer and Kid A.

[@zackzallie8735]

Pffft, amateur. I prefer 808s and Heartbreak. That's where Thom Yorke used autotune which is an excellent choice

[@thecattywompusonfire7886]

What the hells going on?!!??

[@sharkybuddy5192]

i like blue album more..

[@sharkybuddy5192]

ok human and pinkerton are good tho..))

[@yvestonn]

idk i feel like toxicity is better, just me tho

[@rossross9281]

It’s really annoying when you’re wearing this T-shirt in public and someone comes up to you and tries to start a conversation about some band. This has happened to me a few times.

[@reaux4980]

Sh0ckedSystem if you don’t recognise the sarcasm I think you’ll find that you’re the dumbass

[@jpbostonian]

If you dont know the band, dont wear the shirt. :)

[@dogmanbitehurt8243]

:)

[@richardmack5872]

@@jpbostonian that's the joke

[@jpbostonian]

@@richardmack5872 ik

[@theneedledrop]

i love new order, so it was really hard not to rant about new order in this video. good job to me!!!!!

[@bLuLi0N]

you did good.

[@Zefo_No]

Then will you be doing Substance one day? Or is Power, Corruption & Lies more your classic New Order record?

[@johncook8316]

How do you feel about New Order now? What, with Peter Hook leaving, and them being... well... douchebags. Have you heard of Peter Hook & The Light?

[@MaxBrilhart]

You should've just thrown a mention in there.

[@melchiorcristo9639]

So maybe you should review a New Order album next on classics, like, for instance their best album ever in my opinion: Technique Just sayin :)

[@billypilgrim1]

The "tss-tss" percussion on She's lost control is actually a spray can

[@brendano3735]

Yeah I found that out by watching Control haha

[@billypilgrim1]

Brendan O Me too, great film!

[@sampope200]

Brendan O same

[@billypilgrim1]

Jack SS Are you approving? or you're saying I shouldn't like LCD if like Joy Division?

[@billypilgrim1]

Jack SS Lovely, you have a great taste then

[@citizenerased3034]

Love won't tear that shirt apart

[@citizenerased3034]

***** XD

[@Pheojix]

MUSE!

[@citizenerased3034]

Phoejix Yeah boi

[@Pheojix]

I LOVE MUSE

[@citizenerased3034]

Phoejix Me too mate one of my favorite bands

[@thespartanx54]

New Dawn Fades is literally one of the best songs ever made.

[@M0torsagmannen]

last half of that songs gives me chills everytime, such an amazingly powerful vocal performance by Ian.

[@calvinclayton3464]

My favorite of Joy Division

[@MrHoefnix]

New dawn fades is basically a Black Sabbath/Iggy & the Stooges (listen to Dirt) rip off.

[@TheBadBuffalo]

Then it’s a very good rip off

[@newskin9234]

@@MrHoefnix everything is a rip off of something else.

[@Exsugarbabe1]

This album is incredibly modern, my 13 year old son thought it was a new band, absolutely brilliant, hanting album.

[@neilsun2521]

That shows how influential it's been. There's been so many bands drawing from JD's template over the years since then, it's become the norm almost.

[@fowlae4414]

As a 13 yo, it thought it sounded outdated on my first listen. The more I listen to it the more I appreciate these “outdated” sounds. It’s brilliantly poetic, and the instrumentals/production is amazing. 10/10. Tied with TPAB for the GOAT album for me.

[@cameronharvey4746]

When I listened to it for the first time in 2014 I thought it was some new band I hadn't heard of. I was just getting deep into music and I hadn't yet gotten into classic punk sounds. Even today this record sounds modern when compared to the right music.

[@laussethecat]

I definitely think it sounds dated not that it's a bad thing, The Smith's on the other hand sound so modern

[@BATTOUSAIBEATS]

Definitely ahead of their time sound wise

[@gravytopic]

I had an unknown pleasures shirt many many years ago. It was properly made, with the graphic small and unobtrusive in the center of the chest -- virtually lost in an ocean of darkness, like on the album cover. Every version of the shirt I've seen since then has the graphic taking up the whole front of the shirt. That's not right.

[@justmart4455]

Oh dude that's so dope considering the origins and neutron star fiasco

[@tuanjim799]

"Dance music with gothic overtones." -Martin Hannett describing Joy Division

[@differous01]

Where Romantic artists painted Gothic ruins, 'Unknown Pleasures' is set in a ruin of our own civilization; the abandoned factory. It's dance music with TRAGIC overtones.

[@tuanjim799]

differous01 Yeah, abandoned factories, economically depressed industrial towns, modern man's increasing alienation and isolation, filtered through a dreary, drizzly Northern England lens.

[@differous01]

Tuan Jim It is dance music that manages to be an angry lament, rather than fiddling while Rome burns. Like examining the contents of Pandora's Box and finding Joy in there.

[@CloneDaddy]

@@tuanjim799 Yup. Spot on.

[@willr455]

WHERE WILL IT END.....WHERE WILL IT END

[@rockingchairsofpiss1404]

When*

[@Content.....]

Should have been the opener.

[@mck7646]

@@Content..... it fits nicely as the second song imo. Disorder is the brightest sounding on the record and then this one is like being pulled into deep dark depths.

[@haxanlord]

It will end in death my friend

[@Mrgokart1]

AND THE BODIES OBTAINED

[@theneedledrop]

IT'S HERE!!!!!!

[@MultiRjizzle]

I can't play uno cause I take all the green cards. - Paul the Borderican

[@rickeshHD]

Ey b0ss where's Cal's top x albums of 2014?

[@cinemaslut9034]

CONVERGE - JANE DOE BRAND NEW - DEVIL AND GOD SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE - DIARY I DONT CARE WHICH ONE YOU PICK BUT PICK ONE EGGTANO

[@gd3502]

Wohohooooohoohoooo!

[@adriansteele5679]

Lunatic Prodigy theneedledrop Pleeseese Anthony please do Jane Doe pleeeeessee. I reckon Deja Intendu is better, just my opinion

[@gorillazarchive3056]

I live in the town where Ian was born, macclesfield. I dont blame him for being depressed, it's a dead end.

[@wristygymnast1384]

Silk Road sinner

[@JimJWalker]

Why this band is not in the Rock and Roll hall of fame is a fucking disgrace? Joy Division influenced too many bands to name. They took you to the abyss yet did it in a palatable way, an intellectual way, not like some cheap horror movie scare. No one has come close except perhaps "Pornography" by the Cure.

[@koetjesenschaapjes]

+Jim Walker 'The sound' check it out dude

[@MultiBlackcarrot]

Joy division wouldn't be welcome in the Rock and roll Hall of fame nor would they want to be there

[@JimJWalker]

MultiBlackcarrot Yeah, the HOF is in the US and are biased against English rock. JD deserve more than "The Paul Butterfield Blues Band".

[@VaGTaSter69]

+Jim Walker Have you actually listened to The Paul Butterfield Blues Band? There's a number of bands that deserve to be in the Rock and Roll HOF before Joy Division does...

[@JimJWalker]

Joseph Stallin' I agree with you, but I believe that the Paul Butterfield Blues Band is not one of them.

[@bigcheese2128]

I find it weird how musically the 80s started in the late 70s and ended in the early 90s

[@SHYKOOPA]

It's sort of a trend. Same thing happened with the 90's, you would still find traces of it by 2003

[@dom4293]

You put so much detail into a shirt. I'm proud of you

[@xisumavoid]

I never got into this one but absolutely loved closer, you make a great point about Ian's vocals being a bit much for the popier side of that record, but anyway i will give this one a listen again :-) Are you going to review low end theory in the week?

[@HunterW.Photography]

DankWarrior Music same

[@eamomsandwich7066]

This is kinda surprising hello

[@nolliemags5905]

LMAO WTF?

[@majoromg449]

lol

[@soapyguy6483]

hi

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

Shame that Joy Division had such a short run, and only two studio albums under their belts. They were ahead of the curve

[@tamunotamuno3564]

i swear 😭. They could have release much more albums pushing their sounds and surpassing people's expectations.

[@LordLucario99]

@@tamunotamuno3564 well thats what new order did

[@tamunotamuno3564]

@@LordLucario99 i know but i still would prefer if JD did if ian curtis was still alive. in the end, what do i know 😂

[@daftgeartv]

This album came out 40 years ago today.

[@DaiSenshiMounir]

daftgeartv that’s why I’m here lol

[@_seizurewarning]

Just got the 40th anniversary repressing, listened to it this morning. Definitely worth checking out if you like modern masters of old albums

[@mck7646]

@@_seizurewarning I picked that up too, amazing record. 40 years? Crazy.

[@_seizurewarning]

@@mck7646 it's really crazy. almost as crazy as how good the remaster is on that pressing!! i have a copy of an older pressing and it just sounds so flat in comparison to the new one, I think it's easily the best way to listen to unknown pleasures

[@pardunk]

It's a good profile picture as well

[@jordanlonsdale9468]

hahaha nicee

[@trashley7937]

TheParDunk True

[@owen1686]

No it doesn't

[@noahgratz2725]

So is yours

[@finality42069]

TheParPunk That’s right boy.

[@theneedledrop]

Joy division review happy America classics week 2014 amazing hell yeah good job. Anthony Fantano Anthony Fantano count you Chasta review album post punk music album classic yeah great!

[@TalkingJewCat]

Thanks for reviewing this shit mang; this shit's my jam. How about Jane Doe next? F#A# Infinty? Soundtracks for the Blind? Or have you already picked what albums you're doing?

[@Rome_Plows]

TooCoolForThePublicPool Jane Doe would be the beeeeeeeeeest

[@GizmoFan1]

TooCoolForThePublicPool He's already picked them out. Plus, it'd be kind of weird to have two of Godspeed's albums in the classics (and I've asked him on Tumblr what his favorite was besides Lift Your Skinny Fists, he said it's Yanqui U.X.O)

[@TheJoker18777]

Review get rich or die tryin' by 50 cent

[@joesmoe4778]

The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse. I would really want to hear your take on my favorite album, and to take a look back to before Modest Mouse turned into such a shit pop-rock band. theneedledrop

[@josepheastwood2193]

This album and band are really important to me. I once tried to strike up a conversation with a girl wearing an unknown pleasures shirt she just thought it looked cool and didn't ever hear the album. Kinda bothers me

[@Apathesis0]

That's terrible. You'd figure someone would at least be curious and look it up and listen.

[@MasterCowsChaos]

You mean to tell me that someone doesn't listen to as much music as you?! The nerve!

[@scummygrummy5220]

Code you have completely missed the point of this comment.

[@BrainEatPenguin]

Jamie at least she can name a song🤷🏻‍♂️

[@brettyarnall8322]

I know this is a two year old comment, but.... That kinda shit pisses me off like nothing else on this planet

[@systematicdecline24]

this album is still t-shirt core

[@fowlae4414]

Right up there with The White Album.

[@carnalflowers0]

@@fowlae4414 underrated

[@arizonainacan8594]

Facts

[@creekandseminole]

Honestly, post-punk is one of my favorite genres besides shoegaze and 90's emo.

[@joemiller7082]

I've always felt like 90s emo was really just post punk in the 90s.

[@creekandseminole]

Joe Miller I can dig that notion lol.

[@joemiller7082]

Also, I won't even say shoegaze, let alone use the term to describe music.

[@creekandseminole]

Joe Miller Well, I still will for that because I really liked all the bands that got associated with that style back in the 80's and 90's and even today to a degree. I pretty much love all the Creation Records bands and that's almost that entire labels sound somewhat.

[@sirperybLakeney]

+creekandseminole No argument Creation had some great bands. If you're my age Shoegaze is not a style of music it's a word used as an insult. Miserable indie kids that wouldn't dance would get called that by Roses and Mondays fans (and Ravers). It was not a 'sound'. It was certainly associated with the likes of MBV, but also applicable to Cure fans. The promotion of it as a name for a style of music really seems to be down to the likes of AMG and I can remember being horrified seeing them call bands 'Shoegazers' over 15 years ago -now loads of people are doing it! They were known as noise bands but that term seems to be being hijacked by the American post-hardcore crowd that adopted a rather butch form of noise once they finally realised they were in an artistic dead end. They seem to be keen to write other types of noise bands out of the story -perhaps to make that brand of noise seem more original; which of course it isn't. In any event, calling MBV, Spacemen 3 or the House of Love (let alone the Mary Chain) 'Shoegazers' does them a huge disservice.

[@DissolvedGirl]

But why are they called Joy Division if they're not happy? These guys are a total rip off of Interpol.

[@buckleygeneration]

I love you.

[@WowBloke]

I know youre joking and you probs already know but joy division is the name nazis gave the section of good looking women prisoners of the holocaust era who they just had sex with and raped.

[@GizmoFan1]

Fredrik Wescombe ...I did not know that. I thought the name of the band was just supposed to be ironic.

[@Frijolero18]

"Ohhh, divide. I get it."

[@MagusMirificus]

Frijolero18 Don't talk to him. Nothing good can come of that.

[@therealneal6567]

In case it hasn't been mentioned.... That "tsss tsss" percussion was actually the recording of an aerosol can.

[@LarryStranger]

Disorder has a line that goes something like, "Light's are flashing, cars are crashing. It's getting frequent now." As somebody who suffers from epilepsy I can relate to Ian. One second I was driving down the freeway doing about when I apparently had a Grand Mal seizure and drove straight into a concrete divider. I woke up in the hospital without a scratch on me and no clue what had happened. My point is, the stress of dealing with a seizure inducing condition is tough enough to deal with. I can't imagine what Ian, somebody who struggled terribly with Anxiety, let alone epilepsy was going through in those final days. *Side Note* I was driving a newish german sedan when the Grand Mal happened (Safe reliable car). Normally I set my cruise control between 78-85 MPH when driving on that particular part of the freeway. The barrier split my car in half down the middle like a samurai sword, and aside from a concussion, I didn't have a scratch on me. God exists in one form or another. I should not be alive.

[@cosimo1319]

That's a really potent story bro, I'm happy you made it through though. And I hope you're doing well now man, cheers

[@shellacSOUP58]

The first time I heard "She's Lost Control" I put it on repeat about ten times. Easily my favorite track off here, and one of my favorite songs ever.

[@STOP_red_light]

The bleak emptiness of Unknown Pleasures is something else, it's sound is sparse and stripped back, devoid of everything but the essential. There is a sense of space between each instrument being played too (I can't describe this space better than that).

[@SW-fn7cl]

It sounds like it's being played in an abandoned factory on an industrial estate on a cold night in the early hours.

[@jayops]

I personally prefer Closer imo. To me, it's way more depressing (especially the second half of the album, holy shit, that's soul crushing), it's deeper, the lyrics are more introspective and tragic, Ian Curtis' haunting alienated-from-the-self vocals are more poignant, and I prefer the more cold and icy production of Closer rather than the doomy cavernous sound of Unknown Pleasures. Don't be mistaken, I love Unknown Pleasures, I just prefer Closer. Fuck I love Joy Division. There will never be a band like them again!

[@jayops]

I find with it being more depressing it's more beautiful in a tragic sense.

[@SROGEuan]

You, you I understand...

[@localloser2019]

Id have to agree also closer is more depresive and unknown pleasures has alot of more imagery. Like yes the most depresive id have to say is "a new dawn fades" "decades" i love unknown pleasures though i have two shirts and two old ass posters . and if you didnt know new order is the aftermath of joy division

[@TheOfficialVexMeow]

jayops I agree with you fully.

[@meltem3718]

you should watch "control"! It's a great movie about the life of Ian and Joy Division. Ian is played by Sam Riley (who happens to be my favorite actor, hah)

[@Tigerdriver93]

The bass is the best thing about this album imo.

[@NightmareGanon]

Favorite album ever. There's something definitely eerie about how every single sound in it feels memorable yet it preserves a definite feeling of spontaneity.

[@LividImp]

I kinda hate saying anything is my "favorite" above all others, but if a gun was put to my head and my favorite album was demanded of me, Unknown Pleasures would come out.

[@12345langham]

How could you not mention Day of the Lords?! That's got to be one of the best songs on there?! Otherwise great review :)

[@HermitMoth]

Please review a Sonic Youth album

[@HermitMoth]

It's kool if you don't want to though

[@Yapperofthecentury97]

He should do Bad Moon Rising!

[@SammyGallant]

Paul L I second that! One of SY's best!

[@shonkywonkydonkey]

Definitely Daydream Nation! Fucking epic album He could even do Sister, Goo, Dirty or EVOL for all I care but DN is more widely regarded as 'classic'

[@Yapperofthecentury97]

shonkywonkydonkey Damn right, Daydream Nations and all those albums are classic

[@beatuplexus]

I fucking hate Joy Division. -Me sometime in December 2013 I fucking love Joy Division. -Me the next day. I used to just write them off but after I woke up one day humming She's Lost Control I gave the album a proper listen and ever since then I have been a massive fan of their entire catalog. I still wish JD could have released a true studio version of Ceremony with Ian on vocals.

[@dukepy6936]

hate to be that guy same here, ceremony covered by Radiohead is the closest thing to joy division even when new order has a cover

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

Happened to me, too. When I was 16, I thought they were the most boring band I'd ever heard. Fast forward four years and suddenly it was the best album I'd ever heard. That's how it goes!

[@sherzodakhmedov6343]

@@dukepy6936 and they covered Love Will Tear As Apart, 100x times better than any New Order cover

[@brenetssss]

​@@dukepy6936Radiohead is absolute trash.

[@lucianopinheiro15]

I still think that closer is more consistent and cohesive than Unknown Pleasures. The songs have great hooks (like the beat in Atrocity Exhibition and the sinths in isolation). In addition, Closer is lirically more astonishing, and has an incredible ending.

[@alondrasaldana7016]

I listened to Joy Division everyday in my senior year of high school and it's actually really funny that you say that it has this impending doom feel to it because that's how I really felt about the future and adulthood. I also related so much to this album because of the hopelessness when having a disorder. I hope Ian knows how much this album means to us.

[@christiangastelum7035]

I'm curious as to what Anthony's opinion on interpol is.

[@Chatetris]

Trout Mask Replica

[@mickeyakerfeels7298]

oh god yes

[@MrZilgen]

This is the one I've been hoping for the most. PLEASE ANTHONY!

[@Stwinky]

Fucking meme

[@jamesthegiantkiller1]

I think he called this album pretentious in one of his older videos. I've listened to it about 5 times and still don't get the appeal

[@RMarsupial]

stinky It's also a fucking awesome album though. James Jiantkiller Well I love it.

[@ScreaminVengeance101]

Some brod in my math class wore an Unknown Pleasures t-shirt, so I complimented her (saying it was one of my favorite record) and asked when she started listening to Joy Division. She said she didn't. Of course, I was a little peeved, and then she proceeded to tell her friend that "it's some sort of, like, album, or something". I swear, Ian Curtis rolled over in his grave...

[@DGD4Landy]

he's cremated lol

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

Shifted in his urn?

[@HotStrange]

SV101 Had a similar experience with someone wearing a Nirvana shirt. Told them I wasn't a big fan of that album, she said she had never heard it and also thought it came out sometime in the 2000s. Modern society scares me.

[@ScreaminVengeance101]

Braahms Agreed

[@MichaelJimenez416]

Antipopmusick Ian Curtis killed himself because he foresaw this trend happening

[@waglag5857]

Closer is Ian Curtis suicide note......

[@-giselle]

WaGLaG is this true?

[@PushButtonPress]

No, Closer was his last record before he committed suicide. His note was left in his flat.

[@videotrash_online]

He was being poetic. It’s not literally his suicide note, because it isn’t a physical note. However, it is deeply personal and depressing and might as well have been the kind of content found in a suicide note.

[@zackzallie8735]

The side 2 of Closer kinda links together about a journey of a man who committed suicide and then transported to hell.

[@JimJWalker]

It's "Closer" like close to you, not "Closure" like a final song.

[@jamesonjaksch6800]

I don't think that's true, Closer came out after Ian died, Ian had a choice on the album sleeve picture but I don't think he had a choice on the name. I'm sure Martin thought it was appropriate to name it Closer after Ian's death, as a tribute to him almost.

[@TheDrunkSpartan1337]

+Jameson Jaksch No, watch any interview with the remaining band members and you'll see OP is right

[@mck7646]

@FBI Alypstick You can say it however you want, but it is indeed Closer as in Close to the door, not Close the door.

[@mck7646]

@FBI Alypstick yeah that's definitely one way to view it, but I also think the first way to say it just sounds better.

[@archologyzero]

Its not CLOSE the Door, its CLOSER the door. Think CLOSE the DOOR and you'll be Closer to Closer. Its like Brochure not Dossier. Its like Orchestra not DoorCatcher Its Schnauzer not Chaucer. Dogma not Gojira. Texture not Mixture. Phenotype not Kilobyte. Artificial not Article. Gazing not Gazebo.

[@flrnce]

He missed his chance in saying "Transmission" instead of "Transition"

[@moresoduh]

79 dude. Pleasure Principle, Off the Wall, Unknown Pleasures, Solid State Survivor, Highway to Hell... such a solid year for music

[@Frijolero18]

Don't forget London Calling, Entertainment!, and Rust Never Sleeps.

[@moresoduh]

Mmmm

[@Frijolero18]

Chris Mosby The 9 of every decade is always a great year for music is seems. '59 had Kind of Blue and Time Out. '69 had Abbey Road and the first two Zeppelin albums (and countless others). '89 had the Stone Roses and Doolittle. '99 had Soft Bulletin and Agaetis byrjun. '09 had... yeah not as great but still.

[@GizmoFan1]

Frijolero18 '09 had Fever Ray, Monoliths & Dimensions, Hymn To The Immortal Wind, Born Like This, Black Future, & Merriweather Post Pavillion. In my opinion, some of the best albums of the 2000's (add in a Godspeed record and 2009 would've been goddamn perfect)

[@Frijolero18]

Timothy E. Yeah sorry. I haven't familiarized myself with more contemporary stuff. I gotta play some catch-up.

[@samod7550]

Day of the Lord's does something to me that no other piece of music does. I can't move when I listen to it, I slump over, lump in my throat, and think about nothing and everything at the the same time. Unbelievable.

[@dj09ish38]

Honestly the story of Joy Division is the saddest thing in the whole of music. In their live performances and albums, you can almost hear Ian Curtis rushing and releasing all of his life's energy and sadness is one go. I feel like his whole career was an audio time bomb until his demise; just look at the cover of Closer, it's a picture of a tomb. It appears Ian Curtis was trying narrate his life through the music, and the last album was the "closer" of his story.

[@salesharksmegafan]

The only reason he was so active during live performances was because he didn't want to let the crowd down by just standing there, the cover of closer wasn't chosen by Ian Curtis and his career was a ticking time bomb, he couldn't take the pressure of so many fans, he was scared he was going to let them down

[@Revealingstorm.]

I'm Nuclear I thought he danced the way he did to hide his seizures.

[@s.wilson7315]

I've seen that on tumblr! I have that shirt!

[@ferdiahunt327]

It's annoying because most people only know the t shirt and not the band

[@24pablox]

Lily Bowie i have the shirt and album and i know the band pretty well i dont get why people have so much hate

[@24pablox]

Lily Bowie for the people that wear the shirt

[@maxinator317]

nice troll

[@24pablox]

Lily Bowie hahaha alright yeah. i dont like when people wear band shirts ignoring their greatness and get compliments they dont deserve

[@fulltiltgonzales]

Shadowplay and Transmission are two of the greatest songs ever recorded. Not to mention She's Lost Control, New Dawn Fades, Insight, and Disorder. Greatness!

[@willvaughan3936]

"tss tss" on She's lose Control, eh? It's called an aerosol.

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

An aerosol of fly-killer according to Steve Morris - he suffered for that overdub

[@kmfdm10392]

I do appreciate your break-down of "Unknown Pleasures" - it is required listening for the youngsters (and the oldsters, for that matter) who want to wade their way through the beginnings of what would later be called 'post-punk" and then "alternative." But I like "Closer" so much more. It pushes all my buttons and covers more bases (for me) than the first Joy Division album. All the same, thanks for the review. As I posted in another of your videos, it makes me want to go back and give it another chance.

[@mohawkflip12]

Thank you Anthony. This review of one of my all time favorite albums was fantastic. You're the best!

[@daviddockery8962]

Heart and soul is a song that I will always find amazing in its own haunting and strange way. That skeletal guitar part. That repetitive bass guitar part. That amazing bass line. The snare drum. And then the lyrics. The fucking lyrics man.

[@1Superchops]

I only discovered Unknown Pleasures this year, great to see it reviewed this week. It really does feel like a journey, like you're progressing further and further into some... weird place. And the best part of She's Lost Control is the bizarre snare sound. It's like a BONG instead of a TSS. This is one of the best-produced albums EVER, hands down.

[@MGathe101]

Please bring back classic album reviews, I know that you say that there isn't a lot you could say to add to what has already said, but the way you express your thoughts is more easy and more "fun facty" than most reviews do, so please bring it back

[@Ardianax]

THAT T-SHIRT JOKE HAHAHA fuckin love joy division

[@whipchick90]

I was a teen when this came out. I'm a huge fan and have been for years. My own son, who is 23 now, wore his unknown pleasures t-shirt out when he was like 14. The kid has great taste in music, obviously!

[@Jinglejangles2234]

New dawn fades is one of my favorite ever songs

[@EJB2274]

Joy division means so much to me, the first time I heard this album it made me feel the way only the beatles had before and this was a perfect review of the album

[@ShadowDisorder]

Nine Inch Nails- Downward Spiral?

[@jonasfeldborgjensen7067]

Lmao 5 years later he did it

[@TaddyDoMau]

lol

[@ProfessorBooty69]

Its Closer as in "I am getting closer" not clozer

[@inafridge8573]

Professor Booty now that i think about it close can be an adjective or a verb and when i say forms of the adjective i make the s sound and when i say forms of the verb i make the z sound. So I think hes thinking of Closer to not be about proximity but about closing something, like a closer to a performance

[@DpHsHd]

inafridge Whatever he might have been thinking, he’s wrong. It’s an unvoiced sibilant. And that’s been the case since the album was released in 1980.

[@triciabrown3035]

Thank you! I was wondering why he was talking about the bullpen of a baseball team!

[@oppenheim00]

You had to be there. It's closer (spatial distance) not closer (Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross). Gawd please stop saying either is correct

[@TheRattlehead13]

I think you should review Slint's Spiderland.

[@vsander09]

Indeed. One of the most important albums for modern indie. Also, probably the best album to ever come out of Louisville, KY.

[@OhVicanne]

Fun fact: The "tss tss" percussion on She's Lost Control Melonthony mentions is a spray can

[@reglard]

Manchester 1979 gray rainy post-industrial bleakness (I know I was there), you can hear it in the music. Curtis's own battle with depression and epilepsy and depression I think are a big driver for the content of the album. Great review my 14 y/o daughter can relate to this album even now.

[@cagethefoxtrick3852]

This intro just made me happy after a bad morning

[@sgt.purp1e]

I Remember Nothing is personally one of my favorite closers to any album. Alongside Sheep/Pigs on the Wing Part 2 on Animals, The End/Her Majesty on Abbey Road, and M1 A1 on Gorillaz' Self-titled Debut.

[@vivi-uv1ii]

My father and I love this band and we almost talk about them everyday, our favourite songs are transmission and shadowplay. I loved this band so much that I wrote the lyrics from disorder onto a mask for a school project and no one knew what it was, I was very disappointed in them lol

[@HarrysMovingMedia]

I just happen to pause the video at 1:57 completely unintentionally and I see this: prntscr.com/5mfipx You've made my day anthony, hope yours is ok too

[@justinpontani3950]

Suggestions: Nick Drake- Pink Moon Rboert Johnson-King of Delta blues singers

[@benjamincatling5827]

Twenty Four Hours on the closer album is a very important track and even more ambient and 'depressing' than any track on unknown pleasures, many consider it Ian Curtis' suicide note, it is an amazing track and may even be my favourite simply because it is nothing like anything they ever wrote!

[@ns4536]

Spot on! One of my favorites aswell

[@VegetabIeMan]

I'm so glad you mentioned the shirt debacle. I've seen more of that shirt AFTER I got into that band. And I'm happy you're a nerd in music as I am a huge nerd in JD, and you explained to me things I never knew. It seems cliche to like Unknown Pleasures, but then again, it will make me legit since I actually listen to the band.

[@loganwarman1937]

I think the description is my favorite of any album review.

[@petewadesays12]

I am a fan of literally every album you did this year for Classics 2014 Kraft\werk especially. but Joy Division is my favorite band so....thank you very much Your fan for years, and forever

[@zopilote7]

Where the hell is Cal's top 5 list Fartano, you know that's why we're all subscribed.

[@Axolotl_Mischief]

Born in 79. Huge JD fan, big influence on my own music, one of my favorite albums, hands down. The Low End Theory props and appreciation of JD means you're my new best friend.

[@dennischary1197]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable review.My favorite song is "Insight" for its ability to immerse the listener in the purest and rawest feelings of dystopian despair.Please review another truly essential classic,R.E.M.s "Murmur."

[@victoralmond2125]

Digital was the first song I learned on bass guitar 😂

[@Sharkwhisperer]

I think Heroes was a very influential song of Bowie, it is a song with a dark atmosphere, where the ambiance/atmosphere is so intense, even without singing it would come across as a great song. I think Joy Division were clearly influenced by the song Heroes of Bowie. Joy Division had a lot of ingredients for indie to come: the use of synthesizers(fad gadget), a dark (cure), dreamy sound(sonic youth), no emphasis on guitar solo's, I mean the guitar solo on transmission is pretty minimalistic. Thanks for posting the review, Anthony....

[@zachbos5108]

But Heroes is basically an overproduced Velvet Underground song...

[@evelskunny]

Sharkwhisperer Ian Curtis was into Bowie,But Joy Division don't sound like Bowie or anyone,totally original band,

[@Sharkwhisperer]

what the song heroes and the music of Joy Division have in common is a strong emphasis on creating ambiance with electric guitars. Even without singing the emotion of the songs would come across.....

[@evelskunny]

I like how Bernard Hardly Plays,but yet,Its Amazing : )

[@widM_]

+Zach Bos What? How? I don't hear any Velvet Underground in Heroes. If anything it's krautrock influenced.

[@GilbertDiamonds]

Great way to start off Classics Week Ianthony Curtano. I had a feeling you would do Unknown Pleasures. Now for Aeroplane over the Sea next.

[@tnarockshard]

You should cover some material from The Cure in the near future Anthony. It would be interesting to hear how you feel toward Seventeen Seconds especially due to how the words you used to describe Unknown Pleasures fit with that album as well. The drums in Seventeen Seconds especially has some very simple but eerie drums. Will defiantly be checking out Unknown Pleasures now. Thanks Anthony!

[@natedogsturdikat8538]

Wilderness is underrated. Most visceral moment on the album without losing the sound

[@beepbeeplettuce5701]

NateDogSturdikat Wilderness is my favorite song off that album. The lyrics are so haunting. The song itself is just so beautiful and bone-chilling.

[@IntellectualDesp]

Tribe is next, right? God I hope so

[@CASSOBLVCK]

Midnight Marauders now that's a classic

[@IntellectualDesp]

Yeah but Low End Theory is in the background, lol. But Midnight Marauders is arguably their best.

[@CASSOBLVCK]

IntellectualDesp I know I was just saying Midnight Marauders was a great album my favorite album by Tribe

[@IntellectualDesp]

It's mine as well. Shit's tight.

[@Officialbasscloud]

I'm hoping for The Chronic.

[@memoryfield]

Sounds like you have a good perspective on this album. Great work. Very in-depth commentary.

[@czgibson3086]

Love these Classic reviews. Long may they run!

[@swagmund_freud6669]

She's Lost Control is clearly one of the greatest songs ever written.

[@StevenRecknagelMusic]

Ian Curtis in my opinion is one of the best writers ever. amazing album and great review :D

[@jackkeenan2348]

Really cool to get that little Prayer on Fire mention, been listening to that album all day, insight my favourite song off unknown pleasure

[@Funcrusher92]

Would love to see a Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking review. Keep up the vids. Love them!

[@craskpillord]

Kinda wish you’d update this a bit there’s no way you’re sleeping on Closer by 2023. Don’t get me wrong Unknown Pleasures is amazing, but Closer is an album that really bleeds and exudes sound on each listen. Unknown Pleasures is always what you expect going in, Closer has had a different reaction from each listen.

[@stonedzebra6663]

Really hoping for converge-Jane doe eminem-MMLP black flag-My war daft punk-homework radiohead-kid A Jesus lizard- GOAT Btw great review as always Anthony. Really enjoyed it.

[@tapesfromthecrypt47]

Recorded in the town I live Stockport! I walk past Strrawberry Studios a couple times a week. Timeless album.

[@stilldasayme]

Hi Anthony, beautiful review, thank you. Unknown Pleasures to me is one of those albums that got me really excited about discovering more music when I first heard it. Anyway, here are a couple suggestions for classics' week: - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady - Psychocandy :) - Nebraska - The Times They Are A-Changin' - Jane Doe - Deathconsciousness - Pink (by Boris) Anyway, thanks again for the quality content. Keep it up.

[@violenthell]

Unknown Pleasures is one of my favourite records, a daily listen, aside from The Smiths self-titled.

[@polderdebanjan]

Closer is the more "haunting, chilling" album in my opinion. It's more brooding, and the music isn't as upbeat as Unknown Pleasures. Lyrically though, both the albums are equally brilliant and introspective.

[@Therapfanremix]

One of the best albums ever! Great review, looking forward for other classic week videos

[@tompwns]

Being from Manchester its lovely to hear Fantano talk about legend tony Wilson and factory records.

[@manualLaborer]

"I am an expert on Eye-uhn Cure-tiz and her album "Clozer" because she used to be a closer on Wallstreet."

[@evelskunny]

manualLaborer kinda annoying me he calls it clozer an not Closir : )

[@91xx82]

Painfully beautiful - that's how i'll describe Unknown Pleasures. I came across this band when I was in college and my angsty young self connected so much with it.

[@dcrocks2012]

Hey great video. Hope you keep up more great classics. Could you do a classic album review on the Smiths the queen is dead and R.e.m Murmur. That would be awesome. Keep up the good work.

[@ndogg20]

Back in 1981 while I was stationed in Scotland, a friend lent me a cassette of Unknown Pleasures, never heard of Joy Division before that. Was listening and walking along when I stopped at the last minute of Day Of The Lords, was blown away by that short and powerful guitar blast, which I played over and over. That song and the album was unlike anything that came before it. Post Punk is just a phrase thrown out at the time and doesn't begin to describe this album which doesn't belong to any pop or rock genre and stands alone.