My freshman year roommate at university (way back in 1986) introduced me to Joy Division and a host of other great-to-good bands from the UK post-punk scene. I have no idea how an Asian-American math and science whiz from mid-‘80s College Station, Texas got hooked on Joy Division, the Cure, Bauhaus, and other gloomy goodies, but that’s how it was.
Of all those post-punk bands, Joy Division was probably the one we listened to the most, and it still feels like the most significant of the bunch. Ian Curtis’s dead-pan voice seemed to somehow express both an intense, passionate questing and emotional exhaustion at the same time. The band behind him cranked out a propulsive post-punk grind, later incorporating synthesizers
Joy Division remains essential post-punk listening, the chronicle of a confused soul questioning his purpose and direction in life, searching for answers in a harsh world. The fact that he never found the answers he sought—Curtis committed suicide just two months before their second album Closer was released—only magnifies the urgency of his quest.
Playlist 1
Playlist one focuses on their earlier releases, including highlights from their debut EP and excellent debut album Unknown Pleasures. The sound here tends to be more rock-ish punk and post-punk.
Playlist 2
Playlist two focuses on their sophomore album Closer, plus the surrounding singles. The sound here is similar, but with far more use of synthesizers and a generally cleaner production. They would pursue this direction even further with their next band, continuing on as New Order after Curtis’s death. I’ve played a little with the chronology of the singles to enhance playability (in fact, sticking more closely to recording date than the release date).
Cover Art:
- Unknown Pleasures: Source, Discogs.com
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