Thursday Album Throwback: Unknown Pleasures
Exploring the Timeless Impact and Dark Beauty of Joy Division's Debut Album
When I first envisioned this publication, I wanted a name that was both impactful and deeply personal. Joy Division inspired that perfect name, mirroring my profound admiration for their work, particularly the album "Unknown Pleasures."
"Unknown Pleasures" is the debut studio album by the English rock, post-punk band Joy Division, released on June 15, 1979, by Factory Records. The album’s iconic cover, designed by artist Peter Saville, features a data plot of signals from a radio pulsar. This album is especially significant as it is the only Joy Division release during lead singer Ian Curtis's lifetime.
Background and Context
Joy Division was formed in 1976 in Salford, England, by Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook after they attended a Sex Pistols concert that inspired them to start their own band. They were soon joined by drummer Stephen Morris and vocalist Ian Curtis, creating a lineup that would become iconic in the post-punk scene. Originally named Warsaw, the band changed its name to Joy Division (a term referring to female concentration camp prisoners forced into prostitution by the Nazis, as depicted in the novel "House of Dolls") in 1978 to avoid confusion with another band.
"Unknown Pleasures," released in 1979, marked a significant moment in the evolution of post-punk music. The album's dark, atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics resonated deeply with listeners, capturing the alienation and angst of the late 1970s. Produced by Martin Hannett, the album's innovative use of space and texture helped to define the post-punk genre, influencing countless bands that followed.
The album's iconic cover, designed by Peter Saville, featuring a data plot of signals from a radio pulsar, has become one of the most recognizable images in music history. This visual, combined with the band's unique sound, created a powerful aesthetic that continues to inspire musicians and artists today.
Joy Division's music and Curtis’s deeply personal lyrics have left a lasting legacy, influencing a wide range of genres from gothic rock to alternative and indie music. Despite the band's short lifespan, due to Curtis’s tragic death in 1980, their work continues to be celebrated and revered, cementing their place in the pantheon of influential post punk bands.
Album Analysis
As previously noted, "Unknown Pleasures" stands as Joy Division’s inaugural full-length album. Its iconic cover showcases the image of the PSR B1919+21 pulsar, a fitting visual representation that mirrors the expansive production style encapsulated within the album.
Disorder
One of my all-time favorite songs, ‘Disorder’, kicks off the album with undeniable force. The catchy guitar riff, accompanied by a driving bassline and irresistible rhythm, contrasts sharply with the somber synths haunting the background. Ian’s lyrics delve into feelings of isolation and detachment, likely influenced by his struggles with depression and neurological disorder.
Towards the song's climax, Ian’s voice brims with desperation as he laments, “I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling.” His vocals crescendo with intensity, almost as if he’s shouting in despair, adding a poignant touch to the song's emotional depth.
Day of the Lords
In contrast to its predecessor, ‘Day of the Lords’ adopts a slower and more ominous pace. The primary guitar riff evokes a sense of heaviness reminiscent of slowed-down heavy metal or hard rock motifs, amplified by intermittent guitar chugging. During the choruses, haunting wails from the synth further deepen the song's eerie and gothic ambiance. Once more, Ian reflects on his "weakness," alluding to his struggles with epileptic seizures.
As the song progresses, it builds towards an emotional apex, with Ian's impassioned cry of "Where will it end?" conveying a sense of anguish and uncertainty.
Candidate
Despite the already slow tempo of the previous track, ‘Candidate’ takes an even slower pace, almost grinding to a halt towards the end. It feels as though the vibrant energy of ‘Disorder’ has dissipated entirely. The intermittent, heavily reverberated sound effects that punctuate the song contribute to its ominous and fear-inducing atmosphere. In essence, ‘Candidate’ embodies a gothic sensibility that I can imagine playing in the background of some horror novel.
Insight
'Insight' unfolds with an intriguing sonic landscape, initially conjuring the imagery of gates creaking open and footsteps echoing until the bass gradually emerges, ushering in the rhythmic pulse of the drums. Notably, Ian's vocals take on a distant quality, as if transmitted through a telephone, adding an enigmatic layer to the composition. Interspersed between verses and the outro, a discordant synth, akin to the sporadic bursts of a malfunctioning laser gun, disrupts the sonic landscape—a testament to Martin Hannett's avant-garde production approach. Thematically, the song navigates themes of wasted time and despondency, with subtle hints at Ian's eventual fate on May 18, 1980, encapsulated in the haunting declaration, "I'm not afraid anymore."
New Dawn Fades
‘New Dawn Fades’ marks the culmination of the first half of the album. It's a track where bass and guitar seamlessly intertwine, crafting an elegiac funeral dirge that, when combined with Ian's haunting vocals, reaches an epic crescendo. Widely regarded as the album's pinnacle, ‘New Dawn Fades’ is often hailed as Joy Division's finest achievement.
In his lyrics, Ian candidly reflects on the breakdown of his marriage, taking responsibility for its demise. He even broaches the topic of suicide with his spouse, to which she responds, “A loaded gun won’t set you free.” This theme would later resurface in Joy Division's most iconic anthem, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’.
She’s Lost Control
The second half commences with a burst of energy: a relentless beat, a mesmerizing bassline, and a repetitive rock riff underscoring the entire track. ‘She’s Lost Control’ maintains the album's dark yet danceable vibe, earning high marks in my book. Lyrically, the song delves into Ian’s encounter with a girl afflicted by epilepsy and seizures, a condition he intimately understood. Her struggle with bodily control mirrors the overarching themes of despair and fear woven throughout the song.
Shadowplay
Unlike the preceding half, this section of the album maintains its momentum with the introduction of ‘Shadowplay’. It’s essentially a no-frills rock anthem, albeit with meticulously crafted sound effects subtly woven into the guitar-driven arrangement. Despite its rock-oriented sound, Ian's lyrics continue to explore themes of isolation and alienation, creating a compelling contrast within the track.
Wilderness
The track features reverberated and delayed drums, complemented by a conventional rock riff weaving through the background. Ian explores themes of religion within the song. However, it falls short compared to other tracks on the album, lacking the dynamic experimentation and vitality found in previous mentioned tracks.
Interzone
Despite the preceding lackluster track, the band returns to top form with ‘Interzone’, undoubtedly the standout piece on Unknown Pleasures. Sonically, it aligns more with their EP “An Ideal for Living”, resembling a straightforward punk rock anthem, albeit with a touch of reverb that ties it to the album's overall atmosphere. What sets ‘Interzone’ apart in Joy Division's catalog is the rare duet between Ian Curtis and Peter Hook, with Hook taking the lead vocals. This dynamic showcases Ian's significant contribution to Joy Division's signature dark and moody aesthetic for which they are so recognized.
I Remember Nothing
In contrast to the heightened energy of the second half of the album, ‘I Remember Nothing’ diverges from the typical tone established earlier. Drawing from the gothic elements introduced in ‘Day of the Lords’ and ‘Insight’, it features a brooding synth drone lingering in the background, accompanied by sporadic and subdued guitar chugging. Martin Hannett's experimental touches, including glass breaking and muffled gunshots, further enhance the song's somber atmosphere. In many ways, the desolation of ‘I Remember Nothing’ foreshadows the themes explored in Joy Division’s subsequent album, Closer.
Lyrically, Ian Curtis once again delves into themes of isolation and detachment, as evidenced by lines like “We Were Strangers” and “Me in my own world, yeah you there beside.” It serves as a fitting conclusion to an album that heavily explores these themes, underscoring what made Joy Division so compelling.
Personal Notes
This album alone had the most significant influence on my music journey. Even before I had the chance to listen to it and deeply understand its essence, I frequently saw people sporting Joy Division symbols and the iconic cover shirts everywhere, even on TV. However, it wasn't until later, when I found myself grappling with depression and isolation, that this album began to resonate with me on a deeper level and helped me appreciate the artistry behind it. It played a pivotal role in introducing me to genres like punk, post-punk, and gothic rock, as well as a diverse range of artists that I continue to love listening to today.
"Unknown Pleasures" has left an indelible mark on listeners since its release in 1979. Its raw, emotive power and haunting melodies have resonated with audiences across generations, transcending time and cultural barriers. For many, the album serves as a soundtrack to their darkest moments, offering solace and catharsis in times of struggle and despair. The album's themes of isolation, alienation, and existential angst strike a chord with listeners grappling with their own demons, while Ian Curtis's introspective lyrics, delivered with haunting sincerity, speak to the universal experience of human frailty and vulnerability. From the driving rhythms of "Disorder" to the atmospheric depths of "I Remember Nothing," each track elicits a visceral response, immersing listeners in a world of profound emotion and introspection.
Legacy and Influence
Despite the enduring impact of both this album and Joy Division in the years following its release, the initial reception was less than stellar. In fact, the album failed to chart upon its debut—a stark contrast to its eventual acclaim. It wasn't until the tragic death of Ian Curtis that the album garnered the attention and sales figures it deserved, a morbid twist of fate that adds a cynical undertone to its legacy.
Before delving into the impact of Joy Division on music, it's crucial to pay homage to the band's influences. Alongside the already mentioned Sex Pistols, who ignited their passion for music, artists like Kraftwerk, David Bowie, The Doors, and The Velvet Underground played pivotal roles in shaping their early sound. Also the guitarist Bernard Sumner said that Jimi Hendrix was the one who taught him to become more expressive with the guitar and to experiment more.
Alongside Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division played a pivotal role in shaping the foundational sound of first-wave post-punk. Their influence reverberates through bands like Bauhaus, The Cure, U2, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and even Radiohead, each bearing traces of Unknown Pleasures' distinctive sonic imprint. Furthermore, post-punk revivalists of the early 2000s, including The Killers, The National, Editors, and Interpol, drew inspiration from Joy Division's oeuvre, blending elements of noise rock, post-rock, and beyond into their own sonic tapestries.
When talking about the legacy of Joy Division, you absolutely cannot forget to mention New Order, mainly because they are essentially Joy Division without Ian Curtis. With singles such as “Everything’s Gone Green” and the best-selling “Blue Monday” New Order moved toward a more thorough exploration of dance music.
Conclusion
It's challenging to encapsulate the depth and influence of such a historic album in just a few words. Yet, I firmly believe in the transformative power of music—to uplift, inspire, and accompany us through our darkest moments. Despite the at times gloomy subject matter of 'Unknown Pleasures', it has been a guiding light on my journey of self-discovery and musical exploration. Among the many memories I'll leave behind, the first time I listened to this album will undoubtedly remain one of the most cherished. I'm certain that this sentiment resonates with countless others, underscoring the album's enduring significance in music history. 'Unknown Pleasures' isn't just an album; it's a timeless testament to the power of music to touch our souls and shape our lives.