Hello, it’s me again, this time it’s Joy Division. Sorry its so long, I got a bit carried away.
Band Members:
Ian Curtis-Vocals
Benard Sumner/Albrecht-Guitar
Peter Hook- Bass
Stephen Morris-Drums
Produced by Joy Division and Martin Hannet
Tracklisting:
1. Love Will Tear Us Apart
2. Transmission
3. She’s Lost Control
4. Shadow Play
5. Day Of Lords
6. Isolation
7. Passover
8. Heart and Soul
9. Twenty Four Hours
10. These Days
11. Novelty
12. Dead Souls
13. The Only Mistake
14. Something Must Break
15. Atmosphere
16. Love Will Tear Us Apart- Permanent Mix
‘Permanent’ is basically a best of Joy Division, and takes three tracks from ‘Unknown Pleasures’ and ‘Still’, four from ‘Closer’ and then all three of Joy Divisions singles, ‘Atmosphere’, ‘Transmission’. and both sides of the ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ single.
Love Will Tear Us Apart:
This is basically the alternate, much more uptempo version to LWTUA that appeared as the b-side of the single. The band had difficulty deciding which cut of the song should be used, so in the end they put both on the single. When you hear this song for the first time, try and avoid yelling at your CD Player to stop ruining one the greatest songs ever written, give this a couple of listens and you’ll discover this is actually a really good version of a brilliant song. The funny thing about this version is that it sounds a lot more like Joy Division than the version that most of us know and love. I would guess that the main reason this is on the best of is that it is very rare, and thats fine by me. I’m going to give this (4/5) because this is not the best version of this song.
Transmission:
This song can only be described as an organised frenzy. The song begins with a building keyboard sound before a strong bassline begins and soon after the rest of the band kick in. Footage of this song when played live is almost impossible to watch as Ian is just so darn frightening. The words ‘Dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio’ are repeated throughout the chorus, and as the song progesses the singing becomes more and more desperate. There is a raw intensity in the singing of this song, it’s powerful stuff.
(5/5)
She’s Lost Control:
Very dark song that reminds me of Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun by Pink Floyd. The main riff is a fantastic high bass part, and gives the song such a great groove. the drumming is also completely fantastic. Slow hippy dancing is very much recommended for this song. There is another version of this on ‘Substance’ and is well worth checking out.
(5/5)
Shadowplay:
Yet another great bassline, and some really cool build up drumming. The guitar work is also brilliant, and I particularly love the solo. There’s a part on it where a bent note just transcends into a wierd sounding effect and sudddenly you realise where Jonny Greenwood has been picking up all his moves from.
(4.5/5)
Day Of the Lords:
This song begins with a wonderful ascending guitar line and luckily it returns at a couple of points in the song. The chorus is great, with Curtis asking the question: ‘Where will it end? ’This is one of the most guitar heavy tracks present on Permanent and Sumner does a great job on it. Again Curtis’ singing is built up through the song and is again immensly powerful, and by the end he is practically screaming. Another brilliant song.
(5/5)
Isolation:
One of my favourite tracks on Permanent, definitely one of the most 80’s synth pop songs present, but being Joy Division this is a good thing. More of a nod towards the sound that the rest of Ian’s bandmates would create in New Order. I love the lyrics on this song, and when Ian cries ‘Oh mother please try to believe me, I’m doing the best that I can, I’m ashamed of the things I’ve been put through, I’m ashamed of the person I am’ it is impossible not to feel even a little sad, and again we are reminded of his death. Perhaps this songs only weakness is that it is a little on the short side, but it's still getting:
(5/5)
Passover:
Another very dark outing from the Joy Division lads. The singing is very different on this track, as Ian’s voice doesn’t sound as low as it often does. Musically it is again impressive, and in particular the guitar is worth listening to.
(4/5)
Heart And Soul:
‘Existence well what does it matter? I exist on the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future,The present is well out of hand.’ Lyrically this is probably the strongest Joy Division song on ‘Permanent’, there is no doubting that this is poetry that Curtis is writing. The chorus message of ‘Heart and soul, one will burn’ is extremely powerful, but also horribly depressing. This song keeps in the dark mood that ‘Passover’ started and the two tracks flow into each other well. Again it is a totally different vocal part from Curtis, and the music goes with the message of the lyrics perfectly. Try listening to this song in pitch black, there aren’t many more frightening experiences on Earth.
(4.5/5)
Twenty Four Hours:
This is much more upbeat than the previous two songs, but still has very dark undertones. The best thing present here is the bassline, that once again holds the main riff of the song. Hook, like many great bassists, is turning his instrument into another lead guitar. As ever Curtis’ lyrics are far from happy, but are still very impressive. Once again he seems to tackle with the idea that beyond today there is no tommorow ‘Just for one moment, I heard somebody call,Looked beyond the day in hand, there's nothing there at all.’ Perhaps a little alarming when you consider the fate that Curtis would meet. This song relies heavily on dynamics, and jumps between soft and quiet to loud and epic.This song comes to an abrupt end, and the last thing we hear is Peter’s haunting bass riff.
(5/5)
These Days:
Another piece of glorious synth pop with a Joy Division twist. Begins with a swirling techno sound that immediately lures us in. Perhaps there isn’t much particulary special about this song, this is still really good but the standard on Permanent is so high that this doesn’t really stand out all that much.
(4/5)
Novelty:
This is the earliest Joy Division song present, written in 1977. As well as being the earliest, it is probably the punkiest and the lyrics are basically about Ian asking the question of what will happen when the Punk movement runs out of time. Another good song.
(4/5)
Dead Souls:
A great Joy Division track. At the heart of this song is an almost tribal drumbeat and more brilliant bass and guitar playing. One of my favourite aspects of this song is the fact that the music is allowed to breathe, as there is no singing until within two and a half minutes of the song. Curtis’ voice sounds quite distant on this track, and it is an effect that works really well.
(4.5/5)
The Only Mistake:
Brilliant song. Begins with a hi-hat that slowly builds and the track gently falls into its groove through another great ascending Hook bassline. Like quite a few Joy Division songs this track relies heavily on building dynamics. The tracks meanders on, but it is when Ian’s voice becomes loud and desperate and the bassline becomes stronger that this track really takes off, and in my opinion it does so like no other song on Permanent. Everything on this track is brilliant, and in my opinion it's one of Joy Division’s finest pieces of work.
(5/5)
Something Must Break:
Another much more synthetic keyboard based song, and has a distinctively 80’s sound to it. It’s very uptempo and is really completely harmless. Yet again the lyrics are brilliant and the line ‘A room full of people, together as one’ for some reason is a particular favourite of mine.
(4/5)
Atmosphere:
Undeniably beautiful track, that manages to be emotional, gentle and meaningful without being in the least bit corny. This is probably also the cleanset sounding JD track, as most songs tend to sound much rawer but this one sounds very studio produced, and the change is great. Easily the best thing musically is the drumming, that sounds like it has been influenced by African music. Check out the video for this if you haven’t already, very wondeful and very strange.
(5/5)
Love Will Tear Us Apart-Permanent Mix:
Just everything you could wish for in a song (ok so it doesn’t rock out but when it sounds this good does it really need to?). Possibly the greatest song ever written about the break down of a relationship, and in my honest opinion one of the greatest songs ever concieved. It was written by Curtis when he was having an affair, and it is meant to portray the way he feels about his wife, Deborah. Don’t be fooled by the Permanent Mix part, the only difference (I think) is an extra guitar part played on an acoustic, and i know this might get me into to trouble, but I think it really improves the song. Some people may think it makes the track too crowded, and prefer the more limited version, but I think it just makes it even more wonderful than it already is. If you haven’t heard this track then hear it... now!
(5/5) (to be honest it deserves more)
Well there you go.... for anyone who’s actually bothered reading this all the way through I’d just like to finish by saying that this is a bloody brilliant best of, and it’s almost scary when you consider the fact that this band only existed for four years. There really aren’t many bands in history that achieved so much in such a short space of time. In terms of choice of songs, I’d say its pretty good, but personally I think Wilderness, New Dawn Fades and Decades should all be present.
There’s no way this could get an overall rating of anything less than: (5/5)
