ESSENTIAL ALBUMS: (#4) Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)

Following their appearance on 1978's noted Factory Sample EP, financed by local television personality Tony Wilson, Joy Division opted to release their landmark debut album on tiny independent Factory too, despite interest from major labels.

Recorded in a week at Stockport's Strawberry Studios, sonic visionary Hannett took the sheet metal guitar of Bernard Dicken (aka Sumner), Peter Hook's unique bass melodies, and Stephen Morris' innovative combination of acoustic and electronic drums and created a muted, unnerving ambience through pioneering use of digital effects, muffled screams, and crashing glass.

Lyricist Ian Curtis documents his experiences as an epileptic in the mutant disco of "She's Lost Control", whilst the sodium-lit "Shadowplay" conjures images of the urban decay and paranoia of late-1970s Manchester. The sparseness of the music perfectly complements his cold baritone, particularly on the majestic death anthem "New Dawn Fades" and the haunting "I Remember Nothing'' while the energetic "Interzone" and ''Disorder" remind listeners of the band's fierce live reputation.

In the immediate post-punk period of "busy design" and primary colors, the stark textured black sleeve, featuring the radio waves emitted from a dying star, was as groundbreaking as the music contained within, and ushered in a minimalist design revolution.

Unknown Pleasures was a commercial and critical success—though one journalist paid the backhanded compliment of describing the record as perfect listening prior to committing suicide. Forty three years later, Unknown Pleasures is still compelling listening. 

TRACKS:

Side One

1. "Disorder" 3:36

2. "Day of the Lords" 4:48

3. "Candidate" 3:05

4. "Insight" 4:30

5. "New Dawn Fades" 4:48

Side two

1.    "She's Lost Control" 3:56

2. "Shadowplay" 3:54

3. "Wilderness" 2:38

4. "Interzone" 2:16

5. "I Remember Nothing" 5:53

FULL ALBUM: