JOY DIVISION: Unknown Pleasures versus Closer

[DavidMahler]

So, this is a debate which has gone on for more than 25 years......which do you prefer?

 

[steviebee]

Good question. Much as UP was a groundbreaking release, I have to vote Closer as I just have always played it more. 'The Eternal' just takes my breath away...

 

[thisbenjamin]

Impossible to chose. by the way, the Factory CD masterings of the Joy Division and New order catalog are stunning. I always thought part of Joy Division was the somewhat lowfi aspect of their recordings, but it wasn't it was just the **** masterings generally available to these masterpiece works of art.

Factory Communications UK Discography - Part 1

Check the above to learn more.

I miss Tony Wilson.

 

[Aslan123]

I voted Closer.

I love both albums but to me, Closer is a bit more 'Joy Division' while Unknown Pleasures is a bit more 'Martin Hannett'. Closer has more of the raw aggressiveness that is 'closer' to their live sound, while Unknown Pleasures is more atmospheric, a trait that Hannett added.

Keep in mind that I'm not complaining at all about Hannett's work. The overall production for both albums is excellent, and he definitely charted them in the right direction.

 

[Laokid18]

I voted unknown Pleasures because I'm not much into syth type music , I like closer but I don't love it.

 

[donunus]

voted closer earlier but forgot to post

I still love unknown pleasures too

 

[tru blu]

It's interesting…I don't think I can choose. I will say that, for me, both those records have always been about side 2, which may or may not mean anything to someone who first heard them on CD or mp3. My first Unknown Pleasures was on cassette.

 

[sno1man]

closer by a mile for me. Unknown pleasures is a great album but Closer is one of the very rare "change your musical life" moments.

I had heard "love will tear us apart" through a girlfriend at the time who really didn't know that much about Joy Division, just liked the song.

I went in to the store intending to buy a Joy Division LP (yes i'm that old) and the only one they had was Closer.

I brought it home and was just floored. I listened to it all the way through and the first thing I wanted to do was listen to it again!

Heart and Soul, one will burn.......... truly poetic

 

[sno1man]

One other comment on sound quality. I have heard multiple people talk about the mediocre sound quality based on the Cd's they have heard.

The latest deluxe remasters sound very good (though they are pricey) but still dont compare to the original factory vinyl.

Martin Hannet the producer was actually quite a sound fanatic (and a brilliant nut in general) and you get hints of how much he cared about Joy Divison's sound in the movie "24 hour party people" which is a decent document of Tony Wilson, Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays and Factory records

 

[Aslan123]

Concerning the sound quality, all I can say is that the Heart and Soul Box Set from Rhino sounds fantastic with the exception of Disc 4 live performances, but that isn't so surprising anyhow. I haven't had the pleasure of listening to the Factory vinyl so I can't comment on that.

 

[Jubei]

It's a really close one, and I voted for Unknown Pleasures because New Dawn Fades in one of my fave Joy Division songs.

 

[AnAnalogSpirit]

HAH! Whoopsie! Thought this was pitting the Nine Inch Nails release "Closer" against someone else... Cross my vote off the list!!

 

[thisbenjamin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aslan123 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Concerning the sound quality, all I can say is that the Heart and Soul Box Set from Rhino sounds fantastic with the exception of Disc 4 live performances, but that isn't so surprising anyhow. I haven't had the pleasure of listening to the Factory vinyl so I can't comment on that.

Agreed it's excellent, but if you can imagine the detail in that set with the "breath of life" - you've got the FACD issues. It's one of those cases where I wish it was legal to share tracks.

 

[tru blu]

I usually don't chime in about sound quality, but I have the vinyl pressings from a couple of years ago…pretty impressive.

 

[Signal2Noise]

Unknown Pleasures because of New Dawn Fades. But both are stellar albums that I continue to listen to to this day.