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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Few years back when I watched the 'Joy Division' documentary, I didn't know much about the band members. I was interested in Ian Curtis' persona and the myth surrounding it, and I wasn't really interested in anyone else. Then I saw the documentary, and I liked Peter Hook the least. He had this way of telling stories and anecdotes, but in a very peculiar way... he'd say it half-trough, then laugh to himself, all in a way 'oooh you should have been there'. Well Peter, I would if I could.
I guess that's why I was pretty reluctant to read this book because I had a feeling it would go down a similar path. I wasn't wrong. Again, here comes Peter with anecdotes, 'oooh that one time we...' and then he would just say 'oh but I'll just have to leave this to your imagination'. Son, just don't. I found this really annoying.
It was a bit lengthy, or at least it seemed that way, it took ages to finally get to the point - Joy Division. It was pretty detailed, the stories behind gigs. Sometimes it was a bit jumbled (I had to check the list of their gigs for consistency cause I thought I was confused with the chronology), and it got repetitive at times. It's just that, in the end, it wasn't really a book about Joy Division, really. It was a book about Peter Hook.
I wish Peter was a bit more humble about it. It annoyed me how contradictory he was about money, saying how they didn't care about it, they just wanted to play. But pretty soon he started complaining how they earned very little money off it, and later on how he earned so little money from bootlegs and t-shirts, taking things to court and whatever. Right, you weren't in it for money. Right. Cause it seems to me this book was just it. Earning money off of his dead friend, telling a story that has very little to do with the band, and focusing on himself. He did pointed out - 'It's my book' - so fair enough.
The reason why I'm giving it such a high rating is because it's very well documented, it holds an extensive chronology of the gigs and other important dates in the band's history. It provides commentary on the songs for both of the band's albums that I found really interesting to read, to see how the songs came to be.
I guess that's why I was pretty reluctant to read this book because I had a feeling it would go down a similar path. I wasn't wrong. Again, here comes Peter with anecdotes, 'oooh that one time we...' and then he would just say 'oh but I'll just have to leave this to your imagination'. Son, just don't. I found this really annoying.
It was a bit lengthy, or at least it seemed that way, it took ages to finally get to the point - Joy Division. It was pretty detailed, the stories behind gigs. Sometimes it was a bit jumbled (I had to check the list of their gigs for consistency cause I thought I was confused with the chronology), and it got repetitive at times. It's just that, in the end, it wasn't really a book about Joy Division, really. It was a book about Peter Hook.
I wish Peter was a bit more humble about it. It annoyed me how contradictory he was about money, saying how they didn't care about it, they just wanted to play. But pretty soon he started complaining how they earned very little money off it, and later on how he earned so little money from bootlegs and t-shirts, taking things to court and whatever. Right, you weren't in it for money. Right. Cause it seems to me this book was just it. Earning money off of his dead friend, telling a story that has very little to do with the band, and focusing on himself. He did pointed out - 'It's my book' - so fair enough.
The reason why I'm giving it such a high rating is because it's very well documented, it holds an extensive chronology of the gigs and other important dates in the band's history. It provides commentary on the songs for both of the band's albums that I found really interesting to read, to see how the songs came to be.
Wonderful! Down-to-earth, everything you want to know, great perspective, and more. Did I mention SIGNED copy? Hooky’s charming and signed my vinyl as well after a very lively and spontaneous discussion for over an hour at the local book shop. Way to go Jos. Beth! Now if we could just get New Order all back together.
I'm not going to parrot Joy Division's timeline or talk about the book in terms of a “plot.” As far as its place in the world of rock bios, I believe Peter Hook has written a book that is as honest as he can manage, and it's also a fitting tribute to his departed friend. If you want to know more about Joy Division, from a man who was in it, about everything from the formation, the songwriting, and the silliness that was also present in the process, read Unknown Pleasures.
(My much more full review appears on Glorified Love Letters.)
(My much more full review appears on Glorified Love Letters.)