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missnicelady's review
4.0
Although the books in the 33 1/3 series are supposed to provide in-depth analysis (or record-geek wankery) on just one album, this slim volume manages to cover just about every note Joy Division recorded, from their scrappy EP as Warsaw through both JD studio albums, the singles, live cuts, and even the first couple New Order songs. Ott also manages to discuss Ian Curtis' personal life and marital troubles, important medical information about epilepsy and its treatment, lots of lyrics, and a list of the records he was listening to as he wrote the book.
It'll make you want to crank up Unknown Pleasures on your headphones and write "Joy Division" on your Chucks and think about the unfairness of it all, man.
It'll make you want to crank up Unknown Pleasures on your headphones and write "Joy Division" on your Chucks and think about the unfairness of it all, man.
thebobsphere's review
4.0
Very good! Ott focuses a lot on how this album was recorded and the cultural impact, there's a lot of new things to be learnt so that's a thumbs up by me.
ohyes's review
3.0
Was a pretty dry (even though informative and factual) read - but I did enjoy the glimpse into how recording techniques and the invention of synthesizers evolved during this time. I think I was hoping for the book to be emotional/melodramatic, much like the album and Ian. While in some ways I think I already knew, I was still surprised to read how some of my favourite artists (The Cure) were inspired by Joy Division, and not the other way around.
I also ended up looking up some old recordings on youtube to see if I could spot Ian's epilepsy and pre-epileptic patterns that were described here.
I also ended up looking up some old recordings on youtube to see if I could spot Ian's epilepsy and pre-epileptic patterns that were described here.
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