Pictures by @isabelvphotography
Next May will mark 45 years since Joy Division singer Ian Curtis succumbed to depression on the eve of the band’s first US tour. His suicide led to the band’s reformulation as New Order. Far from being a footnote, Joy Division continues to influence musicians and draw in new fa
Their legacy is carried on by two bands, New Order and Peter Hook and the Light. Friction within New Order and the public feud that followed bassist Hook’s departure in 2007 took an uglier turn when he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates. That suit has since been settled.
Thankfully, rights to play Joy Division songs have never been disputed and on September 28th an enthusiastic crowd at the Ogden heard Peter Hook and The Light perform the New Order and Joy Division “Substance” albums. Seeing the Joy Division portion of the show was a catalyst for me to reflect on their enduring appeal.
It might appear fans are drawn by a morbid fascination with Ian’s suicide and his dark lyrics, after all their best-known song is “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” but that view misses their massive talent. Joy Division’s catalog is small but impressive given the development of their sound in just three years. From the raw energy of “Warsaw” recorded in October 1977 to the post-punk perfection of “Isolation” recorded in March 1980, the speed of Joy Division’s growth as musicians was amazing.
A distinctive element of their music was their bass forward sound. Several of Joy Division’s songs open with Hook’s melodic baselines and drummer Stephen Morris seeming to follow his lead. Joy Division avoided the guitar-driven sound of punk and rock. Instead guitarist Bernard Sumner often filled in spots within songs without playing spotlight-grabbing riffs. As the band’s sound continued to evolve Sumner’s synthesizer added a soaring layer to later tracks.
The cavernous sound created by the reverb on Ian’s vocals added to the sense of alienation in his dark, introspective lyrics. In stark contrast are the upbeat and totally danceable rhythms of songs like “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Isolation.” There’s no shoe-gazing goth shuffling to these songs. The dichotomy is powerful and uplifting.
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Ian’s lyrics is that while their brooding tone and sense of detachment are undeniable, their references are often open to interpretation. Ian’s personal struggles with depression, relationships, and his worsening epilepsy clearly formed the foundation of his lyrics, however, there are larger themes within his words. The pressures of young adulthood, the general disillusionment of UK youth in the 70s, and the lasting trauma of WWII are all possibilities. This was heavy stuff and it touched a chord in all of us. We interpret it in our own way and take comfort in knowing we are not alone in the darkness. This perhaps, is the greatest legacy of Joy Division.
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