 |  | A great, if somewhat misunderstood compilation |  |
Joy Division's 'Substance' compilation is honestly no better for beginners than 'Unknown Pleasures' or 'Closer'. This cd is really more of a collection of non-album singles and b-sides all compiled onto one disc. None of these songs appear on the two studio albums, or the first LP of 'Still', with the exception of 'Dead Souls' ('She's Lost Control' is the 12" mix, not the album version). Many of the reviewers complain about the song selection, but there's nothing arbitrary about it at all; this compilation isn't meant to compile favorite album tracks or serve as a greatest hits package (though it does showcase the band often at its best). 'Disorder' or 'Twenty Four Hours' show off the band's prowess just as well as 'Transmission'; 'The Eternal' is just as funereal and icy as 'Atmosphere'. It is a testament to the greatness of this band that their singles, b-sides, and album songs were all of a high quality. A novice to the group should honestly start with the two albums, then move onto 'Substance' and 'Still' to fill in the holes. It's a shame that the 'Heart & Soul' box is discontinued.
October 24, 2007I purchased this album on a lark because an ex-boyfriend has loved them and so I wanted to check them out. I absolutely love this record! My favorite songs are Digital and She's Lost Control. I listen to this when I'm cleaning my apt. because it gets me energized.
July 6, 2007We really can't compare Joy Division to bands like New Order... they are very different. New Order is mostly synthesized, whereas this is very raw guitar, plus a lot darker. They are known as being influencial to the punk rock industry, paving the way for bands like The Cure.
This isn't my favorite album or band by far, but at the very least should be appreciated.
I wish the sound quality wasn't so poor, though. Makes the album a little difficult to jam to.
May 13, 2007On this CD, Joy Division and Martin Hannett offer a mixture of rock-punk because it's more rock than punk with tracks like "Failures", "No Love Lost", "Leaders of men" and "Warsaw". It also includes more experimental digital sounds with "Transmission" and "Digital". Also, the song they're most known for, "Love will tear us apart". The sounds and lyrical content are very modern although dark, this record is timeless! It's for music lovers!
December 13, 2006This is it. You've found it. Look no further. Because, my friends, music does not get any better than this. Every song, every lyric reaches down and soothes my darkest depths. I find myself at a loss of words because nothing can describe something so beautiful but the music itself. Give this cd patience. It's challenging but it grows, and it grows, and it grows. New Order does not even compare to the genious of Ian Curtis. Whatever possessed him to trancend all that seems humanly possible?
July 7, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(67 reviews)
