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THE REVIEW
A sense of helplessness. Life overwhelms you, devastates you, and leaves you unable to react. Every time you stop to reflect, it returns to assault you with its ugliness. An unbearable weight.
Conflicting feelings tear you apart. The desire to react and the fear, that sense of power that has so far prevented you from living. You try to gather courage, but now it's the air that you lack. Overwhelmed once again. A spasm, a nervous jerk.
You collapse to the ground, a scream frees you from a burden. Your dulled eyes slowly revive. You have to choose. You can get up and try again. Or remain motionless. Wait for the world to forget you.
Ian Curtis was about to become a living legend. He lucidly chose to limit himself to being a legend. He chose the rope and accompanied it all with Iggy's "Idiot". In this record, his confessions.
He draws us into these thoughts, imprisons us. He invites us with a voice so surprisingly detached, cold, even icy.
In "Atrocity Exhibition," the percussion vents its frustration with a tribal and impeccable gallop, the guitar is rough, sharp, and pierces the spectral atmosphere that is created. The singing invites us to continue. "This is the way, step inside".
A rarefied and synthetic air is breathed in "Isolation," very close to the works of future New Order.
It is in "Passover," where the rhythm section hypnotizes, weakens perceptions, and the guitar wakes us with distorted screams, that the first unequivocal signs of Curtis's decision arrive.
The reason is described in the following "Colony," a ruthless depiction of a world apathetic and devastated by great evils.
And after yet another confirmation of this vision in "A Means To The End," comes the most inspired part of the album.
The funereal atmosphere of "Heart and Soul," with subdued and hypnotic singing. "24 Hours," an alternation of rhythms leading to "The Eternal," a march on the brink of resignation with an inconsolable piano and a constant beat.
"Decades" concludes it all, a gaze from Ian, now out of the game, on what remains, "the young men" still struggling in the pain of life.
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Summary by Bot
Joy Division's Closer album deeply explores themes of helplessness, despair, and resignation through Ian Curtis's stark and detached vocals. The music combines raw percussion and haunting guitar tones, creating a spectral atmosphere. Key tracks like "Atrocity Exhibition" and "Isolation" highlight the emotional and musical depth. The album captures Curtis's final confessions and legacy, offering a powerful, lasting impact.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English post-punk band formed in the late 1970s (Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris). They released two studio albums, Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980). After the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis in May 1980 the remaining members later formed New Order.43 Reviews
Other reviews
By Mr.Moustache
It is 1980. Punk is dying and with it the little good music ... when suddenly, in less than a year, an album is about to change the course of contemporary music forever.
The glacial beauty of the album is indisputable due to the ruthless sincerity it suggests.
By andrea biacca
"Closer" is a journey made of nightmares, sadness, physical and mental stimulations; the musical transposition of the agony of the most charismatic leader rock has ever had: Ian Curtis.
All we have left is to listen to this musical masterpiece and appreciate its excellent craftsmanship, both in terms of lyrics and harmonies.
By COX
Closer is the testament in which Curtis invites us to explore the roots of his illness and his apathy towards life.
Joy Division has the power to tear you apart, to gradually consume you with their melody that backs you against the wall and forces you to face reality for what it is.
By darkfall
‘Closer’ is a truly difficult album to classify, but probably not to understand... I personally prefer to classify it as dark, just dark and nothing more.
‘The Eternal’ is a funeral march, accompanying Ian Curtis on his last journey... the heart is now definitively burned but the soul is still here.
By popoloitaliano
"A metronome-like drum, a guitar that wearily accompanies the rhythm: simply a masterpiece."
"I only wish that those who approach this album are at least 20% satisfied with what was (I) felt at the time of its release."
