Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures book

Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures (33 1/3)

Published: May 2004
117 pages
Publisher: Continuum Publishing Group
ISBN: 0826415490

Contrary to some reports this book isn't just about the Unknown Pleasures album, although many pages are devoted to the recording of that album and the various songs committed to tape during the UP sessions.

There are plenty of details about how Martin Hannett created the Unknown Pleasures album's unique sound through his "revolutionary" production technique, such as the gadgets he used, etc. A bit technical at times, but interesting nonetheless, even if much of this has been covered in previous publications. We also get the full JD story from the early punk days of Stiff Kittens/Warsaw up until the final days of the band and Ian's suicide.

According to this book Bernard Sumner often refuses to acknowledge that JD were ever known as Warsaw. Rather odd, as it's even stated on the An Ideal For Living 7"EP sleeve - which Barney designed if I'm not much mistaken - that "up until the recording date of this E.P. we were known as WARSAW".

Rather unavoidably, a lot of the information is taken from other sources, in particular Touching From A Distance, which of course offers the best glimpse into Ian's personal life outside of the band.

Ott discusses the reasons behind Ian's suicide and his state of mind, and also tries to place Ian's lyrics into a broader literary context. This review is based on an advance proof copy so minor inaccuracies, like the 1st Peel session having been recorded on 13th rather than 31st of January in 1979, will hopefully have been corrected when the finalised version goes on sale.

Chris Ott has written interesting articles about Joy Division (and others) on Pitchforkmedia.com, but whether his style and approach work as well in a book format of this kind is another matter. Although rather opinionated at times (e.g. Wilderness being the weakest track on Unknown Pleasures? I think not), it's a quick read, and enjoyable for the most part.

The relatively low asking price shouldn't discourage anyone from picking it up. New fans will find it to be a useful introduction to the band as it details their story from the very beginning to the tragic end.

Even the more dedicated fan might be interested in reading another person's opinions about the different songs, the importance of JD's music, and why the band still plays an important role in the history of alternative music.

1st reissue 2006
Publisher: Continuum Publishing Group
ISBN: 0826415490

Reissue of the above still on Continuum with the same ISBN

2nd reissue 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 978-0-8264-1549-3

Reissue of the above with the publisher's name "Bloomsbury" on the front cover

Audiobook 2009

Format:MP3 audio
Audible Inc.
Performed by Danny Gerard
ISBN: 9781536634549

1 disc ca. 3 hours
In Blu-ray style plastic clamshell case

Italian edition 2008

Publisher: No Reply
ISBN:978-88-89155-31-8
144 pages

Brazilian edition 2015
Portuguese translation
Publisher: Cobogó
ISBN:978-88-89155-31-8
120 pages




	Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures (33 1/3) Published: May 2004 117 pages Publisher: Continuum Publishing Group ISBN: 0826415490 Contrary to some reports this book isn't just about the Unknown Pleasures album, although many pages are devoted to the recording of that album and the various songs committed to tape during the UP sessions. There are plenty of details about how Martin Hannett created the Unknown Pleasures album's unique sound through his "revolutionary" production technique, such as the gadgets he used, etc. A bit technical at times, but interesting nonetheless, even if much of this has been covered in previous publications. We also get the full JD story from the early punk days of Stiff Kittens/Warsaw up until the final days of the band and Ian's suicide. According to this book Bernard Sumner often refuses to acknowledge that JD were ever known as Warsaw. Rather odd, as it's even stated on the An Ideal For Living 7"EP sleeve - which Barney designed if I'm not much mistaken - that "up until the recording date of this E.P. we were known as WARSAW". Rather unavoidably, a lot of the information is taken from other sources, in particular Touching From A Distance, which of course offers the best glimpse into Ian's personal life outside of the band. Ott discusses the reasons behind Ian's suicide and his state of mind, and also tries to place Ian's lyrics into a broader literary context. This review is based on an advance proof copy so minor inaccuracies, like the 1st Peel session having been recorded on 13th rather than 31st of January in 1979, will hopefully have been corrected when the finalised version goes on sale. Chris Ott has written interesting articles about Joy Division (and others) on Pitchforkmedia.com, but whether his style and approach work as well in a book format of this kind is another matter. Although rather opinionated at times (e.g. Wilderness being the weakest track on Unknown Pleasures? I think not), it's a quick read, and enjoyable for the most part. The relatively low asking price shouldn't discourage anyone from picking it up. New fans will find it to be a useful introduction to the band as it details their story from the very beginning to the tragic end. Even the more dedicated fan might be interested in reading another person's opinions about the different songs, the importance of JD's music, and why the band still plays an important role in the history of alternative music.

	1st reissue 2006 Publisher: Continuum Publishing Group ISBN: 0826415490 Reissue of the above still on Continuum with the same ISBN


	2nd reissue 2015 Publisher: Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-0-8264-1549-3 Reissue of the above with the publisher's name "Bloomsbury" on the front cover

	Audiobook 2009 Format:MP3 audio Audible Inc. Performed by Danny Gerard ISBN: 9781536634549 1 disc ca. 3 hours In Blu-ray style plastic clamshell case


	Italian edition 2008 Publisher: No Reply ISBN:978-88-89155-31-8 144 pages

	Brazilian edition 2015 Portuguese translation Publisher: Cobogó ISBN:978-88-89155-31-8 120 pages