After a lengthy break, this is my fourth album review. My tastes cover all genres and time periods, but few albums can last the ravages of time and retain their power. This time it’s a look at Still by Joy Division.
Review Number: 4
Review Date: 15 September 2019
Album: Still
Artist: Joy Division
Country: England
Release Date: 1981
Genres: Post-Punk, Gothic Rock
“When you’re looking at life, in a strange new room, maybe drowning soon, is this the start of it all?”
An unearthly howl and a sinister bass welcome us into the dark dynamic world of Joy Division and Still.
Opening track “Exercise One” is muscular and mesmerising. It’s clear we’re not going to be in for an easy ride. But it’s also clear we’re going to get some mighty riffs and noise.
The album is a compilation and was released in October 1981 in the aftermath of the suicide of the band’s lead singer, Ian Curtis. That tragedy left a young mother and daughter bereft, and a shell-shocked band that would later transform itself into New Order.
“Hearts fail, young hearts fail.”
Because death lingers for a while, Factory Records wanted to see off the bootleg brigade and the result is some fine studio material (previously released and unreleased) in disjointed and fragmented form.
Still does not reach the majestic heights of the two studio albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer, but I find its metallic edge and energy possess a timeless quality at times.
“I’ll walk you through the heartbreak, show you all the outtakes, I can’t see it getting higher.”
Tracks like “The Sound of Music”, “Glass”, “The Only Mistake” and “Something Must Break” sound brilliant. While they may reveal the influence of Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Joy Division’s English sensibilities take it elsewhere with abstract comments on existentialism.
On the flip side, “Ice Age”, “Walked in Line” and “The Kill” show their punk roots. Great tunes, but the band swiftly moved on to something more mature and powerful.
“Someone take these dreams away, that point me to another day.”
“Dead Souls” is the standout and still stands tall. Memorably covered by Nine Inch Nails and used in the 1994 movie The Crow, it’s a phenomenal rock track. The album should have ended there.
Instead we get a live cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray” and a live recording of Joy Division’s last concert, performed at Birmingham University in May 1980. Apart from Motörhead’s No Sleep ’til Hammersmith, most live albums don’t do anything for me.
Some critics perceive Still as incohesive and frustratingly incomplete. That lack of fluidity works well in my opinion. Joy Division’s sound was always harsh and cool – and Curtis’ lyrics spoke of the disorder of life. Few knew the extent of that pain and sorrow… until it was too late.
“Something must break now, this life isn’t mine.”
