I had a discussion with my friend and we have a question- which out of Joy Division/New Order is the better group? Why do you think that? I've always seen both as equally talented but my friend believe that Bernard Sumner's vocals are weak and his guitar playing ability is also suspect (which she says despite being an admittted failiure at the guitar). WHo do you think is right? Why?
2006-07-28 11:34:01 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Joy Division grew out of the punk era and their lyrics of despair and hopelessness in the face of human indifference are matched by what at first seems amateurish displays of synthesised drum beats, stabbing electronic chords and pulsating guitars. They virtually created indie music, to my mind. In some songs, for example 'Atmosphere' or 'Dead Souls', they can create sad but beautiful landscapes of sound which haunt the mind.Despite their short career, cut short by Ian Curtis' suicide on the eve of their only American tour, they have become a legend. Without them, it is unlikely we would have had the Goth scene or music like it and of course New Order would never have happened.
New Order started their career with one of Joy Division's old songs ('Ceremony'), but then veered in a completely different direction. Dance lay beneath the surface of Joy Division's washes of dark colours, but New Order brought it to the surface. The lyrics still celebrated the troubled areas of the human mind ('Sub Culture', 'True Faith'), but added the throb of dance to give the songs an unusual sensuality ('Blue Monday', 'Crystal').
It is invidious to compare the two groups: they have their own sound and ethos. Ian Curtis' vocals have a lugubrious, dreamy quality that ideally suits the music. Bernard Sumner has a lighter, more melodic tone that again matches the music's celebration of rebirth. Given that New Order's music is essentially beat-driven, the lack of showy guitar work is unimportant. The bands' works, listened to consecutively, give us an idea of the evolution of subtsance and meaning in alternative music of the last two decades. I could not possibly say, given the above, which one is better. They have their individual merits. It is up to the listener to decide if New Order's latterly more commercial approach is 'better' than Joy Division's stoical individuality.
2006-07-28 11:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by so_it_goes_2512 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
New Orderhave had time to mature- after all they were Joy Division for only a few years after being Warsaw. It is really hard to make a decision- after the death of Ian Curtis the group took a new direction and were not the same- it would be like trying to compare Foo Fighters and Nirvana because of Dave Grohl- different with strong links.
I saw New Order live last year and I agree that Barney is not the best vocalist in the world, but he had vocal duties forced upon him reluctantly- however the energy, the different influences and history all added up to one of the best live performances I have ever seen- especially when they did "Love Will Tear Us Apart"- it brought tears to my eyes! To summarise I feel that they are just different groups at different times so it is a really difficult question to answer.
2006-07-28 11:57:30 · answer #2 · answered by rednotdead1976 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A slight edge to New Order. Although basically the same band, I think New Order's music was/is more accessible. But Ian Curtis was a troubled tormented genius. Would have loved to have heard where and how far he would have taken Joy Division....
2006-07-28 11:41:01 · answer #3 · answered by geewhizzed 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, we didn't get to hear enough of Joy Division to make a really informed decision. New Order has a much larger body of work.
I tend to think that Joy Division's talent level was higher but New Order has its brilliance too. Tough question.
2006-07-28 11:41:03 · answer #4 · answered by Steph 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Joy Division,i mean what better way to get depressed
2006-07-28 11:38:40 · answer #5 · answered by FLOYD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Joy Division all the way. There is simply no contest.
2006-07-28 11:40:33 · answer #6 · answered by btmduk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like Both!
2006-07-28 11:39:43 · answer #7 · answered by Dovetail Workshop 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both... Joy division a bit more I think... oh don't know! Both! I think!
2006-07-28 11:44:30 · answer #8 · answered by AZRAEL è 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
joy division
2006-07-28 11:37:24 · answer #9 · answered by rachel k 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont know? i love joy division so i guess i would have to say joy division.
2006-07-28 11:37:51 · answer #10 · answered by winterheartsguild 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋