That’s right, I had never listened to Joy Division before this. Don’t judge; that’s what this blog is for. It seems that every hipster and their grandmother swears by Unknown Pleasures, so I figured I needed to check it out.
I’ll be honest, I don’t effing get it. Guys, wake up. This record is boring. Yeah, it’s got some unconventional vocals that you know I’m a fan of by now, but those alone are not enough to get me to like Unknown Pleasures. I know that the singer is supposed to sound all dramatic and full of emotion and what not, but his deep drawl is just really freaking dull. Yes, he committed suicide, but we can’t like music just because of that.
These guys do remind me of The National (who I am aware did come much later, but I have to compare new stuff to stuff that I already know), but that is not a good thing in this case. The National have some really boring tracks; like some of the most uninteresting music that one can listen to. It’s as if Unknown Pleasures is comprised of that stuff, and only that stuff.
I will hand it to them; that album cover is pretty cool. That’s about as much interest as I can muster for this record, though.
So guess what, we have here yet another occurrence of the masses worshipping the works of an old hyped band. I’m going to have to go all Plato on your collective asses, and bring you out of the cave of crappy music. Come see the light with me.
Swole Ear 
Hey, you are entitled to your opinion but I will defend the JD. First off, I don’t think this album represents the best work of Ian Curtis who was barely over 20 when it was recorded. JD were a better singles band and that is where you will find them at their peak Love Will Tear Us Apart was Curtis’ last work and his best. Check out one of the many compilations. Yes, they are consistently gloomy and you are on record as being pro-happy so they are likely not an ideal fit for you. I hope that The National and Interpol are sending royalty checks to Ian Curtis’ estate.
Chops is right. They’re a singles band at best, which will never satisfy an album purist like Swole Ear, who would turn up his nose (or his ears) at a compilation. Even the singles are somewhat overrated and there is a sort of morbid glamorization of suicide behind some of this as Swole Ear has identified. Glamorization of artistic deaths goes back hundreds of years from pop music to bad poetry.
Now you have to try them apres droning vocalist — listen to New Order!
SE, in case you ever feel bad about hating the classics that others lionize, take a look at this article where musicians and writers tell which albums they think are overrated. In the list, you will find most of the pantheon of legandary albums including some you loved and some you did not: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/jun/15/popandrock