In the heartland of post–’70s Punk New Wave, the pioneering bands Joy Division and New Order are confidently among the most iconic and influential. The music of both–especially the latter’s–has influenced many artists from both sides of the sonic spectrum.
New Order anchors its ethos and ideals on its Post-Punk roots, and at the same time embraces the Pop sensibilities of modern Dance music. The result–a truly hybrid kind of art that remains valid and relevant in any given era.
In recognition of the founding members, this set consists of an album each from not only Joy Division and New Order but also the offshoot groups.
* Joy Division – Unknown Pleasure (1979) (“Shadow Play”)
* New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies (1983) (“Leave Me Alone”)
* Electronic – Twisted Tenderness (1999) (“Vivid”)
* The Other Two – Super Highways (1999) (“The River”)
* Revenge – One True Passion (1990) (“7 Reasons”)
* Monaco – Monaco (2000) (“I’ve Got a Feeling”)
* Bad Lieutenant – Never Cry Another Tear (2009) (“Sink or Swim”)
* Freebass – It’s a Beautiful Life (2010) (“Not Too Late”)
Formed in Salford, England, in 1976, Joy Division evolved into New Order after the former band’s lead vocalist, Ian Curtis, killed himself in 1980. Remaining members–Bernard Sumner (guitar, vocals), Peter Hook (bass), and Stephen Morris (drums, percussion)–with the latter’s girlfriend, Gillian Gilbert (keyboards)–soldiered on as New Order, which is active to this day, albeit without Hook since 2007 but with members Phil Cunningham (guitar, keyboards) and Tom Chapman (bass). Joy Division released two albums, Unknown Pleasure (1979) and Closer (1980). New Order, on the other hand, has a 10-album studio discography–from 1981’s Movement to 2015’s Music Complete.
