Joy Division Albums Ranked

Joy Division was an English rock band formed in Salford in 1976. The group consisted of vocalist Ian Curtis, guitarist/keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris. Curtis suffered from personal problems including a failing marriage, depression, and epilepsy. As the band’s popularity grew, Curtis’s condition made it increasingly difficult for him to perform; he occasionally experienced seizures on stage. He killed himself on the eve of the band’s first US/Canada tour in May 1980, aged 23. Joy Division’s second and final album, Closer, was released two months later; it and the single “Love Will Tear Us Apart” became their highest charting releases. The remaining members regrouped under the name New Order. They were successful throughout the next decade, blending post-punk with electronic and dance music influences. Here are all of Joy Division albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on the great punk Music of Joy Division! Click to experience the early influence of punk music.

10. Preston 28 February 1980 (1999)

“This is a great live show if you are a Joy Division fan, excellent live versions of their tunes with some banter about equipment failures. The studio versions are classic but these live versions have more of the band’s personality. This gig was one of the sets chosen for the “semi-official” treatment for a reason.”

9. Permanent (1995)

“Listening to Joy Division makes me feel emotional but I can not hear ‘Atmosphere’ without feeling chills down my body, brilliantly titled, a genius lament. The man was too young to die but when you consider his age, his fully formed persona becomes even more staggering, he wasn’t long out of his teens. The only man to come close to his intellectual maturity must be John Lydon and if you doubt me just go and reread those lyrics he wrote as a teenager in the Pistols.”

8. The Peel Sessions (1990)

“These are live in studio recordings and it is great to hear them without the Martin Hannett treatment (although the albums are masterful and different and a true testament of what a band can be, with some engineering). Anyway, very happy with this new press and highly recommend.”

See more: Fall Out Boy Albums Ranked

7. The Best Of Joy Division (2008)

“Many Of The Lyrics Are A Little Sad & Depressing, But That Was The Lead Singer’s Way… I Bought It For The “Driving Force” Of Their Music in Several Of Their Songs!!! This Group’s Music Is SO DIFFERENT From “New Order” Overall That It’s Hard To Believe They’re The SAME MEMBERS!!! If You Never Heard Of Or Tried Out “Joy Division”‘s Music, This Is A GREAT Starting Point!!!”

6. Warsaw (1994)

“This album was a wonderful surprise. The last five tracks from their first recording session in July 1977 are rough and ready and the sound quality isn’t great but that was punk and they are of their time. What really stands out are the first eleven tracks from May 1978 – the band’s development in just 10 months is incredible, really underlining their potential. “

5. Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979 (2001)

“The songs are riveting live and the band was absolutely peaking. Day of the Lords, These Days, Shadowplay, are played like a band holding on for dear life, because something unknown was going to happen, a something that would change everything forever. Every track Joy Division nails and my favorite New Dawn Fades encapsulates everything that Joy Division mean to me”

See more: Black Flag Albums Ranked

4. Still (1981)

“This Joy Division collection is the one recording with a kick-ass version of “The Kill. ” This track is the reason I purchased Still. This version of “The Kill” is completely different from “The Kill” off of the Warsaw LP. Other great tracks include “Ice Age” and “Walked In Line. ” There’s also a 9+ minute live cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray.”

3. Substance (1988)

“Love their versatility. Before hearing this I only knew a little about the band. While I still need to listen to the main albums they released I thoroughly enjoyed this compilation of singles. From their raw/punk tracks to the goth rock tracks. I can see where 80s new wave music basically started with this compilation alone. I know the surviving members went onto form New order but this was something special with singer Ian Curtis.”

2. Closer (1980)

“This album sounds like it could have been written yesterday as opposed to 40 years ago. The grit, the passion the music of Joy Division. One of the best records I have and this pressing its simply perfect, no words can describe the looks and it plays beautifully.”

1. Unknown Pleasures (1979)

“Brilliant classic album. Builds from raw to sophisticated over the course of the album. Heart-rending songs. I would think of listening to this music. It’s kind of funny that way, because its really pretty dark stuff. But very good dark stuff.”