April 14, 2021 Playlist

"Closer" by Joy Division (1980)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Joy Division "Closer"  1980 (UK)
Ian Curtis was the Jim Morrison of new wave rock. I don't just mean that he died young, he also sang "dark poetry" in a sultry baritone and was an icon of his time for rock authenticity. Joy Division only released two albums, and the second one (this week's CAOTW) came out a few weeks after Ian hanged himself (with the unintentional ironies of the title "Closer", as in this is their last album, and the photo of a grave on the cover). Both of their albums have a totally unique sound: like a goth funk band playing in a cavern, as if early Hawkwind turned into disco vampires, plus a hint of krautrock in the machine-like precision of their grooves (the surviving members changed their name to New Order and became a popular "alternative dance" band). And while there is certainly plenty of melancholy in their songs, there is also something life-affirming about them, which I think is the real key to their enduring legacy as one of the most important groups of their era. (This week's classic album was by listener request.)
(N) = New Release
(R) = Listener Request
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Menahan Street Band Stepping Through ShadowThe Exciting Sounds Of Menahan Street Band (N)2021 (Dunham/Daptone)USA
Triptides She Doesn't Want To KnowAlter Echoes (N)2021 (Alive Naturalsound)USA
Dinosaur jr. You WonderSweep It Into Space (N)2021 (Jagjaguwar)USA
Dinosaur jr. & MeSweep It Into Space (N)2021 (Jagjaguwar)USA
Fruit Bats The Pet ParadeThe Pet Parade (N)2021 (Merge)USA
Eleventh Dream Day Since GrazedSince Grazed (N)2021 (Comedy Minus One)USA
 
 
Neil Young & Stray Gators Time Fades Away (live)Neil Young Archives Vol. II (N)rec. 1972 (2021 Reprise)Canada/USA
Neil Young L.A. (live)Neil Young Archives Vol. II (N)rec. 1973 (2021 Reprise)Canada
Neil Young Monday MorningNeil Young Archives Vol. II (N)rec. 1972 (2021 Reprise)Canada
Neil Young & Stray Gators The Last Trip To Tulsa (live)Neil Young Archives Vol. II (N)rec. 1973 (2021 Reprise)Canada/USA
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Apostrophe (live)Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (N)rec. 1974 (2020 Zappa Records)USA
   
 
Joy Division (R)IsolationCloser
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980UK
Joy Division (R)ColonyCloser
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980UK
Joy Division (R)Heart And SoulCloser
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980UK
Joy Division (R)She's Lost Control12" single version (Substance compilation)1980UK
Warsaw (Joy Division)Leaders Of MenWarsawrec. 1978, rel. 1994UK
WireToo LateChairs Missing1978UK
   
 
Gang Of FourA Hole In The WalletSolid Gold1981UK
XTCMillionsDrums & Wires1979UK
The FeeliesRaised EyebrowsCrazy Rhythms1980USA
ESGTiny SticksCome Away With ESG1983USA
CaveSweaty FingersThreace2013USA
Elephant9 Chemical BoogieArrival Of The New Elders (N)2021 (Rune Grammofon)Norway
Stereolab Retrograde Mirror FormElectrically Posessed (Switched On Volume 4) (N - compilation of rare tracks)rec. 1999 (2021 Warp)UK/France
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Gum Gum Girlsingle (N)2021 (KRK LAB)Japan
   
 
The Golden CupsGloria (Van Morrison & Them)Super Live Session1969Japan
Les Rallizes DenudesThe Last OneMizutani1970Japan
   
 
Hiro YanagidaThe Murder In The MidnightNanasai No Rohjin Tengoku
("Elderly Person Heaven Of Seven Years")		1971Japan
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