Bands are a very interesting aspect of life. They develop strong fan bases, with people that are very passionate about their artist of choice. The music that certain bands play can really invigorate our day-to-day lives and give us a reason to live. Bands can be extremely happy, or unbearably sad, and they can develop unique styles that only belong to them. The music that certain groups make can become extremely powerful in its own right, and it has several small aspects that contribute to that overall style. One band that has always connected with me is Joy Division.
First, Ian Curtis' vocals are one reason as to why I like Joy Division so much. Ian Curtis developed a strange but compelling vocal style that added a lot to the band. His voice was a deep, baritone presence with an air of darkness to it. Curtis sang in a commanding way that demanded the listener to hear his words, while creeping them out with the unsettling experiences that he has been through. He sang in an honest way that truly made his audience know the troubles that he had gone through in his life. The listener could tell that Curtis truly meant what he sang about, and his vocals brought about the darker side of life in an effective way.
Next, the lyrics are impressive as well. Joy Division told poetic, meaningful tales about the unhappier parts of life, and they often talked about broken people that got torn down by the various hardships in their life. Lines such as "I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling" and "Destiny unfolded, I watched it slip away" demonstrated that Joy Division was aware of the miserable and unforgiving aspects of the world. Joy Division's lyrics always had a haunting aura to them, and they used disturbing imagery that perfectly fit what they were going for.
Additionally, the music itself was simple but gripping. The members of Joy Division were not experts at their chosen instruments, as their musicianship was raw and relatively straightforward. Joy Division did not have extremely demanding time signatures or constantly changing song structures, but the way that they used simplicity was incredibly interesting. The music was as stark, rough and full of despair as the lyrics and vocals. Joy Division took the stripped down elements of punk into dreary places, and the unadorned nature of their music made them interesting.
In conclusion, Joy Division is a band that has always connected with me for several reasons. Ian Curtis' vocals brought forth the painful events that he went through. The lyrics told elegant tales of sadness and anguish, with disconcerting imagery and distressing moods. The lack of instrumental technique gave way to a bare, cheerless sound that fit the sad mood of their songs. Overall, Joy Division developed a style that made them famous, and it still connects with me today.
