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cwilliamsyoung
I think as the album reads very much like a suicide note, closer (ending) works better. But I do like how it could really mean either
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DoomsicIe
The first time the interpretation of “closer” for distance crossed my mind was when I was talking with a friend about this record and he pronounced it that way. It’d be a natural given to lyrics like “touching from a distance”, I like to think the band and label were aware of the double meaning at least. But the material and context is so morbid that I saw it’s read as “closer” for ending and left it there.
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jestoon425
Listening to this and allowing myself to feel awful instead of reality as a treat to myself. Thanks Ian!
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Crowleynick
The Eternal is their best song by far. Jesus christ what a fucking bummer of a track.
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HuppumiesIsPest
You guys vibe so hard, from now on you shall be known as vibrators. Dildos among good friends.
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ImAFrickinFrick
I love this album even more than Unknown Pleasures, which is saying a lot because both albums are masterpieces.
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DiffusedOctaves
How can a group of boys in their early 20s make an album like this? The music and the lyrics have a sense of artistic integrity, maturity and completeness that evades and eludes people who are much older.
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hcaulfield_58
Is it closer as in the opposite of further or closer as in the opposite of opener.
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DiffusedOctaves
there is an interesting discussion about this if you go through the shout history below.
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oishiiroad
I always pronounce it closer as in opposite of opener. just sounds better to me, and fits with it being the last jd album
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exaybachay69
Unknown Pleasures: life, childhood, adolescence / Closer: adulthood, old age, death.
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DiffusedOctaves
Arguably. This is more artistic, emotional and also claustrophobic. Unknown Pleasures sounds more desolate, expansive and heavy. Also groovier, and hence more accessible.
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franconia_2022
If you ever find someone that listens to Joy Division's second and final album, Closer, almost obsessively, give that person a hug. Because the people that relate to that music have been through hell and are probably still there.
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ABlaszkiewicz
closer is one thing... if they change the tags on unknown pleasures I'm killing myself
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VulgarRage
Honestly, I would have to say the opposite. I mean, either way you put it, the title will mean different things for each person. But for me, I consider "Closer (n.)" to make more sense. The reasons being that it was Joy Division's last album ("closing" album), and because Ian Curtis committed suicide before it was released, which lead to the disbanding of Joy Division (both Ian's and Joy Division's "closing" moments). Also, the picture on the album cover of the statues of people mourning the loss of a person who is lying in their death bed reminds me of the band's, fan's, and loved one's reactions of Ian Curtis the day they announced his death. I think that album cover just further makes sense to my point. Though, I'm interested with what other people believe "Closer (adj.)" means in regards to the album.
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Ruiner123
I personally prefer "Closer (adj.)" because of its airy mysterious connotation. The adjective could mean just about anything, whereas people tend to readily pin the very same interpretations you just mentioned to the noun. I like to think that the adjective could refer to Ian inching closer to the edge, or getting closer to the other side, having already decided his own gruesome fate. His passing brought many closer, closer to each other, closer to understanding his condition and why he did it. In the end, the adjective sounds more dramatic, deeper, and perenially ambiguous but with a sense of wondrous mystery.
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VulgarRage
Thanks for sharing this. That's actually a really cool and interesting way to look at it!
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thehighground
Peter Hook says it as the adjective, so you're right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY_Z62mHB2U&t=18s
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TheArrow1987
Not only the last three I always think of the last 4 songs. Heart And Soul is really atmospheric and I always look forward to the other 3 when I start that song. And when Twenty Four Hours starts it is like there is no turning back now, I have to listen to those last 3 songs. Every song is darker than the one before it. I could never listen to "Twenty Four Hours" as the last song, the last two have to be played after it.
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