Formed in 1977, Joy Division (guitarist Bernard Albrecht, bassist Peter Hook, drummer Stephen Morris, and vocalist Ian Curtis) helped usher in the post-punk movement with their haunting melodies and melancholy lyrics. By incorporating synthesizers into their music, they paved the way for an entire generation of bands who would soon follow in their footsteps.
The band released two classic albums, 1979's Unknown Pleasures and 1980's Closer as well as several singles, before Curtis' suicide on the eve of their first American tour. Following Curtis' death, Albrecht (now Sumner), Hook and Morris formed the band New Order, and would continue to record over the next twenty-five years.
"...the ten songs inside, quite simply, are stone-cold landmarks, the whole album a monument to passion, energy, and cathartic despair...All visceral, all emotional, all theatrical, all perfect - one of the best albums ever."
-Ned Raggett, allmusic.com