Chris Ott (1)

Fascinating that the (early) live version of Joy Division apparently differed so strikingly from the recorded, until Martin Hanett's production ideas were picked up by the band for later albums. Ott argues that Ian Curtis liked the sound, but the rest of the band was far more taken with a brash punk sound, though they loved Curtis' lyrics. So pronounced was the dislike that Peter Hook (bassist) and Bernard Sumner (guitarist) thought Hanett hijacked their songs. And understandably so, based on the description of the difference in sounds, and how much the guitar & bass were pushed to the background.

Overall a worthwhile read for me, but I had extended zero effort looking up band history, so maybe it's not the best available. Ott's descriptions frequently veer into blank description: telling, not showing how the band's sound broke new ground, or how the songwriting improved over time. I tend to agree (based on listening to the music), but in these cases Ott's view doesn't stand on its own. On the other hand, he doesn't needlessly dramatize Curtis' suicide, and in fact puts it into context. I didn't know, for example, Curtis battled with epilepsy, and it's striking how autobiographical his lyrics can be.… (más)