Best Ever Albums

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

benpaco — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:12:33 GMT

Author: benpaco

Posted: 05/22/2014 00:12

HoldenM wrote:

After reading the 33 1/3 on Unknown Pleasures, I am convinced that Ian Curtis was a piece of shit.

Oh jesus this. If you get a chance someday, read Touching from a Distance, it's a fascinating read. I can't tell if he's the world's biggest jerk or just severely mentally disabled based on that book - in addition to epilepsy, post-mortem doctors apparently suggested he was likely schizophrenic or possibly other things. Just a fascinating guy, really. I actually still see some value to be learned in how he handled things and viewed the world but he was fairly messed up.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Secondsoul — Wed, 21 May 2014 18:46:35 GMT

Author: Secondsoul

Posted: 05/21/2014 22:46

Closer is at number 6 on my overall chart so gets my vote. But Unknown Pleasures is also superb and an essential listen

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 18:36:28 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 22:36

sp4cetiger wrote:

I was kidding on both points, but it is kind of strange.

Whoops 🫢

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

NickVolos — Wed, 21 May 2014 17:48:24 GMT

Author: NickVolos

Posted: 05/21/2014 21:48

They are pretty close, equally great, like black and white or the two sides of the same coin...like a double album...

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 17:25:54 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 21:25

This is the way
step inside…

Closer creates its own world. Once I place this album on, I get trapped by its frigid beauty, wallowing into the depths of my bed as its funeral procession drums, Ian's mournful voice, and jagged fragments of feedback bathe over me. By the time twenty-four hours comes on, I'm usually crying, stomach in knots. Not in sadness, but in sheer wonderment at its majestic beauty and how integral each song was in creating it. Besides The Cure's Faith and Pornography, I can't think of another album that duplicates its beautifully bleak ambience.

I love Unknown Pleasures. But there are easily a dozen other albums I could substitute for it when I'm in the mood to spin it. Closer is easily the more unique and revelatory album.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 17:16:34 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 21:16

Unknown Pleasures. The album feels more natural than Closer which I find to be over the top. It's almost like the album is dressed as the grim reaper.

I imagine those who choose Unknown Pleasures will enjoy reading most while those who choose 'Closer' will be more into acting on stage at the theater. This... sort of makes liking Closer feel better though. 🤔

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Hayden — Wed, 21 May 2014 17:00:49 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 05/21/2014 21:00

CellarDoor wrote:

I'm sure you mean the last track !

Yeah, that's my favourite track from New Order's entire discography.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

CellarDoor — Wed, 21 May 2014 16:44:19 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 05/21/2014 20:44

drakonium wrote:

Well I wouldn't, but I'd certainly take the first track of it over any JD song.

I'm sure you mean the last track !

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Skinny — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:48:45 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 05/21/2014 19:48

I don't see them as being on anywhere near equal footing. Closer is dope, but it feels a little like seeing a fantastic art exhibition, one you couldn't afford to go to, summarised in a half hour TV documentary. It's beautiful and majestic, but distant and intangible. Unknown Pleasures is a visceral thrill, uncomfortably human. Neither are close to being sunny records, but their debut has a genuine warmth that I just don't get from listening to Closer, great as it is. This was an easy decision for me. Always has been, always will be.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:47:03 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 19:47

CubaZed wrote:

I'd think this to be an easier and less time consuming format, that being said it's possible your first point could be true. Regardless, they are both two great albums essentially on equal standing.

I was kidding on both points, but it is kind of strange.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:41:44 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 19:41

meccalecca wrote:

I've never been able to settle for one over the other. I've gone back and forth too many times. At this point I think I prefer Closer. But, for what it's worth, I'd also take this over either of them:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Power, Corruption And Lies by New Order

Seconded. 😁

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:24:11 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 19:24

sp4cetiger wrote:

Interesting that it's so lopsided in this vote. I guess this means either that people are ashamed to publicly admit to liking Unknown Pleasures or that the people who liked Closer were too lazy to vote twice.

I'd think this to be an easier and less time consuming format, that being said it's possible your first point could be true. Regardless, they are both two great albums essentially on equal standing.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:04:31 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2014 19:04

CubaZed wrote:

We did this on the forum regulars rankings like 2 weeks ago http://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10286&start=0 . Unknown Pleasures barely won out.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

Hayden — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:15:11 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 05/21/2014 14:15

benpaco wrote:

I'm curious, Hayden, which one are you leaning towards atm?

Unknown Pleasures for me. Just be the smallest of margins though. They're both 10/10 albums for me.

If I didn't have a '1 album per artist' thing on my chart, Closer would be somewhere in my 10-15 range.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

drakonium — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:11:57 GMT

Author: drakonium

Posted: 05/21/2014 14:11

meccalecca wrote:

I might take Age of Consent over any track ever written.

Yes, yes indeed.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

meccalecca — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:04:51 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 05/21/2014 14:04

drakonium wrote:

Well I wouldn't, but I'd certainly take the first track of it over any JD song.

I might take Age of Consent over any track ever written.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

drakonium — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:01:09 GMT

Author: drakonium

Posted: 05/21/2014 14:01

meccalecca wrote:

But, for what it's worth, I'd also take this over either of them:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Power, Corruption And Lies by New Order

Well I wouldn't, but I'd certainly take the first track of it over any JD song.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

meccalecca — Wed, 21 May 2014 09:29:41 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 05/21/2014 13:29

I've never been able to settle for one over the other. I've gone back and forth too many times. At this point I think I prefer Closer. But, for what it's worth, I'd also take this over either of them:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Power, Corruption And Lies by New Order

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

HoldenM — Wed, 21 May 2014 07:58:20 GMT

Author: HoldenM

Posted: 05/21/2014 11:58

After reading the 33 1/3 on Unknown Pleasures, I am convinced that Ian Curtis was a piece of shit. That being said, he was a brilliant piece of shit with impeccable taste, and unparalleled musicianship. So, as far as how much I believe Curtis when he claims to be in pain, and when he claims that life is unfair to him, I might not sympathize, but he paints some vivid scenery, and it's quite beautiful. Though Closer is more ambitious, and has some of absolute favorite songs, Unknown Pleasures is undoubtedly my favorite. To me, there's nothing as amazing as tracks like "Disorder" or "Shadowplay" on Closer -- though "Atrocity Exhibition," "Isolation," and "Decades" are pretty damn remarkable.

Re: Unknown Pleasures Vs. Closer

benpaco — Wed, 21 May 2014 00:16:52 GMT

Author: benpaco

Posted: 05/21/2014 04:16

CubaZed wrote:

Doing three artists at once was a pretty terrible and rushed idea on my part haha and I think an in depth discussion about these two albums is due.

I don't think it was a bad idea, actually, that was kind of interesting. That said, I agree, it's interesting to compare these two more specifically. I'm curious, Hayden, which one are you leaning towards atm?