A Means To An End (track)
by Joy Division
A Means To An End appears on the following album(s) by Joy Division:
- Closer (track #5) (this album) (1980)
- Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979 (track #9) (2001)
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A Means To An End ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
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Showing latest 3 ratings for this track. | Show all 362 ratings for this track.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Track ratings | Avg. track rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 07/12/2026 08:33 | Siromynian | 20,192 | 71/100 |
| ! | 07/07/2026 21:08 |  serpico | 4,007 | 89/100 |
| ! | 06/15/2026 18:15 | matterhornrider | 23,199 | 86/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some tracks can have several thousand ratings)
This track is rated in the top 2% of all tracks on BestEverAlbums.com. This track has a Bayesian average rating of 84.2/100, a mean average of 83.2/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 84.4/100. The standard deviation for this track is 13.2.
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AAL2014 TOP 100 COMMENTER 06/20/2022 17:03 | #286550
Another outstanding track as this album runs along.
What I love about this song in particular is the role the drums and especially their sound plays. The drumming itself is poppy and provides an upbeat feel, but the production masks and muddies it creating the feel of churning engine or as I hear it muffled breathing in the hi hat stabs.
That drumming is also reflecting the lyrical theme of a failed.. something or anything. As the song ends, the drums crap out like a machine finally giving out.
Out. Fucking. Standing. (Edited)
One of the most underrated joy division tune to me. The riff is amazing. (Edited)
Underrated Joy Division song. As much as I enjoy hearing Ian say "I put my trust in you", the true highlight of this song is Hooky's bassline. (Edited)
