Closer

Closer is the title of the second studio album by Joy Division, released in July 1980 on Factory records (FACT 25). Like its predecessor Unknown Pleasures the album was produced by Martin Hannett, although recorded in Britannia Row Studios in London rather than in the band's native Manchester. recording took place from 18 to 30 March 1980.

The release of Closer was preceded a month earlier by the single Love Will Tear Us Apart b/w These Days, although neither tracks were included on the album. Two other new tracks Atmosphere and Dead Souls had been released as a 12" single in benelux countries only earlier in the year.

Closer entered the UK album charts at no.11 a week after its release, climbing to its peak position of no.6 a week later.

The album was released after the death of singer and frontman Ian Curtis and as such remains an important epitaph to Curtis and the band itself which later ceased to exist as Joy Division, with surviving members going on to form New Order.

Line-up
NB no band credits are given on the original album


 * Ian Curtis - lead vocals, guitar (?)
 * Bernard Sumner - guitar, synthesisers
 * Peter Hook - bass
 * Stephen Morris - drums

Tracklisting

 * original LP / MC, Factory FACT∙XXV/FACT 25, 1980

Side One


 * 1) Atrocity Exhibition
 * 2) Isolation
 * 3) Passover
 * 4) A Means To An End

Side Two


 * 1) Heart and Soul
 * 2) Twenty Four Hours
 * 3) The Eternal
 * 4) Decades


 * Collector's Edition, 2xCD, London Records, 2007

CD1 features 9 tracks as above, remastered, plus recording of Joy Division playing live at University Of London Union 08 February 1980. Includes Twenty Four Hours, Passover, Isolation, The Eternal from Closer. 

Live performances
Joy Division had been touring more or less continuously in 1980 (save to pause for the recording of Closer in March). Certain tracks which would appear on the album were performed, as well as others which did not make the final cut (see 2007 Collector's edition and Still). A planned tour of the US which was to take place in May & June was famously cancelled due to the death of Curtis. Some Uk dates had also been cancelled prior to the tragic event.

Significant dates

 * 10 December 1979: early versions of Love Will Tear Us Apart, 24 Hours and Colony are broadcast by John Peel as part of the group's second session recorded on 26 November.
 * 10 June 1980: John Peel plays Love Will tear Us Apart for the first time.
 * 01 July 1980: Love Will Tear Us Apart enters UK Top 40 and no.30
 * 14 July 1980: Peel begins to play tracks from Closer, two tracks per night, starting with Isolation and Atrocity Exhibition.
 * 18 July 1980: official release date of Closer.
 * 20 July 1980: Closer enters UK album charts at no.11
 * 22 July 1980: Love Will Tear Us Apart reaches peak position of no.13. Reaches peak position of no.6 the following week.
 * 24 July 1980: Smash Hits lists Closer as no.1 in the Independent album charts.