Search - New Order, Joy Division :: Before and After/BBC Sessions

A very nice set for collectors or fans

Eric Edelin | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 08/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's start by saying that both discs are the same BBC Sessions cds as the Joy Division Complete BBC and the New Order BBC Radio cds, so unless you want the special packaging, this is not necessary unless you happen to be a Joy Division or New Order completist. However if you have neither of the aformentioned cds this is an absolutely wonderful purchase. The music contained on both of these discs is nothing short of fantastic, if not very unpolished. The versions of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and 'Colony' on the Joy Division disc sound like complete departures from their in studio counterparts, but the overall sound quality is very accessible. The New Order live set could've been better but it does showcase the essence of New Order live; a sloppy, unpredictable show, but fun nonetheless. The version of 'True Faith' on here is definitely the highlight of the show, though it doesn't match the studio track it is definitely played with a lot of energy, as is the manic 'Age Of Consent' with guitars turned up and Bernard Sumner even shouting a few lines (dreadfully out of key nonetheless). The version of Bizarre Live Triangle is slightly faster an even in a different key (and it sounded like someone forgot to tell Mr. Sumner that too). Though both discs showcase the music in its most under-produced form, they are no doubt essential to fans of Joy Division and New Order. This set, however, does basically make the separate releases somewhat obsolete."

The title says it all

rachel_s | Illinois, United States | 01/02/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This 2-Cd set is a prime example of what exactly transpired before and after Ian Curtis's death. Before, we have one of the landmark bands of the late 70s/early 80s (Joy Division); after, the remaining members continued on with the formation of 80s new wave pop band New Order.
The Joy Division disc is wonderful. The songs are a prime example of the unpolished live sound Joy Division offers: deep, dark, and brooding as ever, but with an edge. Curtis's vocals are rich and the instuments work together to form a dynamic, more frantic sound. It's a chance to see Joy Division from a different angle than the studio albums offer.
One might say the New Order disc also offers the listener a different perspective. To call this set "raw and unpolished" is a nice way of putting it. The disc gets better after a few listens, particularly if one stands far away enough from the speakers so as to ignore the oftentimes intolerable vocals. The music works better as background sound when you are busy with something else and don't have the chance to focus on the record's faults. It is apparent that New Order was never meant to be a live band-- so why they bothered releasing this subpar live performance is beyond me.
I give this set 3 stars because of the superb Joy Division set; the New Order disc is not complete trash, but I would leave it to the die-hard fans. Unless that's you, go for just the Joy Division BBC Recordings (it can be purchased on its own), and stick to New Order's studio recordings."

Two sides of the coin

Guy R. Tetro | Lyndhurst, NJ United States | 03/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This boxed set is a great example of how much changed when Curtis killed himself. Joy Division is powerful, haunting, and enchanting. The songs recorded here are a great example of why they are considered one of the most powerful and infuential bands of the time. New Order, on the other hand, are a bit contrived and lack the energy of their former selves. The vocals, especially in comparisson to Curtis, are weak and stale. These recordings are worth it for the Joy Division material, and as any fan, for this price, you can have both them and New Order, so it is a must have. Even for big New Order fans to experiece Joy Divison on these recordings is something that makes this worth every penny."