As someone who prefers CD, can anyone advise if a Factory CD is better than the later WEA reissues?
I’ve been quietly looking for a tidy original (pre-barcode) Factory CD of both UP and Closer for ages now, good examples seem to go for rather a lot unfortunately.
I have pre-barcode Factory CD of Closer that I purchased back in the day, what is it worth Tony? (not that I'd part with it).
The funny thing is, the band themselves hated the mix and production at the time, still not sure if they all actually "like it". I'd say it's one of those times where, the producer did actually "know what would suit it" and had the vision way beyond the band had themselves. Hooky wanted it to sound like the Hawk's mid period albums with Bob Calvert on vocals.
Reputedly, yes. IIRC the best of the lot, predictably, is the early Japanese issue. I’ve been quietly looking for a tidy original (pre-barcode) Factory CD of both UP and Closer for ages now, good examples seem to go for rather a lot unfortunately. I suspect they will be good as the other early Factory CDs I have certainly are. I’ve heard the Heart And Soul box and the Deluxe Editions and they are not terrible, but do sound rather thickened and compressed compared to the original vinyl.
You can't beat the early vinyl, but the first issue of the "Heart and Soul" CD set has the best digital mastering of Unknown Pleasures in my opinion, along with everything else they recorded.
https://www.discogs.com/Joy-Division-Heart-And-Soul/release/117529
You can't beat the early vinyl, but the first issue of the "Heart and Soul" CD set has the best digital mastering of Unknown Pleasures in my opinion, along with everything else they recorded.
https://www.discogs.com/Joy-Division-Heart-And-Soul/release/117529
This is one of those albums that reminds me that we haven't really come very far in terms of inventiveness, production technique, attitude, etc. Unknown Pleasures and Closer are just fantastic sounding albums IMO. Martin Hannett was a nightmare but also a genius.