Joy Division: Hooked on U2?

I don’t know what it is about the story of Joy Division and Ian Curtis that keeps compelling me to blog in this way. (see earlier entry on the film “Control”) I just watched the documentary by Grant Gee simply titled “Joy Division” and I have to say it got right under my skin in a pretty similar way to how Anton Corbijn’s film did. The doco is beautifully made although on the whole is stylistically sort of traditional yet there are nice subtle effects and transitions and the like. Most significantly, the film has some poignant interview extracts with some damn intelligent critics and writers who share their unique and super insightful takes on Curtis and JD. You know you’re in for something a bit different when the opening quote says: This is not a film about a band – it’s a film about a place in time. Okay so I’ve paraphrased and mucked it up but I’m sure you can get the sentiment. Some of the descriptions of JD’s music and it’s place in history are just beyond sublime and superb. Truth be told I’m not a die hard JD fan. I’ve only ever owned a best of type CD and there are many of their more “difficult” songs that I’ve never liked. I am however a huge New Order fan especially the early phase and you might say the ashes of JD were still blowing around in that early sound. There’s a fascinating DVD extra where bassist Peter Hook recalls how he went to a recent U2 concert and had a revelation that this was what JD could have become and he sort of laments this loss. I have to say this stumped me on so many levels I had to rewind and make sure I heard it right. Hook is often a bit of a kidder but this was said with total genuine seriousness. He actually believes that had Curtis lived, JD would have eventually been as big and as accessible and successful as U2. I think Hook is totally on the wrong path here. Firstly, lets compare the two front men. Bono is a hand clapping audience manipulator shaman type figure who would constantly be holding a lit cigi lighter up above his head on stage if it didn’t give him a cramp. A total extrovert performer, cowboy boot pony tail rock star. Ian Curtis was an introverted manic depressive epileptic who although was a compelling performer – was compelling in an impenetrable manner as opposed to Bono’s “lets all hug each other till the early hours” vibe. Chalk and cheese I dare say. Now let’s look at the songs. JD were never ever going to be as big as U2 unless they started to write and record a completely different batch of material – less edgy, less dark, less cold, less brooding, less isolating. Nah! Sorry Hooky – you are way way way off the mark with your U2 fantasy. It made me think that Hook didn’t really understand the band he was in!!?? Maybe. But I don’t mean to focus on this Peter Hook U2 thing. The doco is a great piece of rock and roll archiving. A really great companion piece in many ways to “Control”.