Upcoming Closer 40th Anniversary & JD Singles Reissues

I didn't bother this time around cos there are only so many times you can go through the same crap. And as Mr Orange says, there are far more interesting things out there that need the revamp treatment. Found this on YouTube. It sucks. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RFPLk5mJ1D4

Closer and the 3*12" are available on Qobuz in lossless and vinylless format.

What's the difference between Closer and Closer remastered? 40 years.

Looked at the Timslisteningparty with Hooky last night and listened to Closer 2020 remaster on Spotify.It's a remaster? So what's the difference or even point of remastering again seeing as it was remastered also in 2007 (i think) .Or does remastering technology improve and progress over the years? Well that's a silly question i suppose , of course it must.Still think i prefer my old 80s vinyl of Closer though.Someone on that Guardian Joy Division songs ranked thing the other day said people just claimed to like Joy Division to be cool.Well, hmm, .. i guess i was one of the Blue Monday 1983 kids who got into the band and then later tracked down the band they were before.Yeah i wasn't massive on Closer back then but gradually as you get older it does draw you in and it becomes a great chill out album.No,really.It takes you out of and above the everyday reality of life.Best chill out album ever despite its brutal at times sound.It's chill out music.

Hooky wants to do Movement next on the Listening parties. It's almost as though he's trying to out-do Steve. He mentioned on one of his Instagram chats that he's reading Steve's book. Perhaps there's some competitiveness there about who can tell the story the best. Hooky did also call them New Order (not The Other Mob etc) when he mentined the planned O2 gig. He thought the gig was this November and seemed quite tickled that they were gonna "go for it" this year, until Jack pointed out that it has been moved to 2021.

Closer bores the shit out of me. The seventh time I saw Peter Fook and the Shite I really couldn't be arsed any more. Still, this is a solid cover https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HGrJLOgTp0c

Fotz wrote: So what's the difference or even point of remastering again seeing as it was remastered also in 2007 (i think). Or does remastering technology improve and progress over the years?

It's not so much the technology as the talent. It takes a trained ear and a delicate touch to coax subtleties from the existing master, or make a thin-sounding tape sound full and bring out the low end without changing the feel of the album you know and love. Frank Arkwright has proven himself to have an incredible touch when working on the Joy Division and New Order catalog. Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree has done wonders with the XTC catalog (but he's gone even further, creating new mixes from the multitrack tapes).

perspexorange wrote: Just had the email.

Looking at my order, it looks like I chose ‘standard shipping’. I’m guessing this means mine will be delivered by Royal Mail rather than Yodel etc.

Mine still hasn't arrived. Posted on Thursday by Royal Mail.

I thought today would be the very latest it would arrive. Bit annoying.

50poundnote wrote:

Fotz wrote: So what's the difference or even point of remastering again seeing as it was remastered also in 2007 (i think). Or does remastering technology improve and progress over the years?

It's not so much the technology as the talent. It takes a trained ear and a delicate touch to coax subtleties from the existing master, or make a thin-sounding tape sound full and bring out the low end without changing the feel of the album you know and love. Frank Arkwright has proven himself to have an incredible touch when working on the Joy Division and New Order catalog. Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree has done wonders with the XTC catalog (but he's gone even further, creating new mixes from the multitrack tapes).

Oh absolutely. I agree.

So was Closer remastered for the 2007 release or not? And if so and both it and the 2020 remaster were done by Frank Arkwright i'm just trying to get my head round why he remastered it again .Or was the 2007 reissue not actually a remaster?

Also have read a few places stating 2020 Closer is the first time its been reissued.So what was the 2007 release then?

Fotz wrote: So was Closer remastered for the 2007 release or not?

Yes, done by Jon Davis, but knowing how chaotic the Factory archive was, who knows what he used as a source? I'm sure someone can verify if he had access to the Master created by Hannett and the band in 1980, or if he simply ripped a CD and boosted the levels.

Fotz wrote: Also have read a few places stating 2020 Closer is the first time its been reissued. So what was the 2007 release then?

That's got to be some tricky Marketing double-speak. Was *this* master available digitally somewhere? So this is the first time it's being issued *on vinyl*?

perspexorange wrote:

perspexorange wrote: Just had the email.

Looking at my order, it looks like I chose ‘standard shipping’. I’m guessing this means mine will be delivered by Royal Mail rather than Yodel etc.

Mine still hasn't arrived. Posted on Thursday by Royal Mail.

I thought today would be the very latest it would arrive. Bit annoying.

Unfortunately Royal Mail are still a bit shite at the moment. Still takes about a week for me to receive a first class parcel. I try and avoid where possible. I know we are still in uncertain times but couriers are still delivering as normal for me in most cases. Hope it turns up soon.

BazG wrote:

perspexorange wrote:

perspexorange wrote: Just had the email.

Looking at my order, it looks like I chose ‘standard shipping’. I’m guessing this means mine will be delivered by Royal Mail rather than Yodel etc.

Mine still hasn't arrived. Posted on Thursday by Royal Mail.

I thought today would be the very latest it would arrive. Bit annoying.

Unfortunately Royal Mail are still a bit shite at the moment. Still takes about a week for me to receive a first class parcel. I try and avoid where possible. I know we are still in uncertain times but couriers are still delivering as normal for me in most cases. Hope it turns up soon.

Well, the 'bundle' arrived today (finally!).

To be fair, it's worth the wait. The 'Closer' LP looks fantastic. The clear vinyl looks very nice and I love the fact that the inside of both the inner and outer sleeve is in ruby red. It looks like a really premium product.

I've yet to play them (I don't currently have a turntable!), but I'm very pleased by the aesthetics. :-)

perspexorange wrote:

Well, the 'bundle' arrived today (finally!).

To be fair, it's worth the wait. The 'Closer' LP looks fantastic. The clear vinyl looks very nice and I love the fact that the inside of both the inner and outer sleeve is in ruby red. It looks like a really premium product.

I've yet to play them (I don't currently have a turntable!), but I'm very pleased by the aesthetics. :-)

Oh you must invest in a turntable. For me, it's just a different experience putting a record on to play. A new one especially so.

I'm glad it eventually turned up for you though.

I just read this which gives a bit of an insight too.

https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/inside-the-joy-division-40th-anniversary-campaign-for-closer/080502

Yep. I will definitely get another one at some point (my last one broke).

I used to think there wasn't a lot of point of buying vinyl these days but someone on these boards (I think it was Mr 50poundnote) pointed out how much better it is to have these LPs with full-sized artwork. To be lovingly appreciating the beautiful sleeves, whilst the records play majestically in the background.

And he's completely correct.

I was previously mistaken and rather dismissive of the vinyl comeback. I'm now starting to (re-)appreciate having vinyl again.

Nice little article, by the way. Thanks for posting.

Jcp7 wrote: Closer and the 3*12" are available on Qobuz in lossless and vinylless format.

Thanks, and in North America, too! Hope the NO 12’s from last year follow.