10 Albums That Changed The Face Of Rock Music
3. Unknown Pleasures - Joy Division (1979)
By 1979 punk rock had burned itself into the ground. Its biggest proponents had either disbanded or strayed into new genres. The last vestiges of the movement retreated back into the underground, to slowly morph into hardcore-punk.
But in the waining years of its mainstream popularity, a number of new groups were informed by punk's DIY approach and animalistic energy. These groups recognised all the thrashing guitars and sentiments of anarchy only got you so far, however. Post-punk was born and with it came a number of new alternative sounds.
Formed in Manchester, Joy Division came to represent the feeling of hopelessness that gripped Britain throughout the late '70s. The Winter of Discontent in '78, saw the country close to breaking point. The economic chaos was exacerbated when the Iron Lady took office, furthering the struggles of the working class.
The record represented this bleak time. It's mournful and hauntingly ominous, but speaks to a defiant resolve in the face of utter hopelessness. After the death of frontman Ian Curtis, the remaining band members formed New Order. They used the foundations left by Joy Division, and went on to steer the course of both rock and dance music alike.