Search - Various Artists :: Means to an End: Music of Joy Division

Hey now, wait a minute...

LatherZap | USA | 01/07/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, overall this collection is not very good. But I do think the first two tracks are at least interesting covers. But my big disagreement with the other reviewer here is regarding Moby's cover of New Dawn Fades.I think it's great. Yes, it's different from the original, but it definitely captures the anguish and frustration. It is just as strong and overwhelming as the Joy Division version. I would have assumed that all JD fans liked the Moby track."

Flawed but not unworthy.

Stargrazer | deep in the heart of Michigan | 06/24/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Going up against the mythology and spectre of Joy Division is no small feat, and while the results are not necessarily essential to your CD collection there are some noteworthy moments on this disc and some downright excellent versions of JD tracks, like Low's lovely and stately take on "Transmission" which transforms Ian Curtis's dour post-punk delivery into a floating, haunting lullabye duet.



4AD artist Kendra Smith takes "Heart And Soul" to a dark and moody dancefloor, perhaps one where Laurie Anderson might go on Halloween? Virtually unknown band Further opens up the arrangement of "Insight" just a bit, but in a successful way that almost makes me prefer it to the insular track on the peerless Unknown Pleasures. Moby's interpretation of "New Dawn Fades" grasps the claustrophobia of the song while maybe veering a bit close to arena rock, while Tortoise's understated instrumental "As You Said" drifts by, not nearly as insistent or brash as the hard-wired early electronica of the original. Versus manages to capture and highlight the catharsis implied in the original of "Twenty Four Hours" while throwing in a girl-boy harmony to boot. Definitive slow-core band Codeine gives us a rather perfect, icy reading of "Atmosphere" which somehow transports the song from gray, industrial Manchester to the gray, industrial American Midwest.



A few of these tracks (Moby and Low, notably) have been released elsewhere, making this one for completists only, however for all of the flaws and ham-fisted covers of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" found on A Means To An End, its earnestness is not in dispute, and a band more challenging (and worthy!) to pay tribute to would be hard to find."

Great record

K. Parker | Montgomery, AL USA | 03/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"very enjoyable-- no major complaints. too bad it's outta print...."