In un epoca di conoscenze orizzontali della musica rock, quando grazie ad Internet si ha accesso ad una quantità incredibile di informazioni su gruppi che non esistono più e si ha la possibilità di "scaricare" in un attimo e di gustarsi pronta cassa album incisi decenni fa, il pericolo è quello di non dare profondità storica a quello che si ascolta e di banalizzare, attualizzandolo, un sound che merita un ben diverso trattamento. In quest'ottica un lavoro come "HEART AND SOUL" assolve in pieno il suo compito, storicizzando adeguatamente la musica dei Joy Division ed offrendo il compendio ufficiale definitivo dei quattro mancuniani.
La mole dell'opera (quattro compact disc di cui uno dal vivo) e l'utilissimo libretto allegato permettono effettivamente di attrezzarsi adeguatamente per un "viaggio" che non ha eguali nella musica rock degli ultimi trent'anni. Ormai è ufficiale: i dischi dei Joy Division sono importanti tanto quelli dei Velvet Underground incisi 10 anni prima. Anche se il background e il risultato finale dei due gruppi è totalmente differente. I Newyorkesi hanno inventato uno stile dal nulla, una nuova musica, ed erano supportati da un entourage di tutto rispetto, la Factory (?!?) di Andy Wahrol. Inoltre i Velvet erano effettivamente musicisti, il rocker Reed e l'avanguardista Cale erano intrisi fino al midollo di umori malati e malsani che attendevano di concretizzarsi in un suono diretto ma ambiguo, reale ma deviante.
I Joy Division invece erano quattro piccolo-borghesi inquieti - classe impiegatizia per lo più - attratti dalle immagini decadenti di una Germania tardo nazista, desiderosi di fare qualcosa di nuovo in un'epoca in cui il la coda finale del glam-rock di Bowie, Roxy Music e Mott The Hopple donava i suoi ultimi frutti. Fatale è stato l'avvento a Manchester dei concerti dei primi gruppi punk, Sex Pistols e i concittadini Buzzcocks in testa: leggenda vuole che durante uno di questi concerti i quattro abbiano deciso di fondare il gruppo. Il concetto punkista del Do It Yourself è stato applicato alla lettera dai Joy Division: il primo disco 7" An Ideal For Living è stato interamente prodotto da loro, copertina filo-nazista inclusa. E qui ci fermiamo col nazismo: per loro era solo una questione estetica, non certo ideologica! Quel che seguirà dopo è una storia che veramente ricorda il "sogno americano": l'ascesa fra i grandi di un gruppo normalissimo di persone (certo il suicidio di Ian Curtis ha notevolmente contribuito ad amplificare e glorificare tutta la faccenda).
E veniamo alla musica. Una delle caratteristiche che spero venga percepita dalle nuove generazioni è l'estrema umanità delle loro canzoni: è questa la vera ed unica formula della loro popolarità. Un'umanità palpabile che rende i loro dischi unici nel genere. E qui ci sarebbe da disquisire con quanti accostano a loro gente come Interpol, ottimi per carità, ma assolutamente estranei se non per un vago "guscio" di sonorità. La validità e l'importanza della loro musica è assoluta se pensiamo che nemmeno i trucchi digitali del maniacale produttore Martin Hannet sono riusciti a scalfire e deteriorare la tensione, il senso di gelo ma anche la gioiosa immediatezza, testi a parte (Something Must Break, Means To A End) delle loro canzoni.
In "HEART AND SOUL" troviamo praticamente tutta l'epopea Joy Division. Dal confuso esordio semi-punk del luglio 1977 con la session dei Pennine Sound Studios (disponibile prima solo sul fantomatico CD dei Warsaw con il neonato in copertina), alle prime incisioni ufficiali di A Factory Sample e An Ideal For Living più le Peel Sessions. Dalle successive sessions per dischi mai prodotti per la RCA e per la Radar Records a tutti i 7" e 12" compreso quello per Sordide Sentimental ed il flexi-disc con Komakino e Incubation. E naturalmente tutto "UNKNOWN PLEASURES" e "CLOSER" e quasi tutto "STILL".
Elenco tracce e testi
01 Digital (02:53)
Feel it closing in - feel it closing in
A fear of whom I call - every time I call
I feel it closing in - I feel it closing in
Day in, day out --
I feel it closing in, as patterns seem to form
I feel it cold and warm, as shadows start to fall
[or in the Still and Effenaar live versions:
I feel it closing in, as shadows start to form
I feel it cold and warm - patterns on the wall]
I feel it closing in - I feel it closing in
Day in, day out --
I'd have the world around to see just what happens
Stood by the door alone, and then it's fade away
I see you fade away - don't ever fade away
I need you here today - don't ever fade away
Don't ever fade away --
Fade away --
02 Glass (03:56)
Hearts fail
Young hearts fail
Anytime -- Prussurised
Overheat -- Overtired
Take it quick -- take it neat
clasp your hands, touch your feet
take it quick, take it neat, take it quick, take it neat
Hearts fail
Young hearts fail
Anytime -- whereabouts
On the Run -- Underground
Put your hand where its safe, lay your hand where its safe
do it again, do it again again again again do it again, again, again, do it again and again!
Anytime thats your right
dont ya wish we do it again?
Overheat -- Overtired
dont ya wish we do it again?
dont ya wish we do it again?
dont ya wish we do it again?
Anytime thats your right
dont ya wish we do it again?
Anytime that your right
dont ya wish we do it again?
dont ya wish we do it again?
Bet ya wish we do it again?
do it agian
do it again
do it again!
03 Disorder (03:31)
I've been waiting for a guide to come
and take me by the hand
Could these sensations make me feel
the pleasures of a normal man
New sensations bear the innocence -
leave them for another day
I've got the spirit, lose the feeling
take the shock away
It's getting faster, moving faster now,
it's getting out of hand
On the tenth floor, down the backstairs
into no-man's land
Lights are flashing,
cars are crashing,
getting frequent now
I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, let it
out somehow
What means to you,
what means to me -
and we will meet again
I'm watching you, I watch it all
I take no pity from friends
Who is right and who can tell,
and who gives a damn right now
Until the spirit, new sensation
takes hold - then you know
Until the spirit, new sensation
takes hold - then you know
Until the spirit, new sensation
takes hold - then you know
I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling
I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling
I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling
Feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling
05 Candidate (03:05)
Forced by the pressure,
The territories marked,
No longer the pleasure,
Oh, I've since lost the heart.
Corrupted from memory,
No longer the power,
It's creeping up slowly,
That last fatal hour.
Oh, I don't know what made me,
or what gave me the right,
To mess with your values,
And change wrong to right.
Please keep your distance,
The trail leads to here,
There's blood on your fingers,
Brought on by fear.
I campaigned for nothing,
I worked hard for this,
I tried to get to you,
You treat me like this.
It's just second nature,
It's what we've been shown,
We're living by your rules,
That's all that we know.
I tried to get to you,
I tried to get to you,
I tried to get to you.
I tried to get to you.
06 Insight (04:28)
Guess the dream always end
They don't rise up just descend
But I don't care anymore
I've lost the will to want more
I'm not afraid, not at all
I watch them all as they fall
But I remember, when we were young
Those with habits of waste
The sense of style and the taste
Of making sure you were right
Hey, don't you know you were right
I'm not afraid anymore
I keep my eyes on the door
But I remember...
Tears and sadness for you
Awe of evil for you
Reflects a moment in time
A special moment in time
Yeah, we wasted our time
We didn't really have time
But we remember - when we were young
And all God's angels beware
And all you judges beware
Sons of chance take good care
For all the people out there
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
07 New Dawn Fades (04:48)
Change of speed, a change of style
A change of scene, with no regrets
A chance to watch
admire the distance
Still occupied - though you forget
Different colours, different shades
Over each mistakes were made
I took the blame
Directionless, so plain to see
A loaded gun won't set you free
So you say
We'll share a drink and step outside
An angry voice and one who cried
We'll give you everything and more
The strain's too much,
can't take much more
Oh I've walked on water,
run through fire
Can't seem to feel it anymore
It was me - waiting for me
Hoping for something more
Me - see me in this time -
Hoping for something else
08 She's Lost Control (03:56)
Confusion in her eyes that says it all -
She's lost control
And she's clinging to the nearest passer-by
She's lost control
And she gave away the secrets of her past
And said "I've lost control again."
And a voice that told her when and where to act,
She said I've lost control again.
And she turned to me
and took me by the hand
and said "I've lost control again"
and how I'll never know just why
or understand
She said "I've lost control again"
And she screamed out, kicking on her side
And seized up on the floor -
I thought she'd died
She said "I've lost control again"
She's lost control again -
she's lost control
Well I had to phone her friend
to state her case and say
she's lost control again
And she showed up all the errors
and mistakes
and said "I've lost control again"
But she expressed herself in many
different ways
until she'd control again
And walked upon the edge of no escape
and laughed "I've lost control again"
She's lost control again,
she's lost control
she's lost control
09 Shadowplay (03:55)
To the centre of the city where all roads meet
waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean
where all hopes sank searching for you
moving through the silence without motion
waiting for you
In a room with no window in the corner,
I found truth
In the shadowplay, acting out your
own death, knowing no more
As the assassins all grouped
in four lines,
Dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odour on their bodies,
made a move to connect
I could only stare in disbelief
as the crowds all left
I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you -
for their own ends
To the centre of the city at night
waiting for you
waiting for you
10 Wilderness (02:38)
I traveled far and wide through many
different times
What did you see there?
I saw all knowledge destroyed
I traveled far and wide to prisons
of the cross
What did you see there?
The power and glory of sin
What did you see there?
The blood of Christ on their skins
I traveled far and wide through many
different times
I traveled far and wide where
unknown martyrs died
I saw the one-sided trials
What did you see there?
I saw the tears as they cried
They had tears in their eyes!
Tears in their eyes!
Tears in their eyes!
Tears in their eyes!
11 Interzone (02:16)
I walked through city limits
Someone took me by the hand in the blue
Attracted by some force within it
If I could close my eyes,
I could get used to it
Around the corner where a puppet lay
Saw the place where she had a room to stay
A wire fence
where children play
Saw them dance where the body lay
And I was looking for a friend of mine
The car screeched in the sand
and dust
Feel encouraged -
just a car on it's side
Metallic blue turned red with rust
Pulled it close by the buildin's side
In a room for forgotten youth
I could think
or let my senses slide
Turned on to a night with you
Find the place where my friends, won't go
And I was looking for a friend of mine
and I had no time to lose
Yeah looking for some friends of mine
Down the dark street,
the houses looked the same
Stopped and turned around,
held me to a game
I walked round and round,
you nailed me to a tree
Trying to find a way,
trying to find a way, to get out
For twelve windows stand in a row
Behind a wall
where a room to go
The light shined like a neon show
See the deep mellow warmth
of the glow
No place to stop,
no place to go
No time to lose,
have to keep on going
I guess they died some time ago
I guess they died some time ago
And I was looking for a friend of mine
And I have no time to lose
Yeah, I was looking for a friend of mine
12 I Remember Nothing (05:56)
We were strangers, we were strangers,
Away too long,
away too long
We were violent strangers,
away too long,
Get weak all the time,
we just passed the time
Me in my own world, yeah you there beside
The gaps only moment,
we stared from each side
We were strangers, away too long
Violent, more violent his hand
cracks the chair
Moves on reaction, then slumps,
in despair
Trapped in a cage and surrendered
too soon
Me in my own world
Away too long
We were strangers, We were strangers
Away too long, away too long
13 Ice Age (02:25)
I've seen the real atrocities, buried in the sand
Stockpiled safety for a few, while we stand holding hands
I'm living in the ice age
I'm living in the ice age
Nothing will hold, nothing will fit
Into the cold, it's not an eclipse
Living in the ice age
Living in the ice age
Living in the ice age
Searching for another way, see them hide behind the door
Live in holes and disused shafts, hopes for little more
I'm living in the ice age
I'm living in the ice age
Nothing will hold, nothing will fit
Into the cold, no smile on your lips
Living in the ice age
Living in the ice age
Living in the ice age
14 Exercise One (03:08)
When you're looking at life,
In a strange new room,
Maybe drowning soon,
Is this the start of it all?
Turn on your TV,
Turn down your pulse,
Turn away from it all,
It's all getting too much.
When you're looking at life,
Deciphering scars,
Just who fooled who,
Sit still in their cars,
The lights look bright,
When you reach outside,
Time for one last ride,
Before the end of it all.
15 Transmission (03:37)
Radio live - transmission - radio live -
transmission
Listen to the silence, let it ring on
Eyes dark, relentless, frightened of the sun
We would have a fine time living in the night
Left a blind destruction,
waiting for our sight - sight
We would go on as though nothing
was wrong
Hide from these days we remain all alone
Staying in the same place
to stand out the tide
Touching from a distance,
further all the time
Dance, dance, dance, dance,
dance to the radio (4)
I would go on as though nothing
was wrong
And hide from these days
when the music goes on
Staying in the same place,
we're sparing no time
Gift who could value no-one
inside
And we could dance, dance, dance, dance,
dance to the radio (4)
16 Novelty (04:01)
When people listen to you dont you know it means alot,
cuz you gotta work so hard for everything you've got,
cant rest on your laurels now,
not when you got none,
you'll find yourself in the gutter,
right back where you came from.
someone told me being in the know is the main thing,
we all need the security that belonging brings,
can't stand alone on these times,
Against all the odds,
you'll just fall behind like all the other sods.
You slap our backs and pretend you knew about,
all the things we were gonna do.
what ya gonna do,
what ya gonna do,
when its over?
You're on your own now dont you think that its a shame?
but youre the one responsible to take the blame?
so what ya gonna do when the novelty is gone?
Yeah what ya gonna do when the novelty is gone?
You slap our backs and pretend you know about,
all the things that we were gonna do
what ya gonna do,
what ya gonna do,
when it's over?
17 The Kill (02:16)
Life can be for you, good things are nice.
Trusting on you, really no threats.
The way to get through, deciphering the scars.
Just a far glow, sit still in their cars.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
I can smell through, you're talking's a lie.
They turn out to you, before say "Die!".
Wrapped in your trunk, to reach out the same case.
So I can detect, no longer mistaking.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
Dangerous cues, set by distraction.
Deprived of all use, nor in satisfaction.
Total destruction, the worst ever met.
Kept in apartment, sublimely fought you.
Who's gone there backstage, to keep you in rock ?
Who's got the vision, that puts at no odds ?
Loss of all resource, falls up to your head.
Just that it was, whacked into the air.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill.
Kill, huh.
Ha, ha.
18 The Only Mistake (04:19)
Made the fatal mistake,
Like I did once before,
A tendency just to take,
Til the purpose turned sour,
Strain, take the strain, these days we love,
Strain, take the strain, these days we love.
Yeah, the only mistake was that you ran away,
Avenues lined with trees, strangled words for the day,
Yeah, the only mistake, like I made once before,
Yeah, the only mistake, could have made it before.
Strain, take the strain, these days we love,
Strain, take the strain, these days we love.
And the only mistake, led to rumours unfound,
Led to pressures unknown, different feelings and sounds,
Yeah, the only mistake, like I made once before,
Yeah, the only mistake, could have made it before.
19 Something Must Break (02:53)
To waste and choose or raise the dead
With pain behind go straight ahead
Room full of people grouping
as one
I can't break out now
the time just won't come
To waste and choose which way to go
Decide for me please let me know
Looked in the mirror
saw I was wrong
If I could get back to - where I belong
To waste and choose which way to go
I paused for one
whom signs forbode
If we were immortal we would not bear
Washed up on the beat here
Struggle for air
I see you face still in my window
Tormented clouds won't set me free
Something must break now -
this life isn't mine
Something must break now -
wait for the time
20 Autosuggestion (06:10)
Here, here,
Everything is by design,
Everything is by design.
Here, here,
Everything is kept inside.
So take a chance and step outside,
Your hopes, your dreams, your paradise.
Heroes, idols cracked like ice.
Here, here,
Everything is kept inside.
So take a chance and step outside.
Pure frustration face to face.
A point of view creates more waves,
So take a chance and step outside.
Take a chance and step outside.
Lose some sleep and say you tried.
Meet frustration face to face.
A point of view creates more waves.
So lose some sleep and say you tried.
So lose some sleep and say you tried.
So lose some sleep and say you tried.
So lose some sleep and say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Say you tried.
Yeah, lose some sleep and say you tried.
Yeah, lose some sleep and say you tried.
Yeah, lose some sleep and say you tried.
Yeah, lose some sleep and say you tried.
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