Released 3 June 1978 Length 12:47 Label Enigma | Recorded 14 December 1977 Producer Joy Division Release date 3 June 1978 | |
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An Ideal for Living(1978) Unknown Pleasures(1979) | ||
Joy division an ideal for living 1978
An Ideal for Living is the debut EP by English post-punk band Joy Division. It was released in 1978 by the band's own label Enigma, shortly after changing their name from Warsaw.
Contents
- Joy division an ideal for living 1978
- Warsaw joy division
- Recording
- Content
- Record cover
- Release
- Legacy
- Critical reception
- Track listing
- Songs
- References
Warsaw joy division
Recording
All tracks were recorded at the Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham, on 14 December 1977.
Content
The release reflects the band's early punk influences, as opposed to the post-punk style the band would later develop.
Record cover
The cover has a black-and-white picture of a blonde Hitler Youth member beating a drum, which was drawn by guitarist Bernard Sumner (called "Bernard Albrecht" on the poster sleeve), and the words "Joy! Division" printed in a blackletter font. The cover design, coupled with the nature of the band's name, fuelled controversy over whether the band had Nazi sympathies. When the EP was re-released on 12 inch vinyl the original cover was replaced by artwork featuring scaffolding.
Release
A 7" version of An Ideal for Living was released in June on the band's own Enigma Records label (not to be confused with the American record label of the same name) which was sold out by September and subsequently followed by a 12" version on 10 October on the band's own Anonymous Records label. This was very much a home-brewed affair, with the band members and their friends stuffing the records into their sleeves.
All tracks were re-released on the 1988 singles compilation Substance.
A remastered version of the EP was reissued by Rhino Entertainment to coincide with Record Store Day 2014.
Legacy
The EP inspired the Manic Street Preachers' single "A Design For Life".
Critical reception
In his retrospective review, David Cleary of AllMusic wrote that "[the] sound quality and production values on this release are extremely primitive", while describing the release as "a mildly interesting, if not great EP." He also noted that with the re-release of tracks one and three on the rarities album Substance (the other two were originally only included on CD and cassette versions of the album), the need for diehard Joy Division fans to obtain this platter has notably decreased.
Track listing
All songs written by Joy Division.
- "Warsaw" – 2:26
- "No Love Lost" – 3:42
- "Leaders of Men" – 2:34
- "Failures" – 3:44
Songs
1Warsaw2:26
2No Love Lost3:43
3Leaders of Men2:35