Permanent (Joy Division album)

Songs

Permanent contains tracks from the band's two studio albums, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, as well as other tracks previously released on the compilations Substance and Still.

The one new track is a new mix of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" titled "Permanent mix". This version of the song features guitar throughout the song, balancing the synths and bass giving a fuller sound. The liner notes (first on a Joy Division album) were provided by Jon Savage. Permanent peaked at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart in 1996.

Critical reception

Entertainment Weekly critic Josef Woodard deemed Permanent a "still-vital compilation" that showcases Joy Division's "cool, beyond-punk voltage beneath Curtis' murmurings." Robert Christgau from The Village Voice said although others revered Ian Curtis' despair, he himself preferred how the band was showcased on the compilation, finding it on-par with 1995's The Best of New Order. Stephen Thomas Erlewine was less enthusiastic in his review for AllMusic, believing it was less useful than the 1988 compilation Substance and the studio albums it compiles tracks from, even though there is "a wealth of brilliant music" on Permanent.

Track listing

All tracks written by Joy Division.

1. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (12" B-side version) – 3:11
2. "Transmission" – 3:34
3. "She's Lost Control" – 3:58
4. "Shadowplay" – 3:53
5. "Day of the Lords" – 4:45
6. "Isolation" – 2:53
7. "Passover" – 4:44
8. "Heart and Soul" – 5:48
9. "Twenty Four Hours" – 4:26
10. "These Days" – 3:27
11. "Novelty" – 4:00
12. "Dead Souls" – 4:53
13. "The Only Mistake" – 4:13
14. "Something Must Break" – 2:52
15. "Atmosphere" – 4:10
16. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Permanent Mix) – 3:37

Notes

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Muze.