On April 16, 1980, the post-punk world was forever altered with the release of Joy Division's seminal album 'Closer.' Following the band's groundbreaking debut, 'Unknown Pleasures,' this album solidified their place in music history. With haunting tracks like 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and 'Isolation,' 'Closer' painted a dark yet compelling picture of despair and emotional turbulence. The record was a remarkable commercial success, peaking at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and gaining a cult following that endures to this day. The original pressing of 'Closer' is a prized possession among vinyl collectors, often sought after for its striking cover art and immersive sound that encapsulates the bleak yet beautiful essence of the band's unique style. Vinyl enthusiasts recognize the limited vinyl releases of the album that have emerged over the years, including the 2015 remastered edition, which has rekindled interest in the band's profound impact on alternative music. Joy Division's music resonated deeply not only within the UK but also around the world, influencing countless artists and movements in the decades that followed. Tragically, the band's frontman, Ian Curtis, passed away just a few days before their U.S. tour was set to begin, adding a haunting layer to the album's legacy. Despite this heart-wrenching loss, 'Closer' remains a testament to Joy Division's genius and emotional depth. The album has inspired a myriad of genres, from goth to indie rock, proving that even in darkness, music can shine brightly. Today, 'Closer' stands as an iconic record, forever etched in the annals of music history, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human emotion through the power of vinyl.
Diamond Lil (2)
Diamond Lil is a hard rock band hailing from Braintree, in the East of England, United Kingdom, formed in 1975. The band disbanded in 1978.
The original lineup featured Lorna Oakley on vocals, Harry Spooner on lead guitar, Alan Letch on bass guitar, and Marcus Foakes on drums. Initially, the group operated as a covers band, performing songs from notable acts such as Wishbone Ash, the Pirates, Thin Lizzy, and other prominent bands from the 1970s, alongside various rock classics.
Within their first year, Diamond Lil transitioned from solely covering songs to establishing themselves as an original band, developing a repertoire of approximately forty self-penned compositions. They gained popularity on the local music scene, frequently performing at pubs and clubs in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and East and Central London. Notable venues included Whites in Norwich, The Griffin in Bury St. Edmunds, The Alma in Cambridge, The Royal William in Ipswich, and The Rock Garden in Covent Garden, London, among others.
The band supported various 'New Wave' and 'Punk' artists during this period, including Ian Dury and The Blockheads, as well as the Vibrators, who were actively touring colleges and clubs at the time. As they continued to perform, Diamond Lil became recognized as an original band, no longer reliant on covers to maintain their performance schedule.
In addition to their local gigs in Braintree, Diamond Lil also made a name for themselves in the East Anglian pub circuit, especially at 'Whites' in Norwich, where they began to gain a following for their original material.
During their active years, Diamond Lil recorded an album featuring eleven original songs from their typical live set list. This compilation provided a snapshot of the band during the late 1970s, with four tracks recorded in 1976, four in 1977, and three in 1978. Eight of these tracks were recorded at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge, which was known for working with many emerging new wave, punk, and heavy metal bands of the era, while the remaining three tracks were recorded at Speedway Studios in Romford, Essex.
Although the album was never formally released, it was produced in acetate format with a plain sleeve, and a very limited number of acetate singles were created. The band also produced a small run of album cassettes during this time. Among the tracks, "I Don’t Care" and "Tonight's the Night" were particularly popular with both the band and its followers, while "Yobbos and Tarts" emerged as an anthem for the group's fans. In 2004, Zerlinda Records released and distributed a limited edition single derived from the original album.
