Based upon the book “Touching From a Distance” by Deborah Curtis, the widow of Ian, “Control” is currently on release in selected UK cinemas (I haven’t seen it yet, so please don’t give away the ending). Sam Riley stars as Joy Division’s lead singer in a film that has attracted much acclaim, not just for its portrayal of the tragic frontman but also its grimy depiction of live in the late 1970′s. The soundtrack album well represents that period, from the Buzzcocks to Bowie, picking up Autobahn on the way. In the 1993 documentary New Order – Story, Bernard Sumner tells how Curtis and the band used to listen to tracks by Kraftwerk before gigs, showing how the development into the sound of New Order could have happened even if Curtis had lived.

The main point of interest here though is the inclusion of three new songs by New Order, presumably the last recorded output by the Sumner/Hook/Morris line-up. Sadly, they are hardly songs, moreover ambient instrumentals similar to Kevin Shields work on Lost in Translation. They are perfectly adequate, atmospheric pieces, but show little in the way of melody and could really have been performed by anyone.

Also of note is the performance of “Transmission” by the cast of the film, and it sounds great and not a million miles from the original. The drumming may lack the intensity but the vocal impression is spot-on, as are the rising progressions of the guitar line and the deep groan of the bass.

The other choices are fine as well – two Bowie tracks showing the extremes of his art, an obligatory Sex Pistols song and the excellent “2HB” by the much underestimated Roxy Music. The only sour spot is the cover of “Shadowplay”, performed by The Killers, lacking entirely the menace and passion of the original. Like all good period piece soundtrack albums, it sends you rummaging in your record collection, and the Joy Division songs included remind you how important and influential they were, despite their short existence.
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Links
Control [official movie site]