The 1981 Listening Post - Section 25 - Always Now

 Section 25 - Always Now

#411

September 1981

Section 25

Always Now

Genre: Wanna Be Joy Division

1.75 out of 5

Actually, it’s sort of simultaneous with Joy Division, no? It was produced by Martin Hannett and co-produced by Ian Curtis before he committed suicide. 

Thing is, if you strip Joy Division of Curtis’s humanity and depth, you are left with a pretty hollow impersonation. 

Section 25 makes me want to investigate all the other sections for something better.

The monotony, while perhaps a producing accomplishment, is an unwelcome experience to my afternoon. Looking at you, virtually ever track but, most notably, “Babies in the Bardo”. Ugh. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/always-now-remastered/305291217

The 1984 Listening Post - Section 25 - From the Hip

Section 25 - From the Hip

#71

March 1 1984

Section 25

From the Hip

2.75 out of 5

Highlights:

Looking for a Hilltop

I love Brian Eno’s ambient records. And I’m a big fan of the great Jean Michel Jarre records of the era and Xex’s debut is one of the greatest techno records you’ve never heard. I’ve never really fallen under the spell of Kraftwerk’s minimalist entries but…

Section 25…is a hybrid of sorts. 

If Joy Division’s Bernard Sumner wasn’t deeply involved in this project I’m not sure we would have taken it for a spin. And, for that I would have been unfortunate. 

If you have some Molly on hand, this would be a great way to spend it. “Looking for a Hilltop” could be the template for rave music and the aurally epileptic “”Reflection” & Jarre rip “Program for Light” will either induce vomiting on the dance floor or send you to a party apotheosis. The Joy Division influence on select songs (“Prepare to Live” “Beneath the Blade”) are awful. Skip them at all costs. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2dswbx8y071mvykFQui3WI?si=xoSQDjRWSPmukjfO1RuDPg