The Routes, who arranged songs from Kraftwerk and Buzzcocks in surf music, are now working on Joy Division. The album is called Surfin' Pleasures. The Routes have been working on tributes, not just covers. They only take subtle melody and rhythm hints from the original songs, but reinterpret and rearrange them in their own way, playing Joy Division's music with respect and love in a different musical style. In 'Surfin' Pleasures,' 12 of Joy Division's classic songs are interpreted, reimagined, and arranged as 60's surf guitar instrumentals. Some representative images include The Ventures, Dick Dale, The Shadows, Trashmen, Takeshi Terauchi, Link Wray, The Surfaris, and The Astronauts. This wild surf music will take you on a trip around the world. 'A Means To An End' and 'Ice Age' are the background music of 60's drag racing movies, 'Transmission' plays the classic Astronaut sound, and 'Digital' is an arrangement reminiscent of a beach party. Of course, you don't have to be a fan of Joy Division or surf music to enjoy this album, it's a work that all music fans can enjoy. The record cover was created in collaboration with British design icons Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett, and is a remake of the design Peter Saville made for Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures'. The lines on this cover, reminiscent of Bridget Riley's op art, are not strong radio waves but the sound waves of a reverb tank (you'll understand if you listen to this album). Joy Division is a sublime artist. Will this album be blasphemous or sublimated with a new interpretation? The decision is yours! One thing is for sure: The Routes has released another mind-blowing future cult classic to the world!
