Bernard Sumner Confusion: Joy Division, Electronic & New Order Versus the World
by David Nolan

Sumner-assisted biography could hold key to New Order split

Sumner remains that rarity: a pop star who enjoys the distance of privacy and actively dislikes rock’s sordid hyperbole. As singer, writer and musician with New Order and, prior to that, Joy Division (as well as spells with Johnny Marr in Electronic), his legacy is firmly cemented in legend. In the early days Sumner was a rare, exotic mix of shyness and street suss, belligerence and aloofness. It was only following Ian Curtis’ suicide that he was forced to take control of the microphone and, to some extent, New Order. That he should achieve such success in this tentative role, despite not being a natural singer or lyricist, is one of the curiosities of recent decades. David Nolan has revealed a story that sees sheer force of talent wrestling the band away from disaster. Perhaps Sumner sensed a kinship with the equally belligerent author as, much to everyone’s surprise, he agreed to read the draft and add numerous comments. Although New Order’s story concluded in an inglorious squabble after this book hit the press, you can sense the unease growing as the band slowly begin to fragment. How did they survive this long? Many of the answers are here, although Sumner is as evasive as ever.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

ISBN 0955282268

Reviewed by Mick Middles
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