Live at Les Bains Douches, Paris December 18, 1979

If Preston finally delivered a live Joy Division document worth the price of admission, Les Bains Douches goes further. It captures the band with a real sense of urgency, showing just how powerful they were on stage.

Joy Division often felt that Martin Hannett's groundbreaking production, for all its brilliance, softened some of the group's direct impact in a live setting. Les Bains Douches makes that contrast clear, with less space in the songs and more focus on the force of the performance and the connection with the audience.

The playing is what really hits here. Curtis' singing is much clearer than on Preston, but it's the sharp crack of Morris' drums, the fierce growl of Hook's bass, and above all the sheer volume and almost startling control of Sumner that define this set.