What to listen to on a cold November night...

Ian Curtis: 1956-1980

Take one of the greatest songs ever written, drag it to the barbers and give it a two back-and-sides haircut. The result is an edgier, polished version of something that could've been deemed near-perfect before this rendition. Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart has more than cemented its place in the group of 'immortal' songs, but this song was recorded on the late John Peel's BBC Sessions radio broadcast and the result is nothing less than awe-inspiring.
Having only recently found the CD with this track on it (CD2 on 'The Best of Joy Division'), this rendition of the classic hit has left every other song in my iTunes eating its dust as far as the recorded amount of plays goes. Saying that clicking on the provided link below is "highly recommended" fails to do this track justice.

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (BBC Sessions)

The XX - The XX

Also, buy this album. This is the first 'new' release I have purchased since being majorly disappointed with Franz Ferdinand's attempt to avoid the jinx of the 'third album demise'. The album's intricacy intertwines majestically throughout and this album goes to show that powerful vocals and unnecessary guitar solos are far from essential in the indie music industry.