Tyleroni
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I am wanting to check out this band and was wondering what album I should check out first. Thanks in advance.
Where to start with The Fall?
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intlplby
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the compilation "The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall" is great
you can also try "This Nation's Saving Grace" which is good and accessable, from there you can move on to other albums
you can also try their greatest hits
Hex Enduction Hour is probably the least accessible
you can also try "This Nation's Saving Grace" which is good and accessable, from there you can move on to other albums
you can also try their greatest hits
Hex Enduction Hour is probably the least accessible
Gatticus
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I am Kurious, Oranj
Beggars Banquet BEGA96 October 1988
Beggars Banquet BEGA96 October 1988
markl
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50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong 2CD compilation chosen by the fans.
jjhatfield
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50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats
Yes, this is where to start. A really awesome compilation, but you really must go beyond this to fully grasp the genius of Marc E. Smith.
This Nation's Saving Grace
The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall
Hex Enduction Hour
Three classic early Fall albums, some of which I need to repurchase come to think of it. Note: The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall is not a compilation as stated previously in this thread, its actually an album proper.
The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
The Fall was the favorite band of infamous Radio One DJ John Peel. This boxed set was released shortly after his death, and is a fitting tribute to the man. In this boxed set, all 27 (!!!) of The Fall's Peel Sessions recorded at the BBC are collected here. You get to experience every era of The Fall's music career in just 6 CD's.
Hell, if you think you'll enjoy The Fall, might not be a bad idea to just start with this boxed set, definitely essential for any fan of The Fall or post punk in general.
Smith is a strange one, but he is truly amazing. His music is of that rare bizarre breed that can just give me chills its so awesome. Not for everyone, sure, but if its for you, you'll love it.
Per my sig, I'm currently listening to a weird compilation Smith hand-picked called "The Twenty-Seven Points". So awesome, but I haven't listened to disc two yet.
Yes, this is where to start. A really awesome compilation, but you really must go beyond this to fully grasp the genius of Marc E. Smith.
This Nation's Saving Grace
The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall
Hex Enduction Hour
Three classic early Fall albums, some of which I need to repurchase come to think of it. Note: The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall is not a compilation as stated previously in this thread, its actually an album proper.
The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
The Fall was the favorite band of infamous Radio One DJ John Peel. This boxed set was released shortly after his death, and is a fitting tribute to the man. In this boxed set, all 27 (!!!) of The Fall's Peel Sessions recorded at the BBC are collected here. You get to experience every era of The Fall's music career in just 6 CD's.
Hell, if you think you'll enjoy The Fall, might not be a bad idea to just start with this boxed set, definitely essential for any fan of The Fall or post punk in general.
Smith is a strange one, but he is truly amazing. His music is of that rare bizarre breed that can just give me chills its so awesome. Not for everyone, sure, but if its for you, you'll love it.
Per my sig, I'm currently listening to a weird compilation Smith hand-picked called "The Twenty-Seven Points". So awesome, but I haven't listened to disc two yet.
Blainethepain
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I particularly like the "This Nations Saving Grace", "Bend Sinister", "Frenz Experiment" era. Brix Smith Fall
Tyleroni
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Thanks for the replies! I just ordered "50,000 Fall Fans Can't be Wrong" from amazon. Can't wait to check em out!
intlplby
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oops... i thought that was a comp.... ..... still a great buy.... all killer, no filler
jjhatfield
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Quote:
lol, I had to check the amazon description to make sure it wasn't a comp.
Absolutely all killer, no filler though.
Tyleroni, enjoy the 39 Golden Greats! Definitely the best place to start. If I could recommend one track:
Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul - might be my favorite Fall song. Loud, unnecessarily abrasive, totally insane lyrics that will make you cry if you try to figure them out. Might be my favorite Fall song since it was the first Fall song I ever heard, and it blew my mind.
But all the tracks are good: Fiery Jack, Industrial Estate, Cruiser's Creek, c.r.e.e.p., Hey Luciani, HIP PRIEST, Classical...
Enjoy!
| Originally Posted by intlplby oops... i thought that was a comp.... ..... still a great buy.... all killer, no filler |
lol, I had to check the amazon description to make sure it wasn't a comp.
Tyleroni, enjoy the 39 Golden Greats! Definitely the best place to start. If I could recommend one track:
Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul - might be my favorite Fall song. Loud, unnecessarily abrasive, totally insane lyrics that will make you cry if you try to figure them out. Might be my favorite Fall song since it was the first Fall song I ever heard, and it blew my mind.
But all the tracks are good: Fiery Jack, Industrial Estate, Cruiser's Creek, c.r.e.e.p., Hey Luciani, HIP PRIEST, Classical...
Enjoy!
zumaro
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50 000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong is indeed the best starting point now, as it covers all the 50 000 versions of The Fall. Most accessible albums remain This Nation's Saving Grace and The Wonderful And Frightening World Of..., and they are probably the best as well. Unmentioned so far is Perverted By Language which is my personal favorite, and it is just as good as Hex Enduction Hour.
Not so good are the albums immediately following This Nation's Saving Grace - I wouldn't really care if I never heard Bend Sinister, The Frenz Experiment or I am Kurious, Oranj again, but I would miss some of the "dance era" Fall albums like Extricate or Infotainment Scan. Levitate is pretty good as well.
The last few albums have also been good - The Marshall Suite, The Unutterable, Fall Heads Roll and The Real New Fall LP are up there with the better Fall albums.
Not so good are the albums immediately following This Nation's Saving Grace - I wouldn't really care if I never heard Bend Sinister, The Frenz Experiment or I am Kurious, Oranj again, but I would miss some of the "dance era" Fall albums like Extricate or Infotainment Scan. Levitate is pretty good as well.
The last few albums have also been good - The Marshall Suite, The Unutterable, Fall Heads Roll and The Real New Fall LP are up there with the better Fall albums.
Gatticus
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What don't you like about 'I am Kurious, Oranj'? I like it, quite a lot actually.
eyeresist
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Thank dog for this thread! I always assumed "50,000 Fall fans..." was just another bad live record. Must give it a go...
BTW, "Palace of Swords Reversed" is a good compilation of early Fall (1 1/2 discs, i.e. one proper disc + 4 track live disc). There's a four song crossover with "50,000".
If you're new to the Fall you should be warned that their recording career has clearly discernable peaks and troughs. The highs are very high and the lows can be abysmal. Reading a bunch of Amazon reviews should give the general idea (assuming "50,000 Fall fans" doesn't give you brain damage).
Edit: I saw a 2-star review on Amazon complaining that the Fall didn't sound like Pavement. If you expected Pavement, you may be shocked/disappointed.
BTW, "Palace of Swords Reversed" is a good compilation of early Fall (1 1/2 discs, i.e. one proper disc + 4 track live disc). There's a four song crossover with "50,000".
If you're new to the Fall you should be warned that their recording career has clearly discernable peaks and troughs. The highs are very high and the lows can be abysmal. Reading a bunch of Amazon reviews should give the general idea (assuming "50,000 Fall fans" doesn't give you brain damage).
Edit: I saw a 2-star review on Amazon complaining that the Fall didn't sound like Pavement. If you expected Pavement, you may be shocked/disappointed.
jjhatfield
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Quote:
Lol, yeah no kidding, Marc E. Smith is way more insane then Malkmus. Both are great at what they do, but definitely different. I think this parallel was drawn because there is a list on Amazon titled "if you like Pavement, check out these guys!" and The Fall is in there somewhere.
Sure, if you like 90's indie rock, you owe it to yourself to check out the predecessors of "alternative" music, that doesn't mean they will sound anything alike.
| Originally Posted by eyeresist Edit: I saw a 1-star review on Amazon complaining that the Fall didn't sound like Pavement. If you expected Pavement, you may be shocked/disappointed. |
Lol, yeah no kidding, Marc E. Smith is way more insane then Malkmus. Both are great at what they do, but definitely different. I think this parallel was drawn because there is a list on Amazon titled "if you like Pavement, check out these guys!" and The Fall is in there somewhere.
Sure, if you like 90's indie rock, you owe it to yourself to check out the predecessors of "alternative" music, that doesn't mean they will sound anything alike.
zumaro
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Slanted and Enchanted has its share of Fall "tributes". I am not sure I would accuse Malkmus of plagiarism as Mark E Smith scathingly puts it, but Two States for example is as close to the Fall as it gets without the word ripoff being able to be used. Anyway the album has other charms which lift it safely out of this disputed territory.
And yes The Fall are wonderfully erratic - this is half the charm sorry to say, but it doesn't make choosing which albums to buy any easier! You have to take the mad with the bad, but the CDs mentioned so far are reliable, with This Nation's Saving Grace being great throughout. Once you "get" it, The Fall are one of the 80s best and most influential bands, and somehow remain as interesting and enjoyable today despite their numerous lineup changes. As Smith says "if it's me and your granny on bongo's it's The Fall" which about sums it up.
And yes The Fall are wonderfully erratic - this is half the charm sorry to say, but it doesn't make choosing which albums to buy any easier! You have to take the mad with the bad, but the CDs mentioned so far are reliable, with This Nation's Saving Grace being great throughout. Once you "get" it, The Fall are one of the 80s best and most influential bands, and somehow remain as interesting and enjoyable today despite their numerous lineup changes. As Smith says "if it's me and your granny on bongo's it's The Fall" which about sums it up.
eyeresist
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Quote:
Weren't the Fall-esque Pavement songs mostly written by... that guy who wasn't Malkmus? (Dunno his name - it's been years since I "donated" that album.)
| Originally Posted by zumaro Slanted and Enchanted has its share of Fall "tributes". I am not sure I would accuse Malkmus of plagiarism as Mark E Smith scathingly puts it, but Two States for example is as close to the Fall as it gets without the word ripoff being able to be used. Anyway the album has other charms which lift it safely out of this disputed territory. |
Weren't the Fall-esque Pavement songs mostly written by... that guy who wasn't Malkmus? (Dunno his name - it's been years since I "donated" that album.)
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