Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Some ok music and dreadful vocals
Fine I guess, didn’t do too much for me. Musically interesting but the guys voice is not ideal
Whoa, I'm into this! The Fall is a name I've heard many a time, but I've never dove into their stuff. Considering this is their 15th album, I have a hard time believing its among their best, and I still found it to be a refreshing listen. It sounded ahead of its time, instrumentally interesting and lyrically muscular. And though the vocals appear to be polarizing, I did not find them distracting or strange in the least. I wasn't paying full attention, however -- I might like it less next time around.
The worst thing about this band is the singer/songwriter Mark E. Smith. Everybody else in this band sounds skilled and on top of their game. His speak singing style is performed terribly and feels uninspired. We get it, you heard a Stooges record once. The lyrics tend to get lost in the mix, so it just sounds like someone hanging around in the background talking over the band constantly. After a few songs I felt the urge to tell that guy to shut the fuck up and let the band play. Even by post punk and indie rock standards this album sucks. I'll give 2 stars for everyone but Mark E Smith's contributions. If I were forced to choose favorites based entirely on the instrumentals, it would be "It's a Curse", "Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room", "Service", and "Past Gone Mad".
I didn't enjoy this one as much as 'This Nation's Saving Grace', but it was still not too bad. Just a little less memorable in my opinion.
Post-punk is just soulless music to me. They're certainly creative and have something to say, but I feel unmoved by it entirely.
I've tried diving into The Fall's discography before but always had the wrong starting point I guess and got too frustrated by the grating noise and aggressive anti-musicality - but this is much friendly water to wade into. He's assembled a pretty fantastic post-punk band here with a funk driven bass high in the mix, guitars that jangle and slash and swirl around, propulsive drums for dancing including high-energy nearly D&B drum machine patterns, and some awesomely cheesy 80s keyboard sounds. They're playing pretty conventionally organized songs - verses, choruses, hooks, melodies, everything! -borrowing a bit from two generations of alt rock: the post-punk of 80s bands like Gang of Four and the Manchester rave rock of Stone Roses & Happy Mondays - going pretty close to full disco on 'Service' & 'Past Gone Mad'. It's powerfull and driving, atmospheric and exciting, restless and frenetic music. It all makes for an accessible and, even appealing, platform for the vocals - which are snarled and sneered and drawled out more than sung. The whole thing is unhinged in a very fun way. Should've started here with them, let's see if this works as a gateway into the rest...
I found this to be abrasive.
Just not very compelling for me. Completely forgettable, only one song that was mildly decent.
I tend to find music falls roughly into one of five categories: (1) music that I think everyone should hear -- objectively good and descendent from alien life forms to be reserved. (2) music that I enjoy and think you should enjoy, but ultimately I understand if you don't. (3) music that I think is bad, but understand why others might enjoy it. (4) music for which I don't have enough context to enjoy and think that perhaps it could be good if I started from another position. And then there is (5) -- where this album falls -- objectively bad music for which I cannot understand anyone justifying its existence. (also looking at you Pitbull) This album was a strain and I found nothing at all redeeming. Listened while mowing the lawn and made the experience all the more awful. Maybe it isn't the worst thing I've ever heard, but it certainly wasn't worth a listen for me. I remember nothing specific that I hated other than the hate itself. So for that 1 / 5
Another grungey/punky album... This guys voice is not that great. There were some interesting effects used as well as a good variety of instruments, but there was also a lot of droning repetition with below-average vocals. Past Gone Mad was the best song and the album cover is pretty cool.
Instrumentals were pretty cool, but by god that singer needs to be shipped straight to the Gulag. The talking was just not it at all. Was a shame because I feel like with an actual singer this would have been a cool album.
I liked the last Fall album a lot, but man there has just been some god awful singing on some of these recent records. Sometimes it works but other times makes me wonder wtf they were thinking. The last album was much better I've actually gone back and listened a bunch. This has its moments but doesn't get close to the highs of the last one. I think a better singer would do this band wonders. It's like every song is Losing my Edge by LCD. Past Gone Mad rules.
This would have been a whole lot better without vocals.
I tried, I really did. I didn’t like it but then I would have moments of surprise where I felt like I was getting it. For that reason, I give it a two.
I read other's negative reviews about this album, but dang it, I find myself really enjoying this one. Creative, cool grooves. and I didn't even mind the oddball vocal style.
Shout out to Ed Blaney! (From L at Bez’s night Haci-Hendre north Wales 2011/12) This is my first Fall album, I enjoyed it. Favourite track League Moon Monkey Mix. Would be a great band to see live.
Lead vocals are awful, but everything else was good lol
pass
Didn't like the vocals on this album but I like the rest of the music. I was lost in the music
I could imagine bumming a ride to the train station from a friend or five of mine, and they turn this on and insist that I really need to listen to The Fall, they’re so deep and were so ahead of their time and this album will change my life, I have *got* to listen, but like, REALLY listen, dude. And while The Infotainment Scan is a decent post-punk album with slam poetry vocals and totally cool guitars etc. that don’t stand out much once the song is over, and while it would also be rude to tell my friend(s) to turn it off, especially when I’m the girl bumming a ride from them in this situation, I don’t think I’ll be going out of my way to learn more about The Fall any time soon. Actually, this might be where I need to get out – both metaphorically from the thrill ride through the history of post-punk, and literally out of the car before this album is over and before I miss my train. But sure, dude, I’ll check out The Fall more, this is cool 🙄
"The Infotainment Scan" by The Fall, released in 1993, stands as a significant entry in the band's extensive discography. This album showcases the band's evolution while retaining its core identity. Here's an in-depth review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced view of its pros and cons. ### Lyrics Mark E. Smith's lyrics on "The Infotainment Scan" are a mixture of biting social commentary, cryptic observations, and his trademark surrealism. The album's title itself is a play on the infotainment industry, suggesting a critique of media and consumer culture. **Key Tracks:** 1. **"Ladybird (Green Grass)":** The lyrics juxtapose a seemingly simple metaphor of a ladybird with darker themes of environmental decay and societal negligence. Smith's delivery is sardonic and layered with irony. 2. **"Glam-Racket":** This track criticizes the music industry, particularly the glam rock scene, with Smith’s typical acerbic wit. Lines like "You are working for the glam racket" expose the superficiality and commercialization of music. 3. **"It's a Curse":** Here, Smith addresses the inevitability of fate and societal constraints, wrapping his critique in abstract and often oblique references. The refrain "It’s a curse, it’s a drag" reflects a sense of frustration and resignation. ### Music Musically, "The Infotainment Scan" is a blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and electronic influences, reflecting The Fall's ability to adapt and experiment. **Instrumentation and Style:** 1. **Post-Punk Roots:** The Fall’s signature post-punk sound is present, with driving basslines, angular guitar riffs, and repetitive, hypnotic rhythms. Tracks like "Lost in Music" (a cover of the Sister Sledge hit) are transformed into gritty, robotic anthems. 2. **Electronic Elements:** The inclusion of electronic elements is more pronounced in this album. Tracks such as "Paranoia Man in Cheap Sh*t Room" feature programmed beats and synths, adding a modern twist to their sound. 3. **Diverse Arrangements:** The album doesn’t shy away from diverse musical arrangements. "Service" incorporates a more melodic approach, almost pop-like in its structure, while "The League of Bald-Headed Men" leans towards a darker, more industrial sound. ### Production Produced by Rex Sargeant and The Fall, "The Infotainment Scan" is characterized by its raw yet polished production. **Production Quality:** 1. **Raw Edge:** The production maintains The Fall’s raw, unpolished edge, essential for their authentic post-punk sound. There is an intentional roughness that complements the band’s style. 2. **Clarity:** Despite the rawness, there is a clarity in the mix that allows each instrument and Smith's vocals to stand out. The balance between the abrasive guitars, pulsating bass, and electronic elements is well-maintained. 3. **Experimental Approach:** The production also experiments with different soundscapes. Tracks like "A Past Gone Mad" incorporate reverb and echo effects, creating an atmospheric, almost haunting quality. ### Themes Thematically, "The Infotainment Scan" delves into the absurdities and pitfalls of modern life, with a particular focus on media, consumerism, and societal decay. 1. **Media and Consumerism:** The album critiques the pervasive influence of media and the commodification of culture. The opening track, "Ladybird (Green Grass)," and the album’s title itself, hint at a media-saturated society obsessed with trivialities. 2. **Paranoia and Surveillance:** Tracks like "Paranoia Man in Cheap Sh*t Room" reflect themes of surveillance and the invasion of privacy. Smith’s lyrics convey a sense of paranoia and distrust towards societal institutions. 3. **Existential Despair:** There is an underlying theme of existential despair, as seen in "It's a Curse" and "Service." The lyrics often touch upon the futility and absurdity of human existence in a modern, disenchanted world. ### Influence "The Infotainment Scan" stands as a testament to The Fall’s ability to remain relevant and influential across decades. 1. **Pioneering Post-Punk:** The album reinforces The Fall’s status as pioneers of the post-punk genre. Their ability to adapt to new sounds while retaining their core identity has inspired countless bands in the alternative and indie scenes. 2. **Electronic Experimentation:** The integration of electronic elements on this album can be seen as a precursor to the fusion of punk and electronic music that became more prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 3. **Lyrical Legacy:** Mark E. Smith’s lyrical style—cryptic, sardonic, and deeply critical—continues to influence modern lyricists. His approach to songwriting, blending the personal with the political and the surreal, remains unparalleled. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Sound:** The album's fusion of post-punk with electronic elements showcases The Fall’s innovative approach to music. 2. **Lyricism:** Mark E. Smith’s sharp, insightful, and often cryptic lyrics provide a rich tapestry of social commentary and personal reflection. 3. **Production Quality:** The raw yet clear production enhances the album's authenticity, maintaining The Fall’s trademark sound while allowing for musical evolution. 4. **Diverse Tracks:** The album offers a variety of musical styles and themes, ensuring that it remains engaging and dynamic throughout. 5. **Cultural Critique:** The themes of media saturation, consumerism, and societal decay are as relevant today as they were in 1993, making the album timeless in its critique. **Cons:** 1. **Accessibility:** The Fall’s music, including this album, can be challenging for new listeners due to its abrasive sound and abstract lyrics. 2. **Cohesion:** While the diversity of tracks is a strength, it can also lead to a lack of cohesion. Some listeners might find the shift between different styles jarring. 3. **Repetition:** Certain tracks rely heavily on repetition, which, while a hallmark of The Fall’s style, might not appeal to everyone. 4. **Production Choices:** The raw production, while authentic, might be perceived as lacking polish compared to more commercially produced albums. ### Conclusion "The Infotainment Scan" is a standout album in The Fall’s discography, exemplifying their ability to evolve musically while maintaining their distinctive identity. The blend of post-punk and electronic elements, combined with Mark E. Smith’s incisive lyricism, creates an album that is both innovative and reflective. Its themes of media critique and existential angst resonate deeply, making it a culturally significant work. While the album's raw production and challenging accessibility might not appeal to everyone, for those willing to engage with its complexities, "The Infotainment Scan" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
It’s good but I feel like I’ve heard a version of this talkie British bop like 5x
At its best, mildly interesting (League Moon Monkey Mix). At its worst, cringeworthy (I'm Going to Spain) and forgettable. The instrumentation really isn't bad but the vocals are terrible. Next please.
I’m sorry, but no. The songs felt like the fake songs in the movie Ishtar but I liked those more because I could see the passion in their eyes because it was a movie.
man this just sucks and i really like post punk. instrumentals are cool but aimless and not even particularly unique for the era. the vocals are just not doing anything for me. bleh
Whatever redeemable music and lyrics might be found (and there definitely seems to be some instrumental skill here) are utterly drowned by E. Smith's incongruous, drawling, rambly, perfunctory nonsinging. I mean seriously, what the fuck is he on about?
Not their best, but still very good. Quite eclectic too, seems to change direction halfway through, and I like both parts. Past Gone Mad in particular, quite electro-y but with Smith’s vocals hovering around it’s still clearly The Fall. There’s something captivating about Mark E Smith. He could read the phonebook out and I’d listen. Really wish I could’ve had a pint with him
Mad that a) this is their 15th album and b) it was considered their most accessible. The sort of dancey/indie rock mostly reminded me of primal scream but that was only a couple of songs really, it was all over the place. When it was just noises or repetitive dance I didn't enjoy it but then there were some more angular bits I really liked. Can't truly recommend it as an album given the number of parts I hated. I gave their other album a 3 and it was slightly better, this one would be a 2.5.
Preferred This Nation's Saving Grace, but this is decent. Accessible, and listenable. I can't really give this a 4, because some of it is a bit dull and noisy (I prefer the middle of the album). And the music is a bit uninspiring. Hometown hero.
Not as good as the nations saving grace, but still quite enjoyed it. He's got a very distinctive style. Thought the start of the album was way better than the end. It kinda fell away a bit I thought. Started sounding more and more 90s, bit dancey... 3
The singer is from England, and yet all I keep thinking to myself is how... French this whole thing sounds. It's not punk, really. But "punk" shouldn't be just one thing. You can't (and shouldn't) put any music style in to an easy to fit box. Anyway, maybe it wasn't as much French as smirky to me. The music backing it was pretty decent. I liked the fact that ultimately it wasn't easily classifiable. Still, the vocals kinda put me off after a while. So I doubt I will come back to it. Highlights: "Glam-Racket"
The Fall is another band that I don't mind, but I think gets far too much time on the 1,001 list. One album may be enough. When their debut album came up I really didn't know who they were but I have heard more of their stuff as I was listening to other post-punk bands and albums on this list. I don't regret giving that album a 2 and giving this one a higher score - I think this one is better. One of the things I have come to enjoy about The Fall is bassist Steve Hanley's pounding basslines, and he wasn't on the debut album. Lead Mark E. Smith is definitely an eccentric lyricist and vocalist; he may be a bit pretentious as I suggested on the debut album. But I don't mind it as much when the music is more accessible, which it is on this album on songs like Ladybird, Glam-Racket, I'm Going to Spain, It's a Curse, and The League of Bald-Headed Men. But again, how many places on the 1,001 list are we going to hand out to weird bands and albums? They went from weird post-punk to weird alternative rock so is the point they reinvented their sound in 15 years and that's why you need to hear the album? It's a 3, nothing more, nothing less.
The best song on this is a cover. Personally I don't think it's anything very special, but it's not terrible either. Mixed. More post-punk and alternative rock, with a raw and gritty sound. The overall energy and style make for an interesting listen. It did not grab me on the first spin, but it's worth a few listens to fully appreciate its quirks.
Did not like the other album from this group on the list but this one was okay. Kinda weird would give another listen
Ladybird
Very British. The vocals were not my favorite but instrumentals were cool.
Musically, it's brilliant, but I find the lyrics really superficial yet they're given an over-confident delivery which I just feel is totally mismatched. Would be 5 stars for me if either the lyrics or vocals were better, would be 2 stars without the good music behind it
Clearly, this is NOT the right album by The Fall to select for such a list. To me, that would be *This Nation's Saving Grace*. Or possibly *Hex Enduction Hour* or *Perverted By Language*--at least if you're not afraid of noisy experimentation also showing a lot of heart. Or it could even be a later LP, such as *The Real New Fall LP - Formerly Country On The Click*, whose overall melodicism make it a better candidate as a postpunk "mock-pop" album in the band's extensive catalogue. Admittedly, with such a prolific output from such an idiosyncratic project, it's hard to pinpoint what should be considered "essential" in the long run in The Fall's discography. Its leader and mastermind Mark E. Smith even made fun out of that situation once in a while. Some cuts in this 1993 LP still display the peculiar subversive sparks this band will always be associated with, especially on "Glam-Racket", " It's A Curse" and "Paranoia Man In Cheap S**t Room". Smith didn't sell his soul to the devil to make this record. He merely rented it for a year or two. Who else but him could make such a benificial bargain with the man in black himself? The thing is, c'mon, let's be serious for one little second. Decades later, *The Infotainment Scam* can't be considered as effective as those other grittier-yet-more-impassioned releases I've mentioned earlier. The cheesy synth-laden dance music shenanigans on it have aged like milk, and if Mark E. Smith's contrarian personality is indeed aptly conveyed through this relelase (as it is in most The Fall albums I've had the opportunity to listen to), this record doesn't profit from Smith's antics enough to provide truly timeless stuff on a purely musical level. It rather remains stuck to the clichés of its Cool Britannia era behind the oh-so-convenient self-conscious layers of irony. The Fall were never better than when they didn't give a rat's ass about fashions and trends. And it seems to me that Mark E. Smith did care a little too much about all that on that particular album, even if it was mostly to make fun of himself and his audience. By the way... Anyone in the possession of at least one partially functioning ear should be able to go further than 81 albums on this app. *This* is for the smart-ass reviewer thinking he's better than everyone else in this section (I guess he's a bloke--he's gotta be, right?). Doesn't matter if that person left the premises long ago now, I still think he should be ridiculed. The problem when you play the "contrarian" card too much is that you never know who can be even *more* contrarian than you. 2/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums". 7/10 for more general purposes (5+2). Number of albums left to review: 153 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 365 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 214 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 272 (including this one)
Better than expected for a later stage album
I enjoy the music quite a bit. I fucking hate the vocals. Nothing is less cool than people who don't show excitement and passion in their life. Being "too cool" too get hype is an immediate dismissal for me. Mark E Smith spends this whole record feeling this way. I can't stand it. And it annoys me even more because he is ruining solid music.
Ne er heard of them before, but great
The production on this is so dated and it's a pitty, cause I sort of like what they've written.
We did not have a good time with this one. Bleh.
Oh my. This is not for me, either. I can't stand talk-singers.
Like............ I don't get it.
just nonsense
I hear this moving forward to bands like LCD Soundsystem, Yard Act and even Arctic Monkeys, but it's a pretty nascent expression, doesn't groove like its antecessors, and doesn't appear to have aged as well to my ears.
It was fine, some good songs but a bit repetitive
Expected to hate it. I didn't. 3/5
I am not hearing anybody out. This is a fun album.
Boring, genre stereotypical music. Shite lyrics. Shite vocals. No interest in listening to any of the tracks again. Lone star.
Not really sure what to make of this album. It was incredibly off the wall and alternative but not in a fun way. This was like it was trying to be different but didn’t think of it should be worth listening to. Well besides whoever made this list. Another mediocre album here. 4.0/10
The Fall is one of those bands who have a vast and largely consistent discography, which makes it hard to know where to begin. So, thanks to 1001 for pointing me to this album. I do enjoy Mark E Smith's idiosyncratic vocal delivery but I can see why it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. It's like a drunk man under hypnosis.
not sure what to say about this one really. I didn't love it but also didn't hate it. Nothing on this album I would listen to again though.
Loud. Weird. Did not enjoy.
Pretty amazing, late and typical but breezy album by a wavey outfit that just flexed itself into ravey 90‘s.
A top shelf album of which I had remained oblivious until now. Very much enjoyed, thanks.
I really did not enjoy this album, I know the chaos is part of the experience, yet I couldn’t connect at all.
As far as I can tell, "post-punk" basically means 80s-era bands throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks. Some of it works beautifully, some it is trash, but most of it (like this album) oscillates between "weirdly compelling" and "unpleasant to the ears".
Wikipedia geeft aan dat Zappa en Captain Beefheart inspiratiebronnen voor The Fall geweest waren, en zo gek vind ik die gedachte niet. Het klopt soms van geen kant, maar als je aandachtig luistert kom je soms toch een achter de genialiteit van de band. Op dit album staan echt een aantal bangers, waaronder Ladybird, de spectaculaire cover Lost In Music, maar vooral Service vind ik geweldig. Ook moet gezegd worden dat er een hoop vreemde dingen op staan, maar goed, dat was te verwachten. Rating: 7/10 Highlights: Ladybird, Lost in Music, Service
Wat een maffe band, en vooral frontman. De muziek is heel down to earth, maar te gelijke tijd totaal abnormaal. Uniek wat dat betreft. Mark E. Smith is een unlikely hero voor een hoop van onze favoriete bands van vandaag de dag, en is een sleutelfiguur in de totstandkoming van dance rock. Het is early dance punk onder een dikke laag gravy. Britpop voor de lefties. Hoe vaak hebben jullie tijdens het luisteren gedacht aan LCD Soundsystem, bijvoorbeeld? 'It's a Curse' is de blauwdruk waarmee James Murphy de New Yorkse dansvloeren begin deze eeuw vulde. De plaat maakt een bijzondere transitie door, van disco-achtige tunes via industriële punk naar heuse Madchester house. Dit is én het leuke aan dit album, en direct een valkuil. Het karakter - dat van hot naar her - toont veelzijdigheid, maar ook rommeligheid. Ik vond het moeilijk om er echt lekker in te komen, zoals dat bij eerdere albums van ze makkelijker gaat. Wat alles bij elkaar houdt is de bezopen stem van Mark, en dat zegt alles. Enkele pareltjes heeft deze lelijke oester wel te bieden, met de onverwachtse cover van 'Lost in Music', de jangle poppy 'I'm Going to Spain', en de dansplaat 'Service'. Maar toch voelt het te veel als een op hol geslagen jukebox. Wat niet altijd een minpunt hoeft te zijn, maar in dit geval komt het een gehele luisterbeurt niet ten goede. 6,5/10 Highlights: Lost in Music I'm Going to Spain Service
Blijkbaar het zoveelste album van the Fall en niet met hun grootste hits. Wel een hele toegankelijke. Begint met een Fontaines DC achtig nummer dus die vibe is goed. De covers (oa Lost in Music) vind ik een beetje vreemd. Maar dit is eigenlijk wel een lekkere rammel plaat die toch goed te luisteren is (altijd een thin line). De 90's beats zijn ook nooit ver weg (bijv in Service en Past Gone Mad). Mooi dat ook een band als the Fall die elementen heeft meegenomen. Volgens mij is dit één van hun meest 'mainstream' albums. Misschien onder fans een unpopular opinion maar ik luister er wel graag naar. 7,5/10 Highlights Ladybird Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room
Na 3 dagen op rij 4 sterren ben ik natuurlijk heel benieuwd of de streak doorgaat! Nou nee... Heb je ooit gedacht 'Leuk nummer dat Lost in Music van Sister Sledge, maar ik ben liever depressief tijdens het luisteren daarnaar' nou dan heb ik dé cover voor jou hoor! Waarom iemand die cover zou willen? Weet ik veel. Misschien is iemand zo punk dat diegene het origineel niet kent? Het nummer is hartstikke leuk, maar er is geen enkel universum waar ik er voor zou kiezen om de versie van The Fall te luisteren ipv elke andere versie. Maarja, das Punk/rock muziek he, matige muziek en dan maar zeggen dat het anti-establishment is. Ofzo. FAVO: Its a curse? Als die zanger tenminste eens zn bek houdt. (Geld voor alle nummers eigenlijk, muzikaal is het best wel nice, maar die zanger is echt een fucking drama...)
There are a few The Fall albums that I would consider an essentiel listen. This isn't one of them.
I really like The Fall, but this album is far from essential.
It would be necessary to produce an ultra-substantial doctoral thesis to convince me that this album has any importance in the history of music.
The Infotainment Scan is the fifteenth, and most successful album release by the Fall. The band make post-punk, or alt-rock songs. Mark Smith's lyrics, which are closer to free-form poetry than any traditional song structure, are set to melodic, complicate songs with complicate arrangements. The Fall had one of the longest, most prolific careers of punk or post-punk bands, and this album captures the mature, developed version of the band's work.
A bloke with an annoying voice talking over okayish guitar sounds.
Ok, so my second exposure to this band from this list and I must say I'm a fan. The way this album kicks off really grabbed my interest and the mayhem at the beginning of Lost In Music is great fun. Lost In Music is certainly the standout but I really also enjoyed Im Going To Spain and Paranoia Man In Cheap S**t Room
The Fall's most accessible album, you say? Let me just take a deep sip of coffee and click through to the reviews to see all the glowing praise from the non-UK crowd... 😆 Well, anyway, I dug it. Mark E Smith's vocal tics kinda work for me, but I can imagine they're not for everyone. Fave tracks - "Lost in Music" works really well. Liked the krautrockiness of "It's a Curse" too!
Favourite tracks: lost in music; paranoia man
Rock dance alternativo. Machacón. No me ha gustado. Un 2.
Great song titles. Interesting and somewhat engaging music. Apparently making a statement. Probably an acquired taste…
Interesting. I liked it at first, then two songs in I realized it sounded like a really good band with an awful front man. I looked him up and he sang in a UK dialect I can't understand. No wonder I had no interest in the lyrics. Sigh. This band has been around for a really long time and the front man fired over 60 people. Smith was prolific, if nothing else.
Some cool sounds and riffs and ideas, especially in the first half, but as the album drags on, the annoying vocals grate more and more, the monotony kicks in and turns to boredom, the more I understand that I can only rate this 3 stars
There was some pretty decent instrumentation throughout this album, but those vocals are killer. I can't believe I managed to sit through the whole album of that.
Man, I do not like this guy's singing at all. I do really like the general style, but I can't commit to completely listening, because his voice is so bad and off putting. I honestly think I would love this album if it wasn't for the singer. The guitar, drums, and bass are all excellent. The last song on the album is stinky poo poo, though.
A little more blah than most.
If I didn't know any better, and would really believe that this is one of the best albums the 90s had to offer, I wouldn't touch that decade with a 10 feet pole. 1.5/5
Why is this on the list?
Not really that great.
Not good
I really did want to like The Infotainment Scan a lot more than i did. Musically, this album is great for the most part even with a few very poor musical choices both composition wise and instrumentation wise. My main problem with this album is the vocals. It feels to me that the vocalist really didn't sound like he wanted to be there as he just felt so monotone and boring and really not that energetic. I would like this album way more if the vocalist had a better voice. Best Song: I'm Going To Spain Worst Song: Light / Fireworks
Album cover and title are really the worst. The album itself I kind of liked. Didn't know The Fall before so it was an interesting discovery.
The Fall’s The Infotainment Scan is a alright display of the punk genre. I feel like there is definitely worse punk alternatives out there, but thats not saying much. I maybe could listen to a song or two again. All in all, The Infotainment Scan is an alright album. Best Song: Past Gone Mad Worst Song: Im Going to Spain
This album had a live version of a song that I'd never heard before from the previous album I listened to and it's freaking me out more than it should
Great stuff
What the fuck was that. What drug was this made for? I did enjoy it once the gummy kicked in.
sure was nice of the studio to let a retarded person sing in a band
Eh, not really my thing. A little avant-garde.
However this album sounds, the cover is terrible. I like the ragged edges of this album but none of it took me in.
A special two disc edition on Spotify, clocking in at two hours and six minutes? Oh have a look. Buddy, if you've ever wanted to dance like a pilled-up primate to the strains of the Fall, do I have the album for you!
Drunk guy forms a band and they play over his rants...
Familiar with the band, not with this album. It didn't do much for me. It wasn't bad, just not terribly interesting. I guess a track here or there was a bit out there but for the most part it didn't have the energy that I was expecting. Clearly influenced by "Madchester'.
cannot say i enjoyed this
There's some good stuff on this album; some catchy riffs and fun elements here and there, but I cannot get past the vocals. The kinda spoken-word singing is off putting to me at best and annoying at worst. 2/5
Still same feeling of earlier albums.
i did really enjoy this but didn’t find it exceptional
Interesting
Groovin and rockin. 4 stars.
Thoughts before listening: Well this is a first, back to back albums by the same band. I just reviewed the Fall's first album and I found it to be pretty meh. A few good tracks but mostly atonal music with Mark E Smith talk singing over it. Maybe this will be better? It seems like the Fall added some dance sounds to their repertoire later in their career so perhaps that will be reflected on this album. Review: Okay, this is certainly better than the first album, but I just don't think the Fall is for me. For the most part talk singing isn't my thing, and that seems to be Mark E Smith's specialty. This is not the dance inspired music I was expecting (apparently that was a late 80s thing for the band), with the music here definitely having a bit more tunefulness from the first album. This is still very repetitive with songs that don't really go anywhere though. As I said, it's a little better than the first album, but it's still 2-stars for me.
Decent early electronic beats, then just some guy saying random things over it
How can anybody listen to this? That voice is absolutely fucking awful. Hard, HARD pass.
Yes! What a cracker. Loved it
Very good mate of mine absolutely LOVES The Fall. Thinks Mark E. Smith is an absolute genius and saw them live dozens if not hundreds of times. On the other hand, I can't stand his drone and think he's a tedious old windbag.
Reminded me of The Stooges a lot
The music is great! But I didn’t like the vocals at first. Upon second listen it grew on me. Another nice surprise.
its decent but nothing that interesting. im not sure why they recommended this one instead of the many other more respected fall records. 6/10
Quality of groove Hidden in droning guitars And a voice mundane
This album is a bit of a bummer. Dig the music but the talk/sing vocals are so monotonous. I listened through twice and was unable to figure out its inclusion on this list.
Cool dance elements. The sound grew on me towards the middle.
Liked it. I know OF The Fall but not sat and listened to any of their albums and this one I enjoyed twice through. There's a bit of baggy type early 90s influence and a bit of post-punk new wave, a bit of a Talking Heads meets Primal Scream vibe but also with Smith's distinctive vocals.
Post punk, alternative dance.
Very underrated album and band.
It’s interesting what becomes popular in the UK. This reminds me of PIL. Some tracks have good grooves, but I’m not sure what Mark E Smith’s vocals/lyrics bring to the table, and yet he’s the only person who’s been part of the band the whole time. Each track did not necessarily make me want to hear the next song. 2/5
A 3 begrudgingly.. because no 2.5 rating. Was going through this - OK first 10 songs or so, but... what? ... this is a double disc? Geez.. not worth the time commitment. sorry
Five stars because fu the Fall are awesome. It's different and you just don't get it. This is their most accessible album, and it's not all that accessible. I wonder if someone challenged Mark E. Smith (who is a god by the way) to come up with a pop album? Might change me name to Shadrach Glamrick.
No real strong feelings here on this one.
Middle of the road. Don't hate it, don't love it. Not something I'll seek out, but won't act to turn it off.
You can really see what a huge influence this rambling was to James Murphy of LCD. It earns a 3. Not great enough for a 4, and not epic enough for a 5.
Will come back to you
One of my favourite albums by one of my favourite bands. I prefer their 90s albums to the late 80s. This one is a bit front-loaded, but it's their best of that decade.
Someone let this band record FIFTEEN times. I first to believe it. This is monotonous, out of time crap.
Oh my god. This crap makes the cut but Weezer’s Blue album doesn’t??? I can’t with this shit today.
Reviews are right. The vocals ruin it, but the backing musicians aren't bad. Not much to add to that.
This is just incandescently brilliant music. The drunkard beat poetry lyrics are pretty good too. Anyone hating on this album but at the same time loves Dylan for his singing need to STFU. Favorites? Yes, all of them.
A mixed bag for me, I'm fairly clear to me that I'm never going to love The Fall like some, but I'm endlessly intrigued by them and I will find something to love on almost every record I listen to. And something completely baffling. But hey, that's The Fall. Operation Mindfuck indeed. Here, it's I'm Going to Spain (what's going on here?) followed immediately by the excellent, stabbing, It's A Curse. Probably sums up my feelings on this record. We've also got Lost in Music, Ladybird, Paranoia and plenty else besides.
nice album, never heard of them, but i would definitely check out more of them
Do you want to listen to a restaurant expeditor call out orders while electronica drones in the background? This is for you?
Uninteresting punk
Interesting, but not overly so.
The music/melody is really good, but the vocals are incoherent.
Not my vibe
I made it through 2 songs and couldn’t proceed on. The “singing” took me right out of it. Perhaps if it were an instrumental I would have liked it.
2.7/5 Best Track: Lost in Music
No notable songs at all. Wasn't horrible, but another solid "Meh" from this list.
May have felt experimental when it came out, but the mix of punk and electronic felt disjointed to me.
I never liked The Fall. I still don’t like The Fall. Pretentious posturing fronting a decent band.
En nyt ymmärrä, miksi tää pitäis kuunnella. Pitkäaikaisen bändin näytteenä just ton ajan musiikista? Eli peli- tai toimintaleffamaista äänimaailmaa ja outoilua rockissa. En saa mitään irti
Hyviä biisejä - keksittyjä ja varastettuja. Solistin ideana on kuulostaa huonolla tavalla melkein hyvältä, mikä on ok, ja sanat toimivat sikäli kuin niitä jaksaa lukea mukana.
Some of the beats are awesome on this album, an example being "It's a Curse". The vocals seem to sing completely counter to the rhythm and almost never synch up. That feels super punk. The songs don't even conform to themselves.
According to Wikipedia, “bassist Steve Hanley, whose melodic, circular bass lines are widely credited with shaping the band's sound.” What Wikipedia doesn’t say is that singer Mark Smith is what ruins The Fall.
This sounds like a geeky college dork found the soundtrack for a bad 80s action-comedy with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Ralph Macchio and made up words for it and recorded his voice over it in his closet. He doesn’t have a shred of talent, and is super pissed at the world for not recognizing his genius.
Me and the chaps used to discuss Metallica and specifically James Hetfield’s “mmm yeah” at the end of the occasional phrase. The affectation is there, more so in the black album and beyond…MMM YEAH! Mark E. Smith also has an affectation. He adds “uh” at the end of almost every single phrase. And he can’t annunciate for shite. He says “ITS A COARSE UH.” C-U-R-S-E you tw@! UH…UH…UH!!! Everywhere an UH UH!! This album sounds like a scene labeled bad karaoke in a B film script. Bloody awful.
Not for me.
Mark E Smith cannot sing. The music is interesting.
I've enjoyed The Fall over the years but I have never listen to an entire album by them before. It was okay.
I can’t say I have high hopes for today’s album. I’ve had a few albums by The Fall so far and I’ve not really liked any of them. In fact, considering I’d never even heard of them before this project, I’m bewildered that I’m currently reviewing the fourth album on this list. Let’s be positive though. Maybe it will be ok.. Fingers crossed. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Lost In Music, Paranoid Man In Cheap Shit Room Well colour me surprised! This album was pretty great! I’m not sure if maybe I was in a bad mood for the other ones, or whether this album is markedly different but I really enjoyed this. The vocals are that style of apathetic punk where it really shows how bad of a singer he is, but it went really well with the music. The music itself didn’t stick solely to punk, but traversed a few different genres and did so really well. I really quite enjoyed this. Give it a listen!
Like it when I gets more dancey, but the more experimental stuff falls flat thanks to Smith's unexpressive drawl of a voice.
I’d like to think that this is what The Clash would have sounded like in 1993. Lost In Music reminds me of Let’s Dance era Bowie. I’m Going to Spain is a song I would have expected from Joe Strummer, great tune. I love the guitar piece on Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room, and I actually like the spoken word vocals - reminds me of The Hold Steady. Its a Curse sounds like the genesis of the band Protomartyr. The back half is still interesting but fewer standouts. The front half is strong enough to warrant four stars. It’s a strong album that must have been an influence on several bands I like today.
This was one of those albums where I was settling in for a shitty hour in the first couple seconds but the album won me over shortly after. The production on this album is simply excellent and the vocals REALLY let that shine and make it sound even better by comparison. It basically had the cake balance between music and vocals. Also, I heard like a million other 80s and 90s artists in this and I’m not sure whether this album is a progenitor or a watershed type thing but either way it was pretty cool.
This is one of The Fall's more accessible records, it still has Smith's snarling yet witty talk-singing, great angular guitars and pounding drums. As a northerner, his lyrical style feels homely in a strange way. This record has certainly inspired many post-punk and indie bands in the last couple of decades.
Top
You can always count on Mark E Smith to deliver the goods. Glam Racket is a scathing highlight, prediction the Britpop era sess pool on the rise. The biggest triumph is the Fall delivering a fresh take on their own sound while Indy darlings of the era were plundering their back catalogue
I like the music, but I cannot stand the singer. he-uh adds-uh this-uh after-uh every-uh word-uh
I really did not like the opening track here, but then there was a run of some pretty good stuff between Lost In Music and Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room. The end was pretty forgettable though. I had never heard of this Indie group, and doubt I'll revisit it, but it was a solid listen.
I got through a few songs but I just did not have the patience to listen to the whole thing today. Not the worst music I have heard on this list but not far off.
Another album where decent musicianship is ruined by an annoying singer. sad
As a member of the league of bald headed men I can’t give this any lower than a 5.
An otherwise interesting album with complex and skillfully performed instrumentals is ruined by a drunk man rambling over the top of it.
It's just not for me, but the musical skill set is nice.
Some of backing is so good, but that affected, atonal, wankerism is just wrong. It's even worse when he attempts to sing. Then it's just baaaaaadddd karaoke.
I suspect The Fall might be an acquired taste, I don't know how I feel the choice to yell over-enunciated lyrics over a backing track, albeit those backing tracks are pretty catchy. If I'm leaning any particular way, I guess it is towards like over dislike. 'A Past Gone Mad', in particular, sounds like something that could have come out quite recently, evoking Underworld or NIN. Listens: 1 Fave Track: A Past Gone Mad Rating: 3
I didn't feel like anything stood out as objectively good on this album. It was very difficult to understand the lyrics and the singer didn't quite sing. It was a typical punk/rock/electro style, but I felt it lacked dynamics sonically and lyrically was pretty shallow. Really not too much redeeming here.
No he podido con ello
Lost in Music er mjög töff og margt annað mjög áheyrilegt. Hitt er svo annað mál að minn innri plebbi í er ekki að dansa alveg við Mark E. Smith.
I don't really like his vocal style. It's too out of tune for my taste. And lacks energy. I don't like a lot of atonal singing.
Musically interesting, lyrically dense; much better than I expected, but still far from perfect; probably a band that will pop up again, although there is (in my opinion) more deserving artists. A tricky one to score, but for the music and the influence, I'm going to round up, rather than down.
iconoclast
Rock dance alternativo. Machacón. No me ha gustado. Un 2.
Post punk, alternative dance.
This was my first album from an artist I had never heard of or knew anything about. I have it a full listen and while there was nothing outwardly BAD about the music, there was nothing special or even good about it either. It was all very samey, somewhat decent Brit rock but I could never also figure out what it wanted to be. It had some various influencer but felt very much like a tweener genre that never actually sounded like anything in particular.
Like all the Fall, some hits and some miss. Big influence on a lot of my faves so really enjoyed listening through an album
Eh it's okay, some okay songs here n there. A bit wierd but I like the vibe. Okay songs, nothing to special
Wow this album! Enjoyed it quite a bit. I can hear the influence on Ought's song Beautiful Blue Sky, especially Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room.
Very janky album i didn't really vibe with it, not bad though
"Eminently danceable slam poetry." Mark E. Smith's ferocious Mancunian spoke-sung vocals meld with the tight, exacting musicianship of the then-current members of the Fall to create a fabulously produced, if somewhat difficult to understand, LP. A few off-putting tracks like "Light/Fireworks" and the bonus "Why Are People Grudgeful?" detract somewhat from the cohesiveness of the experience, but overall this is some of the Fall's most approachable material.
Post-Punk-Giganten. Der gesangliche Einfluss auf Protomartyr ist unverkennbar. 2,5
Just not that good. I like the instrumentals time to time but that’s about it.
eh. Why Are People Grudgeful is about the only track I was into.
Lost In Music, I'm Going to Spain, Paranoia Man in a Cheap Shit Room, and The League of Bald-Headed Men all bangers
This book/list is too British
While listening to this album, I spent the entire time irritated that the vocalist kept making noises with his mouth. Sorry dude, whatever it is you were trying to say did not resonate with me at all. If this album was instrumental, hands down this would be a four or five to me. There's clearly some really skilled musicians in this band, but I cannot take listening to this again. The album should get a one star rating from me, because I have zero interest in ever listening to it again. However, because the background sounds (aka, everything drowned out by the vocal track) are so good I'm going to take pity and give it an extra star for them.
Per the Wikipedia blurb on here: "At the time of its release, it was considered the band's most accessible album." I admittedly haven't listened to other albums by The Fall (so maybe their earlier stuff is akin to Throbbing Gristle), but I don't know how a rational person could describe this album as "accessible." There is no universe in which this album appeals to a wide range of people. Enjoyment of art is subjective, and I'm sure some people like this flavor of weird, and that's fine...but I think this is one of those instances where "different" and "good" are conflated. The vocals here are unusual; that does not make them good. The instrumentals, to me, are neither impressive nor aurally pleasant; sometimes they're weird, sometimes they're basic, never are they good (to clarify: I'm not saying anyone in this band is bad at playing their instrument, I'm just saying the composition is bad). So I think these guys made a bad album, but because it sounds different than the vast majority of albums, some people talk themselves into acting like it's good. Different != good. It's unusual, and I guess it's interesting in some ways, but I did not enjoy this at all.
I am not sure why British mumblers irritate me, but I also don't care. I struggled to get through this, and while I can hear the likely influences on The Libertines, I just didn't get the same pizzazz.
I was excited to listen to this one after liking the other Fall record I listened to on this list. Big difference in sound. One was post punk - this one was 90s British rave. Not my cuppa.
Yipes, I genuinely hated this. Angsty bullshit just does not hold up well, and early '90s rock almost always lands with a thud for me.
naja
Inget speciellt, ganska perus rämpytystä. Påminner mig ibland lite av Talking Heads
I really enjoyed the music. This is a very good example of post punk. Every modern British or otherwise talk-y vocal post punk band owes the Fall credit. Mark smith is fine. In 93 people still wanted a man to tell them about the world I guess. Sadly like so many social critics he became a cynical self important old man. Still I would listen to this again-uh. Still I would listen to this again-uh.
I felt this had vibes of "If Dylan tried punk" - vocals are a little whiny at time (just like Dylan) or sing-talking (which can be good). The songs were well composed and they fit the themes of the album for a coherent work.
Ladybird - 7.5/10 Lost in Music - 8.5/10 Glam - Rocket - 8/10 I'm Going To Spain - 8.5/10 It's a Curse - 7.5/10 Paranoia Man in Cheap S**t Room - 7/10 Service - 7/10 The League Of Bald-Headed Men - 7/10 A Past Gone Mad - 7/10 Light/Fireworks - 7/10 Why Are People Grudgeful - 7/10 League Moon Monkey Mix - 7/10 TOTAL - 76/120
Sometimes, all you need is one word for an album. For this album, that word is "Weird"
A cool quirky sound. Not any songs you can sing along to, but I really liked it.
Not for me
Not my favourite discovery of the 1001. Kinda like getting tinea from the public showers, probably better without it.
I've got to say, I didn't like this album. Too flat, too low energy, if you hadn't told me the year it was from, I'd have guessed it was 10 years older - stale before its time.
Not their best for me, but more of the good old stuff.
Kaahailun ja jumittelun välimaastosta. Oikein kiinnostava levy. Vaatii lisäkuunteluja, mutta riittää melkeen neloseen. Pyöristyy siis neljään. 4/5
Odotin jotain tylsää brittivalintaa, mutta täähän oli tosi hyvä. Juuri ja juuri yltää neloseen.
Tykkäsin kyllä yllättävän paljon tästä. Mielenkiintoinen saundi ja menevä levy. 4/5
Ok
Can I give this a negative score?
The vibes are cool. The songs are very minimal. I can't decide if its a punk dance album or a dance album with punk sounds. The second half really picks up the dance groove which I think is the best part.
Terrible
Meh. At first I was like okay maybe this could be interesting and then I was like okay well it's just this. I completely understand why it's on this list it's just not my thing.
I’ve been pretty tolerant up until this point, but here’s one album I gave up on after 3 songs. The “singer” just drolls on without any actually singing, and uses constant reverb. I was hoping the first song was a “one off”… but no. And aside from the occasional 60’s album thrown into the mix, I’m seeing a trend of weird, 90’s music. Hoping for some different genres.
Just not my vibe
lost in music, a past gone mad, sounds like music that would be in the movie, the matrix. i dig it.
Didn't know this band so nice find. Good music.
1.5 I have a feeling there’s something I’m supposed to “get” about this, but I’m definitely not getting it. Many cool instrumental parts but also a lot of weird sections. More importantly, this guy’s voice and delivery are brutal. Feels like endless samples of Christopher Walken talking.
It's alright, enjoyed some songs but not gonna look into them much more. The person who made this list sure likes any UK Post punk. Will I listen to again: 5%
Some obscure post punk band from the UK. Apparently they've put out 31 studio albums over the course of their 38 yr history. But it's just not that great. The singing..... To quote wikipedia: "voiced through a "one-note delivery somewhere between amphetamine-spiked rant and alcohol-addled yarn."". It's a shame too, because the music, though repetitive, is not bad, but the weird ass vocals drag it down. Favourite songs: Service, It's a Curse, Ladybird, The League of Bald Headed Men, Lost in Music Least favourite songs: Light/Fireworks 3/5
Not my favorite. It was more of a spoken word album, very odd.
Un album che NON ti fa venire voglia di approfondire il gruppo
Ok, the cover of Sister Sledge’s Lost in Music is kinda cool. Nice surprise. Overall, I get it. The band is influential, prolific, and eclectic. It’s not bad, just not something I’d come back to. My problem is that I only seem to like parts of their songs. Like, good music, but meh singing, that kinda thing. It’d be nice to enjoy a full song.
The spotify link takes you to a 2 hour reissue instead of the 40 something minute long original album. Were it not for that, I might have rated this higher
d lieder wos wückli singed sind no nice, aber s rede während de musig isch nid so de hammer 2.5/5
hans nöd würkli gfühlt
Si t’exclus la râpe à fromage qu’est le chanteur, on est quand même sur du bon
Sometimes too much talking when there had great opportunities to sing. Some Interesting Song but as a whole it was one of the weaker albums
This grew on me. I don’t love it but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. “I’m Going to Spain” is a standout.
Het klonk nogal verveeld met momenten
It was alright, very repetitive music though Top tracks: Ladybird (Green Grass)
pretty fine overall, the alien techno song was definitely the best
Ok
service sounds like cam fucking about on his keyboard
I like it, I don't enjoy it.
Early 90s confused brit rock
Fun and cool. Grew on me
This guy's voice sucks, but I liked the music.
Not an unfun album, but it sounds a bit dated production wise. Also not the best I've heard from the Fall so far. Still enjoyable.
Somewhat abstract punk, took a dance-ey turn at the end
I'm going to Spain was the standout, the rest was pretty unremarkable. Is that in part due to an apparent allergy to choruses? I started getting into some of the live stuff which isn't technically part of the album though so isn't reflected in the score
Two The Fall albums in one week! The eccentricities I mentioned previously are still apparent. Although still pretty dissonant it's also kind of poignant at times, especially I'm Going To Spain.
Fair. I'm not overly impressed.
not my thing
Vocals suck but good shitsu
good weird lost in music glam-racket it's a curse service past gone mad
Bien que j'aime moins le côté "spoken words" du chanteur, il y a beaucoup de sons très intéressant dans ce genre de post-punk-electro-industriel
mAAAArk eEEEEEE smIIIIIIIIiIth.
l'argent est sur la table
<version that includes Why Are People Grudgful> I like this Fall album, but am surprised it is on the list: it is not so consistently great as their earlier work. I knew about half of the songs from some John Peel sessions. The last couple of songs (not WAPG - which is excellent of course just like Lost in Music - but the ones before) are a bit weaker. Overall score: 4 stars, with songs that vary from 3 to 5 stars.
A relatively weaker Fall album I guess but still enjoyable.
It is recognisable as The Fall through the vocals and drumming but the thrill of their raw early work is not there.
Hey, guess what... another post punk album. I will say the first song has a catchy bass line. It carries through the album and is what sucks out to me. I can't hate in this one.
This album has potential, why don't they just fire the singer? What a trainwreck. The rest of the band is out here making great music and then the lead singer sounds like a drunken fool. Debating between 1 and 2 stars, I'm going to give it 1 star because I was consistently annoyed while listening to the album and I never want to listen to it again. Missed potential for sure. 1.5.
IDK what's special here
4.5/5
A good deal less profound than it thinks it is. But still an alright album.
This was a really hard listen. Very underwhelming. The vocals are awful. The music is good but not extraordinary in any way. A second listening was slightly better but the vibe is a lazy experiment probably fuelled by drugs that made it seem better than it is. The only plus was that I went on to listen to Why Are people Grudgefull, which is better than anything on this album.
Cool songs hampered by bad vocals, but sometimes the results are worth it. I probably won't listen to this again, but I think I can see some influence on groups I like such as Dry Cleaning and perhaps Squid.
There really isn't another band like The Fall: here they deliver pulsing almost danceable music, with Mark E. Smith's strange poetic lyrics, that a mad Brit, barking like some holy fool preacher preaching his last sermon on a street corner desperate for us to attend, to hear, the end is nigh. Amen. In some ways, if you're heard one The Fall album, you've heard them all, but in another way, each is unique. The uniqueness comes in the freedom Mark E. Smith seems to give his backing musicians to just go for it. I'm here for it. If you don't dig Mark E. Smith's delivery, you might as well give up, cause no matter how good the music is, his vocals are always central.
#48. This sounds like the last gasp of a dying has-been band. I had never heard of them before this list, so honestly I have no idea if they were an ever-been, let alone a has-been, but that what it seems like to me. Not outright terrible, but also not something I really have any desire to listen to again. 2/5: meh Song added to playlist: A Past Gone Mad I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I really didn't enjoy the last The Fall album that I got on this list, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It was much more accessible than the other album. It was also easier for me to fit this album into what was happening in rock at the time, which helped me appreciate how interesting some of the musical choices they make on this album were. I don't think I'll ever be all that into this band, but this album helped me understand their appeal a lot more 3/5
Again, awesome album!
Best songs on this album are covers, and they aren't really that great of a cover band. I'd give it a half-star if possible.
Dont have much to say on this one not bad but meh for the most part
Favorite songs: I'm Going to Spain; Service Interesting band. Felt like a good intro. Not particularly my style, but not as bothersome as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Great peak 90s fall with electronic touches and studio trickery. The band slaps.
Not in the mood
Cool stuff. Definitely weird to have such a late career album from them in here though.
I listened to this whole thing and don't really remember any of it. I'm not sure what that says about it. I remember the machined drums kinda sucked, and the guitars sounded pretty good 2.5 stars, I guess.
did not finish
I liked Lost in Music. Rest was not for me.
Tylsä
Aivan jouto-osastoa
This is one of those albums that makes the list seem a lot harder. 2 hours of music, many songs which have been listened to less than 10,000 times on Spotify. And this is top 1000 album all time, why?
Although the band had some great rhythm, I did not enjoy the vocalist in this album. It feels like they were rambling most of the time. I only liked a couple of songs. Favorite Song(s): "Glam-Racket", "Past Gone Mad", "Lost in Music"
November 17th, 2023 (later) Three stars for the audacity, though it’s starting to feel like The Fall is a British joke I’m too Canadian to understand. HL: “Why Are People Grudgeful”, “League Moon Monkey Mix”, “Lost in Music”, “I’m Going to Spain”
I'm generally on board with this type of music but it didn't stand out to me - maybe 1001 albums has been serving me too much post-punk lately. it took one or two tracks to get over the vocalists bizarre affect but once i did, i got into it. no songs really stood out over the others and it was good music to work to but it was not keeping my attention. 3.5 but rounded down.
*shrug* if you say so
It's-uh not my favorite-uh album-uh. The music-uh was decent enough-uh, but what-uh was that singer-uh doing with his voice-uh. He did not hit-uh a single pitch-uh correctly lol, and his-uh pronunciation was-uh... interesting to say the least-uh.
programmed since birth to enjoy the fall, it surprises nobody that i enjoy the fall, despite the drunk uncle reciting spoken word poetry vibes. 3.5
Et's a cyuhse-uh, that I like this music but that some of the songs are a slow drag through what I assume is a vocal affectation done on purpose. Past Gone Mad slaps
This did nothing for me. It's not good, it's not bad, it's just there and I didn't care. Pretty much how I've always felt about The Fall.
I enjoyed this more than the other Fall albums we've had, felt a bit more accessible (or maybe my musical tastes have matured over the course of the last 643 albums. Tough to tell.). I guess it's much later on in their career, so maybe they mellowed? Either way, this is a much easier listen than we've had before, but still not my favourite. Grubby post-punk. 3/5.
I love the idea of this album. Execution was mediocre
Hmm I feel like I’ve seen a lot about The Fall since I started this challenge. I’ve realized that I love post punk but I didn’t really care for this. I didn't like the singer's voice and I found the album unengaging overall. I did like "Why Are People Grudgeful," though.
Dang! Really like the atmosphere and vocals of the album
It seemed incredibly long, but it wasn't bad. I jammed to it over morning coffee.
It wasn't bad, but I found myself ignoring it.
Didn't hit. Wrong day for me with it maybe.
Half the time went off in trying to figure out what he is trying to say with the weird squealing in a husky voice
Ok
It was fine
New to me and loved it.
Was expecting to either love or hate this album, instead I feel quite indifferent to it, did not move me either way
Absolutely bloody brilliant, like everything by The Fall. The only downside was that I knew I was going to listen to the full 2 hours including extras. This is described as one of the most accessible albums from The Fall, but don't worry, the ‘accessible’ bit just refers to a dance music tilt, other than that it's business as usual. Favourite lyric from the extras: ‘If I ever end up like Richard Madeley cut my hands off with an axe please’ (A Past Gone Mad, Peel Session 16) Favourite song: Lost in Music
Muy buen álbum!
Better than I expected, Mark E Smith was the boss of post-punk, I need to listen to more Fall for sure.
#6 #9 #11
Vocals kill it
Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room
I loved and hated this album at the same time
KORREK
A bit experimental, but never went too far into the weird
I groaned a little when I saw the wiki description mention this being their most accessible album. I love The Fall and was just thinking, well why is this included on the list? Why not just throw a couple of their classic 80s albums on here and call it a day? But it turns out that even accessible Fall music is still pretty damn good, catchy post-punk with Mark E Smith blabbering in the back, a combo that never fails. I'm sure some of their earlier, more seminal work will come up on the list, but for now i'm pretty glad to have got my fix for today.
The music is pretty fun. The lead vocalists "singing" is sure different. Not my thing, but I do like the music well enough