Live At The Witch Trials

On my first listen, I approached with caution after hearing about The Fall's thorny and abrasive reputation. I enjoyed "Frightened", and then spent the rest of it trying to decipher Mark E Smith's incendiary rants. On my second listen, I started to lose hope that I'd find anything rewarding in "Live at the Witch Trials". It was initially intriguing, but quickly wearisome and seemed more like something to appreciate at arm's length. But then, on my third listen, I was suddenly confronted by the stench of sausage meat, docklands debris, dusty paperbacks and fermented whiskey. I turned round to see the ghost of Mark E Smith, hunched in the doorway and scowling at the books on my shelf. He had absolutely nothing to say to me, but I thought I'd better make conversation. I let him know I was listening to "Live at the Witch Trials" and struggling to enjoy any of it. "Why are you pissing away your time listening to something you haven't the brains or the balls for?" "Well, it's part of this online album generator, it's in the book of 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die". "I always hated those fucking books. Imagine having to be told what to listen to- does this Robert Dimery bloke tell you how to get dressed or wank yourself off as well? Anyway, who the fuck would bother with all that nonsense? I can tell you now that the whole list will invariably be total shite." I steeled myself and pressed on. Told him I couldn’t really connect with the album's format. It degenerated into repetitive, one-note ranting, was poorly produced, had no display of musical skill, and was hindered rather than helped by its "recorded-in-one-day" slapdash feel. He rolled his ghostly eyes to the back of his ghostly head and said I reminded him of all the bum-boys at NME. After some more staggered back-and-forth, I thought I should try and look for common ground. "Do you want to hear what I have given five stars?" "Not really." "The Smiths- The Queen Is Dead." "Never could stand them. Pseudo-intellectual snivelly pap." "Pavement- Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain." "Those rip-off twats have never had an original fart, never mind a song." "The Beatles- Abbey Road." "What the fuck is this, 'Music To Be Breastfed To'?" I gave up after that. He did a very deep sigh, and reached for a swig of my beer but just poured it onto the carpet ("I'm always doing that", he said). He told me he really didn't care what I - or anyone on this website, for that matter - thought. He told me that we were all insignificant to him, he's a legend and we never will be, that if I didn't get it and would prefer to listen to The Beatles it's my fault, not his. So, all things considered, I don't feel remotely bad giving this two stars. Sometimes infamy and reputation just can't account for personal preference.

Close to what I like but not exactly

If you're not in the mood, this is just a drunkard singing pub songs. But i'm always in the mood, and when you are, this is one of the most most clever artist. Those bass-lines are proper good. It has a perfect mix of the madchester funkyness mixed with post punk. RIP.

Bit shite and it just goes on and on

Snarling, growling, like a dog in the corner, Mark E Smith is utterly terrifying, all bark and all bite as the band make incredible post punk. I think this might be genius. I think this might be a work of art.

We are the Fall Northern white crap that talks back We are not black. Tall. No boxes for us. Do not fuck us. We are frigid stars. We were spitting, we were snapping "Cop Out, Cop Out!" as if from heaven. PREFS: TOUT MOINS PREFS: RIEN

Easily one of the greatest album titles ever. I’m not sure it’s the best Fall record, but it’s a damn fine one and makes a for a good intro to the the band. If you like this one, check out Hex Induction Hour, which, surprisingly, isn’t on this list.

A surprisingly decent, very old album. Has meaningful and cryptic lyrics with an abrasive sound throughout

For a while I was waiting for traditinal songcraft to emerge from the assembled disorder of these boldly struck notes. But after spending a few moments considering the title Industrial Estate, I reckon cascading riffs, tumbling drums and vocals on the point of jumping up and running out of the room are better when only loosely connected. To borrow a phrase from Chuck Eddy, call it soundcraft.

I like the energy and attitude, but the songwriting just isn’t there in most cases. I could see later albums by this band really growing into something cool, but this debut just doesn’t do it for me

nope

Production: 13/20 Songwriting: 16/20 Innovation: 17/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 16/20 =82 Fuckin crackin mate

The title gave me the impression that this was going to be some dark shit. Some Emperor like band the were going to flex in my face. What I got were two noisy songs that sounded like it was recorded on a karaoke machine in 1977. I'm good.

I was introduced to The Fall by a room mate back in 1979 with this album. It is an absolutely terrific post-punk clatter of an album with Mark E Smith's vocals to the fore. I still don't think it's the best Fall album, but what a debut. I went on to buy pretty much all their albums as they were released - until Smith died in 2018. This is an essential album.

Sounded weirdly raw and tame at the same time. A pleasant surprise though. Looking up their history, they seemed to have influence a lot of good bands that I've listened to and love including B&S.

consider my tickets to salem booked

I am pretty sure that I don't like this album at all, but I was in a peculiar mood on my walk this morning and found myself laughing at a couple of moments that I guess I found absurd...so maybe that is a sign that there is something there. On second listen...I was right, I really don't like this album.

If I had to listen to this at a witch trial, I'd be on my hands and knees begging to be burnt alive even and I'm not even a witch.

Mark E Smith’s nimbus – part beer soaked carpet, part full ashtray, part fruit machine emptying sounds – hangs so heavily across my impression of The Fall that it acts as a sort of plasma wall; he’s forever stooped over a jar in a Wetherspoon’s in Salford called The Surface of Last Scattering. Just as well we’re here right now, then – ready to be reminded that there’s more to The Fall than just what can be seen through a pint glass, amber-ly. “Live at the Witch Trials” is a coy, lithe record that sort of charms you with its repeated threats of teetering – repetitious without becoming droning, atonal without becoming discordant, scuzzy without becoming sleaze. It’s always just about at the edge of itself; and while it pushes at plenty of boundaries, the songwriting, playing and togetherness keeps the record entirely on track (and “serious” too; there’s certainly plenty of humour in here, but it’s never cartoonish). It’s a cosmic blessing, I suppose, that The Fall and this record – which was almost derailed by Smith’s being taken ill – ever came into being in the first place. From nothing, a spontaneously occurring assembly of elements – then quickly thrown to opposing corners of the universe to propagate, or synthesise, or become entirely new things. Behind the plasma wall, though, they’ll forever be playing this.

Ah excellent, early Fall. My education continues. New facts emerge, you might say. None of the 'well known' Fall songs here, but all the attitude and the discord, all while haunted by the ghost of punk. Two Steps Back! We're still one step ahead o' you. Yes please. Also, great album cover. And name. Note: the 8 minutes Music Scene is cut off from the linked version but Spotify harbours a remastered version within it's vast and secretive cape, so simply search the album up for the full tracklisting. Plus bonus decent stuff like their debut EP and It's the New Thing. All good stuff.

Fabulous album , really enjoyed it x

Honestly probably the most iconic Fall album right up there with hex enduction hour and nations saving grace, maybe the number one best. 5 stars absolutely no two ways about it. If u rated it lest than 5 you are wrong and need some new ears.

Yeah I fuck with it

What a mess

Although this is not an actual live album, despite the name, it really does have a raw, live feel due to its stripped-down, low-budget production. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite post-punk albums and The Fall’s debut. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by their extensive discography, this is a great starting point. Besides the raw and gritty production and early punk elements, I love the keyboard work on this album. It adds so much texture and depth to the music, providing catchy and melodic hooks. And you can’t forget about Mark E. Smith’s vocals. When I say “singing,” I mean that very loosely. Smith is a master at delivering his vocals in the laziest way imaginable. It’s almost like spoken-word commentary mixed with humming and moaning to the music, but somehow it works perfectly. His vocal style is truly the driving force behind the band’s identity.

Abrasive, challenging, raw and so rewarding. Recorded in one day (!) in 1979 (!!) and sounds so fresh Added to my library, and set me off on an exploration of The Fall. Loved this!

Unstoppable energy. Killer rhythm section. Strong standouts like "Two Steps Back" and the album closer "Music Scennnnn-eh" really show Mark E. Smith's casual vitriol. (Find the 1979 version of this if you're new to The Fall - spotify version has 21 tracks and then bludgeons you with a second disk of live sessions. I love the lads, but that was too much even for me . . .)

Genius. Should be on the curriculum.

Can't believe this come out at 79, greatest discovery so far

Just so completely insane and brilliant.

Rough shod and angry, not an easy listen at all and far from their more polished ( if the Fall could ever be called polished) later work. Grows on you with each listen. Mark E. Smith was a genius

Great album. Was playing while riding to work and another cyclist complimented me on my choice of album; so I told her it was my first time with it because of 1001atltbyd lol

So unrefined, and raw. For a punk album it captures the essence quite well.

About two years ago, I found my 'in' with The Fall. It was The Infotainment Scan. I tried this, their debut years ago and couldn't get into it, but this time I loved it. Sarky, angular, and 'difficult'. But difficult meaning it's trying to push you away in a way that only gets you more interested.

Such an incredible first album by this band. Industrial Estate is probably the stand out track or maybe Music Scene is. Anyway the blueprint for just about everything I like about The Fall is here somewhere all ready and perfectly formed. Who would have known just how prolific Mark E Smith would turn out to be. I'm looking in my music collection and I have almost 70 albums by The Fall. This is a definite 5 stars.

New band to me, love it!!

How have I never heard this? Loved it, will listen again for sure. It was noisy and fun.

Love The Fall! They're prolific as hell and I don't think this is their best, but it's still great. A very biased 5 since I doubt they have many albums on the 1001.

Unmistakeably the Fall and the tones of Mark E once you get past the attitude and toneless tirade is quite mesmeric. The band is marginally better than a pub band and the production sounds like it was mixed in someone's shed. But at the end of the day it's The Fall.

never heard oof this band before but this album is most definitely going into my rotation. such a good early punk album.

cool

The Fall and McCarthy/Stereolab are the best European bands from the 80s-90s. The generator already did a Stereolab, and now we get the debut Fall album. You could argue perhaps that later Fall songs were a bit more instant-melodic (LA / Hit the North etc) depending on which of the 1000 Fall members was in the band at a certain time, but these are just epsilon-differences. Life at the Witch Trails already sounds as the definitive Fall album. 10/10

i wish i'd been in the fall. i'd probably have been booted out after a couple of weeks of taking shit form MES but still, what a badge of honour.

Non-linear as MES is, already top form, we get a brief interpolation of our normal human calendar in Christmas song. You can read in the essence of a live album, a rhythm section drowning all else out. Skeletal but wonderful.

A raucous, melodic good time. Melodies and countermelodies balance the punk aggression without muting it in the slightest.

Love the fall and love this album

nice

Unhinged, weird, but I kinda loved it in all honesty. I think I prefer this one to another The Fall album the generator gave me a month or so ago, This Nation's Saving Grace. Favourite: Mother-Sister! "-Uh, what's this song about?" "-Uh, nothin'."

The Mighty Fall! Didn't know this first album, but as good as e.g. Wonderful & Frighening World of and Kurious Oranj. Saw them live once and was amazing, Mark E Smith made sure everything rhymes by e.g. putting "Uh" after each word, my FriendsUH dont count up to one HandUH!. 5 stars!

Wow I more knew of The fall and Mark E Smith before, but damn I loved that. Raw but crucially great tunes and lyrics, middle of the album sagged a little, but was great!

All I could think while I was listening was wow, what a strong debut album. I feel like the opening lyrics to 'Mother - Sister!' really encapsulates this album in the best way. "Er, what's this thing about? Er, nothing." I feel like the artists didn't worry about hitting you over the head with a message or conforming to what might have been expected from a debut album, they just created a series of rocking songs from start to finish. Some might dismiss it as sounding like drunken rambling at times, but I think that's what makes the album special.

what a fun album, really weird style but I loved it 10/10

The Fall...every time I listen I hear so many of the contemporary bands that I love. Massive influence. Mark E. Smith has such an amazing delivery. 4/5

I love this kind of stuff. A+ album title, too

Nice and dark, it's the sound of a group of people who probably don't like themselves very much. They dislike other people even more so. Spiky bass, snappy drums, demented keys, ringing guitars and drawling vocals make for some compelling sounds. Swirling and manic, the noisy production underlines the hypnotic compositions. Favourite tracks: Rebellious Jukebox, No Xmas For John Quays, Two Steps Back, Music Scene

I like the guitars on this

Masters at work

Not likely to have a calm time at the diner with THAT jukebox. Post punk at it's postiest-punkiest. They know how to be thrashy/snarky/sneery/ bass line right there punchy drums punching. You were calming down? Here comes the screech!

Say what you like about Mark E Smith. Yes, he was curmudgeonly, awkward, difficult, annoying, obstreperous, angry and he hated Southerners (British). But boy was he prolific! And distinctive! And I have more time for him and his very recognisable, unforgiving style than most of the dross around. Anything that sarcastic and edgy that puts a smile on my face deserves credit. RIP you angry man!

Ah, Mark E Smith and The Fall. Smith is one of the most literate and irascible figures in music, and he arrives fully formed on this debut album. He, like Johnny Rotten and Karen O, so dominates the proceedings that it's almost hard to hear the band behind him. They're a bit raw on this one, though I was into it on today's listen. There are three Fall albums on this list, which is probably two too many as you're either going to enjoy Smith's "singing" or it's going to irritate the hell out of you. But if you dig it, boy are you in luck, because there are about 1.5 million Fall albums, and they're all good. Having said that, I think they're best served by the two compilations A-Sides and B-Sides.

Angry northern man shouts at the world!

Quintessential The Fall. Does what it says on the tin!

Such a distinctive vocal style old Mark has. Doesn't feel like it should've been released in 1979 but equally I can't really compare it to much later music either. Great post punk sound though I think this was better than the infotainment scan but not as good as nations saving grace so that puts it at 3.5

I really dig the jangly, raw, discordant music. Wish I had known of this one earlier.

Bonkers.

I see there are three Fall albums on the list, which is a pleasant surprise, though I'd include Hex Induction Hour over this. This one probably deserves a four, but This Nation's Saving Grace will get a five when it comes around.

If you don’t like this then you just have objectively bad taste.

very good punk album, will listen some more. probably 4.5

Of the many bands I have not heard of on this list The Fall will most likely be one of the more memorable ones that I probably won’t listen to often. These guys rip. The Fall were so ahead of their time. The guitar work is primal and beautiful.

Very nice album, I enjoyed a lot and I got the chance to discover The Fall

3.5

This is the second album from The Fall I've gotten, the first being This Nation's Saving Grace. I like this better, the raw production fits their sound a lot better.

Added this to my collection. Classic old punk vibes.

This is an interesting one. The instrumental choices are quirky in a good way. I like it.

Like the style and the punk vibe. Short album that I could easily listen to again and again.

I do enjoy some British punk music.

Breath of fresh air after the Ramones album. Now this is the kind of punk I like: ill-tempered, brash, rough-edged, just wants to get off work and head for the beer. I’m sure there are better Fall albums but this is the first one I’ve listened to, and I’m glad I started with their first so I can see where they go from here. Sure, it’s a must-listen, #48.

Kinda ok. Interesting. I can see why that album is part of th mix, and why it's a well rated one, or a poorly rated one. I may listen to it again. It has something a bit special. 4 stars.

Un punk como nunca lo había oído; apasionado y profundamente novedoso. Disfruté de esta corriente musical con mucho gusto. La música es excepcional y contestataria a una realidad exterior gris y cada vez más gris.

I have many Fall albums...never heard the 1st album...much rawer, stripped down and heavier.. a little early Gang of Four-ish... Not bad at all and I'm old.. RIP Mark E. Smith

Cool sounds. Guy seems weird though

punk 🤝 rap

I really dig the vibe - it has a raw “live in studio” feel to it that few bands can really pull off. Definite revisit

Enjoyed this

Very solid fun punk

Solid album with a lot of weirdness. I enjoyed it, reminded me of a tamer Subhumans.

Raw creativity harnessed by punk sensibility

man i really like this band. they have the attitude just short of annoying and the dude has a cool voice.

Big fall fan, seen them live, but they're back catalogue is immense, and I can't lie, I didn't know this album. As with (most of) the rest, I warmed to this pretty quickly. In fact, it's more accessible than a lot of their work. So long as you appreciate Mark E Smith is tone deaf and can get over his unique-er singing style, then you'll be in for a treat -er.

I finally have a punk album that i like

Listening via headset on my work laptop, but I wish I had a mixer so I could boost the bass in the first song, because that riff is great. The bassist definitely sounds like they're the only one with previous music experience. I didn't know this was going to be a punk album, but Rebellious Jukebox is definitely a punk song. Quote from the singers Wikipedia sums it up pretty good, "rock & roll isn't even music really. It's a mistreating of instruments to get feelings over." What a great album.

For some reason every time this album gets reissued the number of tracks on it doubles. It's been growing exponentially since 1979 and currently the number of songs is equal to the number of grains of sand on an average length beach. In order to listen to the whole thing before they die of old age, fans have been reduced to listening to hundreds or even thousands of the songs at once on specially adapted gramophones. The good thing is this often produces sounds that you can see and taste and is referred to the Multiple E. Smith effect. But be warned! It's not a live album despite what the title may suggest. And we never find which witch came top in the trials and carried off the coveted golden broomstick award. Disappointing.

Surprised myself by quite liking it 😂

Perhaps one of the most important post-punk records ever made, and one of the best records Mark E. Smith ever released, even if it does end up overstaying it's welcome by just a few tracks.

With The Fall's protean discography you gotta start somewhere. Why not start indeed with their first LP, where Mark E. Smith proved from the get-go he was leagues ahead in the post-punk game? As weird as this record is, it could have been released yesterday, and -- in the current British crank wave revival at least -- no one would have batted an eye. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 3.5) Number of albums left to review: 54 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 408 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 236 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 303

Not one I expected to be well-liked here, and I'm not surprised to see that 2.64 score, but as usual it's blatantly wrong. It's raw, rough around the edges, and at times weirdly catchy. "Frightened" is one of my favourite recent discoveries, I listened to the start of this album while walking my dogs and was just walking down the street just in awe of how amazing the keyboard sounds on that song. It's almost like a sonar, and of course Mark E. Smith's delivery over that and the jagged guitars and bass makes for a really interesting listen. The rest of the album is very much the same, with some tongue-in-cheek humour (say "John Quays" out loud) but never loses its appeal, with a couple earworms in there. Their Peel sessions from around this time are also very much worth a listen, so I highly recommend those too. 8/10

original songs and styke

Pretty nice start pacing was a little slow

It is not, despite its title, a live album. First few tracks kind of muddled together but gained steam in the middle tracks. Found my head bouncing and my feet tapping. Found it an enjoyable listen. Might take a casual listener a second to get over the exaggerated pulling vocals.

More of a trip, but you can see where it’s going.