Live At The Witch Trials

I thought it was 90s music. Cool drums, but the "singer"...

Hard to contextualise this awful greatness. I suppose that is the real root of awe but that doesn't mean we'll all enjoy the listen. Like a brutalist building of sound. Sharp, repetitive forms. A sublime harshness. Scoring it seems even more pointless than usual; simultaneously a 5 and a 1.

idk... theres something here

3.5/5

Garage post-punk style? I like it straight from the first track. I might not listen to it quite often cuz there are other better ones. Havy bass elements, just like what should happen in post punk music, satisfying. Some weird mixing, not sure if that's my headphone or. I'd really like to give it a 3-3.5/5, I first thought of giving it a 3.5-4 because I'm right in the mood for some new post-punk music, but this album is way tooooooo long.

What even the heck. This was a.....shockingly bland album.

I think this spoke to me a lot more than the last album we heard from The Fall. A better, shaggier and more rebellious sound to me. Also quite like the cover and album name

Standard punk rock album. Nothing bad here, just not the biggest fan of it. Played SF6 while I listened to the album. Standouts: Rebellious Jukebox, Industrial Estate, and Futures and Pasts.

More art punk

Favourite songs: Frightened, No Xmas for John Quays, Futures and Pasts Least favourite songs: Rebellious Jukebox, Industrial Estate, Live at the Witch Trials 3/5

I can see the appeal but it gets kind of repetitive after a bit.

1. "Frightened" 3,6 2. "Crap Rap 2/Like to Blow" 3,4 3. "Rebellious Jukebox" 3,3 4. "No Xmas for John Quays" 2,9 5. "Mother-Sister!" 3 6. "Industrial Estate" 2,6 7. "Underground Medecin" 3,2 8. "Two Steps Back" 3 9. "Live at the Witch Trials" 3 10. "Futures and Pasts" 3 Average 3,10

I wish I could use half stars because this is the most 3.5 album I've ever heard. I really, really enjoyed some of the moments that came out of the chaos, but too much of the album is really just chaos over a really repetitive vamp.

“Basic British beats belong here” -List Father to the tune of TMNT

Mark E Smith and The Fall are certainly one of a kind. Wiry guitars, prominent simple repetitive rhythmic bass, synthy key flourishes, and the off-kilter atonal mad ramblings put this album firmly in the early post-punk scene. They can capture both the tempo and energy of classic punk as well as the longer, repetitive, dronier post punk explorations. A lot of it blends together and not many tracks stand out as particularly special - it’s a good album and the start of an interesting career, but not a personal favorite.

Genre: Post-punk This album’s first half is really overshadowed by its second. Most songs on the first half aren’t that great, and most of it wasn’t really striking to me. The second half has more decent songs I don’t mind though. The closer, Music Scene, while having its moments, doesn’t feel like it has to be the length that it is, which is eight minutes. I’m fine with long songs but this one was mostly a chore a get through. This album has okay performances and production most of the time thankfully, I think the bass, synths/keyboards, and drums sound really nice. The “recorded-in-one-day“ fact is a bit apparent sometimes though. The vocals could use some work in places and most of the time the music isn’t the most striking. While good stuff can be found here, most of this album feels a bit annoying to sit through. It has its moments, but most of the time it doesn’t really set itself apart from other post-punk albums that i’ve listened to. It’s meh, just didn’t really do a lot for

This is the third (and last) album by The Fall that was on this list. I didn't know I needed three albums by The Fall and I probably did not. Regardless, I feel the same about this one as I felt about the two other albums. There are good songs followed by what I would describe as "not good" music. Sometimes, like Crap Rap 2 the "crap" is written in the title. Frightened Rebellious Jukebox Two Steps Back Futures and Pasts All of these are good songs but followed by songs I care less for. My opinion on the Fall has not really changed. Very hit or miss for me.

All punk rock albums from the 70s sound the same. Every. Single. One of them.

This one was new to me. I’m a post punk, no wave fan, so it was a good fit.

Not bad, kind of like Gang of Four with slightly less interesting lyrics.

Meh. Not really bad.

Drummer knows what he's doing, but it looks like the others are deliberately going for an amateurish sound. Sometimes nice and sometimes annoying. 2.8

Alltså det ääär ju en cool skiva. En sån som man verkligen vill säga att man diggar. Men helt ärligt alltså, jag blev inte uppslukad. Kanske hade funkat bättre på vintern, när man går hem i snön typ.

Don't fully get The Fall fandom thing, some tracks have a certain charm but mostly incoherent

I almost like Industrial Estate, Underground Medecin, Two Steps Back

I think this thing is charming. It's brief, punchy, and I think the concept is solid. Aesthetically it's there. I think the first track starts off really strong. It can be hard to bridge rock music with cryptic and scary music which tends to be more polished and crisp. I think this is a valiant effort. I think the sound is pretty standard post punk. I think it mostly holds up but doesn't exceed expectations. I'm not exactly sure what he means when he says he likes to blow.

This early outing feels a lot closer to its post punk peers than their later outings…. but their sheer work ethic and output means that I’ve only just scratched the surface of this….

The fall is one of those bands you should like and there’s a lot to recommend them but I’m not the biggest fan. A bit like the smiths. Mark e smith was a very clever man with a great turn in lyric. Yes. You probably should hear this. But you mightn’t get it. Nonetheless it has a style. And is important to the growth of post punk and post classic rock.

If I'm in a certain mood, I'd like this, but it's a 2.5 star listen for me.

Normally music like this would be just what I needed. But there was something missing her preventing me from enjoying it. Just wasn't feeling it.

Oh wow, another British post-punk band from the 70s/80s. What a surprise. I definitely needed more of this. Yeah, I didn't care for this album much. I'll start with the praise that I have. I actually do like the instrumental sound quite a bit. It's pretty interesting. I'd call it good. "Frightened" is a pretty solid song. The album is a pretty decent length. The rest of the album isn't my cup of tea. I respect this album, but I just don't really vibe with it enough to give it a super high rating. The vocals are fine, I guess. They're okay and aren't too annoying. The writing could have more substance to it. I feel like this album needs more to keep me engaged. I don't know what it is, but I feel like this just could have been a more fun album. It's not the length. I can see potential here. This could be a great album, it just needs a bit more to it. Oh well, maybe I'll find that in one of the other two albums that this band has on the list. Really? 3 albums for The Fall? You serious? Those other two better be damn good albums. 3/5.

This was dumb but at least it felt like he tried. Corny record. I’ll still give it three. Again at least it sounded like he cared.

OK. I grew up LIVING the post-punk, punk scene. I used to go every weekend to the L&G Club in New London Connecticut and watch all sorts of psedo to genuine punk acts. I LOVE several of the old school hardcore punk artists, even went to see Billy Idol as an old man and it was still so amazing... Anyhow, sure, The Fall has the right sound, the right sort of singer, the right "feel" overall, but somehow... IDK? They are like... "Yeah, listen to this song and it is like punk is." But somehow it is not "Punk." I think it is the heart maybe? The real social and political "fuck the system" punk that makes it so magical. It is just sort of middle of the road, punk by the numbers. No offense. Some of the songs work. But the album is 41 songs long and it just becomes a drag...

still a long way to fall

I enjoyed how raw and hypnotic this album was. Rough around the edges garage punk vibe. I love the song No Xmas for John Quays. 3/5

Favourite Song: Frightened

Not using a private Spotify session. I knew of The Fall for more of their less punk more pop music(though using the words pop and The Fall seems wrong) never really listened to the punk version. This is music to listen to in a crowded bar, drinking low quality mass produced beer, while getting pushed shoved, and getting covered in other people's sweat and drinks. I tend to avoid that scene these days.

meh

Listened to the first couple tracks. It grew on me. Some real sweat on the stage British punk with some nice weird synth tones, clear present drums and interesting guitar textures. Fun, even if it’s not really my cup of tea.

Too long. Some cool stuff and some not cool stuff. Not my genre most of the time

Mark E. Smith doing Mark E. Smith things.

Not bad. I don’t know if I’d ever rush to listen to it again

Really good rhythm section but the guitar sound doesn't work here. Too clean and the use of open strings doesn't match with Mark Smith's vocals. Still, it's OK with Two Steps Back being a standout track.

Old rotty punk

3/5

The Fall doesn’t seem to do it for me even though I like this kind of music. Maybe they’re just too British. Favorite songs were Frightened, Futures and Pasts, and Rebellious Jukebox.

Day173 - i listened before looking at the reviews and they’re honestly higher than i expected. it’s loud,kind of a mess but fun

Can see how this is influential, but does not work for me

Interesting post punk album with Sex Pistols influence

Étrange effet de punk au son très clair et défini, presque «propre», si on excepte l'interprétation frondeuse du chanteur. J'ai trouvé l'ensemble un peu long et peu intéressant, peut-être parce que je l'écoute avec le recul et que je ne peux pas savoir ce que ça représentait à l'époque

Tight drums/bass & harsh guitar with sloppy vocals. I enjoyed it somewhat. Can’t decide how I really feel about it

not actually live, 0/5

File this on the punk side of post-punk, the Fall's singer really breaks this album for me, as compared to the excellent bass playing, the solid drumming, and that perfect late 70s guitar tone, his voice comes off like one of those mediocre UK hip hop rappers that you can't help but laugh at from initial listen. Less Public Image Ltd, more The Streets, y'know? However, I would be lying if I said it didn't break barriers for me at points and deliver something I enjoyed, as the raw energy in some of the tracks really allows the instrumentation to shine, and if you bury Mark E. Smith in the mix just enough, his delivery becomes less laughable, and instead something more manic. Certainly not one of the great post-punk records in my eyes, but still something with enough merit on its own, and at the very least, it certainly stands out.

Was alright, wanna listen to another the fall album cuz I've always heard that pavement ripped them off and I love pavement

Some of this is good, some of it is samey and apart from anything else it is TOO LONG!! One of very few on here I haven’t listened to all the way through

- way longer than it needed to be even without the live songs at the end - appreciate the message and energy, but eh - 2.5 but I'll round up

Not too bad, another birth year record so I'll go easy on this, and also the lyrics/vocals are pretty interesting.

Heb t album zowaar afgeluisterd, vond het best wel prima

I should like this more because they’re an influence on some of my favorite bands (pavement being the most obvious) but it doesn’t do much for me. Decent post punk.

Fine but not for me. Totally serviceable punk/post-punk.

I don’t mind the rough post punk sound, and some songs grew on me after a second listen but I can’t get past the shitty electric keyboard parts. Honestly, with a different sound font or tone it would have sounded fine but that tinny, early-Casio-sounding-mf’r kept plinking away.

3.8

The usual madness from the Fall. Equal parts daft as the B&Q paintbrush collection, abrasive as the B&Q sandpaper stock and refreshing as (I assume) the tea in the B&Q cafe.

Another new one for me. I like it but not enough to listen to the whole deluxe album version. Someday maybe? I noticed some vague Joy Division similarities, both bands formed in ‘76, so maybe?

It was good. I didn’t love it, but it was good.

I know someday I will get into the Fall but today ain’t the day. Solidly okay.

Off putting for sure but might grow on me. Seems influential on a lot of stuff I enjoy.

Wasn't too bad. Wasn't great either though.

Meh

It's a fine early British punk album. Not sure what the sound was in 1979 but I can see how this might have had some influence at the time. Overall it's nothing special but there are a couple decent tracks within. As usual it gets a minor Gorillaz collaborator bump for Mark E. Smith. 2.66 stars

This album was the right amount of abrasive. This style of post punk had enough melody to follow along easily, but still had a decent amount of noise and experimental elements. However, this album didn’t completely work for me the whole way through though I enjoyed the last few tracks quite a bit.

Good moments

Most average 70s punk record

En realidad no lo volveria a escuchar. Pero es bueno a su manera. 5/10

Post-punk, garage.

It was alright. Nothing amazing.

Chill

Its okay just a typical rock punk album to be

deranged and shouty

2.7/5 Best Track: Frightened

I like the sound. They don't try to drowned out with noise. It is clean and tight.

London punk. 3/5

It’s so close to being so cool.

not bad not moving

Mostly meh with a dash of annoying.

Post-punk, garage.

I've heard of this band, but never listened to them. This was pretty cool - bratty, dark, British post punk. The playlist that started up after the album was even better.

To me, the best was yet to come with The Fall, but it was still a pleasant listen full of rebellious sounds and attitude!

si no considero el año pasa como meh pero

Well, I like this album better than most of what I've heard from the Fall. It makes sense that their first album is more accessible than the later stuff that I've heard. I can't really think of what else to say about it, though 3/5

Post-punk, garage.

We’ve had a few albums by The Fall on the list now and I’m starting to get a feel for their style. I dig the energy but this album is in that “respect it, don’t love it” category. It’s loose, ragged and weird punk. They were probably a great live act.

The instrumental work has a cool loose modern "yea whatever" vibe going on, and the vocals fit specifically into the new wave sound which was the rage at the time. Overall I think it was a pretty good listen. I liked the mood and compositions, and felt like the only downside was that there really weren't many songs that stood out to me as really memorable. I could live with this not being on this list. I feel like this act is a favorite of the creator of 1001.

Some interesting moments

Previous Familiarity: None. I have heard of The Fall, but never heard any of their work. The Fall have escaped me, and I'm not sure that this album was the place to start my journey with them. The album is clearly ahead of it's time, with the post-punk stylings that it is helping to create in the midst of the punk rock movement. But, with the lack of real meat on these snarly jangles, I didn't find myself satisfied with the overall execution. I'll give it points for ingenuity, and I LOVE the album title, but unfortunately I don't consider this essential, other than to witness the roots of post-punk.

It is trashy, sloppy and disruptive, and is totally intended .

Sounds like the beginnings of some punk in there, doesn't sound great.... but not horrible!

It's okay. Nothing more, Nothing less.

I immediately liked the music but thought the vocals sounded like a drunk at karaoke. But with more listening I started to enjoy it more. Maybe that’s the way with this punk music, not caring about a commercially/stereotypically “good” song package, and more about staying true to yourself and your message.. “Futures and Pasts” is my favorite, but enjoyed “Industrial Estate” and “Underground Medecin”

La seva estrena, i un muestrari de tot el que Mark E. Smith oferiria en els anys que havien de venir. Ell i la banda millorarien, i força, la seva proposta, sobretot durant la primera meitat dels 80. Però és un molt bon disc de debut, amb un so valent, incòmode i ja des de bon començament molt personal

There's 3 albums by the Fall on the list. This is the 2nd one I got. I didn't like The Infotainment Scam because of the terrible singing. The music was good. On this record, there's more conviction to the singing. It's still flat/atonal, but the timing is not as lazy. The music is more on the punk end of the post-punk specter. Someone decided to add a lot of "bonus" tracks to the reissue. Why do people do that? The album was borderline too long as it was. I skipped those. Favorite song: futures and pasts.

i grew to like it the more i listened to it

Good but I liked their other one we had more

Good

I started listening to The Fall in the mid 80s. This album is the start of their journey, their sound is recognizable, but very raw. I like their later albums better, but still... it's The Fall!

Grating and brash in true punk fashion, but there's some interesting melodies buried in there. You can hear where later bands like the Strokes and Arctic Monkeys took inspiration.

I just had a different Fall album recently. I didn't really care for it, and I didn't care for this. Still, there are worse ways to spend 40 minutes so overall, it was okay.

Post-punk, garage.

This is my third Fall album and I think it’s a good one, but not as good as their later albums that I enjoyed more. This album sounds a bit more messy and raw, which might appeal to some fans of the post-punk genre. I wonder if this album is essential to listen to, considering that there are other albums by The Fall on the list of albums to listen to before you die. However, I was impressed by the fact that this album was recorded in just one day, which shows the talent and creativity of the band also live at the witch trials is a great name for an album. I would give this album 3 stars out of 5.

I just read a review for this album that said “Close to what I like but not exactly” Nailed it.

It has been a common occurrence while doing this list, that I start to really enjoy the record only to find out that Spotify has kept playing to another record or even artist after it finished and thats the one I was liking, not the record in question. So, I thought I was finally enjoying this but it was actually "Alex Chilton" and "Swell Maps"... well it wasn't that bad eighter.

was ok

okay so far? good punk with obvious english accent (a plus). but it might not align with my taste

Will I ever listen to the album again? Probably not. It was fun though. Gave me vibes of punk shows I used to attend in the 90s.

I like how short this was lol The background instruments are interesting

No punk song should ever be 5 minutes. This album nearly has 4 that long, which makes it tougher to swallow.

Eiks meil ollu jo sex pistolsia tässä

Interesting chap this Mark E. Smith, wouldn't want him as prime minister though.

Would have loved in high school

Well well well. Somehow the Fall sound like a cult to me - people who like the Fall buy into the whole Mark E Smith / John Peel thing - but I haven’t yet come across the money - and since I’m not in the cult I definitely feel like a heretic. BUT there a certain refreshing lightness of soul in this record - from what I can see it’s recorded in one day - and it truly feels like it’s a live show even if it’s not as the name alludes - a live album. Is it the directness and freedoms that appeals to me? Possibly? Is it why others like them? can’t say as I’m not in the cult. Is it a great album? No. But it’s fun.

This was pleasant enough but didn't like wow me, I think it would be good music to do a long dancing sesh to with other people but wasn't all that interested just listening to it on my own if I'm honest

No Christmas for donkeys! That's a shame. This was probably the most I've enjoyed the Fall. Definitely got on board with this more than the others we've had.

Enjoyable punk/post punk.

Tror jeg hørte den, kan være jeg IKKE gjorde det

A good, angry punk album with some interesting electronic elements dominating a fair amount of the tracks.

C'est pas mauvais. Certaines tounes j'ai vraiment biena imé d'autre moins. Il y a le style punk un peu melange de plein d'autre chose. C'est original 3.25

This is a little better than the average punk bad of it’s era, but barely. The Fall have their own unique sound carved out, and it’s not bad, but it isn’t very exciting either. Most songs sound pretty similar, even if they are all good. Except for the Christmas song and the last track which has too much time and too little vocals, I enjoyed the whole thing. 3/5

Not really for me. I might have liked it if I was a whipper snapper when it came out.

I’m not a fan of punk and I’m certainly not a fan of PostPunk but this kind of makes sense. A more cynical and considered side of punk. I think I don’t really understand the genre, all the attitude but none of the energy? What is the point? But yeah, this works. Still don’t really like it but at least I get it.

I'm a fan of the cleverly named album. The music itself is entertaining, but nothing to really write home about. Mom, if you're reading this, please know that I didn't send this to your home address.

I know "Jon Quays" is supposed to sound like "junkies," but the way he sings it it sounds more like "donkeys," and I'd much prefer an anthem about denying an ass the right to celebrate a holiday than what we actually got. Best track: Futures and Pasts

5/10. Finally got to a song where I was like, "Yeah, this one is pretty good" and then realized that I'd gone past the original album and was listening to a more popular single that they'd tacked on the re-release.

Lots of really inventive and impressive stuff. But it leaves me cold

Not available on spotify

There is something about putting an English accent behind some punk or New Wave that just makes it sound amazing. I had never heard of the fall, but they are excellent. Guitar work and drums are super solid, catchy, and thrilling. A lot to like here overall. perfect album to ride the motorcycle around the living room to.

The don't give a fuck attitude is somewhat appealing but is overshadowed by the annoying repetition, dissonance, and things out of key. Mercifully short, which helped. I was listening with Margaret, and she said "too noisy, two stars, move on." I am rounding up to 3.

You've gotta start somewhere.

I always find it helpful when this project serves up an album in the punk and post-punk lane because it reminds me how far back these styles go. This band formed in 1976 and released this album in 1979, and I can hear how groups like this were responding to the punk elements of simplicity and rawness by becoming more musically complex and, at least to my ear, interesting. There are some good tracks on this record. It's an album I can imagine myself listening to again.

Another Fall album (after The Infotainment Scan) that was a bit more interesting and enjoyable (and synthy) than I expected. Enough musical and lyrical quirks to keep me engaged for most of the runtime, but not quite enough that I can see myself returning to it. 2.5 / 3

I really like The Fall, but this is nowhere near their angular, snarky best. This album just hints at the greatness of something like Hex Enduction Hour, which was to come in a few years.

3.5 really. I think 10 years ago it would have been a 4, but I think I just don’t enjoy this style as much as I used to. Weird!

What happens when punk meets some kind of experimentalism? Nothing so remarkable. It's good, but I'll forget about it tomorrow.

I've never heard of "The Fall" before starting this list and weirdly, I got 2 albums of theirs in one week. The first one was confusing but (I think) enjoyable. This one had a great song to start it off. It reminded me of the sort of horror rap songs that were kind of popular in the 90s, I think. I got a little excited but that was easily the high point of the album.

first listen meh

some early punk I'd never heard of before. Not bad

Not actually live

Dur de me prononcer. D'un point de vue production/mixing et musicianship c'est super solide. Côté composition et vocals ça m'énerve un peu. J'ai autant adoré que détesté.

Saw the Fall 4 times in 4 different decades. Always an interesting band. Chaotic at times. Never dull. For years I thought this, the debut was a live album! This pretty much sets a template for the future dozens of album. Very assured. It does what it does well.

I don’t really know what to think of this he’s not a great singer but he sounds very uninvested and I don’t usually tend to mind weird singers but I didn’t really like his voice. Still though this thing apparently only took a day to make and for that it’s quite awesome and the instrumentation is quite good. 3/5

Most of this album isn’t really my thing, though on second listen it grew on me a bit. Think you gotta be in a certain screams mood for it though haha Saved songs: Rebellious Jukebox, Mother-Sister!

Good but not dinner music

The generator gave me The Infotainment Scan nearly 300 albums ago. I did not like that. I do like things like this. But not exactly this. I think if I had first heard this album back in the early 80's when I was into this kind of music I probably would have been a fan. But right now it hits me as only medium fun and eventually medium tedious.

Post punk noise. Sounds like they are making it up as they go along

I enjoyed this one more the second listen. Songs are pretty simple in nature, but are good tunes with catchy riffs and melodies. Can be pretty fun to sing along too. I like "Rebellious Jukebox", "Industrial Estate" and 'No Xmas for John Quays" the most probably, but 'Music Scene' would be up there too. This album is not bad, I'd give it a try. 3.25/5

Not entirely sure what to make of it. I think it was good.

Ensimmäiset kolme biisiä ovat lähes täysosumia: ne toteuttavat täydellisesti tämän levyn musiikillista ideaalia, jossa post-Johnny Rotten-vokaalit yhdistyvät taustoihin ja riffeihin, joiden kauttaaltaan yllätyksellinen melodisuus tekee lopputuloksesta enemmän kuin sulatettavaa eli nautinnollista. Kokonaisuudessan levy ei ole yhtä laadukas, mutta kaiken kaikkiaan se on raikas ja toimiva, eikä mitenkään mahdottoman kaukana neljästä tähdestä.

Not really a fan of this. I don’t hate it like I have some of the post-punk but Imjust don’t think it lives up to the hype.

The Fall is off to a good start with their first studio album: Live at the Witch Trials. It feels fully formed and yet this record doesn't overstay its welcome like some later albums by the Fall. I wish they had made a habit of the brevity on display here.

Decent punk album but easy to tune out and forget about.

it's craggy, it's raw, it's at times terrible to listen to. but it's also rather brilliant. Psycho Mafia my standout track

Two Steps back is a standout. Very enjoyable in parts

Whirlwind. Tight album

5/10 meh, nothing spectacular

This had some great moments on it but felt a bit tedious to listen to. You really have to be in the right mood for it, but it's some great punk. I can see a time a place for it but mostly I think it was important to hear once to better understand British post-punk.

A true classic but hard to stand. Massive negative affect. Mark E Smith the king of irritability and bad vibrations!

Easily forgettable punk album.

Decent rock album but that's about it, nothing remarkable or outstanding about it

Liked these guys! Probz didn’t need a full album of it though. Will check out the other tracks per Sean’s input. But we rating the album not the band or the songs.

Definitely grating, mark e smith is not a beautiful singer. Good ideas here tho, and can be exciting. Wish the album on Spotify wasn't full of extras 🤷

A decent album by The Fall. Not my favourite of theirs, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Fun album, enjoyed it.

Pink rock, pleasant enough but did not hold my attention

This was fine. Nothing amazing, but it wasn't terrible.

My first exposure to this band was given to me by this generator 10 months ago, their 90s Infotainment Scan, and it was absolutely horrendous, and I absolutely hated the conflict with Mark Smith's vocals. But I gave their earlier work a chance, and I actually really enjoyed their range of styles over the decades. This is my first time hearing their debut, and I immediately enjoyed it from start to finish. I immediately knew going in this would get poor reviews from this site. It's super abrasive and hard on the ears not used to post-punk. The production is intentionally low too, but the instruments are well-balanced, which I believe works in their favor. It's post-punk at its rawest yet true to form. The lyrics are nonsensical and punk in spirit, the vocals are energetic and goofy, and the instrumentals are tight and dynamic. I bet if the album were 100% instrumental, people would appreciate it much more. It's dark and mysterious (props to the bassist), and the keyboard serves as an ode to krautrock, sticking out from the rest of the crowd. The solos are quick and subtle, lasting for only a few seconds and lacking flashiness. They're small treats if you can pick them out. As a whole, the tracks roll from one to the next, distinctive yet cohesive. I'm giving 3 stars merely because it doesn't live up to the standards of similar style post-punk records (think Killing Joke). The record is full of creativity, but I only saved "Frightened" and "Rebellious Jukebox" as standalone pieces I'd enjoy listening to on their own. No doubt I'll listen to this time and time again; post-punk is my favorite genre.

Very 70s punk sound. ok

I'm strangely into this... Weird coincidence... I read a book (Sellout) that talked about a historic performance by At the Drive In at Big Day Out. They give an extended shout out to the Fall who'd I'd never heard of.

Buena onda, suena súper

good band.

I saw one person describing this as a "drunkard singing pub songs". For me that was exactly it. It's not bad, it's kinda decent.

Like most Fall albums it gets a bit samey but still sounds great

I didn't care for it.

ehhh þetta er svona allt i lagi nema hvað röddin og hreimurinn hja söngvaranum er frekar fokkin pirrandi, gef þessu tæpar 3 stjörnur

A beguiling slice of proto-punk. Lyrically very interesting - probably more so than musically

It is a punk rock album. I was not familiar with the band or any of the songs. It was alright.

Enjoyed this!

Great title and album cover. Another fun quirky punky romp from The Fall. Last time I gave them 4 stars. This album feels more like a 3 from me. I am not well-versed enough in The Fall to know if I truly think this is a lesser album than This Nation’s Saving Grace, or if maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

Not bad sound, I guess they were pioneers of this genre? Not what I was expecting but pretty good.

Interesting punk album, didn’t really move me

Early light heavy metal?

A refreshingly raw sounding album for The Fall's debut. I didn't know what to expect as I haven't listened to much from The Fall, and it was a pleasant surprise. A good punk record. I quite liked it, not loved, but I'll listen to more from the band!

Pretty trash

Paunkað, áhugavert, ætti að hlusta aftur

Punk

I've struggled with The Fall over the years and only a couple of months ago developed an appreciation for them. There's a certain style of early post punk that kind of blurs together for me - The Fall, Gang of Four, Wire, Mission of Burma... some of it is good, but it lacks some of the personality that set apart some of the better examples of the genre for me (Talking Heads, Joy Division, The Pop Group, Pere Ubu, This Heat).

Pleasantly surprised. I did enjoy this one, but couldn’t hang for the live recordings

3.3 - Sneering post-punk with noisy-busy guitar, punk vocals, minimal production. But synthesizer sounds exceptionally weak. More tongue-in-cheek than pretentious. A cool enough vibe without any standout tracks.

I’ve long wondered where this kind of sound came from - the sort of punky, speak singing, repetitive riffs and rhythms - I’m mainly thinking Idles and their ilk. And I’ve also long wondered what exactly it is The Fall do to be revered so. I guess now I know on both counts.

One of the weakest of the early Fall albums but still some moments to savour

A little clashy and out there for my taste!

I liked the music but can only handle one song at a time, not a whole album. Not their fault.

Semi weird punk. Later half was good!

Pretty good, sounds like Punk mixed with New Wave and Alternative music.

A little rough but not too shabby.

This is an interesting album from a time when desperately needed new sounds had finally emerged. I never heard of this band. Not surprising since, other than college radio stations, there was zero chance a station (especially in Northern Ontario) would pick this up. I quite like the drumming and read that Karl Burns was fired from The Fall multiple times. Their loss (and gain when rehired!)

This was fun, I've heard a lot about the Fall but never listened to them. What I found here was a post punk record filled with quick catchy hooks

I love the way Mark E Smith adds a vowel to the end of the last word of every sentence. Makes his rants sound more caustic. I like his attitude and style, and while the first song is a classic, a whole album is a bit much. Hard to believe he/they released 30+ studio albums.

Ja gut, das alles klingt, gemessen an den vielen großen Würfen des späteren Outputs noch recht statisch, Mark E. Smiths Sneer ist noch unterentwickelt und auch rumpeln tut es noch nicht so schön. Wenn auch Schlagzeug und Bass schon damals wussten wo sie hin wollten und wie lange der Kaugummi kaut. Aber da musste man ja auch erstmal drauf kommen, 1979 in einem untergehenden England, und eine vage Idee gibt mir dass ja auch Smith einer der ca. 45 oder so Besucher des legendären Sex-Pistols-Gigs in der Lesser Free Trade Hall im Juni 1976 war (sonst noch dabei: halb Joy Division, die Buzzcocks, Morissey, Tony Wilson und natürlich Mick Hucknall), und auch er seine Lehren daraus gezogen hat. Wollte ich aber nur so loswerden, hat nichts mit der Platte zu tun. Die kriegt von mir 3 Punkte, schon allein wegen "No Christmas for John Quays", für "Music Scene" und für "Rebellious Jukebox".

New wave/post punk. It's lacking the post-punk sound both in instrumentation and vocals, and is quite safe tonally. 5/10, lukewarm.

Great punk elements throughout, a little too free form for my tastes but can definitely appreciate the sound they were going for

Carried on listening to The Fall after, they do be having better albums

jonkees. bri ish init. guitar reminds me of my dad lol. jonkees.

lacking that punch yknow i like some

When punk was very raw.

meh

Been on a run of pretty good albums the past week. Not vibing with this as much. Giving too much Halloween Town vibes.

I don't have patience for this

First of three "The Fall" albums I've gotten in a 5 day span which should be illegal. Spastic but with no real cohesion that makes the songs have actual song qualities. Dissonant but in an annoying way. Vocals sound like he listened to the Sex Pistols and is doing a bad impression. Hoping the other two albums are an improvement.

I don't even know how to describe this music, but I didn't really like it

I have so much respect for Mark E Smith and The Fall. I love all the bands adjacent to The Fall and I know that people with good taste listen to them. With respect, I found this incredibly difficult to get through. I can get into angular guitar and nonstandard drum parts when there’s some kind of driving hook or riff to latch onto but - respectfully - I had nothing exciting enough to hold onto here. And I can get into an obscure or very abstract political take but (with all due respect) the political message here seemed to be either so specific that 2 years after the album no one would follow it, or so inside and specific to the music industry that it was irrelevant to its listeners. Also his voice is just a John Lydon with less melody (much respect much respect). So thank you to the fall for being very good please don’t make me listen again.

Punk is punk is punk 🤷🏼 Ihan jees kohkaamista ja varmaan jossain hetkessä vois kolista oikein hyvinkin, mut nyt oli vähän työmaa. En kaivanu sitä Spotify-versiosta puuttunutta 11. biisiä. Et jos se ois ollu jotenkin käänteentekevä ni sit tässä nyt tapahtuu vähän vääryys, mut luulen että ei 😬

Jotenkin ensitahdeista tiesin, etten hirveesti välittäis tästä. Sellasta renkuttelua, joka ei jotenkin inspaa. En usko et tää on välttämättömyys ennen kuolemaa.

This album literally gave me a headache

Giving Blur with an undertone of anxiety and impending doom

Unremarkable

Listening session: august 7th, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: no Thoughts: this was not my vibe at all for today so I can’t rate this more than two stars Favourite track: Frightened

I’m not a huge fan of the fall and this did little to change my mind. He started sounding a lot better than I’m used to hearing him (probably from being younger) and I can see this would be hugely influential but I think I’d rather listen to the things it influenced.

Brash I guess??? I felt it was a bit long, but I was also listening to the bonus tracks so maybe I wouldn't have felt that way about the original listing.

eh

Didn't really connect with this one

*43 Ved ikke om det bare er mig, der ikke lige er i stemning, men det er sku bare lidt træls. Han virker rimelig twat-y.

Gjorde ikke noget særligt for mig

It does have some qualities (the bass, the overall punk atmosphere, the lack of will to make anything traditionnal) but it's also very boring sometimes.

How did i miss this album back in 1979, damn? Happy that i did.

Didn't mind this but doubt I'd listen again

Raw and sometimes interesting, but meh, overall not very noteworthy. If I had to pick a favorite, it's Bingo-Master's Break-Out.

broke my brain a little bit. i like all the individual ingredients of this dour angsty post punk goulash, but when it comes out of the oven in one piece i suddenly lose my taste for it. it's kind of giving advanced cia interrogation techniques on some of the more repetitive tracks. the opener Frightened is my favorite, maybe the only song where the spell worked on me, but generally i fear i am not punk enough for this one. strong 2

This album feels like nonsense, but in an ok way. Feels totally forgettable.

Shorten the title to “Burned” because I thought an album on this list had to have redeeming value. Typical angry, snarling, monotonous punk. The raw production value is interesting, considering it was recorded in a single day and engineered the next. Unfortunately that doesn’t make it any more enjoyable. trunc[2.9]

You know what's a good word? Tedious. That's a good word. I say this for no reason, none whatsoever.

I kind of get it. There's a certain appeal in the rawness of it all but I'm not getting much of a talent vibe. 2.5/5

Some interesting moments, but not enough to warrant this many tracks.

Hell of an album to listen to on the 4th of July

altern. Rock, 1979 -> 2

3/10 - Not much to say. Boring album and very linear.

Ok

Not terrible..Just sounds mainly the same the whole time and it’s really long. Too long.

Not even at a witch trial

The day I got this album, I listened through it and felt very little for it. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't like it, and it didn't stir any emotions in me. I listened back to the beginning, and found that I couldn't even remember it much. I wasn't sure how to proceed, so I hit "Didn't Listen" the next day and figured I'd come back to it later. The next day, I got the Clash's debut album. Now THAT'S a great punk album. That sealed the deal for me. "Live At The Witch Trials" doesn't even belong in the same category, and thus, it's getting 2 stars.

media darlings at the time looking for the next big thing, but less interesting with the passage of time

1.6 Noisy

Maso

Listened Before? N Another British post-punk album. These dudes have not one, not two but THREE albums on this list. That's excessive. This is a nice debut for them, but I don't feel like I needed to hear this one. Musically, it's pretty standard late-70s punk/post punk. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Rebellious Jukebox

A band that all my favorite bands love. Loved the roughness and the style but nothing special.

Shrugs.

Meh

Live at the Witch Trials is a dope name for an album. That's almost all the good things I can say about it. It's scorching to listen and I feel that is on purpose. I didn't find beauty of lyrics, beautiful vocals, nice solos, neat production. It felt like a rushed wasteland, with thorns and thirst. And that felt on purpose. This is no place to look for beauty, nice, nor neat things. You come here to listen to a drunk ranting and wasting away. It is a compelling work of art in this regard: grim and ugly. There are some, few and far between, sparks of melody. Brief moments of joy that gave me some hope to hear something pleasing, but they never stay and in the end I need to rest on something: I don't really like to only be grim and ugly.

While Live at the Witch Trials firmly roots itself in punk, there’s a clear sense that something is missing. Maybe it’s because the album was recorded in a single day. Maybe it’s the odd inclusion of the Casio keyboard. Maybe it’s the lifeless rhythm guitar, endlessly cycling through the same three chords with no real direction. Or maybe it’s Mark E. Smith’s dull, nasal speak-singing. Take your pick. If there’s one thing this list has taught me, though, it’s that some recordings need time to breathe. Live at the Witch Trials had no such luxury, and it shows.

These guys wanted to be The Clash so badly. They did not succeed

This didn't make much of an impression on me. At least it was short.

Ok album. I wasn’t blown away. It’s kind of a miss for me, probably a 2.5. Very Sex Pistols influenced, kind of nasally British spoken delivery and such. Musically somewhat interesting. I’d check out further albums from this band as they apparently move away from this style and into more post punk/new wave territory.

Not for me. Droning, off key singing over drums and guitar.

I generally like punk, or punk-adjacent, music. l didn't like this at all.

This band pushes the classic 70s jangly oversaturated chorus laden guitars with no other sound other than thin cacophony. An annoying keyboard that cuts through all other sounds as an overbearing drone. Simply rough.

2.5/5

Went into this pessimistically but didn't dislike it as much as I expected. That said this album brought me to the conclusion that my taste in punk is irrationally picky. I don't know why I don't like this but I do like Ramones or Dead Kennedys, but this feels half baked or maybe just too early on for me to fully enjoy. 2.5 rounded down bc j won't pick it back up.

Meh.

I'm sure this was influential on the punk scene at the time, but to my ears it's just meh.

The Fall are so revered. I didn't like them as a teenager, in the 80s - MES's vocals were so annoying, and came across, to me, as trying too hard to be edgy and different. I did try this. I still don't like them.

Too post-music for me, with this counter-culture post-punk singing.

Singer’s voice doesn’t do it for me. Neither does the music.

Tough listen

**An ok album

5/10 - Not bad, just not an album I would come back to. It’s not a bad debut album.

Different, but I can’t say I enjoyed it.

This the 3rd one from these guys on the list, and is it deserved? Definitely not. I can see one album being included due to influence on other bands. But three? C’mon man. The only thing really keeping this one out of bottom ranking is the fact that they recorded it all in a single-day session, which is pretty impressive. But I will never get past the vocal delivery from the lead singer.

I just need some more low end and umpf in my guitars. And the voice is so British whiney. Could not listen to much of this.

I can't fathom why we need three albums from these guys... and I feel the exact same way about this one: decent music and crap vocals. 2.5/5

Quizá no estaba en la sintonía de la banda hoy, pero no quiere decir que no me gustará. Fue más un no conectar con el grupo hoy.

They sound like a less distorted/pouty Oasis.

Not a great listen but more musicianship than I was expecting.

Sure, was OK. Not sure this style of punk is quite my vibe.

About a strange of an album on this list so far Best Song: Mother Sister Rating: 4.5/10 Stars: 3

ya son demasiados discos de The Fall en este listado. A mi, este por ejemplo no me aporta gran cosa, prefiero otros: This nation... por ejemplo.

Kinda awful, mostly bad

2,5

Look, I like punk. The vocals were awful omg

Listened to the studio section but not all of the live tracks. Got the idea

Maybe a little bit sparse for my taste.

281/1089 i can see the appeal but it sounds like a lot of other music to me, maybe a bit ahead of it’s time though? i’d associate this with later in time than ‘79 and can hear how it might’ve influenced later acts the uninterested british punk vocal style just puts me off a bit, it feels performative to me at times just not a wholly interesting album to me Two Steps Back was the main highlight but idc about this music really 30/100

Very much not for me. The bass on the last track sounds cool.

I can't do this.

After I heard the first song I thought I had discovered the first Jack White (vocally), but then that was it. It should have been a one song album.

album punk con sonorità talvolta ripetitive e talvolta psichedeliche. non ho ascoltato molto i testi ma non mi è dispiaciuto

Never followed this band, raw sound and lyrics seem unstructured and ad-hoc, but influential for some good groups.

Not the most memorable

It's not particularly special in any way but I guess it went on to inspire a lot of other mfs so it's probably cool.

I've never really liked or understood the Fall. I have tried several times given the adulation they got from the music press. My main issue is I cannot get past Mark E Smith who comes across as a bit of a sneery bellend. Musically this sounds great with some killer bass - but then the singing starts and I turn off - so much so that I cannot appreciate the cleverness of the lyrics or Marks famous wit. Life's too short and I cannot be fucked with the Fall today. My loss I guess.

As Rainier Wolfcastle once said "What is it about music that enchants us? The Notes." Sadly, this album doesn't have any notes. Seriously, I counted. What it does have is lots of anger and talky singy. I don't like talky singy. But I do like anger and lyrics. In conclusion, this is a bit shit.

What am I meant to learn from this… I don’t know… I could go to the tote and hear music more better then this.

I’d hope if I was at the actual Witch Trials I wouldn’t be presented with music this mediocre. Like, the album has this real raw sound, but it feels so one-note repetitive. There is no variance across any of the tracks and it really comes of as dull by the end. I’m sure if I heard this album live it would sound better, but ya nah.