The Unutterable is the 21st album by English rock band the Fall, released in 2000. It was recorded with much the same lineup as had appeared on the group's previous album, 1999's The Marshall Suite (although Kazuko Hohki—the singer from the English-based Japanese band Frank Chickens—provides extra vocals on one track). However, whilst this version of the band was still coming together as the previous album was being made, by the time of the current record, they had had a year to gel as a unit. Therefore, while there is some similarity in the sound of the two, The Unutterable was much more consistent in its production and songwriting. It was generally well received by the critics, being praised as a "career peak" by Dave Simpson of The Guardian and prompting Piers Martin of the NME to suggest, "...this is as vital and relevant as The Fall have sounded for a considerable length of time. "
Lyrically, the album covers a number of diverse themes. On "Dr Bucks' Letter", lead singer Mark E. Smith appears to dispraise superficial materialist modernity, stating, "I was in the realm of the essence of Tong", an oblique reference to British DJ Pete Tong. In the song, Smith lists the five things without which he, or that Tong, cannot leave home: sunglasses, music, PalmPilot, mobile phone and American Express card. Elsewhere on the album, Smith's lyrics discuss issues such as drugs on the ranting "Ketamine Sun", and his favourite meal on the jazz-influenced "Pumpkin Soup and Mashed Potatoes".
The Unutterable is notable for not featuring a cover song in any format, unlike all of the group's other studio albums from Bend Sinister forward; although "Ketamine Sun" reportedly started life as a cover of Lou Reed's "Kill Your Sons", there is little musical similarity between the two tracks.
This was the first and only Fall 'official' studio release to be issued on CD only, without a corresponding vinyl version. A double-LP set was eventually issued through Let Them Eat Vinyl in 2014 with the same track listing.
Excited to see another Fall album on the list. They did make an appearance on the main 1001, but each of their LPs are so unique I’m willing to let the repetition go. This is another insane blend of post-punk and experimental rock topped with some prophetic social commentary. The deadpan lyricism/noise guitar combo works so well in a way few bands can pull off, and makes the LP feel fresh and unique to this day. This band is way overlooked and deserves more recognition, great add!
Crazy how consistent of a band The Fall was. This sounds like it should have been the debut album of a cool new 2000s electronic band, but nope, it's actually the 21st(!!) studio album of a band from the 70s.
Kinda loses steam by the end, but the first half of this is absurdly good. Some of the funkiest shit ever. Four outta five.
To quote Wikipedia "The Unutterable is the 21st album by English rock band the Fall"... the twenty-first... and almost every The Fall album has a solid three stars quality or up. This is one of the better albums. The music is one big repetition with a drone sound that almost wears you out. Over these chord progressions a manic is shouting... no... Mark E. Smith is spitting the words in your face with lyrics that are funny and eloquent. These are not songs, but a play between torture and reward. In the end the reward remains.
Man, 20 years in and Smith still had it. Always super impressive that The Fall both sounds as distinct as they do each time, while consistently being ahead of the curve on what music's about to sound like. I might gotta check out that 2017 album to see if the trend continued
I liked a lot of what's going on musically here a lot - classic post-punk roots but kept fresh with elements of more modern alternative and experimental rock and electronica. As usual with this band I struggle with the fact that the primary vocals just really don't do it for me. I generally liked the lyrics when I could understand them. Really on the fence with this one.
When I seen another fall album I wasn’t sure given they are already fairly represented on the original list, but again this album is original and different enough from their others I’ll accept it. I don’t think this is their best work but another good and interesting listen.
Unutterable. More like unintelligible. I had a hell of a time understanding this album. Between the 80s electronic sounds mixed with other electronic sounds and the rough lyrics this album was not for me. Just a genre and style that is not for my ears. 4.2/10
A fourth album from The Fall wasn’t on my BINGO card. This one was a miss for me.
While I really enjoyed the album The Infotainment Scan, lightning hasn’t struck twice yet with The Fall and this was no exception.
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