OK, The Fall / Mark E. Smith fans, tell me what album(s) to buy

[obie]

Just mimicking Lastort's post with something that I've been meaning to ask for months now.

The Fall: Classic band, in the Pantheon, Mark is a total genius, etc., etc. I've heard it all. But really, other than "Victoria" and the occasional random track that makes it on to non-commercial radio, I have no idea what they're really about. Where to start? The Complete Peel Sessions (though if I'm shelling out $50 somebody should co-sign the Visa charge with me)? 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong? One of the studio albums?

[bmurphyfl]

I am sure there are bigger Fall fans than me out there than me but the three albums that got me into them (courtesy my freshman roommate) were Grotesque, Hex Enduction Hour and 458489 A Sides. The last one is the most accessible but Grotesque is my favorite and Hex Enduction Hour contains my all-time favorite Fall tune "The Classical".

By the way, if you get Grotesque and own Pavement's Slanted & Enchanted, you can check out the similarities between the Fall's "New Face in Hell" and Pavement's "Conduit for Sale". It's pretty funny how similar they are.

I really hope Ted Cikowski doesn't happen upon this thread.

[caliban]

Great post, Murph. It's funny, a friend was asking me just this question last week. Looking at the songs included on 50,000 Fans, I don't think you can go wrong. It will give you an idea of how their sound has changed over the years, has a lot of good songs, and you can get a used copy for cheap ($10) on amazon.com. If you were to buy a non-compilation, in addition to the ones Murph lists, I'd suggest Perverted by Language, The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall, and This Nation's Saving Grace. With that, I think I'll put on some Fall.

[bojendyk]

Great post, Murph. It's funny, a friend was asking me just this question last week. Looking at the songs included on 50,000 Fans, I don't think you can go wrong. It will give you an idea of how their sound has changed over the years, has a lot of good songs, and you can get a used copy for cheap ($10) on amazon.com. If you were to buy a non-compilation, in addition to the ones Murph lists, I'd suggest Perverted by Language, The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall, and This Nation's Saving Grace. With that, I think I'll put on some Fall.

I'm not a huge fan of Perverted by Language, but The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall and This Nation's Saving Grace (definitely the best place to start) are two of my very favorite records. I'd also add Hex Enduction Hour to that list.

I've got about a dozen Fall records, and only one or two aren't that good. Most of them are at least quite good, and several are flat-out great. If you're starting out, go for This Nation's Saving Grace and Hex Enduction Hour.

My favorite quote about the Fall is Thurston Moore's--something about owning 40 or so Fall records: "They all sound different, but they all sound like the Fall."

[MeridianFC]

"This Nation's Saving Grace" is my favorite, and it's very accessible for any fan of altrock, indie, punk, etc.

Any of the singles comps-uh are worhtwhile-uh.

[bojendyk]

I forgot to mention that it's worth hunting down an mp3 of the Peel Session version of "Sparta FC" from a couple of years ago. (I can send it to you, if you'd like.) It's the best footy anthem I've ever heard, and the studio version isn't as good.

[hangthadj]

I have Totally Wired - The Rough Trade Years which is a two disc comp. I really like that. I also have Peverted by Language, but beyond that there is just so much out there I have no idea where to start.

[Pints]

Here (http://www.mp3.com/the-fall/artists/3589/discography.html) is a somewhat easy to read discography, which in some cases is right on. It, as most have, sorta puts down I am Kurious Oranj, which I personally enjoyed,if not only becasue it was The Fall scoring a ballet.

Anyhow, hope this helps. I do know there are definite hits and misses with Mark E. Smith, the output is generally strong all around but can be as sporatic as his personality.