Alright, I know there's gotta be some Fall fans on this board.

I'm looking to get further into the Fall and I have no idea where to start. I know the entire album of 'I am Kurious Oranj' and the few singles from the 'Madchester' era of the Fall (Victoria & Telephone Thing, for example). I also know 'Hit the North'. I like all of this stuff so far.

What do I look into next (besides '50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong' - I'm an album oriented kinda person)??

I have to say that so am I an album oriented person and live pretty much by the saying that only little girls and grandparents buy greatest hits collections, but '50,000' is great collection. I knew of the Fall, knew some of their stuff, but I took a gamble and bought it, and was very pleased. Since they have so many albums, this gives you a nice overview so you can pick out perhaps a period that strikes you more than others. Don't overlook it just because its a "hits" collection.

When I asked this question they said Grotesque and they were not wrong.

But, if you liked Oranj you're bound to be a fan and so can start almost anywhere.

Others that stand out for me:

Dragnet
Hex Enduction Hour
This Nations Saving Grace
Real New Fall/Country on the Click

I started with 50,000, and I hate Greatest Hits collections. You can't go wrong with Hex Enduction Hour or This Nation's Saving Grace. The latter is a bit poppier, but both are great albums. I really would recommend 50,000, though.

I've never heard one note of The Fall and should probably rectify that soon.

Prolly.

No way. I've dipped my toes in several times, and I will not feel the least bit deprived if I never hear a note from this band again.

Good to know...

After I typed that, I did remember we diverge somewhat wildly on a few bands. So YMMV, of course.

I don't even like their cover of "Victoria". The Fall just strike me as more obnoxious--and not in a good way--than anything else.

See I think DJ would like them.

This is true, our congruence rate is probably about 50% or so.

I'd want to hear them anyway. I did the same thing with Trout Mask Replica, I knew by all acounts I would probably loathe it but after hearing so much about it, you just have to try it. Kind of like sticking your tongue to a frozen lamp post, which is only slightly less painful than listening to Trout Mask Replica.

I love the Fall but that cover bothers me.

I agree with those who suggest This Nations Saving Grace. The recently released Peel Sessions collection is excellent too.

perverted by language, add that to the list. i got my copy used for 5 dollars.

I try to only remember the good parts, so if that's 50%, that's better than most, because I have zero taste. Ricecake Fu.

With Trout Mask Replica, however, there are no good parts.

That's the first Captain Beefheart album i'd ever bought. Scratch that. Doc At the Radar Station was the first as a gift.

On the way to the Corcoran last Thursday I saw a blimp.
Captain Beefheart immediately came to mind.

I don't like people that don't like Trout Mask Replica.


You need to get Dragnet and Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall (original poster)

it took me about 6 months for 50,000 fans to click.

I'd say either This Nation's Saving Grace, or Bend Sinister. I like bend Sinister the most out of all the fall albums, but most people seem to love TNSG. You could always buy both.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I also already have 50,000 Fall Fans... and I can handle the disc in small doses. I just wanted to hear what people would recommend and then I'll dive in from there when it comes to the albums.

Thanks for all the help, now I know what I have to do today. Being able to listen to new music all day is the definitely upside of unemployment.

the Peel Box is totally worth ever penny. It's all I've really listened to for the past 2 months.

Just to throw in my .02:

My favorites are Grotesque and The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall.

Most people seem to recommend Hex Enduction Hour and This Nation's Saving Grace, but for whatever reason, I vastly prefer Grotesque to Hex (similar period) and TWAFWOTF to TNSG (also similar).

I've never been a big fan of any of their complete albums, probably for the same reason people are reporting liking "50,000 Fall Fans" in small doses. Each record has one or two tracks that I really like, and then a whole bunch of stuff that I find tedious and grating.

That siad, The Fall have released some of my favorite singles--"Hey Luciani", "Totally Wired", the entire Step Forward catalogue...

They released a singles comp, possibly called "How I Wrote Elastic Man", back in '88 or so, cashing in on the succes they had with Frenz Experiment and Curious Oranj (sp?). I believe it had all of their Rough Trade work--that might be worth checking out.

I'll also throw in a plug for Marc Riley & The Creepers. "Gross Out" might not appeal to many, but "Rock & Roll Licorice Flavor" and "Miserable Sinners" are two great records.

They released a 2-disc Rough Trade comp a few years ago called Totally Wired that contains that song, "New Face in Hell", and "How I Wrote Elastic Man" among others. I like it, but I prefer the albums, I think. Still if you're thinking about getting a comp, it's a great intro to their early period.

I agree that the Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall is better than This Nation's Saving Grace. I like it significantly more, I don't know that I'd say vastly as TNSG is pretty great too. Hex Enduction Hour is probably my fav though.