"Live at the Witch Trials" is the debut album by British post-punk band The Fall. Released in 1979, it introduced the world to the unique and idiosyncratic sound of The Fall that would define their career. The album is known for its raw energy and abrasive musical style. The band's leader and only constant member, Mark E. Smith, delivers his cryptic and often nonsensical lyrics with a snarling intensity. The album's title itself is a nod to the band's confrontational nature and their rejection of mainstream norms.
The album's title itself is a nod to the band's confrontational nature and their rejection of mainstream norms. Musically, "Live at the Witch Trials" is characterized by its jagged guitar riffs and driving rhythms. The songs are often short and chaotic, with abrupt changes in tempo and structure.
The Fall
The first full-length album of The Fall, Live At The Witch Trials, is not actually a live album. Emerging out of a two-day studio session at Camden Sound in North West London during a sickly December of 1978, Witch Trials amounts to the sinister foundation of the band's diverse sound. Every song explores drastically different styles and wild terrain, leaving much to decipher over its eleven tracks.
TRACK LISTING
CD:
Disc: 1
1. Frightened
2. Crap Rap 2/Like To Blow
3. Rebellious Jukebox
4. No Xmas For John Quays
5. Mother-Sister!
6. Industrial Estate
7. Underground Medecin
8. Two Steps Back
9. Live At The Witch Trials
10. Futures And Pasts
11. Music Scene
Disc: 2
1. Bingo Master's Break-Out!
2. Psycho Mafia
3. Repetition
4. It's The New Thing
5. Various Times (Extended Version)
6. Dresden Dolls (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
7. Psycho Mafia (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
8. Industrial Estate (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
9. Stepping Out (Live From Short Circuit: Live At The Electric Circus)
10. Last Orders (Live From Short Circuit: Live At The Electric Circus)
11. Rebellious Jukebox (John Peel Session)
12. Mother - Sister! (John Peel Session)
13. Industrial Estate (John Peel Session)
14. Futures And Pasts (John Peel Session)
15. Put Away (John Peel Session)
16. Mess Of My (John Peel Session)
17. No Xmas For John Key (John Peel Session)
18. Like To Blow (John Peel Session)
Disc: 3
1. Like To Blow (Live 1978)
2. Stepping Out (Live 1978)
3. Two Steps Back (Live 1978)
4. Mess Of My (Live 1978)
5. It's The New Thing (Live 1978)
6. Various Times (Live 1978)
7. Bingo-Master's Break-Out! (Live 1978)
8. Frightened (Live 1978)
9. Industrial Estate (Live 1978)
10. Psycho Mafia (Live 1978)
11. Music Scene (Live 1978)
12. Mother-Sister! (Live 1978)
This experimental approach, combined with Smith's distinctive vocal delivery, gave The Fall a sound that was unlike anything else at the time. Lyrically, the album is filled with surreal and opaque imagery. Smith's lyrics are often difficult to decipher and defy traditional interpretation. Instead, they evoke a sense of paranoia and unease, capturing the bleakness of post-industrial England. Songs like "Rebellious Jukebox" and "Futures and Pasts" are prime examples of Smith's poetic and enigmatic style. "Live at the Witch Trials" was not a commercial success upon its release, but it garnered critical acclaim and established The Fall as a force to be reckoned with in the burgeoning post-punk scene. The album's influence can be heard in the work of numerous bands that followed, from Sonic Youth to Pavement. In conclusion, "Live at the Witch Trials" is a landmark album that captures the raw energy and uncompromising vision of The Fall. It remains a crucial part of the band's discography and a testament to their enduring impact on the alternative music landscape..
Reviews for "Live at the Witch Trials: The Fall's Ode to the Outsiders and Misfits of Society"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really excited to listen to "Live at the Witch Trials" by The Fall after hearing so many good things about the band. However, I was left feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. The album lacked cohesive structure and the songs felt disjointed. The vocals were sometimes difficult to understand and the instrumentation seemed messy. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the music and I was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 1 star
I cannot fathom the hype surrounding "Live at the Witch Trials" by The Fall. This album was a complete mess. The songs lacked any sort of melody or memorable hooks and instead just seemed like a random mishmash of sounds. The production was subpar and the quality of the recording was poor. I found myself skipping through each track, hoping to find something that would redeem the album, but there was nothing. It felt like a waste of my time and I will definitely not be revisiting this album.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Live at the Witch Trials" by The Fall, but it fell short of my expectations. The vocals were grating and hard to listen to, and the lyrics lacked depth or meaning. The instrumentation felt repetitive and the overall sound of the album became monotonous after a few tracks. I appreciate experimental music, but this album just didn't resonate with me. I found it difficult to enjoy and it ended up being a forgettable listening experience.