Levitate
The Fall · 1997
49 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic blend of post-punk experimentation and sardonic lyricism wrapped in The Fall's signature abrasive sound.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Ten Houses of Eve — This track sets the tone for the album with its driving rhythm and sharp commentary on modern life, featuring Smith's distinct vocal style that blends cynicism with urgency.
-
→
Hurricane Edward — With its layered instrumentation and narrative-driven lyrics, this track exemplifies The Fall's ability to weave storytelling into their music while maintaining an experimental edge.
-
→
I Come and Stand at Your Door — This song showcases Smith’s lyrical prowess through its haunting melody and introspective themes, encapsulating the stark vulnerability often found in his writing.
-
→
Levitate — The title track encapsulates the album’s essence with its hypnotic beat and abstract lyrics, illustrating The Fall's unique approach to structure and rhythm.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Levitate showcases The Fall's chaotic sound and unique lyricism, maintaining distinctiveness within their discography.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm in 'Ten Houses of Eve' that sets a frenetic pace, which is maintained through the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts and dissonant guitar riffs, creating a sense of chaos that reflects the band's post-punk roots.
- Lyrically, Mark E. Smith employs a stream-of-consciousness style, often layering multiple vocal lines over each other, enhancing the album's abrasive sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- eccentric lyrics for curious minds
- dynamic progression through tracks
- short bursts of playful energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Levitate marked The Fall's 18th studio album, showcasing a continued evolution in Mark E. Smith's songwriting after the band's lineup changes during the mid-90s. This album came after the commercially disappointing previous release, The Light User Syndrome, positioning it as a pivotal moment for the band to reclaim their experimental edge.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wire· Gang of Four· The Birthday Party
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ten Houses of Eve 3:39
- 2 Masquerade 3:58
- 3 Hurricane Edward 5:52
- 4 I’m a Mummy 2:37
- 5 The Quartet of Doc Shanley 3:13
- 6 Jap Kid 3:03
- 7 4½ Inch 3:56
- 8 Spencer Must Die 3:59
- 9 Jungle Rock 3:10
- 10 Ol’ Gang 3:59
- 11 Tragic Days 1:29
- 12 I Come and Stand at Your Door 3:31
- 13 Levitate 2:49
- 14 Everybody but Myself 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.