Totale's Turns
43 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic blend of punk energy and experimental soundscapes punctuated by Mark E. Smith's sardonic vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fiery Jack — With its driving rhythm and sharp lyricism, Fiery Jack epitomizes the band's raw energy and satirical edge, making it a highlight of the album.
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Rowche Rumble — This track showcases the band’s unique ability to blend narrative storytelling with an infectious riff, encapsulating their innovative punk ethos.
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No Xmas for John Quays — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it exemplifies The Fall's experimental approach, featuring repetitive motifs that build an intense atmosphere.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's chaotic energy and experimental approach make it a distinctive entry in the post-punk genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental track that sets a chaotic tone before launching into high-energy songs with rapid tempo changes.
- Many tracks feature abrupt transitions, often cutting off at unexpected moments, which contributes to the overall sense of disarray.
- Mark E. Smith's vocal delivery is often conversational and sardonic, with lyrics that feel more like stream-of-consciousness than traditional songwriting.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing standard verse-chorus formats in favor of more experimental arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic progression with peaks
- raw energy for active listening
- unexpected twists in song structure
- short bursts of intensity
- engaging narrative through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer predictable song formats
- seek smooth, consistent flows
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1980, Totale's Turns is The Fall's third studio album, following their breakthrough record Grotesque (After the Gramme). At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation for a distinctive sound that merged post-punk with avant-garde elements, reflecting their ongoing evolution under Smith's leadership.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wire· Gang of Four· The Birthday Party
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 0:45
- 2 Fiery Jack 4:27
- 3 Rowche Rumble 4:48
- 4 Muzorewi’s Daughter 3:44
- 5 In My Area 4:32
- 6 Choc-Stock 2:33
- 7 Spector vs. Rector 2 5:52
- 8 Cary Grant’s Wedding 3:37
- 9 That Man 1:43
- 10 New Puritan 3:21
- 11 No Xmas for John Quays 7:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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