Perverted by Language

{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Perverted by Language | type = studio | artist = The Fall | cover = Perverted by Language.jpg | alt = | released = 12 December 1983 | recorded = Pluto Studio, Manchester, England | venue = | studio = | genre = Post-punk | length = 47:04 | label = Rough Trade | producer = Steve Parker | prev_title = Fall in a Hole | prev_year = 1983 | next_title = The Wonderful and Frightening World Of... | next_year = 1984 }} '''''Perverted by Language''''' is the sixth studio album by the English post-punk group the Fall, released in December 1983 on Rough Trade Records.

The record gave the band their first number one album on the UK Independent Chart since ''Grotesque (After the Gramme)'' in 1980, and spent fourteen weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=The Fall |chapter-url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/f.htm |access-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605084555/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/f.htm |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Indie Hits 1980–1989: The Complete U.K. Independent Charts (Singles & Albums) |last=Lazell |first=Barry |publisher=Cherry Red Books |year=1997 |isbn=0-95172-069-4 |page=84}}</ref>

== Background == ''Perverted by Language'' is the first Fall album to feature Brix Smith, then-wife of Mark E. Smith.<ref name="Dayal">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/the-fall-best-albums-top-10-8096379/ |title=The 10 Best Albums by The Fall: Critic's Picks |magazine=Billboard |date=25 January 2018 |access-date=16 March 2018 |last=Dayal |first=Geeta}}</ref> However, the majority of the album was recorded before she had joined the band.

It was released in 1983 by Rough Trade in the UK and New Zealand (the latter being a cassette only version), Virgin Records in France, Megadisc in the Netherlands, Line Records in Germany, and Base Record in Italy. The album was the only full-length product of the band's renewed relationship with Rough Trade, whom they had previously left in 1981.

The band fell out with Rough Trade over Rough Trade turning all its resources to the Smiths, and also the full-length video the band wished to make for the album. The video ''Perverted by Language Bis'' went ahead funded by the group themselves and producers Ikon (Factory Records), with videos directed by Claude Bessy. The video was released on VHS in 1984 (a DVD edition was released by Cherry Red in 2003). By the time of the album and later the video's release, the group had signed to Beggars Banquet.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall |title-link=The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall |last1=Hanley |first1=Steve |author1-link=Steve Hanley (musician) |last2=Piekarski |first2=Olivia |publisher=Route Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-901927-58-0}}</ref>

==Content== The album opens with "Eat Y'self Fitter", described by a music critic as "an endlessly cycling rockabilly chug with extra keyboard oddities and sudden music-less exchanges for the chorus".<ref name="Raggett" /> John Peel picked the song as one of his ''Desert Island Discs''.<ref>{{cite episode |title=John Peel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00940m5 |access-date=25 January 2018 |series=Desert Island Discs |series-link=Desert Island Discs |station=BBC Radio 4 |date=14 January 1990}}</ref> Peel stated when he first heard the track – in a session the band recorded in March 1983 – he had fainted and that his producer, John Walters, had to resuscitate him.<ref name="McEwen">{{cite web |url=https://www.qthemusic.com/articles/mark-e-smith-1957-2018 |title=Mark E Smith 1957–2018 |website=Q |access-date=16 March 2018 |last=McEwen |first=Simon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316152446/https://www.qthemusic.com/articles/mark-e-smith-1957-2018 |archive-date=16 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> "Neighbourhood of Infinity" was seen by AllMusic's Ned Raggett as "a sequel of sorts to 'The Man Whose Head Expanded'". "Garden" features what ''Q'' magazine's Simon McEwen considered Mark E. Smith's "most oblique lyrics yet".<ref name="McEwen" /> Brix Smith, who was not yet a full-time group member, co-wrote and performs lead vocals on "Hotel Blöedel" (originally "One More Time for the Record", a song written for her band Banda Dratsing); the title was inspired by a night's stay in a Nuremberg hotel next door to an abattoir. It was the first Fall track to feature anyone other than Mark E. Smith on lead vocals.<ref name="Raggett" /><ref name="Edge">{{cite book |title=Paintwork: A Portrait of The Fall |last=Edge |first=Brian |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=1989 |isbn=0-7119-1740-X |pages=68–70}}</ref>

Side two opens with "Smile", which according to Raggett "shows the band's abilities at tense audio drama excellently", with "a relentless, steady build, winding up to a total explosion that never comes".<ref name="Raggett" /> "I Feel Voxish" has been described as Mark E. Smith's "sound experiment", "where he gets playful with meter and alliteration".<ref name="Ham">{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1731342/the-fall-albums-from-worst-to-best/ |title=The Fall Albums From Worst To Best |publisher=Stereogum |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=16 March 2018 |last=Ham |first=Robert}}</ref> "Tempo House" was taken from a video recording of the band's performance at The Haçienda in July 1983 as, according to Paul Hanley, the studio bass sound was disappointing.<ref>{{cite book |title=Leave the Capital: A History of Manchester Music in 13 Recordings |title-link=Leave the Capital |last=Hanley |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Hanley (musician) |publisher=Route Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-901927-71-9 |pages=175–176}}</ref> The album closes with "Hexen Definitive/Strife Knot", described as "almost a country (and western) stroll" and "one song that encapsulated The Fall's spirit".<ref name="Raggett" /><ref name="Edge" />

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Raggett">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/perverted-by-language-mw0000043072 |title=''Perverted by Language'' – The Fall |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=5 May 2015 |last=Raggett |first=Ned}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Christgau's Record Guide'' | rev2score = B−<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book |chapter=The Fall: ''Perverted by Language'' |chapter-url=https://robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=4762 |access-date=17 March 2013 |title=Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s |title-link=Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |publisher=Pantheon Books |year=1990 |isbn=0-679-73015-X |pages=144–145}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Classic Rock'' | rev3score = 7/10<ref name="Johnston">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/the-fall-reissues-album-review |title=The Fall – Reissues album review |website=Classic Rock |date=28 April 2017 |access-date=16 March 2018 |last=Johnston |first=Emma}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Mojo'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Rebellious Jukebox |magazine=Mojo |issue=275 |date=October 2016 |last=Harrison |first=Ian |pages=62–67}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Record Mirror'' | rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Strike">{{cite magazine |title=The Fall: ''Perverted by Language'' |magazine=Record Mirror |date=21 January 1984 |last=Strike |first=Andy |page=17}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book |chapter=The Fall |last=Gross |first=Joe |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor1-link=Nathan Brackett |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |editor2-link=Christian Hoard |publisher=Simon & Schuster |edition=4th |year=2004 |isbn=0-7432-0169-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/292 292–295]}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Smash Hits'' | rev7score = 8/10<ref name="Sheaff">{{cite magazine |title=The Fall: ''Perverted by Language'' |magazine=Smash Hits |volume=6 |issue=1 |date=5–18 January 1984 |last=Sheaff |first=Claire |page=16}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Sounds'' | rev8score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="McCullough">{{cite magazine |title=Speech defects |magazine=Sounds |date=December 1983 |last=McCullough |first=David}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Spin Alternative Record Guide'' | rev9score = 9/10<ref name="Rubin">{{cite book |chapter=Fall |last=Rubin |first=Mike |title=Spin Alternative Record Guide |title-link=Spin Alternative Record Guide |editor1-last=Weisbard |editor1-first=Eric |editor1-link=Eric Weisbard |editor2-last=Marks |editor2-first=Craig |publisher=Vintage Books |year=1995 |isbn=0-679-75574-8 |pages=142–144}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Fall: ''Perverted by Language'' |magazine=Uncut |page=124 |quote=[I]t contains the band's superior sixth Peel Session...}}</ref> }}

Reviewing ''Perverted by Language'', Robert Christgau commented on "side-openers that go on so long you don't really notice your attention flagging as their momentum gives way to, well, poetry readings – roughly accompanied, as usual".<ref name="Christgau" /> The ''NME''{{'}}s Jim Shelley saw it as the Fall "plodding on, going nowhere, making do", although he described "Smile" as "one of the great Fall moments... where the notorious Fall-as-an-idea is driven into reality".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Words: Fall on Stony Ground |magazine=NME |date=10 December 1983 |last=Shelley |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Shelley (TV critic) |page=29}}</ref> David McCullough, writing in ''Sounds'', panned the album as "overall laborious and very dull indeed".<ref name="McCullough" /> Andy Strike of ''Record Mirror'' deemed it "as uncompromising as ever", but also lacking in material that matches "the heights of ''Slates'' or the more inspired moments on ''Room to Live''".<ref name="Strike" /> A favourable review came from ''Smash Hits'', whose critic Claire Sheaff described ''Perverted by Language'' as "the record for all times and places".<ref name="Sheaff" />

Brian Edge, in his book ''Paintwork: A Portrait of The Fall'', considered that the album demonstrated Mark E. Smith's "ability to use words as blunt instruments, as opposed to painterly devices or catchphrases".<ref name="Edge" /> AllMusic reviewer Ned Raggett called it "another fine album".<ref name="Raggett" /> ''Trouser Press'' saw it as a preparation for the albums that followed, stating that "they chug away with more conviction than ever".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/fall |title=Fall |website=Trouser Press |access-date=16 March 2018 |last1=Azerrad |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Azerrad |last2=Wolk |first2=Douglas |author2-link=Douglas Wolk |last3=Pattyn |first3=Jay}}</ref> ''Classic Rock''{{'}}s Emma Johnston stated that it "finds them in a playful mood as guitarist Brix Smith makes her debut. As they dip their toes into krautrock and even wonky psychedelia, it marks another new chapter in their evolution."<ref name="Johnston" /> In his book ''The Secret History of Rock'', Roni Sarig viewed the album as the band taking "a distinct turn toward a more accessible, pop-oriented sound".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Secret History of Rock: The Most Influential Bands You've Never Heard |last=Sarig |first=Roni |publisher=Billboard Books |year=1998 |isbn=0-8230-7669-5 |page=211}}</ref> Mike Rubin, writing in the ''Spin Alternative Record Guide'', praised it as an "excellent" album that "helped shift the Fall from droning, atonal minimalism to droning, atonal melodicism".<ref name="Rubin" /> Robert Ham of ''Stereogum'' saw it as a return to form after ''Room to Live'', calling it "another near-masterpiece", and commenting on how Steve Hanley's bass lines drive the album.<ref name="Ham" /> Marc Savlov, reviewing the reissued album in 2002 for ''The Austin Chronicle'', was less receptive, saying that while it "feels like an honest-to-goodness Fall album", "when you're dealing with one of the UK's greatest musical eccentrics, finding any early material that doesn't immediately make your ears take cover behind the davenport really ought to be noted in the 'plus' column".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2002-12-13/115004/ |title=The Fall |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |date=13 December 2002 |access-date=16 March 2018 |last=Savlov |first=Marc}}</ref>

In 2002, ''Pitchfork'' listed ''Perverted by Language'' as the 82nd best album of the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-top-100-albums-of-the-1980s/?page=2 |title=The Top 100 Albums of the 1980s |website=Pitchfork |date=21 November 2002 |access-date=20 December 2021 |page=2}}</ref> In ''Billboard''{{'}}s 2018 list "The 10 Best Albums by The Fall: Critic's Picks", ''Perverted by Language'' was included at number seven.<ref name="Dayal" />

== Track listing == <small>*Note: writing credits as per original vinyl editions.</small> {{track listing | headline = Side A | title1 = Eat Y'self Fitter | writer1 = Mark E. Smith<ref group="n">Alternatively credited on all the CD editions to: M. Smith, S. Hanley</ref> | length1 = 6:38 | title2 = Neighbourhood of Infinity | writer2 = M. Smith, Karl Burns, Steve Hanley, Paul Hanley, Craig Scanlon | length2 = 2:41 | title3 = Garden | writer3 = M. Smith, Scanlon <ref group="n">Alternatively credited on all the CD editions to: M. Smith, Burns, Scanlon, P. Hanley, S. Hanley</ref> | length3 = 8:42 | title4 = Hotel Blöedel | writer4 = M. Smith, S. Hanley, Brix Smith<ref group="n">Alternatively credited on all the CD editions to: M. Smith, S. Hanley</ref> | length4 = 3:47 }} {{track listing | headline = Side B | title5 = Smile | writer5 = M. Smith, Scanlon <ref group="n">Alternatively credited on all the CD editions to: M. Smith, Scanlon, Burns, S. Hanley, P. Hanley</ref> | length5 = 5:06 | title6 = I Feel Voxish | writer6 = M. Smith, Marc Riley, S. Hanley | length6 = 4:19 | title7 = Tempo House | note7 = recorded live at The Haçienda, Manchester in July 1983 | writer7 = M. Smith, S. Hanley | length7 = 8:51 | title8 = Hexen Definitive/Strife Knot | writer8 = M. Smith, Burns, Adrian Niman, Scanlon <ref group="n">Alternatively credited on all the CD editions to: M. Smith, Scanlon, Burns</ref> | length8 = 6:57 | total_length =47:04 }} {{track listing | headline = 1998 & 2005 Castle CD bonus tracks | title9 = The Man Whose Head Expanded | note9 = single A-side, 1983 | writer9 = M. Smith, Scanlon, S. Hanley <ref group="n">Alternatively credited on original single release to: M. Smith, Scanlon, S. Hanley, Sol Seaburg</ref> | length9 = 4:19 | title10 = Ludd Gang | note10 = single B-side | writer10 = M. Smith, Scanlon, S. Hanley, P. Hanley, Burns | length10 = 2:31 | title11 = Kicker Conspiracy | note11 = single A-side, 1983 | writer11 = M. Smith | length11 = 4:18 | title12 = Wings | note12 = single B-side | writer12 = M. Smith, S. Hanley, P. Hanley | length12 = 4:25 | title13 = Pilsner Trail | note13 = studio outtake | writer13 = M. Smith, Scanlon, Burns <ref group="n">Alternatively credited on the 1998 CD edition to: The Fall, and on the ''Levitate'' bonus disc to: M. Smith, S. Hanley</ref> | length13 = 4:49 | total_length =67:44 }} * On the 1998 reissue, bonus tracks 9–12 were placed prior to the album tracks, as they were released before the album. Track 13, a studio outtake from the album sessions, was placed after the album tracks. The 1998 edition has been remixed and a vocal part has been removed from "Garden".<ref name="Fallonline">{{cite web |url=https://thefall.org/discography/data/album07.html |title=''Perverted By Language'' |website=The Fall Online |access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

{{track listing | headline = 2005 Castle bonus disc | title1 = Smile | note1 = Peel Session, March 1983 | writer1 = M. Smith, Burns, Scanlon, P. Hanley, S. Hanley | length1 = 5:11 | title2 = Garden | note2 = Peel Session, March 1983 | writer2 = M. Smith, Burns, Scanlon, P. Hanley, S. Hanley | length2 = 10:00 | title3 = Hexen Definitive / Strife Knot | note3 = Peel Session, March 1983 | writer3 = M. Smith, Scanlon, Burns | length3 = 9:07 | title4 = Eat Y'Self Fitter | note4 = Peel Session, March 1983 | writer4 = M. Smith, S. Hanley | length4 = 7:01 | title5 = Garden | note5 = 1998 remix | writer5 = M. Smith, Burns, Scanlon, P. Hanley, S. Hanley | length5 = 8:42 | title6 = Neighbourhood of Infinity | note6 = live at Alabama-Halle, Munich, 4 April 1984 | writer6 = M. Smith, Burns, S. Hanley, P. Hanley, Scanlon | length6 = 3:07 | title7 = Smile | note7 = live at White Columns, New York 4 May 1983 | writer7 = M. Smith, Burns, S. Hanley, P. Hanley, Scanlon | length7 = 5:39 | title8 = Tempo House | note8 = live at White Columns, New York 4 May 1983 | writer8 = M. Smith, S. Hanley | length8 = 7:17 | title9 = Perverted by Language | note9 = live at the Electric Ballroom, London 8 December 1983 | writer9 = M. Smith | length9 = 1:34 | title10 = Wings | note10 = live at the Hammersmith Palais, London 25 March 1982 | writer10 = M. Smith, S. Hanley, P. Hanley | length10 = 3:35 | title11 = Backdrop | note11 = live at the Concorde, Brighton 27 October 1983 | writer11 = The Fall | length11 = 11:11 | total_length = 72:55 }} * "Neighbourhood of Infinity" was previously released on the 1987 ''Palace of Swords Reversed'' compilation, and "Smile" and "Tempo House" were previously released on the 1989 ''Speed Trials'' various artists compilation.<ref name="Fallonline" />

== Personnel == thumb|right|''Perverted by Language'' tour, Hamburg, April 1984 ;The Fall * Mark E. Smith – vocals, electric piano, violin on "Hotel Blöedel", keyboards on "Tempo House," guitar * Steve Hanley – bass guitar, backing vocals on "Eat Y'Self Fitter" * Paul Hanley – drums, keyboards, backing vocals on "Eat Y'Self Fitter" * Craig Scanlon – guitar, backing vocals on "Eat Y'Self Fitter" and "Tempo House" * Karl Burns – drums, percussion, bass guitar, backing vocals on "Eat Y'Self Fitter" * Brix Smith – guitar and lead vocals on "Hotel Blöedel", backing vocals on "Eat Y'Self Fitter", guitar on "Neighbourhood of Infinity" (live)

;Additional personnel * Marc Riley – guitar on "Wings" (live)

;Technical

* Steve Parker – production * Heather Hanley – recording of "Tempo House" * Oz McCormick – recording of "Tempo House" * Claus Castenskiold – cover artwork * Mark E. Smith – co-production on "The Man Whose Head Expanded", "Ludd Gang", "Kicker Conspiracy" and "Wings" * John Porter – production on Peel Sessions * Dave Dade – engineering on Peel Sessions

== Notes == {{Reflist|2|group=n}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Discogs master|39008|type=album}}

{{The Fall}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1983 albums Category:The Fall (band) albums Category:Rough Trade Records albums