Hex Enduction Hour is the seventh studio album by the English post‑punk band The Fall. It was released on 30 April 1982 in the United Kingdom by the independent label Rough Trade Records. The album is widely regarded as a defining work in the band’s extensive discography and has been cited by critics as one of their most influential releases.
Background and Recording
- Recording sessions took place during late 1981 and early 1982 at two locations:
- Cargo Studios in Rochdale, England.
- The Windmill, a rehearsal space in Wigan, England.
- Production credits are shared between The Fall and John Leckie, who had previously worked with the group on earlier recordings.
- The lineup for the album consisted of:
- Mark E. Smith – vocals, occasional keyboards
- Brix (Martin Bramah) – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Craig Scanlon – guitar
- Steve Hanley – bass guitar
- Karl Burns – drums, percussion
- Paul Hanley – drums (on selected tracks)
Musical Style and Themes
The album combines repetitive, angular guitar riffs with Smith’s distinctive spoken‑word vocal style. Lyrically, it explores urban decay, personal disaffection, and surreal, colloquial imagery. Musically, the work reflects the band’s post‑punk roots while incorporating elements of garage rock and experimental noise.
Track Listing
All tracks are written by members of The Fall unless otherwise noted.
- “The Classical” – 1:50
- “Hip Priest” – 4:21
- “Intro to a Second Intention” – 3:40
- “Sackpity” – 3:36
- “Obstinate Chick” – 4:04
- “Dead Beat” – 4:52
- “Bunce” – 2:10
- “Frightened Ink” – 3:30
- “S. P. R.” – 3:31
- “Adrienne” – 5:49
- “The Long and the Short” – 4:45
- “Moby Dick” – 3:41
Note: The original LP and subsequent CD reissues maintain the same sequence; some later editions include bonus tracks from the same recording period.
Release and Reception
- The original 12‑inch vinyl was issued in both standard and limited‑edition colored‑vinyl formats.
- Chart performance: The album entered the UK Indie Chart, peaking at number 14.
- Critical response: Contemporary reviews highlighted the album’s raw intensity and Smith’s idiosyncratic lyricism. Retrospective evaluations have frequently placed Hex Enduction Hour in the upper tier of The Fall’s output; for example, AllMusic awarded the release a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as “a masterclass in abrasive, compelling post‑punk.”
Legacy
Hex Enduction Hour is frequently referenced in scholarly discussions of British post‑punk and has appeared on several “greatest albums” lists, including:
- NME: Ranked among the top 100 albums of the 1980s (specific position varies by list).
- The Guardian: Cited in a 2015 feature on essential post‑punk records.
The album’s experimental approach has been noted as an influence on later alternative and noise‑rock acts.
Reissues
- 1990s CD reissue – Remastered audio, original track order, no bonus material.
- 2005 deluxe edition – Included a second disc with contemporaneous live recordings and demo tracks from the Hex sessions.
- 2022 vinyl re‑press – Issued as a 180‑gram black vinyl with updated sleeve notes.
References
- Rough Trade Records catalog (catalogue number: RTT 074).
- Liner notes from the 2005 deluxe CD reissue (The Fall, Hex Enduction Hour).
- Contemporary reviews in NME (May 1982) and Melody Maker (June 1982).
- AllMusic entry for Hex Enduction Hour (accessed July 2026).
All information presented is derived from verifiable published sources; where details remain unconfirmed, such gaps are noted accordingly.
