For all his awkwardness Mark likes a bit of tradition as he clearly enjoys being married, the divorce bit can be awkward (I may write about mine one day, it will be titled Britain’s most twisted man). We have the third Mrs Smith by the time this record is released, and Eleni Poulou has also joined the band, of course she has. Oh, and Spencer Birtwistle had only lasted one album with a new drummer Dave Milner now behind the kit.
Country on the Click was already to go when an early mix was released on the internet prompting the band to remix and re-record parts of the record and a new name The Real New Fall LP.
This is twelve taut tracks, and we have the electronics and buzz of the guitar as the band over the first four songs produce a stunning start, remember this is their twenty fourth record. Mountain Energei Mark is clear and concise over a hypnotic keyboard riff. On the last review for The Fall I told you if slightly interested in The Fall to avoid a song (Ibis-Afro Man is crap) well if you want tempted go with Theme From Sparta FC, it has a riff to die for (you may know it from the BBC Final Score) and a great shout along chorus. Worth the admission alone. Contraflow is rabid, industrial and Mark is an angry man.
Open The Boxoctosis has the chant of “Open the God Damned Box” refrain throughout on a catchy choppy number.
Janet, Johnny + James is reflective with a distorted country style guitar, a nice enjoyable contrast and The Past has a childlike keyboard sound and what sounds like an alarm going off in the background before we have a cover of Lee Hazelwood’s Houston that could appear on a 70’s cheap Country record, but it has a certain charm. Relentless drums dominate Mike’s Love Xexagon.
In recent times Fall albums have ended with some throwaway studio recorded nonsense but this ends strongly with Proteinprotection, a thunderous start and Recovery Kit you would think Funky Si was back on drums (Dave Milner displaying his talent) where the band and Smith blend electronics and traditional instruments to pronounced effect.
This five a side team have played a blinder and scored a late winner here. Back in the Premier League.
9/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: Theme From Sparta F.C.
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