Following the success of 2025’s first Singles Live compilation, Popstock Records present The Fall: Singles Live Vol. Two 1980-83 in association with Bella Union. Commenting on the release Paul Hanley says: “In marked contrast to Singles Vol. One this compilation showcases an altogether more stable line-up – the one that recorded Hex Enduction Hour to be precise, notwithstanding some to-ing and fro-ing on the kit between me and Karl. As with previous releases, there are some revelatory versions here, and the mastering is a wonder to behold, or whatever the aural equivalent of ‘behold’ is. The earliest, ‘Putta Block’, from May 1980 was recorded at the Beach Club, a short-lived Manchester venue that also saw New Order’s debut gig. The latest, ‘Ludd Gang’, comes…
Tag Archive: The Fall
…features the original album as well as sessions, B-sides, a live show from the time and a complete disc of demos from Chapel Studios.
Having exorcised enough bile for two bands on their rickety release Interim, The Fall loosen up their attitude, tighten up their delivery, and squeeze out a rocking album that relies heavily on its highlights. Fortunately, there’s plenty, most hitting with the thwack of the “Sparta FC” single or the Light User Syndrome album. “Pacifying Joint” is a punchy exercise in hooks and sheen, “What About Us” is snide Mancabilly of the highest order, and “Blindness” hypnotizes and chugs its way into the Top 25 original Fall tracks ever. Flashiest of the lot has to be a soaring cover of the Move’s hippy anthem “I Can Hear the Grass Grow,”…
For The Unutterable, Mark E. Smith settled in with the (mostly) new lineup that debuted on 1999’s The Marshall Suite and recorded yet another gorgeous, rambunctious, only occasionally scrutable masterpiece. Though it’s not overly chocked with new ideas (especially for those already well-versed in the Fall canon), The Unutterable benefits from excellent songwriting and the crisp production of soundman extraordinaire Grant Showbiz, on loan from Billy Bragg.
The far-too-short opener “Cyber Insekt” immediately launches the listener into a dense, chaotic sound world that’s only amplified throughout the album. The heavy rockabilly guitars and pummeling drums heard on The Marshall Suite are practically overwhelmed…
While much of The Fall’s formidable ’70s and ’80s back catalog has been reissued in recent years following Mark E. Smith’s death in 2018 at the age of 60 and the earlier reissue campaign by Superior Viaduct of their 1979 to 1983 material, here is an often-overlooked piece of Fall history that has finally gotten the reissue treatment. A half-studio, half-live curio often overshadowed by their more well-known studio albums, it’s aged far better than it has any right to, especially given that Smith often dismissed this period as a commercial and comprised vision, leading him to retreat into slightly more experimental and abrasive territory in much of the ’90s and beyond.
All that said, side A is composed of studio tracks recorded in 1989, the most well-known…
…contains singles, demos as well as a BBC session and three live shows from the era. Compiled in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton.
A mixture of lackluster performances and songs filled with vigor and fury, Middle Class Revolt is a puzzling proposition from The Fall.
After two opening tracks that seem ready to convince worried fans that Smith couldn’t care less (“15 Ways” and “Reckoning”) there follows the poppish “Behind the Counter” and their devilish cover of Henry Cow’s “War,” with Smith making up half the lyrics.
Other highlights include the furious “Hey! Student” (a rewrite of a 1977 tune, “Hey! Fascist”), and yet another Monks cover: “Shut Up!” All find Smith in fine form, impassioned and deeply sarcastic.