The Fall: Singles 1978-2016 review – from angular post-punk oddities to alt national treasures

(Cherry Red)

Although the Fall’s formidable reputation was built on classic albums such as This Nation’s Saving Grace, this exhaustive compilation traces their slightly lesser-heralded prowess as a singles group. Over 38 years, seven CDs, 51 A-sides and 66 B-sides, the group make dizzying progress, from angular Salford post-punk oddities to alt national treasures. A multitude of lineups hurtle through northern rockabilly (Fiery Jack), hypnotic repetitive mantras (Living Too Late), Brix Smith-era big riffs and tunes (Cruiser’s Creek), indie disco floor-fillers (Hit the North), chart hits (Kinks’ cover Victoria) and even a song that ended up in a car advert (Touch Sensitive). The constant presence, of course, is singer Mark E Smith, whose off-kilter, vinegary, sometimes eerily prescient worldview (such as in anticipatory football song Kicker Conspiracy) and barked, obtuse comments (“Turn that bloody blimey space invader off!”) propels the music forward. There’s a dip in overall quality in the last decade or so, but 2010’s Bury! is among their best.

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from Music | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2o5wLRR

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