Dave Bush has put in the work in the reserves and has come off the bench to make the first team, so we have a stable line up of the group for album number fifteen and Bush makes his presence felt as The Fall embrace the modern age.
Parts of this album were recorded in my home of Glasgow, imagine meeting Mark for a pint, actually let’s not I would probably be very ill.
You do not expect church bells and electronic music to start a Fall album and Mark “wah wah’s” at the start and Craig Scanlon’s guitar matches him as he “wah wah’s” all over The Birmingham School of Business, glorious start.
Free Range is not only a great single by The Fall but by anyone, a good place to start for a Fall novice.
Time Enough At Last is not what people know The Fall for, Mark croons, sort of, a genuinely lovely song.
Everything Hurtz is a nice buzz along and Immortality is as techno as I have ever heard The Fall and then we arrive at the majesty of Two-Face! Where the genius of the rhythm section (why do Hanley and Wolstencroft not get more praise?) and Scanlon slashing away comes together as Smith weaves himself in an out. A Hank Williams cover follows with Just Waiting, yep honest, but nothing special.
Gentlemen’s Agreement is a gentle piano as Mark croons again before the band all come in. This is Craig Scanlon’s album, his guitar playing on this track and album is of the highest order, maybe he knew what was coming.
Married, 2 Kids with slide guitar is a lovely way to finish another fine Fall album, they are on a roll.
8/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: Two-Face!