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Rebounding from the departure of his ex-wife/guitarist Brix, Mark E. Smith lets his venom start flowing again, and experiments with acid house and garage rock.
It's a testament to The Fall's unparalleled versatility that they could come to (sort of) fame as harsh post-punks, yet still release such an accomplished, enjoyable dance pop record...without compromising their integrity or their worldview. (BTW, the first song is "Sing! Harpy!," not Sing Happy.) I'm glad to see that the other comments here agree with me that, out of around 100 releases, this is among the small handful of the very best.
I'm so surprised to see others really love this album. I've always thought people viewed it as too 'poppy'. Which, in Fall-world is far from what most would consider pop. And like most have said, Bill is Dead is just incredible. Solid through and through, it ranks a close second to the band's masterpiece, This Nation's Saving Grace. (imo)
I am always torn between this album and "Live at the Witch trials" when it comes to my fave Fall album.. both works of genius but hardly seem they are from the same band.
While "Grotesque" or "This Nations Saving Grace" may be better introductions to The Fall's signature sound, this album is a great example of the awesome range of this band (or at least this version of it). Along with the standard garage thrashers, there's also glam stomp, dance-punk and even some rockabilly, coloured with violin and flute. The original 10 tracks (6,7,12,14 are bonus B-sides) include the beautiful ballad 'Bill Is Dead', a possible consession to the contemporanious Madchester scene in 'Telephone Thing' and the closer 'And Therein' which is reminicent of Lindsey Buckingham's "National Lampoon's Vactaion" theme (!). 'Sing, Harpy' and 'Black Monk Theme' were inspired by Mark E. Smith's divorce, but despite (or perhaps becasue of) this, the mood of the album is generally upbeat, making this one of the most accessible and rewarding Fall albums.
you're not in the minority. This has remained my favorite Fall album. The longing in Bill Is Dead is incredible--it's always great when M.E. Smith comes up sincere, and Sing! Harpy, Hilary and Chicago, Now are great as well.
and also the first Fall CD I purchased. I don't know why this album compels me so, but I do enjoy the variety of the tracks. "Bill is Dead" sounds like a movie soundtrack and "Littlest Rebel" is just awesome. Combine this with the LPs "A Sides" and "Palace of Swords Reversed" and you've got a nice start to a collection of essential music.
another one of my favourite Fall albums. I think I'm in the minority.
Roughly 75 people have been members of the Fall over the last three decades or so, but only one of them has been in every lineup: inimitable vocalist/lyricist/ranter Mark E. Smith, whose singular and monomaniacal vision drives the band. Smith's a bristling, hyperliterate, deeply eccentric presence, with a thick Manchester accent and a permanent scowl directed at a world that can't keep up with him; he's also got an ear for a riff like nobody's… more »
