Fall hold on

Press, 14 March 1985, Page 10

Fall hold on

THE FALL "The Wonderful And Frightening World of ... ” (Beggars Banquet BegasB.). In spite of what advance reports suggested, “The Wonderful And Frightening World Of ... The Fall” is no sellout, compromise, or jumble into “Pop City” from this most independent of bands.

All they have done, aided by new producer, John Leckie, is given their usual blustery noise a sharper focus. The acid tongue and wit of Mark E. Smith remains, however, the true soul of the band.

It really is a unenviable position The Fall have ended up in, as (almost) sole flag-wavers for the principles of punk-rock, 1977style.

Tirelessly championed, as they say, by the rock press as the only alternative to the chart pap trap, Smith and his band have been put on a pedestal from which they can only fall.

The introduction of Brixe Smith (wife of Mark) into the line-up, for instance, was seen by many as the first step on the way to the dreaded sell-out.

Happily, Mrs Smith has added a meloic touch to The Fall without altering the band’s usual grumpy demeanour.

Musically, they seem to

be moving closer to a sort of R/’n’/B feel, the band working on a riff while Smith intones the lyrics. Actual songs, such as “Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul” do not feature much here.

“Lay Of the Land” is a good, thrashy intro to the LP, with a last minute or so of pure do-it-yourself geninus, courtesy of the guitarists, Craig Scanlon and Brix Smith, and the great Karl Burns on drums.

“Bug Day” is Smith’s creepy ode to — quote — “Nip Insect Glorification,” and “Stephen Song” is “brilliant, bouyant pop song — bubblegum, Fall-style.” “2 by 4” and “Copped It” both power along in similar staccato fashion, but neither of these songs is as memorable as “Elves,” three chords of total awe.

The big surprise is the inclusion of the 45 "C.R.E.E.P.” which took me completely by surprise. This is the most accessible Fall song ever, and it is great! But the song is not credited on the record sleeve. Overall, the sound of the Fall is still untamed, but with “The Wonderful And Frightening World,” the band have taken the first steps towards changing the “cult hero” image into something better — definitely no sell out yet. - TONY GREEN.