2017 - New Facts Emerge

22 April: Single - Masquerade
28 July: Album - New Facts Emerge

"It might become a whirlwind"

Let's not think of this as the end. Instead let's call it another stop on the Circle Line of the Fall catalogue.

We start with a single for Record Store Day. A re-mastered Masquerade (two versions of the song) was issued as a limited edition seven inch and has featured enough over the last 20 years to be passed over here in favour of the album.

Eleni has departed so we're left with Smith, Greenway, Spurr and Melling, the Fall now a quartet for the first time since the early 90s. On the whole I prefer my Fall with a bit of keyboard but there's no doubt that some of this record absolutely rocks.

We begin with the 30 second Segue. MES 'sings' and mumbles 'fol de rol' into a dictaphone and hits things with a stick by the sound of it. Which interestingly (although we can't hear him) is where the album ends. Coincidence? Does the album segue into itself if you play it on repeat? Am I over-thinking this?

Fol de Rol follows and batters its rock riff deep into you (or maybe Rocket from the Crypt's On a Rope riff) as MES growls and shouts who can be sure what. This track, as with much of the album is not to be listened to with a headache. While still having a pounding drum backing Brillo de Facto is a bit more restrained, at least until the fun punky thrash of the last minute or so.

Victoria Train Station Massacre (about architectural 'improvements' if you were wondering) is essentially a minute and a bit intro to the uncompromising rock stomp New Facts Emerge. Can you think of any other songwriter/musician who is/was still writing and performing with such energy and anger after a 40 year career? It's remarkable, even before you factor in his health situation, and brilliant.

I find the first couple of minutes of Couples vs Jobless Mid 30s a bit of a struggle and the whole thing's a bit weird to be honest. It's one I can't take to. Second House Now has a rockabilly intro before another strong riff kicks in but this isn't a track that sticks with me. Half an hour after listening I can't really remember how it goes.

It would be fair to say that Smith's voice is at its most unintelligible on the album and probably not more so than in O! ZZTRRK Man. The riff is borrowed from Gary Numan's M.E. (or Basement Jaxx's Where's Your Head At? for the youngsters.) All that said it's tremendous fun.

MES is much more understandable in his singing on Gibbus Gibson. The backing is quieter than most on the record and it has a nice touch of synth toward the end. Groundsboy could almost pop up on a sixties country and western musical (though maybe Doris Day would be singing and not MES.)

I've got this far without referencing the 'me and your granny on bongos' line but this is where I capitulate. There's just MES and Pete Greenway on guitar for Nine out of Ten. For almost the last six minutes just Greenway's repeated riff (while Smith wandered the studio hitting things.) The very last thing recorded, it wasn't intended to be the album closer but nothing could be more perfect.

It would be a pretty strong way to finish the 40 but I've wrestled with this and changed my mind several times and I prefer New Facts Emerge. 

Ladies and Gentlemen... The Fall.