Taking a short break to compose and work on their second album has done Fairweather no end of good. They've returned with a no-holds-barred emotionally rampaging disc that builds on the stop gap four-track EP "Alaska" and moves into even more dynamic and sophisticated territory. "Lusitania" is an hour long journey filled with tension, hope and the human condition: a breathtaking album that moves emo in a new and positive direction.

In 1992, after an extensive period of touring, San Franciscan rockers Faith No More released Angel Dust. The album swings between extremes—aggressive and disturbing, but also beautiful and soothing—showing off every facet of the band’s quirky eloquence on such diverse tracks as “Midlife Crisis,” “Jizzlobber,” “R.V.” and “Small Victory.”

Celebrating the classic albums that helped establish the band’s vital and visceral musical legacy Rhino Records releases a fantastic 2LP Deluxe Edition of Angel Dust. Featuring the original album and an additional disc packed full of rarities related to the album.

Among the tracks featured on the bonus disc is a mix of “Midlife Crisis” by the band’s longtime producer Matt Wallace, a trio of live recordings from a concert in Munich, Germany, as well as covers of the Dead Kennedys’ “Let’s Lynch The Landlord” and the band’s unforgettable take on the Commodores’ “Easy.”

The first of two 10”s on a new subsidiary label from Studio 16. Black Art dubplate style, featuring singer George Faith.

Recorded at The Black Ark in the mid-’70s with Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Simply unmissable dubwise roots. Limited copies. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Moody and sultry deep roots enhanced by the wild production genius of Perry at the dials.

TRACK LISTING

1. Mix 1
2. Mix 2

RIYL: Pylon, Parquet Courts, Sleater-Kinney, Suburban Lawns.

Fake Fruit’s visceral indie rock operates so firmly in the present that it’s transportive and unmooring. The Oakland trio’s songs careen with volatile energy and lead singer Ham D’Amato’s lyrics are enveloped with acerbic humor and resonant perceptiveness. Though their new LP Mucho Mistrust is a sly reference to a beloved Blondie lyric, the title encapsulates both the anxieties of daily life, a bloodless music industry, and global capitalism as well as the clear-eyed skepticism needed to rebel against it. Across 12 propulsively unpredictable tracks, the album is both their most collaborative and most immediate yet.

Following the 2021 release of Fake Fruit’s self-titled debut LP, the band’s personal lives hit a turbulent and transformational period. “There were big life changes and I was so close to boiling over,” says D’Amato. “I left a bad relationship, entered a more stable and loving one, got diagnosed with alopecia, and I'm turning 30 soon too.” This personal upheaval was channeled into the explosive lead single “Mucho Mistrust.” The track is simultaneously disorienting and direct, with clanging guitars from Alex Post, off-kilter drums from Miles MacDiarmid, and D’Amato snarling, “How you gonna blame me / when you could’ve done something about it / it’s not right / How you gonna marinate me / in shitty things overnight.” She explains, “This song was a snapshot of how I got through a difficult year.”

Recorded live at the Bay Area’s Atomic Garden studio with producer Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Home Is Where), the band’s palpable ferocity shines throughout the record. Single “Más o Menos” is searing punk, with buzzsaw guitars and surging bass. It’s a clenched-fist song, one where D’Amato sings, “I decided to assert myself / After I lost all my sense of self.” Later in the track, D’Amato, who is Chicana, sings in Spanish, “¡No me hables! / ¡No escuchare!” While some of these songs deal in heartbreak, they are charged with way bigger themes. “There's also wanting to break up with capitalism and feeling upset about things politically,” says D’Amato.

For the band, these themes are personal. “I'm managing us while I'm in between changing diapers in my day job as a nanny,” says D’Amato. “Everyone in the band still believes in it and is motivated to keep wading through the bullshit.” On this album, they had no choice but to bet on themselves and each other. No track broadcasts their evolution better than the single “Cause of Death,” which morphs from a gorgeous sax-laden banger to something cathartic and anthemic.

As adventurous and righteous as Mucho Mistrust gets, there’s still an inviting core that never takes itself too seriously. From the ripping “Cause of Death,” which self-deprecatingly takes aim at anxiety and indecision, to the searing title track, Fake Fruit imbue their songs with humor and heart. “Our band is fun,” says D’Amato. “My number one coping mechanism for all of life is to joke about it. Even when the album talks about serious things, I am proud of how funny it can be.”

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. See It That Way
2. Mucho Mistrust
3. Gotta Meet You
4. Psycho
5. Well Song
6. Más O Menos

Side B
7. Long Island Iced Tea
8. Venetian Blinds
9. Ponies
10. Cause Of Death
11. Sap
12. Too Soon

Great angst ridden rock from these four guys from that hot bed of rock'n'roll... Doncaster. Both formats include exclusive tracks.

Fake Laugh’s self-titled debut album arrives this summer as a delicate accumulation of years of experimentation. Unfurling slowly, the full length has been a gradual process: part playfulness, part perfection. Whilst perpetually in tune with the digital disconnect of contemporary life, the album is a vivid rummage through sixties US-pop standards and British alternative stalwarts. Fake Laugh showcases a familiar world of love, confusion and self-questioning but refocused through the bright lens of the London/Berlin based artist Kamran Khan. Tirelessly writing and recording whenever he can, a busy 2016 saw Khan release the energetic 'Ice' EP, the bubbly trepidation of double A side 'Mind Tricks/Birdsong Lullaby' and the more complex and serene ‘Great Ideas’ EP. All three were important steps towards manifesting the right combination for the eagerly anticipated debut. Khan confesses that once upon a time Fake Laugh was “a bit of fun on the side”.

However, now with the project his sole focus, there’s a revitalised commitment to recording that has seen him finishing the album this year. Reuniting once again with producer Theo Verney (Traams, O.Chapman) in Brighton, Khan has brought the intimacy of his bedroom and added it to a more luscious environment. Certain parts of the record date as far back as 2013, whilst others were recorded only in the past few months. The result is a record that flows with a wise but youthful abandon. Echoing latter Belle & Sebastian records - that retained their adolescent flare and longing - Khan has fortified his dreams rather than forgotten them. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Melt,
2. Short Of Breath,
3. Kinda Girl,
4. As I Get To Know You Better,
5. Hiding Place,
6. Freely,
7. You Would Find Out,
8. Wouldn’t Bother,
9.Physical,
10. You Do Know,
11. Time To Die. 

Zoooooooommmm! Massive space disco 12" here with absolutely no info! A brief listen through either side will tell you that you're in the land of Hi-NRG, Italo-disco fire power with a specific focus on the more cosmic end of the spectrum. I'm guessing these are edits, and I'm sure I know the source material, though an extra hot This'N'That at lunchtime has left me light-headed and low on memory recall. The A-side offers us a Donna Summer-styled slammer befitting the Fake Love moniker, but with extra Patrick Cowley synth riffery, cosmic disco vox, sci fi samples and a phat vocoder. Over on the flip, we have another poppers-fuelled pounder, this time taking proggy chords, vamping keyboards and a perfectly panned sequence and strapping them to a thumping 4/4. Tops off!

TRACK LISTING

A. Untitled 1
B. Untitled 2

Composed of Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN, The International Noise Conspiracy), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) and the newest member Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring), the band is a veritable posthardcore dream team. However instead of rehashing the past, Expendables is a reinvention that sees the band dialing back the distortion and leaning into the melodies. The result pairs their unparalleled pedigree with a pop sensibility that's slightly unexpected and wholly satisfying. "For our last record [2019's FAKE NAMES]the general influences were 70's U.K. punk and power-pop; but it wound up with a little classic rock vibe as well, like the Vibrators meets Aerosmith. We never saw that coming!" , Baker explains. For Expendables the band enlisted producer Adam "Atom" Greenspan (IDLES, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Baker explains, "The pop influences are a little more out front on this one and the production really helps it shine. It sounds more direct, more urgent." Expendables is the latest exchange in a musical conversation that spans four decades. Baker aptly refers to the lineup of FAKE NAMES as a "mutual admiration society" and says that once the five members got in the same room together, it felt as if they had already been in the band together for years.

TRACK LISTING

Targets
Expendables
Delete Myself
Go
Dont Blame Yourself
Cant Take It
Damage Done
Madtown
Caught In Between
Too Little Too Late

In early 2016, D.C. punk legends Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion) and Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace, One Last Wish) met up at Hampton’s Brooklyn home to play music together.

Friends since first grade, the two guitarists ended up writing a handful of songs that day, then closed out the session with a spur-of-the-moment decision to start a band.

When it came to finding a bassist, Baker and Hampton looked to Johnny Temple of Girls Against Boys and Soulside (another fellow student at their elementary school), who equally shared their passion for what Temple refers to as “loud, angry, visceral music”. By the end of the year, the band had enlisted Refused frontman Dennis Lyxz n as their singer, thus cementing the lineup to punk-rock supergroup Fake Names.

Soon after dubbing themselves Fake Names a moniker that’s part Raising Arizona reference, part recognition of the “ubiquitous and demonic use of the term ‘fake news’”, according to Baker the band headed to Renegade Studios with the goal of creating a demo to present to record labels. But after playing those recordings for Baker’s Bad Religion bandmate Brett Gurewitz, the Epitaph founder made an unexpected proposal. “Brett said to us, ‘This isn’t a demo, this is the album,’” Baker recalls. “He was pretty adamant about putting it out exactly as it was, so that’s what we wound up doing”

TRACK LISTING

All For Sale
Driver
Being Them
Brick
Darkest Days
Heavy Feather
First Everlasting
This Is Nothing
Weight
Lost Cause

As Nathan Fake rises from the nocturnal subterranea and rave catharsis of his previous records, on 'Evaporator', he resurfaces into the domain of daylight, bringing a tangible sense of air rushing against your face, of big skies, and endless landscapes.

The idea of pop accessibility that trickled into 2023’s 'Crystal Vision' is refracted here through the prism of sweeping ambient, deep electronica, and trance uplift. 'Evaporator' is Fake’s idea of “airy daytime music”, with each track a different barometer reading across the album’s varying atmospheres, which range from vibrant sunbursts, bracing rainscapes, and fine mists of clement melodics. “It’s not overtly confrontational electronic club music,” states Fake. “It’s quite pleasant, it’s accessible. As I was progressing through making the tracklist, I called it a daytime album. It doesn’t feel like an afterparty album.” For the past decade Fake has been gingerly introducing collaborations with heroes and friends alike into his lone, idiosyncratic working process.

Border Community alumni Dextro AKA Ewan Mackenzie transmutes his ferocious drumming for Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs into the blurred choral thump of ‘Baltasound’. ‘Orbiting Meadows’, meanwhile, is his second collaboration with Clark, an eerily idyllic duet where microtonal 18EDO piano clangs slowly twirl around wailing pads. Evaporator marks the junction point of old technology and ever fresh creativity for Nathan. The trusty “dinosaur” age software, particularly Cubase VST5, that has powered two decades of music is rarely updated. “I used to sort of feel a bit ashamed of using such old software, and then I kind of had an epiphany – that’s just how I work”, comments Fake. “That’s just how I play. I’m very fond of these old tools, and I get the most joy out of them, but now I’ve incorporated new technology too.” When an artist accumulates so much synergy with their instrument, music making becomes instinctual. By Fake’s account, much of 'Evaporator' just fell into place. The album title arrived randomly in his head (“it felt completely perfect. Airy.”), ideas looped and developed until things locked into place and just felt right. ‘The Ice House’ is a fleeting glimpse of the sonic world he taps into in this creative state, its glassy FM synths built around a counterpoint between rough-hewn crystalline arpeggios and sparse yet gravitas-bearing bass. “That riff I just wrote out on the keyboard, I just played it forever and ever and ever.

The original track ended up being really short. Here you go, and it’s gone!” These unplanned channellings of sound call forth records from Fake’s past while he looks ahead, perhaps getting at the very essence of his musicianship. The opener ‘Aiwa’ (“the breeziest,” he muses) reminds of the introspection that characterised Providence, excited by the fire and grit of Steam Days’ textural experiments, its chunky slams and clatters surging into a flood of harmonic buzzing as they reach out for old wisdom. ‘Hypercube’ stampedes in a similar chronological confluence, infusing an incessant synth line reminiscent of the golden age of rave with the crackling, ecstatic energy of modern festival anthems. Like the vaporisation of liquid to particles, everything that Evaporator presents has a mutant desire to be amorphous. Sounds rarely settle; the irradiated garage beat of ‘Bialystok’ is pitched downwards to driving, rebounding effect, while ‘You’ll Find a Way’ warps static into shivering energy, cinematic synth strings building anticipation into a gradual gush of chords. This translates into a more expansive stereo field than Fake has explored before.

‘Slow Yamaha’ saves the wildest, most kinetic transformations for last with a cornucopia of crispy melodies and fried drums; a sibilance of cymbals on the left, a susurrus of shakers on the right, and kaleidoscopic lasers pulsing and fizzing all around. Evaporation culminating in pure excited atoms. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Aiwa
2. Hypercube
3. Yucon
4. Bialystok 
5. The Ice House 
6. Sunlight On Saturn 
7. You’ll Find A Way 
8. Baltasound Feat. Dextro 
9. Orbiting Meadows Feat. Clark 
10. Slow Yamaha
11. Black Drift (Outro) 

Nathan Fake has grown from his beginnings as an undeniably skilled, but relatively inoffensive purveyor of twee IDM (see the cutesy electronic rhythms and circuit-bent melodies of 'Drowning In A Sea Of Love') into a powerhouse of challenging electronics and innovative melodic constructions.

The brash and stomping 'Feelings 1' could easily be stretched into a 6-minute long OPN track from his early catalog, but retains its impact and drive in part due to it's brevity, letting up after only a couple short minutes with a thematic segue into the thumping title track. Utilising his tried-and-tested technique of a filtered-out beginning into a revisitation of that theme, but injected with fiery percussion and swooning synthplay, Fake constructs a towering wall of chaotic arps and fizzling saturation, underpinned by distorted kick drums and dusty pads.

'HoursDaysMonthsSeasons' is much more along the lines of Border Community heavy-hitters Holden or Luke Abbott, pitching tweeting modulars and syncopated throbs against a droning foundation of fire and brimstone. As with all of Fake's more recent work, this is a deep and rewarding experience, but gives as much as you do, revealing it's complexities through patence and perserverance. 

Moving further along (we have convered the towering 'DEGREELESSNESS elsewhere), we move into ambient territory with 'SmallCityLights' which is a relaxing and much-needed respite (make use of it while you can) before the thudding dystopian sidechained duality of 'Radio Spiritworld'. Like a pack of robots fizzing and staggering towards a neon sun, we get chillwave guitars, industrial hammering and crackling electronic connections, coming together into a bracing mix of rampant retro-futurism and forward-thinking outsider 'tron.

Providence is as contrary and (I imagine) divisive as anything Fake has accomplished thus far, founded upon his considerable talent for writing a dancefloor stomper, but abstracted into the outer realms of melodicism and rhythm. A challenging, towering behemoth of an album, that will confound and amaze in equal measure. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Nathan Fake does OPN. Shimmering synths, soul-shaking drone and abstracted rhythms mashed together (amazingly) into a brittle and brutal amalgamation of conceptual genius and technical mastery. A++, Will listen again.

TRACK LISTING

Feelings 1
PROVIDENCE
HoursDaysMonthsSeasons
DEGREELESSNESS (ft Prurient)
The Equator & I unen
SmallCityLights
Radio Spiritworld
CONNECTIVITY
RVK (ft Raphaelle)
REMAIN
Feelings 2

With a line-up of members from New Brunswick, Canada and Manchester, UK, it should be no surprise that the songs of Faker Junior have the feel of both wide open spaces and urban grit, distilled and blended into brief ringing-guitar symphonies. Strong vocals (singer Ryan Lamey has been compared to both Buckleys, Tim and Jeff), layered guitars and driving rhythms are combined to form cliche-free melodic songs with enough of the sweet and the bitter, the dark and the light, to satisfy in full, but without excess or wasted effort, and with the occasional unexpected turn. Previously a solo singer-songwriter seeking musicians, and a group of musician-writers seeking a frontman, they connected online and first met in Manchester on an appropriately snowy night in December 2008. The chemistry was immediate and within weeks they had pooled resources and their disparate influences to write their first new songs. By February 2009 they were in the studio to record demos of 4 tracks with producer Yves Altana, but the initial results were so good that recording was extended and the finished tracks have become the band's self-funded debut EP, "Need To Know".

In February 2024, Tav Falco and his incomparable Panther Burns descended upon Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee to record their 14th studio album, 'Desire On Ice'. The result is a career-spanning collection of Falco's original compositions, with song selections highlighting various stages of the Panther Burns' 45 year tenure. In addition to the groups current line-up, including guitarist/producer Mario Monterosso, the album features contributions from past Panther Burns members and contemporaries like Jon Spencer, Reverend Horton Heat, Kid Congo Powers, Bobby Gillespie, and more.

Inspired by the purview of artists whose vision and musicianship have matured, this work excavates the undercurrents of a psyche known for deconstruction of mythic themes of unrequited love, brother against brother, lost causes, and burning mansions. 'Desire On Ice' is a momentary slice of immediate, askew balladry already hurled into the future.

TRACK LISTING

1. Prologue
2. Gentleman In Black
3. Cuban Rebel Girl
4. Sympathy For Mata Hari
5. Vampire From Havana
6. Doomsday Baby
7. Crying For More
8. The Ballad Of Rue De La Lune
9. Garden Of The Medicis
10. Lady From Shanghai
11. Chamber Of Desire
12. Epilogue

From chart-topping success with The View, Kyle Falconer has carved an enthralling and unpredictable career as one of the most distinctive voices in Scottish music. That journey now leads to his most singular solo album to date, 'Lovely Night of Terror', written and recorded at his La Sierra Casa studio in rural Spain. Created during an intense period of isolation and creative focus, the album is also shaped by a strong sense of collaboration, featuring contributions from Jamie Webster, The Lottery Winners, Pete Doherty and Justin Hawkins. Balancing dark lyrical themes with uplifting melodies, Lovely Night of Terror reflects Falconer’s love of emotional contrast, finding joy in melancholy and light in the chaos.

TRACK LISTING

1. Lovely Night Of Terror
2. Worlds Away (Feat. Justin Hawkins)
3. I'm Lost (You're Dead) (Feat. Jamie Webster)
4. Lady Coachella (Feat. The Lottery Winners)
5. Midas Touch (Feat. Pete Doherty)
6. Madness (Feat. Dave McCabe)
7. Trace Of Me
8. Can't Swim (Do It Again)
9. Ego
10. Martha's Imagination
11. 3rd Time Mucky

"...an anthemic album that takes songwriter Kyle Falconer in bold new musical directions, that works the heart as much as the head, the dancing feet as much as the punching fist of joy."

As the frontman of The View, Kyle Falconer smashed into the charts with the classic singles "Same Jeans" and "Wasted Little DJs" and earned a Mercury nomination for their #1 debut album ‘Hats Off To The Buskers’. A rocket powered decade followed during which they barely let up, careering through a rock ‘n’ roll attitude both on-and-off stage. A stint in rehab was followed by another stint in rehab. The songwriter reflects on that period in new song ‘Laura’, a heart-on-the-sleeve, not-quite-title-track paean to the aforesaid missus. He started by writing more songs on piano rather than guitar, before teaming up with the producer Frankie Siragusa and using a selection of Motown, soul and funk classics as reference points. The duo spent last August christening the brand-new studio in The Libertines’ recently opened Albion Rooms hotel and arts space in Margate, playing everything on a wealth of new material that Falconer had prepared. ‘No Love Songs for Laura’ is an earworm-stuffed, summer-evoking album demanding repeat plays, streams, views, likes and clicks. For another, this is Falconer reborn and rebooted, like we’ve never heard him before.

TRACK LISTING

1. Stress Ball
2. Wait Around
3. Laura
4. Funeral Song
5. Mother
6. On My Own
7. Still Here
8. Miracle
9. Listen Lucy
10. Moan
11. Rake Me In
12. Don't Call Me Baby
13. Monsters

Kyle Falconer has always been a songwriter who has been inspired by a female muse. From his chart-topping success with The View through to his acclaimed solo career, his storytelling songs have explored the good times of love and lust; the bad times of regret and heartache; and stories of some of the larger-than-life characters who have stepped into his life, alongside some playful fictional narratives.

Recently crowned with the King Tuts’ Songwriting Award at the Scottish Music Awards, Kyle brings the best of those songs together with ‘The One I Love the Most’. The album is a collection of songs from his vast back catalogue, all of which are named after women and have been newly reworked in acoustic form.

Named after a lyric taken from The View fan favourite ‘5 Rebeccas’, ‘The One I Love The Most’ features songs spanning almost two decades: from the unrequited love of ‘Claudia’ (from the band’s #1 debut album ‘Hats Off To The Buskers’) through to the lovelorn ‘Dixie’ (the original of which featured on last year’s Top 10 return ‘Exorcism of Youth’).

Along the way, the album also reinvents highlights from his two solo albums ‘No Thank You’ and ‘No Love Songs For Laura’, which often tackled more complicated themes: ‘Laura’ shares regrets for his past behaviour and the impact it had on his then-partner and now-wife Laura Wilde, to the issues of gender identity addressed in ‘Kelly’. A far lighter moment comes with ‘Madonna’, a playful, celeb-heavy imagining of what the ideal afterlife might be like, while Manchester rapper PROSE adds his razor-sharp rhymes to an otherwise stripped-back ‘Lucy’.

The album’s lead single and brand new track ‘Angelina’ is an instant highlight. Dramatic percussion and sweeping string arrangements creates an intense cinematic atmosphere to match a story of a relationship which has been ruined by conflicting perceptions on what the truth really is.

Kyle says, “‘The One I Love The Most’ came from an idea I had after getting my own studio in Spain. I thought about all the girls' names I had written about and thought it would be a great romantic idea to put them all in one place and release the record for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to show the songs as they were without all the production and we captured the first essence of them.

It’s great to see the different feelings along the album and my ups and downs, from the childlike writing of ‘Claudia’ to the more in depth idea of ‘Kelly’ as I have seen and heard more of the world.”

‘The One I Love the Most’ was recorded at Kyle’s La Sierra Casa retreat near Alicante in Spain, with Kyle producing the project himself and performing all vocals and instruments except for contributions from Drew Palmer and Neeve Zahra. A scenic, escapist and intimate hub for creativity, La Sierra Casa hosts regular songwriting camps led by Kyle as well as a recording studio designed to achieve peak sound quality, workflow and productivity.

TRACK LISTING

1. Angelina
2. Grace
3. Dixie
4. Rebecca
5. Gem
6. Blondie
7. Lilly Anne
8. Laura
9. Lucy Featuring PROSE
10. Claudia
11. Kelly
12. Madonna

Triple beat breakdowns, speed riffs from Hell, from the opening note to the killer artwork, Fall Silent have produced one of the best hardcore / metal albums of the year. The follow up to "Six Years In The Desert", on "Drunken Violence" they approach their sound with more speed and anger than any other album the band has released. With the speed collapsing into powerful breakdowns, they have been described as Pantera meeting Black Flag in a dark alley with flicknives. Cool!

Taking the DIY ethic and mixing hardcore, punk rock and death metal they use primal vocals and a precise monsterous guitar attack that will hit you like a punch in the gut. This CD collects the band's previously out of print releases and features 17 hard and nasty tracks.

Beggars Arkive is excited to reissue The Fall’s 10th studio album, 1988’s THE FRENZ EXPERIMENT. Available as an expanded edition on CD and LP, the releases both contain the original album, plus singles and B-Sides. The notes included with both formats contain brand new interviews conducted by Daryl Easley in May 2020.

“I was clearing out the other day and I came across a review of Frenz Experiment, saying how this could have been great, how it could have been like T. Rex’s Electric Warrior. I never attempted to make an album like T-Rex. I don’t see the point in anybody trying to make an album like T-Rex, although people do. I don’t mind it when journalists make fair comparisons, when they’ve done their homework. But comparing Frenz to Electric Warrior is plain daft.”
- Mark E Smith, Renegade – The Lives And Tales Of Mark E Smith, 2008

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Beggars Arkive re-issue The Fall’s 10th studio album, 1988’s ‘The Frenz Experiment’. Released at the height of their mainstream popularity, this expanded edition (on vinyl and CD) features the monstrous “Hit The North” as well as the cover versions of “Victoria” and “There’s A Ghost In My House”, alongside firm fan favourites like “Carrier Bag Man”, and “Bremen Nacht”.

TRACK LISTING

2LP

A1 Frenz
A2 Carry Bag Man
A3 Get A Hotel
A4 Victoria
A5 Athlete Cured
B1 In These Times
B2 The Steak Place
B3 Bremen Nacht (Vinyl Version)
B4 Guest Informant (Excerpt)
B5 Oswald Defence Lawyer
C1 There's A Ghost In My House (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
C2 Sleep Debt Snatches (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
C3 Mark'll Sink Us (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
C4 Haf Found Bormann(from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
C5 Bremen Nacht Run Out (from The Bremen Nacht Run Out Single)
C6 Northerns In Europ (from The Hit The North Single)
D1 Hit The North Part 1 (from The Hit The North Single)
D2 Australians In Europe (from The Hit The North Single)
D3 Guest Informant (B-side From The Victoria Single)
D4 Tuff Life Booogie (B-side From The Victoria Single)
D5 Twister (B-side From The Victoria Single)

2CD

CD1
1 Frenz
2 Carry Bag Man
3 Get A Hotel
4 Victoria
5 Athlete Cured
6 In These Times
7 The Steak Place
8 Bremen Nacht (Vinyl Version)
9 Guest Informant (Excerpt)
10 Oswald Defence Lawyer
11 Bremen Nacht Run Out (from The Bremen Nacht Run Out Single, Included W. Initial Pressing Of The Album)
12 Mark'll Sink Us (2) (from The Bremen Nacht Run Out Single)
CD2
1 There's A Ghost In My House (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
2 Sleep Debt Snatches (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
3 Mark'll Sink Us (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
4 Haf Found Bormann (from There’s A Ghost In My House Single)
5 Hit The North Part 1 (from The Hit The North Single)
6 Australians In Europe (from The Hit The North Single)
7 Northerns In Europ (from The Hit The North Single)
8 Guest Informant (B-side From The Victoria Single)
9 Tuff Life Booogie (B-side From The Victoria Single)
10 Twister (B-side From The Victoria Single)
11 Bremen Nacht (Alternative)
12 A Day In The Life (from Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father NME Compilation, 1988)
13 Frenz (1987 Janice Long BBC Session) *
14 There’s A Ghost In My House (1987 Janice Long BBC Session) *
15 Get A Hotel (1987 Janice Long BBC Session) *
16 Haf Found Boorman (1987 Janice Long BBC Session) *

* - Previously Unreleased

The Fall-Outs' fourth full length album, recorded at Egg Studios with Johnny Sangster at the helm these thirteen tracks are filled with the Fall-Outs trademark dark cynicism balanced with angelic harmonies and pop smart hooks, this is garage rock / pop at its finest.

A youngish Mark E Smith is interviewed about all things Fall and Manchester whilst answering by often avoiding the interviewer’s questions in some of Mark’s favourite surroundings- outside on a Manchester slag heap- most answers are preceded by a pause whilst he inhales another draw on his cigarette

The expanded 3-CD follow up to the iconic now out of print 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t be Wrong compilation, now features songs right up to the groups last album. Compiled and annotated by long time Fall aficionado Daryl Easlea from across all the labels the band has appeared on. The booklet designed by long time Fall designer Becky Stewart contains a track by track overview. Mastered by Andy Pearce from the best sources available. Formed in Manchester in 1976, Fall were a seminal English post-punk group. The group existed in some form from that point on, built around its founder and only constant member, the late, great Mark E. Smith. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music underwent stylistic changes over the years, but was always characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics. This compilation is ideal for anyone wanting to discover the weird and wonderful world of the Fall. "They are always different; they are always the same." 

TRACK LISTING

Disc: 1
1. Repetition
2. Rebellious Jukebox
3. Industrial Estate
4. Rowche Rumble
5. Fiery Jack
6. How I Wrote 'Elastic Man'
7. Totally Wired
8. New Face In Hell
9. Prole Art Threat
10. Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
11. The Classical
12. Hip Priest
13. Joker Hysterical Face
14. The Man Whose Head Expanded
15. Kicker Conspiracy
16. Eat Y'self Fitter
17. Oh! Brother
18. C.R.E.E.P.

Disc: 2
1. No Bulbs
2. Cruiser's Creek
3. Spoilt Victorian Child
4. Us 80's-90's
5. Mr Pharmacist
6. Living Too Late
7. Hey Luciani
8. There's A Ghost In My House
9. Hit The North
10. Carry Bag Man
11. Victoria
12. Big New Prinz
13. Dead Beat Descendant
14. Telephone Thing
15. High Tension Line
16. Free Range
17. Why Are People Grudgeful?
18. Lost In Music
19. Behind The Counter
20. M5
21. Feeling Numb

Disc: 3
1. The Chiselers
2. Powder Keg
3. Masquerade
4. Touch Sensitive
5. Dr Buck's Letter
6. Hollow Mind
7. Susan Vs Youthclub
8. Mountain Energei
9. Theme From Sparta Fc # 2
10. Blindness
11. Reformation (Uncut)
12. Wolf Kidult Man
13. Bury!
14. Greenway
15. Sir William Wray
16. The Remainderer
17. Venice With The Girls
18. Wise Ol' Man
19. New Facts Emerge

Beggars Arkive reissue The Fall’s ninth studio album, Bend Sinister, originally released in 1986. This edition is titled Bend Sinister/The 'Domesday' Pay-Off Triad-Plus!

It was the last of three albums in a row produced by John Leckie and was named after a dystopian novel by Vladimir Nabokov.

After the universal acclaim for the previous year’s This Nation’s Saving Grace, Bend Sinister often stands in its predecessor’s shadow. It is a dark, brooding album made at the height of the group’s Beggars Banquet years and many people include this at the top of the list of favourite Fall albums.

From Bend Sinister, “Mr. Pharmacist” is a lurching instalment in pop music’s ongoing conversation with drug dealers, illicit and otherwise. Actually a cover of 1960s garage-rockers the Other Half, it’s also a demonstration of how the Fall’s relatively unchanging style could bolster other people’s songs. – PITCHFORK

“Part musical hypnotist, part ranting madman, Smith was a singular figure in post-punk. His Mancunian accent, dry witticisms and plays on words were one of the Fall’s most constant characteristics. Their songs were odysseys into his ever-verbose psyche, marked by repetitive rhythms and melodies.” – ROLLING STONE

“At various points in the band’s four-decade career, the Fall might sound like punk, hard rock, psychedelia, funk, blues-rock, jazz-rock, electropop or sheer noise. “If it’s me and your granny on bongos, it’s the Fall,” Mr. Smith once declared. The BBC disc jockey John Peel, an early and steadfast supporter, said of the Fall that ‘they are always different, they are always the same.’” - THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Mark E Smith’s group of psychedelic post-punks rank as one of the most visionary, singular British bands of all time.” -THE GUARDIAN

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Originally released in 1986, one year after the highly celebrated ‘This Nations Saving Grace’, ‘Bend Sinister’ was a darker brooding album, but had the Brix pop sensibility to counteract Mark E. Smith’s caustic vocals. Still highly regarded by Fall fans to this day, this was MES and his band hitting their creative peak. Reissued as a double disc edition with a plethora of bonus material.

TRACK LISTING

LP TRACK LISTING:
A1. R.O.D.
A2. Dktr. Faustus
A3. Shoulder Pads 1#
A4. Mr. Pharmacist
A5. Gross Chapel – British Grenadiers
B1. U.S. 80’s – 90’s
B2. Terry Waite Sez
B3. Bournemouth Runner
B4. Riddler!
B5. Shoulder Pads 2#
C1. Living Too Late (From The Living Too Late Single)
C2. Hot Aftershave Bop (From The Living Too Late Single)
C3. Lucifer Over Lancashire (From The Mr.Pharmacist Single)
C4. Auto Tech Pilot (From The Mr.Pharmacist Single)
D1. Hey! Luciani (from The Hey! Luciani Single)
D2. Entitled (from The Hey! Luciani Single)
D3. Shoulder Pads #1b (from The Hey! Luciani Single)
D4. Living Too Long (From The Living Too Late Single)

CD TRACK LISTING:
1-1. R.O.D.
1-2. Dktr. Faustus
1-3. Shoulder Pads 1#
1-4. Mr. Pharmacist
1-5. Gross Chapel – British Grenadiers
1-6. U.S. 80’s – 90’s
1-7. Terry Waite Sez
1-8. Bournemouth Runner
1-9. Riddler!
1-10. Shoulder Pads 2#
2-1. Living Too Late (Remastered/from The Living Too Late Single)
2-2. Hot Aftershave Bop (Remastered/from The Living Too Late Single)
2-3. Lucifer Over Lancashire (Remastered/from The Mr.Pharmacist Single)
2-4. Auto Tech Pilot (Remastered/from The Mr.Pharmacist Single)
2-5. Hey! Luciani (Remastered/from The Hey! Luciani Single)
2-6. Entitled (Remastered/from The Hey! Luciani Single)
2-7. Shoulder Pads #1b (Remastered/from The Hey! Luciani Single)
2-8. Living Too Long (Remastered/from The Living Too Late Single)
2-9. R. O. D (Peel Session, June 29 1986)
2-10. Gross Chapel – British Grenadiers (Peel Session, June 29 1986)
2-11. U. S. 80s – 90s (Peel Session, June 29 1986)
2-12. Hot Aftershave Bop (Peel Session, June 29 1986)
2.13. Luciani (Original Version, Previously Unreleased)
2.14. DKTR. Faustus (Rough Mix, Previously Unreleased)
2.15. Terry Waite Sez (Yellow 2 Mix, Previously Unreleased)
2.16. Lucifer Over Lancashire (Abbey Road Take 2, Previously Unreleased)
2.17. Entitled (Abbey Road Take 2, Previously Unreleased)
2.18. Town And Country Hobgoblins (Live, From The Bend Sinister Cassette Release)

Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics. “Dragnet” is the second studio album – released 26th October 1979 - these editions celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this seminal album. Originally released through record label Step-Forward, it predicated 2 major factors in the group’s career – high productivity and high group turnover. The album has historically garnered excellent reviews, including 4/5 in MOJO, 8.7/10 on Pitchfork and 4/5 in Q Magazine. Featuring the one and only Mark E. Smith alongside Steve Hanley (bass), Marc Riley (guitar), Craig Scanlon (guitar), Mike Leigh (drums), Kay Carroll (backing vocals) and Yvonne Pawlett (keyboards). 

TRACK LISTING

CD:

Disc: 1
1. Psykick Dancehall
2. A Figure Walks
3. Printhead
4. Dice Man
5. Before The Moon Falls
6. Your Heart Out
7. Muzorewi's Daughter
8. Flat Of Angles
9. Choc-Stock
10. Spectre Vs. Rector
11. Put Away
12. Rowche Rumble
13. In My Area
14. Fiery Jack
15. 2nd Dark Age
16. Psykick Dancehall No.2 (Alternate Take)
17. Rowche Rumble (Take 2)
18. Rowche Rumble (Take 3)
19. Rowche Rumble (Take 4)
20. Rowche Rumble (Take 5)
21. In My Area (Alternate Take 1)
22. In My Area (Alternate Take 2)

Disc: 2
1. Psykick Dancehall (Live In Retford)
2. Rowche Rumble (Live In Retford)
3. Flat Of Angles (Live In Retford)
4. 2nd Dark Age (Live In Retford)
5. Rebellious Jukebox (Live In Retford)
6. Muzorewi's Daughter (Live In Retford)
7. In My Area (Live In Retford)
8. Choc Stock (Live In Retford)
9. Printhead (Live In Retford)
10. A Figure Walks (Live In Retford)
11. Fiery Jack (Live In Retford)
12. No Xmas For John Quays (Live In Retford)
13. Psycho Mafia (Live In Retford)

Disc: 3
1. Psykick Dancehall (Live In Los Angeles)
2. Rowche Rumble (Live In Los Angeles)
3. Flat Of Angles (Live In Los Angeles)
4. Rebellious Jukebox (Live In Los Angeles)
5. Various Times (Live In Los Angeles)
6. Stepping Out (Live In Los Angeles)
7. Your Heart Out (Live In Los Angeles)
8. Dice Man (Live In Los Angeles)
9. Spectre Vs Rector (Live In Los Angeles)
10. Choc Stock (Live In Los Angeles)
11. Muzorewi's Daughter (Live In Los Angeles)

This double vinyl package features tracks from across The Fall's glittering career.

TRACK LISTING

Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
Man Whose Head Expanded
Hit The North
Jerusalem
Popcorn Double Feature
Behind The Counter
Fantastic Life
Bremen Nacht
I'm Into CB
Room To Live
Carry Bag Man
Eat Y'Self Fitter
Lucifer Over Lancashire
The Classical
L.A.
Big New Prinz
Why Are People Grudgeful?
2 X 4
Frenz

“Levitate” is the Fall’s 19th album originally released in 1997 on Artful Records. It has been out of print for a number of year snow and is much sought after by fans It’s the last album to feature two long-time Fall members, drummer Karl Burns and bass player Steve Hanley (whose playing was once described by Smith as the defining element of the group's music). The album was initially going to be produced by Keir Stewart and Simon Spencer (who previously collaborated with Smith under the moniker D.O.S.E. on the 1995 single ‘Plug Myself In’). Most of the recordings took place at Edwyn Collins’ studio in West Hampstead. However, Stewart and Spencer soon fell out with Smith over payments and left after a week, taking most of the tapes with them. The only tracks from these sessions to make the album were "4½ Inch" (allegedly edited out of samples of a rehearsal recording), ‘Spencer’, later re-dubbed by Smith as ‘Spencer Must Die’, and ‘The Quartet of Doc Shanley’.

The first full-length album of The Fall, Live At The Witch Trials, is not actually a live album. Emerging out of a two-day studio session at Camden Sound in North West London during a sickly December of 1978, Witch Trials amounts to the sinister foundation of the band's diverse sound. Every song explores drastically different styles and wild terrain, leaving much to decipher over its eleven tracks. 

TRACK LISTING

CD:

Disc: 1
1. Frightened
2. Crap Rap 2/Like To Blow
3. Rebellious Jukebox
4. No Xmas For John Quays
5. Mother-Sister!
6. Industrial Estate
7. Underground Medecin
8. Two Steps Back
9. Live At The Witch Trials
10. Futures And Pasts
11. Music Scene

Disc: 2
1. Bingo Master's Break-Out!
2. Psycho Mafia
3. Repetition
4. It's The New Thing
5. Various Times (Extended Version)
6. Dresden Dolls (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
7. Psycho Mafia (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
8. Industrial Estate (Home Rehearsals From Dresden Dolls Bootleg Single)
9. Stepping Out (Live From Short Circuit: Live At The Electric Circus)
10. Last Orders (Live From Short Circuit: Live At The Electric Circus)
11. Rebellious Jukebox (John Peel Session)
12. Mother - Sister! (John Peel Session)
13. Industrial Estate (John Peel Session)
14. Futures And Pasts (John Peel Session)
15. Put Away (John Peel Session)
16. Mess Of My (John Peel Session)
17. No Xmas For John Key (John Peel Session)
18. Like To Blow (John Peel Session)

Disc: 3
1. Like To Blow (Live 1978)
2. Stepping Out (Live 1978)
3. Two Steps Back (Live 1978)
4. Mess Of My (Live 1978)
5. It's The New Thing (Live 1978)
6. Various Times (Live 1978)
7. Bingo-Master's Break-Out! (Live 1978)
8. Frightened (Live 1978)
9. Industrial Estate (Live 1978)
10. Psycho Mafia (Live 1978)
11. Music Scene (Live 1978)
12. Mother-Sister! (Live 1978)

The classic second line up of The Fall, classic material too. Mark E. Smith (vocals), Martin Bramah (guitar), Tony Friel (bass), Una Baines (keyboards), Karl Burns (drums). Tony Friel’ s last gig before he went off to join Dick Witts in The Passage. The Fall set was recorded on cassette by Chris Hewitt , a copy was given to Bernie Wilcox RAR gig organiser who passed it on to Mark. Mark thought it was such an important gig recording despite not being brilliant quality that he asked Chis could The Fall release it – so it first appeared on CD in 1999. In 2013 Mark E Smith told Chris Hewitt it was now due a release on vinyl and would he sort it out on Ozit. It has taken a bit of time since Mark’s suggestion but here it is.

TRACK LISTING

Side One

1 Psycho Mafia
2 Last Orders
3 Repetition
4 Dresden Dolls
5 Hey Fascist
6 Frightened
7 Industrial Estate.

Side Two

1 Stepping Out
2 Bingo Masters Breakout
3 Oh Brother
4 Cop It
5 Futures And Pasts
6 Louie Louie 

The Fall is an English post-punk band, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band has existed in some form ever since, and is essentially built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music has gone through several stylistic changes over the years, characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, and is always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics. The band is noted for its prolific output: as of autumn 2017 they have released over 32 studio albums, and more than triple that counting live albums and other releases. This collection features all the A-sides recorded across a multitude of labels: Step Forward, Rough Trade, Kamera, Beggars Banquet, Cog Sinister, Permanent, Artful, Action… oh, and Cherry Red! We got the lot!

TRACK LISTING

Disc: 1
1. Bingo-Master
2. It's The New Thing
3. Rowche Rumble
4. Fiery Jack
5. How I Wrote 'Elastic Man'
6. Totally Wired
7. Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
8. Look, Know
9. The Man Whose Head Expanded
10. Kicker Conspiracy
11. Marquis Cha-Chaâ
12. Oh! Brother
13. C.R.E.E.P.
14. Draygo's Guilt
15. Couldn't Get Ahead
16. Cruiser's Creek

Disc: 2
1. Living Too Late
2. Mr. Pharmacist
3. Hey! Luciani
4. There's A Ghost In My House
5. Hit The North Part 1
6. Victoria
7. Jerusalem
8. Cab It Up
9. Telephone Thing
10. Popcorn Double Feature
11. White Lightning
12. High Tension Line
13. Free Range
14. Ed's Babe
15. Why Are People Grudgeful?
16. Behind The Counter
17. 15 Ways
18. The Chiselers

Disc: 3
1. Masquerade
2. Touch Sensitive
3. F-'Oldin' Money
4. Rude (All The Time)
5. Susan Vs Youthclub
6. (We Wish You) A Protein Christmas
7. Theme From Sparta F.C. #2
8. Distilled Mug Art (Mix 15)
9. I Can Hear The Grass Grow
10. Reformation! (Uncut)
11. Slippy Floor (Mark Mix)
12. Bury! #2+4
13. Laptop Dog
14. Victrola Time
15. Sir William Wray (Single Mix)
16. The Remainderer
17. Wise Ol Man

Following the successful ‘Slates’ Live! and ‘Grotesque’ Live! releases, Popstock Records is proud to present Singles Live Vol One 1978–81 released via Bella Union. The album documents a particularly important era in The Fall’s history - it begins with the group that recorded the debut album Live At The Witch Trials and ends with the line-up that made Hex Enduction Hour. In between we get a number of interesting variations on these two seminal iterations. As listeners will hear, what is beyond doubt is that whoever took to the stage on any given night The Fall were always witheringly powerful. The versions of the songs presented here are a wonderful addition the group’s canon.

"I have seen the madness in my area" sings Mr Smith on track 4 of this record. That sentence sums up a lot of The Fall's appeal to me: they looked at The North, the place I was brought up in, and saw something alien and inexplicable in it. Not "Gritty Northern Realism" but rather "Snotty Northern Sur-realism". A welcome alternative to all that Hovis advert, brass-band, "Ee by gum", "Last of the Summer Wine" schtick you normally got whenever The North was mentioned in the mass media. According to The Fall, people in the North of England also had dreams and sometimes saw "monsters glowing on the roof" of the local disco and had to deal with City Hobgoblins on a daily basis. This was great news. Incredibly great news for an 18 year-old who had just left school and was on Social Security and was trying to make it in a band, which was quite difficult because the rest of said band had been forced to go to university by their parents. Plus, The North was (pardon my French) completely fucked by 1981: its industries closed down by the Thatcher government, leaving the entire population in a severe state of shock. We needed something new to believe in. A band to believe in.

"We are Northern White Crap that talks back" was another inspirational quote at this time (you can hear it in the introduction to "Psykick Dance Hall" on this record). Because that was what I was aspiring to do: I was attempting to find a voice. Attempting to find out who I could be. Tough job.

The Fall had always been helpful to me in matters like these: Pulp's first mention in the local press, whilst I was still at school, had likened us to "a cross between ABBA and The Fall" (best review ever!), which was encouraging, to say the least. Then I went with my sister to see them at The Leadmill which led to an argument between us as to whether what we had just witnessed was "really" music or not. Never mind that question -- what about all the rest? Are you allowed to be that repetitive? Do all the instruments have to be in tune? Is the singer allowed to hang his jacket on the mic stand if he gets too hot? Yes, no, yes. The Fall provided possibilities. Showed possible escape routes. They said, "Anyone can do this -- as long as you do it your own way". That meant you had to make your own rules and find your own subjects to write songs about amongst the rubble of the newly post-industrial North. Get to work.

This record brings back those days of inspiration and exhilaration. I know these songs by heart even though I never bought a Fall single back then; John Peel always played The Fall releases so I taped them off the radio. Sorry. I'm sure you're familiar with them too. But to hear them live, in the heat of the moment, really brings back the spirit of The Fall. The giddiness and excitement. The palpable hunger to find something new to sing about and believe in. This music never gets old.

The Fall are still the perfect antidote to the "madness in our area". Long may they reign.

Jarvis Cocker, December 2024

TRACK LISTING

1. It’s The New Thing (Live)
2. Various Times (Live)
3. Rowche Rumble (Live)
4. In My Area (Live)
5. Fiery Jack (Live)
6. 2nd Dark Age (Live)
7. Psykick Dancehall #2(Live)
8. How I Wrote Elastic Man (Live)
9. City Hobgoblins (Live)

Popstock was created by the surviving members of the Slates iteration of The Fall to present unusual and alternative versions of the brilliant records they helped create.

These records promise to be unique in that they are the only new Fall releases going forward where actual members of the group are consulted, involved and remunerated at all. Slate Live Again presents live versions of the six songs that make up the original mini- LP, with the incredible versions chosen in order to present the songs at every stage of their live performance, both pre and post recording.

Lovingly curated with input from band members at every stage, including sourcing, mastering and design, and with sleeve notes by Fall Uber- fan Stewart Lee, Slates Live is the type of release that Fall fans have been craving for years.

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: A unique idea from the surviving members of the ‘Slates’ iteration of the Fall. Each track is presented in its original tracklist order but as an incredible alternative live version sourced from the absolute best recordings. Lovingly curated, and wonderfully presented with sleeve notes by Stewart Lee.

TRACK LISTING

1. Middle Mass
2. An Old Lover Etc.
3. Prole Art Threat
4. Fit And Working Again
5. Slags, Slates Etc.
6. Leave The Capitol

Originally released in 1985, their 8th album is one of The Fall’s most loved releases and is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. Drawing from the well of primal rock ‘n’ roll, the band play with muscular spontaneity and inspiration to create music that still sounds unique and challenging, especially against today’s anodyne imitations of Rock and ‘guitar music’.

This LP has also been mastered from HD files.

TRACK LISTING

LP:
A1. Mansion
A2. Bombast
A3. Barmy
A4. What You Need
A5. Spoilt Victorian Child
A6. L.A.

B1. Gut Of The Quantifier
B2. My New House
B3. Paintwork
B4. I Am Damo Suzuki
B5. To Nkroachment: Yarbles

Presented on white vinyl with sleeve notes 'White Lightning' encompasses the period between 1978 and 2001; just short of two-thirds of the group's four-decade existence The Fall is known for their distinctive and unconventional sound, marked by Mark E. Smith's often inscrutable lyrics, abrasive vocals, and a constantly evolving lineup of musicians.

Throughout their career, The Fall released numerous albums and singles. Their music was characterized by a mix of punk rock, experimental rock, and a unique sense of irony and humour.

The Fall had a devoted following and influenced many bands and artists within the post- punk and alternative music scenes. Mark E. Smith was a prolific songwriter and a distinctive voice in the world of music. He passed away in 2018, but the legacy of The Fall continues to be celebrated by fans and musicians alike. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Frightened
2. Before The Moon
3. Flat Of Angles
4. Jawbone & The Rifle
5. Extricate
6. Your Heart Out
7. Bill Is Dead
8. Black Monk Theme 1
9. Black Monk Theme 2
10. Gotta See Jane

The Falling Doves a force of electric energy. Their music is a fusion of stadium rock with garage rock familiarity, a sound that has helped the guys win over the ears and hearts of fans around the globe.

Personally mentored by Phil Solemn (the Rembrandt’s), the late Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), and Pete Best (the Beatles), the Falling Doves have additionally shared the stage with such established acts the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, Fastball, and Gilby Clarke; the list grows with each passing year.

Prior to COVID-19, their "Electric Dove World Tour" was set to sweep through Europe, Asia, and Latin America with nothing short of thunder and lightning. The band was able to tear Australia down before restrictions were set in March.

The band is now rescheduling those missed dates, with a summer tour, dubbed the “Lightning Strikes Twice Tour,” The band will be visiting as many countries as allowed by the ease of restrictions the remainder of 2021.

While in the UK, at the height of the pandemic, the band sought refuge at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, working under the direction of engineer / producer Chris Bolster with pre-production done at Motor Museum Studios in Liverpool (Oasis, The 1975, Arctic Monkeys ) for a future album, called ‘Liverpool,’.

About the Double Vision 2022 World Tour in April 2022, will bring the elements of a stadium live concert production into small halls, with a rich visual texture of music videos and the element of lights and theater you would expect from bands like Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones.

Don’t let the lightning pass you by as the storm rolls through your town and don’t forget your leather jacket. 

Falling Floors is a psych-rock three piece, formed in the pandemic out of a desire for distraction from dark times and an unending stream of shit news (seriously, what the fuck is going on?) There’s no master plan, no grand ambition, no product-market fit, just a shared love of 60s psych, 70s rock, and the fearless, genre-less experimentation of Krautrock and early prog to get us through.

Riding the trans-Pennine underground (up the hill and out of the crags, down there, you know?), you can hear magical sounds coming out of the Valley. On a cold and wet Calderdale winter, the band recorded their self-titled first album, DIY, live, in two days in Hebden Bridge. Rawness not perfection and feel over finesse were the aims. This album, a trans-Atlantic joint release by Riot Season (UK) and Echodelick (US), lives by slips, fuck-ups, and simple, joyous expression.

Falling Floors is Rob Herian (ex-feral stoner rockers Early Mammal) on guitar and vocals, Harry Wheeler (no ravers The Family Elan) on bass and keys, and Colin Greenwood (ex-shoegaze folk rockers No Sorrows) on drums. It’s no one’s project, and no one’s in charge. But there’s enough in common to keep it honest.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Infinite Switch (8:05)
A2. Interlude 1 (Making A Scene) (0:58)
A3. Ridiculous Man (4:41)
A4. Interlude 2 (Negotiations) (1:16)
A5. Flawed Theme (4:50)
A6. Interlude 3 (Going Quietly) (2:00)
B. Elusive And Unstable Nature Of Truth (18:48)

The lead singer of beloved heartland-punk band The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon steps away from that sound and into a stripped-down Americana space on his third solo album, Local Honey. Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Frightened Rabbit, Death Cab for Cutie), the album showcases Fallon's songwriting in small vignettes, from a loving devotional for his daughter to a vengeful murder ballad.

TRACK LISTING

1. When You're Ready
2. 21 Days
3. Vincent
4. I Don't Mind (If I'm With You)
5. Lonely For You Only
6. Horses
7. Hard Feelings
8. You Have Stolen My Heart

Night Divine is a series of hymns covered by Brian Fallon. This is a project he's been wanting to create for a long time, inspired by his time singing in the church choir as a child: “These are some of the very first sounds I remember hearing as a child. My mother used to sing these hymns everywhere she went. I felt it was time for me to join in.” He finally got the opportunity to make the intimate record during lockdown, with background vocals by his mother. The lead singer of beloved heartland-punk band The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon stepped away from that sound and into a more soulful singer/songwriter territory on his third solo album, Local Honey. Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Frightened Rabbit, Death Cab for Cutie), the album debuted at #1 Americana/Folk Album Sales, #2 Current Rock Albums, #3 Americana/Folk Albums, and #9 LP Vinyl Sales. It was largely praised as one of his best works, with Rolling Stone saying “Local Honey is as warm and comforting as its title, full of hooks and narratives that draw you in” (Best Country & Americana Albums of 2020) and Kerrang saying “No matter what side of the genre he sets his mind to, Brian always delivers the goods” (Best Albums of 2020).

TRACK LISTING

1. The Virgin Mary Had One Son
2. Amazing Grace
3. O Holy Night
4. Nearer, My God, To Thee
5. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
6. The First Noel
7. Sweet Hour Of Prayer
8. Angels We Have Heard On High
9. Silent Night
10. The Blessing

2021 saw the release of 'The Globefower Masters Vol.1' An album released on Mr Bongo and born from the fruitful collaboration between Glenn Fallows (The Impellers / Andres y Xavi) and Mark Treffel (Blue States / The Soul Steppers).Taking inspiration from classic 60s and 70s soundtrack and cinematic composers such as Axelrod, Morricone, Gainsbourg, Jean- Claude Vannier and Piero Umiliani, the album was very well received upon its release and struck a chord with the scene's connoisseurs.

The next logical step was to make their music available on 45 too. The release features an album track 'Fear Me Now' on the A-side and is paired on the B-side with two new tracks that channel the sound of library music giants such as Hawkshaw and Bennett. Three lush, warm and timeless productions.Inspired by classic 60s and 70s soundtrack composers such as Axelrod and Morricone, and library music giants including Hawkshaw and Bennett.

TRACK LISTING

Fear Me Now
All So Simple
Slurred And Blurred

Created during Summer 2020, this album is the product of a fruitful collaboration between Brighton-based musicians Glenn Fallows (The Impellers/Andres y Xavi) and Mark Treffel (Blue States/The Soul Steppers). These seasoned performing and recording artists have put their abundance of experience and skilful musicianship into effect with aplomb on this album. This is as accomplished a debut release as you will ever hear, and dare we say, a future classic in the making. The Globeflower Masters project was borne from an idea Glenn had to create an album that leant on the influence of soundtrack and library composers - particularly of the late 60s and early 70s. This rich sonic palette had previously been innate in his writing and composition but, for this album, the direct inspiration was placed front and centre. After penning several sketches, Glenn contacted Mark to fulfil the vision he had for a complete sound. Mark had an arsenal of vintage synths, pianos and other fun toys which could supplement the drums, guitars and bass that Glenn had been working on.

As the album progressed, the pair worked increasingly collaboratively, with each of them starting and sharing ideas to curate the final eight finished tracks. The results are an album of lush, warm, timeless productions that are drenched in strings and classical instrumentation. Awash with atmospheric excursions, it is a listening experience that moves you through moods whilst transporting you to a world of deeply evocative settings and imagined scenarios. The Globeflower Masters Vol. 1 resonates equally as well on a dark melancholic Winter's day as it does sound-tracking a halcyon Summer day. Though influenced by 60s and 70s productions the record is not a simple pastiche, feeling both simultaneously brand new as well as authentically retro.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: The Globeflower Masters mix the perfect ratio of slo-mo funk and lounge jazz with wonderful organic percussion and library synth business. It's woozy and hazy, while being both immediate and intoxicatingly atmospheric.

TRACK LISTING

1. Faith In Time
2. Scene In Roma
3. Who Knows When
4. Hidden In The Pampas
5. Fear Me Now
6. How It Shimmers
7. El Ejido
8. Arise

Glenn Fallows and Mark Treffel released their frst album, 'The Globefower Master Volume 1', on Mr Bongo in September 2021.With its lush, warm and timeless productions paying homage to classic 60s and 70s soundtrack composers, it was very well received and struck a chord with the scene's connoisseurs Louder Than War emphatically stated, "It's impossible not to like The Globefower Masters Vol. 1.", with Gigwise echoing that praise "slickly compelling retro vibes". The Globefower Master Vol. 2 is the slightly edgier and more grown-up sequel to Mark and Glenn's 2021 debut album. For this excursion, the Brighton-based duo wanted to lean a little further into their European flm soundtrack infuences, with particular inspiration mined from the works of Stefano Torossi, David Shire, and Roger Webb. This expansion of their sound builds upon the rich tapestry of cinematic funk a la David Axelrod, Serge Gainsbourg and Morricone that fashioned Vol. 1.Here, the arrangements, melodies, and harmonies have been refned; only what is needed is left. Pulled into its vortex for the ride. This record doesn't pull any punches. The recordings are drenched in visual imagery; they stimulate the senses and invite the imagination to roam. Ethereal, hazy memories of lost summers are triggered; the beauty of listening to music when driving along a deserted road in the Italian countryside lined with cypress trees heading towards the sun, and beyond. As the musical journey progresses, we even take a voyage to another planet. Whether these memories are real or constructed recollections of scenes from flm and television, the tracks evoke a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. Like all the best music, 'The Globefower Masters Vol. 2' takes us out of ourselves even if it's only temporarily. To consolidate the shape of the sound, drummers Timmy Rickard and Ollie Boorman (who also featured on Vol. 1) and John Maiden (Tricky collaborator) sprinkled their magic and forged their stamps onto the recordings. Collaborating with other talented musicians contributed to the picture Mark and Glenn wanted to paint. The 'Globefower Master Vol. 2' is a ftting tribute to the music they love and care deeply about and a glorious addition to their musical world.

TRACK LISTING

1.  Vibe Sharp 
2.  Echo The Oread 
3.  Remember Empathy 
4.  Calico Suite 
5.  Ely To Chi 
6.  Orquesta Es Vedr 
7.  A Voyage North
8.  Moogs Over Jupiter 
9.  Convention IV 
10.  Darkness Beneath 
11.  Walked For Days

1982 was a decisive year for The Fall. Their critically acclaimed album “Hex Enduction Hour” was released in March on Kamera Records, closely followed by “Room To Live” in September.

This six-disc boxset brings together those two classic albums alongside a host of John Peel sessions, Kamera singles, live performances and the group’s live album “In A Hole”, recorded during their tour of New Zealand and originally released on Flying Nun Records.

Also included in the box is a replica poster from the August 1982 show at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand and a replica press-release for “Hex Enduction Hour”.

Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

“They are always different; they are always the same.” John Peel.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: CD

1. THE CLASSICAL
2. JAWBONE AND THE AIR-RIFLE
3. HIP PRIEST
4. FORTRESS / DEER PARK
5. MERE PSEUD MAG. ED.
6. WINTER (HOSTEL-MAXI)
7. WINTER 2
8. JUST STEP S’WAYS
9. WHO MAKES THE NAZIS?
10. ICELAND
11. AND THIS DAY

DISC TWO: CD

ROOM TO LIVE

1. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE
2. MARQUIS CHA-CHA
3. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY
4. ROOM TO LIVE
5. DETECTIVE INSTINCT
6. SOLICITOR IN STUDIO
7. PAPAL VISIT
BONUS TRACKS
11. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE (BURY 27/04/82)
12. TOWN CALLED CRAPPY / SOLICITOR IN STUDIO (LONDON 25/03/82)
13. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY (WELLINGTON 19/08/82)
14. DETECTIVE INSTINCT (MANCHESTER 22/12/82)
15. ROOM TO LIVE (ROTTERDAM 12/02/83)
16. WORDS OF EXPECTATION (TORONTO 21/04/83)

DISC THREE: CD

SESSIONS – SINGLES –
SOUNDCHECKS

1. DEER PARK (JOHN PEEL SESSION 15/09/1981)
2. LOOK KNOW (JOHN PEEL SESSION 15/09/1981)
3. WINTER (JOHN PEEL SESSION 15/09/1981)
4. WHO MAKES THE NAZIS? (JOHN PEEL SESSION 15/09/1981)
5. LOOK KNOW (KAMERA SINGLE APRIL 82)
6. I’M INTO C.B. (KAMERA SINGLE APRIL 82)
7. SESSION MUSICIAN (BIERKELLER, LEEDS 05/11/1981)
8. JAZZED UP PUNK SHIT (666 CLUB, MANCHESTER 15/05/1982)
9. I’M INTO C.B. (STARS ON 45 VERSION) (FAGINS, MANCHESTER 30/09/1981)
10. AND THIS DAY (MAINSTREET, AUCKLAND, NZ SOUNDCHECK 20/08/1982)
11. DEER PARK (MAINSTREET, AUCKLAND, NZ SOUNDCHECK 20/08/1982)
12. AND THIS DAY (REVISITED) (ASTORIA 2, LONDON 26/02/1987)

DISC FOUR: CD

IN A HOLE

1. IMPRESSION OF J. TEMPERANCE
2. THE MAN WHOSE HEAD EXPANDED
3. ROOM TO LIVE
4. HIP PRIEST
5. LIE DREAM OF A CASINO SOUL
6. PROLE ART THREAT
7. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY
8. THE CLASSICAL
9. MERE PSEUD MAG ED
10. MARQUIS CHA-CHA
11. BACKDROP

DISC FIVE: CD

IN A HOLE +

1. FANTASTIC LIFE
2. ENGLISH SCHEME
3. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE
4. NO XMAS FOR JOHN QUAYS
5. SOLICITOR IN STUDIO
6. THE CONTAINER DRIVERS
7. C’N’C-BLACK NIGHT
8. LOOK, KNOW
9. WHO MAKES THE NAZIS?
10. GRAMME FRIDAY
11. SLAGS, SLATES ETC

DISC SIX: CD

PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
02/08/1982

1. I FEEL VOXISH
2. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY
3. I’M INTO C.B.
4. LIE DREAM OF A CASINO SOUL
5. SOLICITOR IN STUDIO
6. TEMPO HOUSE
7. THE CLASSICAL
8. MARQUIS CHA-CHA
9. ROOM TO LIVE
10. HEXEN STRIFE
11. KNOT DEER PARK
12. TOTALLY WIRED
13. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE
14. HIP PRIEST

Originally released in 1990, the seventeen songs collected here come from The Fall’s Brix Smith era, aka “the golden era of Fall releases.” This is a perfect introduction to the band, and as legendary critic Robert Christgau said, it’s “The only Fall record any normal person need own”.

The band’s legendary and notorious frontman Mark E. Smith passed away earlier this year at the age of 60. The band’s output since they formed at the height of the punk rock movement in Manchester in 1976 was prolific to say the least. It’s hard to be exact, but in their four decades, The Fall released 31 studio albums, 5 part-studio/part live albums, 32 live albums, 40 compilations, and Mark E. Smith also released two spoken word albums. Another high number is that of former members of The Fall. There were over 60 different band members over the years. Their high volume of quality work over the last 40+ years had an enormous influence which was extolled greatly after his death.

TRACK LISTING

1. Oh! Brother
2. C.R.E.E.P.
3. No Bulbs 3
4. Rollin’ Dany
5. Couldn’t Get Ahead
6. Cruisers Creek
7. L.A.
8. Living Too Late
9. Hit The North Part 1
10. Mr. Pharmacist
11. Hey! Luciani
12. There’s A Ghost In My House
13. Victoria
14. Big New Prinz
15. Wrong Place, Right Time No. 2
16. Jerusalem
17. Dead Beat Descendant

Greatest hits’ compilation, the first time a complete overview of The Fall’s career has been available on vinyl.

When the CD was originally released it was seen as the most complete and best overview of the bands recorded work and has yet to be bettered.

As with the other Fall re-issues it has been compiled by Daryl Easlea (who also wrote the notes) in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton and has been mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce with art by Becky

The Fall were an English post-punk band, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band existed in some form until 2018, built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith.

Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music went through several stylistic changes over the years, but was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, and was always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics. The band was noted for its prolific output: they released over 25 studio albums, and more than triple that counting live albums and other releases. They never achieved widespread public success beyond a handful of minor hit singles.

The band were long associated with BBC disc jockey John Peel, who championed them from early on in their career and cited The Fall as his favourite band, famously explaining, "They are always different; they are always the same."

TRACK LISTING

SIDE ONE
1 Repetition
2 How I Wrote 'Elastic Man'
3 Totally Wired
4 Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
5 The Classical
SIDE TWO
1 The Man Whose Head Expanded
2 Cruiser's Creek
3 Mr Pharmacist
4 There's A Ghost In My House
5 Hit The North
6 Victoria
SIDE THREE
1 Telephone Thing
2 Free Range
3 Lost In Music
4 Behind The Counter - Single Version
5 Touch Sensitive
SIDE FOUR
1 Theme From Sparta FC - Single Version
2 Blindness
3 Bury
4 New Facts Emerge

Are You Are Missing Winner is the twenty-second album by British post-punk band the Fall, released in November 2001. Since the band’s last record Mark E Smith had replaced the entire line up. The album was recorded very quickly and very much on the cheap and band member Ben Pritchard described it as a very miserable experience. The influence of Rockabilly is very much seen throughout the album and saw them covering Lead Belly's ‘The Bourgeois Blues’.

 As with the other Fall reissues these have notes by Fall guru Daryl Easlea and have been mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce.

This is the latest release in Cherry Red’s series of deluxe Fall reissues – “Fall Sound Archive”

TRACK LISTING

VINYL TRACKLISTING:
SIDE ONE
1. JIM'S "THE FALL”
2. BOURGEOIS TOWN
3. CROP DUST
4. MY EX-CLASSMATES' KIDS
5. KICK THE CAN
6. GOTTA SEE JANE
SIDE TWO
1. IBIS-AFRO MAN
2. THE ACUTE
3. HOLLOW MIND
4. REPRISE: JANE – PROF MICK – EY BASTARDO
SIDE THREE
1. RUDE (ALL THE TIME)
2. I WAKE UP IN THE CITY
3. NEW FORMATION SERMON
SIDE FOUR
1. DISTILLED MUG ART
2. MY EX-CLASSMATES' KIDS (LIVE IN
COLOGNE 23RD OCTOBER 2001)
3. WHERE'S THE FUCKIN' TAXI? CUNT
BONUS TRACK (2006)
4. ARE YOU MISSING WINNER

CD TRACKLISTING:
DISC 1:
ORIGINAL ALBUM
1. JIM'S "THE FALL”
2. BOURGEOIS TOWN
3. CROP DUST
4. MY EX-CLASSMATES' KIDS
5. KICK THE CAN
6. GOTTA SEE JANE
7. IBIS-AFRO MAN
8. THE ACUTE
9. HOLLOW MIND
10. REPRISE: JANE – PROF MICK – EY BASTARDO
BONUS TRACKS
11. RUDE (ALL THE TIME)
12.I WAKE UP IN THE CITY
13.NEW FORMATION SERMON
14.DISTILLED MUG ART
15. MY EX-CLASSMATES' KIDS (LIVE IN COLOGNE 23RD OCTOBER 2001)
16. WHERE'S THE FUCKIN' TAXI? CUNT

DISC 2:
LIVE AT THE KNITTING FACTORY
LA, 14th NOVEMBER 2001
1. THE JOKE
2. CYBER INSEKT
3. AND THEREIN
4. BOURGEOIS TOWN
5. CROPDUST
6. KICK THE CAN - F'OLDIN MONEY - KICK THE CAN PT 2
7. MR PHARMACIST
8. JIM'S THE FALL
9. ANTIDOTES
10. WAY ROUND / DR BUCKS LETTER

DISC 3:
LIVE AT THE GARAGE
LONDON, 20th APRIL 2002
1. TO NK ROACHMENT: YARBLES / THE JOKE
2. CYBER INSEKT
3. AND THEREIN
4. ANTIDOTES
5. KICK THE CAN / F'OLDIN MONEY / KICK THE CAN
6. BOURGEOIS TOWN
7. MR PHARMACIST
8. ENIGRAMMATIC DREAM / KETAMINE SUN
9. I WAKE UP IN THE CITY / MY EX-CLASSMATES KIDS
10. WAY ROUND

DISC 4:
LIVE AT THE ATP FESTIVAL
28th APRIL 2002
1. TO NK ROACHMENT: YARBLES / THE JOKE
2. 2 LIBRANS
3. THE JOKE
4. AND THEREIN
5. CYBER INSEKT
6. I WAKE UP IN THE CITY / MY EX-CLASSMATES KIDS
7. KICK THE CAN / F'OLDIN MONEY / KICK THE CAN
8. BOURGEOIS TOWN
9. MR PHARMACIST
10. SHAKE OFF - ENIGRAMATIC DREAM - KETAMINE SUN
11. WAY ROUND 

"Again working with John Leckie on production, the Fall's third Beggars album, Bend Sinister, was a distinctly down affair -- not that the Fall were ever a shiny happy band, of course, but both music and lyrics seemed like a darker corner to dwell in. Happily there was no worry that the Fall would ever go goth; one suspects Mark E. Smith would rather have his tongue removed. Still, opening track "R.O.D." makes for a distinctly lower-key start in comparison to recent leadoffs like "Lay of the Land" and "Bombast," almost sounding a bit like fellow Mancunian legends Joy Division, Smith's lyric his own depressing vision of a beast slouching toward Bethlehem. Leckie's production emphasizes space in the recording, while the band as a whole sounds generally more deliberate and understated, even Craig Scanlon's guitar not leaping quite as much to trebly life as is normally the case. Songs like "Gross Chapel - British Grenadiers" favor Steve Hanley's bass work as much as anything, while the almost industrial/hip-hop beat of "US 80's-90's" sets the tone for a glowering vision of the States from, as Smith puts it, "the big-shot original rapper." Elsewhere, there's Smith's vision of the eternal outsider comes to life once again -- "Shoulder Pads 1," a hardly disguised sneer against being surrounded by people who "can't tell Lou Reed from Doug Yule," for all that there's a slightly quirky arrangement thanks to Simon Rogers' keyboards. Still, there are certainly moments of sheer fun -- in keeping with the band's regular ear for good cover versions, this time around psych-era obscurities the Other Half get the nod with a brisk rip through the obvious drug references of "Mr. Pharmacist." Brix again shares vocal leads with Smith at various points, notably "Dktr. Faustus," a distinctly reworked version of that particular legend that turns into a frantic, audibly unhappy dance groove." - AllMusic.

Formed in 1976, by 1990, The Fall had been through 18 line ups, releasing 14 albums and 24 singles - The only constant was leader, vocalist Mark Edward Smith – welded to the work ethic, creating music that stunned in its obscure brilliance; railing against mediocrity, failing against the status quo It was all change when The Fall signed to Fontana. Guitarist Martin Bramah, who had founded the group with Smith, returned, replacing Smith's ex-wife Brix, who had been in the group since 1983. There were few cries of sell-out, however, when The Fall signed to a major; it was just part of an evolutionary process. The three Fontana albums, Extricate, Shift- Work and Code: Selfsh were stunningly consistent.

1992's Code: Selfsh marked the arrival of Dave Bush to the group on keyboards, bringing a harder, techno- edge to the work. Less focussed than its predecessors, the album reveals its considerable charms gradually – the initially impenetrable seven- minute splurge of opener of The Birmingham School of Business School gives way to the Top 40 commercialism of Free Range. The glam stomp of Immortality and Two- Face! are counteracted with the wistful introspection of Time Enough At Last and Gentleman's Agreement.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1992 Fontana Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

TRACK LISTING

1. The Birmingham School Of Business School
2. Free Range
3. Return
4. Time Enough At Last
5. Everything Hurtz
6. Immortality
7. Two-Face!
8. Just Waiting
9. So-Called Dangerous
10. Gentlemen's Agreement
11. Married, 2 Kids
12. Crew Filth

The Fall’s second studio album, re-issued here for The Fall Sound Archive on black 12" vinyl.

Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith’s distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

“They are always different; they are always the same…” John Peel.

‘Dragnet’ is the second studio album – released 26th October 1979, originally released through record label Step-Forward, it predicated two major factors in the group’s career – high productivity and high group turnover.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE ONE
1. PSYKICK DANCEHALL
2. A FIGURE WALKS
3. PRINTHEAD
4. DICE MAN
5. BEFORE THE MOON FALLS
6. YOUR HEART OUT
SIDE TWO
1. MUZOREWI’S DAUGHTER
2. FLAT OF ANGLES
3. CHOC-STOCK
4. SPECTRE VS. RECTOR
5. PUT AWAY

It was all change when The Fall signed to Fontana. Guitarist Martin Bramah, who had founded the group with Smith, returned, replacing Smith's ex-wife Brix, who had been in the group since 1983. There were few cries of sell-out, however, when The Fall signed to a major; it was just part of an evolutionary process. The three Fontana albums, Extricate, Shift- Work and Code: Selfsh were stunningly consistent.

Released in February 1990, Extricate was a big bold statement, coopting some Madchester beats into The Fall's mix, with the band and Smith on excellent form. From the catchy indie of Hilary and The Littlest Rebel, the oblique attack on past lovers in Sing! Harpy, and the touching rumination on death and new love, Bill Is Dead, Extricate is one of the group's most coherent albums. Smith also worked with dance producers Coldcut updating the Lisa Stansfeld sung track My Telephone as Telephone Thing.

This re- issue faithfully replicates the original 1990 Fontana Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

TRACK LISTING

1. Sing! Harpy
2. I'm Frank
3. Bill Is Dead
4. Black Monk Theme Part I
5. Popcorn Double Feature
6. Telephone Thing
7. Hilary
8. Chicago, Now!
9. The Littlest Rebel
10. And Therein...

Recorded at Lisa Stansfield's Gracieland studios in Rochdale as well as New York.

Seen as one of the bands best albums, it contains fan favourite 'Blindness' which was used in a car advert in 2007.

This box released in conjunction with Narnack features the original album as well as sessions, Bsides, a live show from the time and a complete disc of Demos from Chapel Studios.

This Set as with the other Fall reissues has been compiled in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton and has notes by Fall guru Daryl Easlea and have been mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce with art by Becky Stewart

TRACK LISTING

2LP / 4CD - DISC ONE
Fall Heads Roll
1 Ride Away
2 Pacifying Joint
3 What About Us?
4 Midnight In Aspen
5 Assume
6 Aspen Reprise
7 Blindness
8 I Can Hear The Grass Grow
9 Bo Demmick
10 Youwanner
11 Clasp Hands
12 Early Days Of Channel Führer
13 Breaking The Rules
14 Trust In Me

DISC TWO
Sessions And Singles
1 Blindness - John Peel - 04/08/2004
2 Clasp Hands - John Peel - 04/08/2004
3 What About Us - John Peel - 04/08/2004
4 Wrong Place Wrong Time / I Can Hear The
Grass Grow - John Peel - 04/08/2004
5 Job Search - John Peel - 04/08/2004
6 Blindness - Heads Roll - US Alt Version
7 I Can Hear The Grass Grow - Slow Version
8 Bo Doodak - Single
9 Blindness - Interim Version
10 What About Us - Interim Version
11 Clasp Hands - Interim Version
12 Blind Man - Original Demo
13 Blindness - Alt Version

DISC THREE
Chapel Studio Demos
1 The Boss
2 Systamatic Abuse
3 Party Song
4 Twang
5 Get Out
6 The V One
7 Spencers Cut
8 Steve Country
9 Wed Z
10 Boil A Chicken
11 White Line
12 Benneets Rocker
13 Brimstone
14 Fuzz

DISC FOUR
Leeds 27/08/2006
1 Bo Demmick
2 Pacifying Joint
3 Theme From Sparta FC
4 What About Us?
5 Reformation!
6 Mountain Energei
7 Mr Pharmacist
8 Blindness
9 My Door Is Never

"So named due to this being a collection of stuff released on the Kamera label, for a long time Hip Priests was the only way to listen to material from the mighty Hex Enduction Hour album, as well as Room to Live and related singles like "Lie Dream of a Casino Soul" and "Look, Know." For that reason alone it was a useful collection, though it was also flawed in that nearly everything was mastered for CD from vinyl, a harbinger of what would eventually happen in the late '90s with any number of early Fall reissues. It's especially noticeable on "Hip Priest" itself. Whether or not one wants to debate the aesthetics of such an approach, it's still more than a little frustrating. Thankfully, the song selection is nearly impeccable -- omissions are unavoidable, but there's no overlap with Palace of Swords Reversed, and the highlights are legion: "Hip Priest," "The Classical," "Mere Psued Mag. Ed.," "I'm Into C.B.!," and the absolutely wonderful B-side "Fantastic Life." The CD and cassette versions both include a useful bonus of interest to hardcore fans -- four live cuts of varying fidelity of other material from that time. "Who Makes the Nazis?" is OK enough, but the take on "Just Step Sideways" gets delivered with rough, fiery authority. At the end of the collection, meanwhile, there's an extremely muddy take on "Jawbone and the Air-Rifle" that will likely cause immediate departures on the part of neighbors and friends. A full quarter-hour ramble and stumble through "And This Day" concludes the release as a whole; it's a great performance that at nearly every point sounds like it'll collapse into formless chaos. Mark E. Smith is his typically contrarian self, while the lineup has its usual off-center way with the proceedings." - AllMusic.

TRACK LISTING

Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
The Classical
Fortress
Look, Know
Hip Priest
Who Makes The Nazis?
Just Step Sideways
Room To Live
Mere Pseud Mag. Ed.
Hard Life In Country
I'm Into CB!
Fantastic Life
Jawbone And The Air-Rifle
And This Day

The Fall were an English post-punk group, formed in 1976 in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. They underwent many line-up changes, with vocalist and founder Mark E. Smith as the only constant member. A journalist once described them as "a kind of Northern English magic realism that mixed industrial grime with the unearthly and uncanny," voiced through a "one-note delivery somewhere between amphetamine-spiked rant and alcohol-addled yarn." It was the favourite band from the legendary BBC disc jockey John Peel. The Light User Syndrome is The Fall's 18th album. The crisp live edge to the recording is very well done, and its one of their most abbrasive and hardhitting album of the 90's. It features the popular tracks "Spinetrap", "Oleano", "Hostile", and "He Pep!". In addition, they recorded a cover version of Johnny Paycheck's "Stay Away (Old White Train)".

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. D.I.Y. Meat
2. Das Vulture Ans Ein Nutter-Wain
3. He Pep!
4. Hostile
5. Stay Away (Old White Train)

Side B
1. Spinetrak
2. Interlude/Chilinism
3. Powder Keg

Side C
1. Oleano
2. Cheetham Hill
3. The Coliseum

Side D
1. Last Chance To Turn Around
2. The Ballard Of J. Drummer
3. Oxymoron
4. Secession Man

The Fall’s first studio album, reissued on black vinyl in its 45th Anniversary year. This black vinyl version is 180GSM with an inner bag and features the US artwork and track-listing.

Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith’s distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

“They are always different; they are always the same.” JOHN PEEL

“Live At The Witch Trials” is the debut studio album – released 16th March 1979 – these editions celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this seminal album. Originally released through record label Step-Forward, it was recorded in a single day and mixed by producer Bob Sargeant. Mark E. Smith’s lyrics include his unique commentary on the music business (‘Music Scene’), poorly paid jobs (‘Industrial Estate’) and drugs (‘No Xmas For John Quays’, ‘Like To Blow’, ‘Frightened’, ‘Underground Medecin’)

Sounds gave it five stars at the time of release, writing: “an album of staggeringly rich, mature music, inner questioning hand in hand with rock and roll at its fiercest, its finest, its most honest, rock and roll at its naked, most stimulating”

Featuring the one and only Mark E. Smith alongside Martin Bramah, Marc Riley, Karl Burns and Yvonne Pawlett.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE ONE
1. FRIGHTENED
2. CRAP RAP 2/LIKE TO BLOW
3. REBELLIOUS JUKEBOX
4. NO XMAS FOR JOHN QUAYS
5. VARIOUS TIMES

SIDE TWO
1. UNDERGROUND MEDECIN
2. TWO STEPS BACK
3. LIVE AT THE WITCH TRIALS
4. FUTURES AND PASTS
5. MUSIC SCENE

After what seemed like a very long, drunken, tense-with-anticipation waiting period, the moment is upon me. The band takes the stage, and immediately launches into a big-sounding version of The Joke. Mark bounds onto the stage and starts bellowing into the mic with intensity: "The Joke! Five years in a PC camp, the Joke!" "Ahh," I think, "they're not going to totally suck." This latest incarnation of the Fall includes three hard-working lads named Ben, Spencer, and Jim, who know their shit something fierce. This is an incredibly tight band that is gaining momentum at the expense of every amateurish musician ever to mistakenly step onto the stage. Mr. Smith himself was in fine form, prowling around the stage snarling lyrics into the mic and messing around with his bandmates' amps (but not too much - I have to stress that his behavior was fairly clean on this tour). He seemed to be on something besides straight-up "joie de vivre," but that is hardly an aberration. This man and his friends like to do drugs, and have done since the early days of the band in 1977. Whatever, it's rock and roll. What matters is the music, which was strong. The band was a juggernaut with a mad genius at the helm. Picture a massive battleship with wheels rolling over small towns with a mad banshee snarling and hurning invective down at those foolish enough to stand in the way. Mark E. Smith is an incredibly self-assured performer who exudes more charisma standing still than most lead singers do hopping around and climbing on things. The biggest stormer of the evening was "I Am Damo Suzuki," MES' tribute to one of his favorite bands, Can. One of the first lyrics, "and the drums....come in...and the drums they come in FAST" sent shivers down my spine as the drummer started bashing out the catchier-than-strep beat. In general, the set got faster, louder, and generally "more" towards the end. I think it was during the cover "Mr. Pharmacist" that the energy really started picking up. "Two Librans" off of the Unutterable was also pretty powerful--both because the massive guitar chord hook style of these songs suits the new band pretty well. So now for the $64 million question: are the Fall over? Even worse, were they over a long time ago? The answer, to anyone who is still paying attention, is resoundingly no. This band can fill the GAMH with people going nuts. They are a monument, but unlike other monuments, they continue to create. As Smith once barked, "Ours is not to look back, ours is to continue the crap!" Indeed.

TRACK LISTING

The Joke 
Cyber Insekt 
Two Librans 
And Therein 
Touch Sensitive 
Crop-Dust 
Bourgeois Town 
Kick The Can > F-oldin' Money 
Mr. Pharmacist 
Sons Of Temperance
My Ex-Classmates' Kids 
Enigrammatic Dream 
I Wake Up In The City
Reprise:
Jane - Prof Mick - Ey Bastardo 
Way Round 
I Am Damo Suzuki

A mixture of Live and Studio out-takes that have never been out on vinyl before. Gatefold Sleeve, 180 gm Orange Vinyl. About five or six years ago Mark E Smith and I were going through some old audio recordings of The Fall both studio live and he invented a character called Holiday Tony who he said should be the person who should come round and listen to the tapes with us. He made a phone call to me telling me Holiday Tony lived in Prestwich and went to Blackpool on his holidays once a year with an old brown suitcase with recordings of The Fall inside. I even got a letter off Mark telling me when it was ok for Holiday Tony to go round and see him. Another idea of Mark’s about three years ago was to do a vinyl as a Non Record Store Day release in the weeks before Record Store Day and that every track should just be called The Holiday Tony Tapes. So here is the album. 

• ‘Middle Class Revolt’ was originally released in 1994 and was the band 16th studio album.

• This edition contains singles, demos as well as a BBC session and three live shows from the era.

• This Set as with the other Fall reissues has been compiled in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton and has notes by Fall guru Daryl Easlea.

• Mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce with art by Becky Stewart. The Fall are an English post-punk band, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band has existed in some form ever since, and is essentially built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music has gone through several stylistic changes over the years, but is often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, and is always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

The band is noted for its prolific output having released over 25 studio albums, and more than triple that counting live albums and other releases. They have never achieved widespread public success beyond a handful of minor hit singles in the late 1980s, but have maintained a strong cult following. The band were long-associated with BBC disc jockey John Peel, who championed them from early on in their career and cited The Fall as his favourite band, famously explaining, "They are always different; they are always the same."

The Fall
Mark E. Smith – Vocals, Tapes
Craig Scanlon – Guitar
Steve Hanley – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Simon Wolstencroft – Drums, Programming
Karl Burns – Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Vocals
Dave Bush – Keyboards, Programming, Whistle, Backing Vocals

Additional personnel
John Peel – voice on "Symbol of Mordgan"

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: Middle Class Revolt
1 15 Ways
2 The Reckoning
3 Behind The Counter
4 M5#1
5 Surmount All Obstacles
6 Middle Class Revolt!
7 War
8 You're Not Up To Much
9 Symbol Of Mordgan
10 Hey! Student
11 Junk Man
12 The $500 Bottle Of Wine
13 City Dweller
14 Shut Up!

DISC TWO: Singles
1 Behind The Counter - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
2 War - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
3 Cab Driver - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
4 M5 - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
5 Happy Holiday - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
6 Behind The Counter (Remix) - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
7 15 Ways - Permanent Singles PERM 13 & 14
8 Happy Holiday - Promo Mix
9 Middle Class Revolt - The Drum Club Prozac Mix
10 Middle Class Revolt - The Drum Club Orange In The Mouth Mix
11 Middle Class Revolt - Rex Sargeant Mix
12 Surmount All Obstacles - Rex Sargeant Mix
13 M5 - John Peel Session #17 - 12/1/94
14 Behind The Counter - John Peel Session #17 - 12/1/94
15 Reckoning - John Peel Session #17 - 12/1/94
16 Hey! Student - John Peel Session #17 - 12/1/94

DISC THREE: Shepherds Bush Empire - 29-Apr-94
1 Surmount All Obstacles
2 Behind The Counter
3 The Reckoning
4 15 Ways
5 M5
6 You're Not Up To Much
7 Ladybird (Green Grass)
8 Hey! Student
9 War
10 Big New Prinz

DISC FOUR: Shepherds Bush Empire 29-Apr-94
1 Middle Class Revolt
2 Happy Holiday
3 British People In Hot Weather
4 Glam Racket
5 Free Range
6 I'm Frank
7 Strychnine
8 A Past Gone Mad
9 Return

DISC FIVE: Live At The Assembly Rooms, Derby 1994
1 Long Intro Start!
2 M5
3 15 Ways
4 The Reckoning
5 You're Not Up To Much
6 Behind The Counter
7 Surmount All Obstacles
8 Ladybird (Green Grass)
9 War
10 Free Range
11 Middle Class Revolt
12 Glam-Racket
13 Hey! Student
14 Return
15 Dead Beat Descendant
16 Life Just Bounces

DISC SIX: Live @ Tramps New York 10th September 1994
1 Behind The Counter
2 M5
3 15 Ways
4 Reckoning
5 Free Range
6 Ladybird (Green Grass)
7 War
8 Big New Prinz
9 Middle Class Revolt
10 Lost In Music
11 Glam Racket
12 L.A.
13 Dead Beat Descendant 

• July 2017 sees the new album by the Fall – their first since Sub Lingual Tablet in 2015 – containing 11 new tracks recorded at various studios in the UK and produced in conjunction with Mark E Smith.

• The band, now in their 41st year, have proven a major influence to many a band in both the UK and around the world (bands such as Pavement, Hole and even Faith No More).

• New Facts Emerge is their third studio album for Cherry Red and adds to the list of over 100 live and studio albums released by the band over the years.

• Formed in 1976 by Mark E Smith, the band has gone through numerous line ups but retain a consistency that many other bands would envy.

TRACK LISTING

DISC 1
1. SEGUE - THE FALL
2. FOL DE ROL - THE FALL
3. BRILLO DE FACTO - THE FALL
4. VICTORIA TRAIN STATION MASSACRE - THE FALL
5. NEW FACTS EMERGE - THE FALL
6. COUPLE VS JOBLESS MID 30'S - THE FALL

DISC 2
1. SECOND HOUSE NOW - THE FALL
2. O! ZZTRRK MAN - THE FALL
3. GIBBUS GIBSON - THE FALL
4. GROUNDSBOY AND THE TWO AMENDMENTS - THE FALL
5. NINE OUT OF TEN - THE FALL

1982 was a decisive year for The Fall. Their critically acclaimed album “Hex Enduction Hour” was released in March on Kamera Records, closely followed by “Room To Live” in September.

This double LP includes the classic album (“Room To Live”) plus live recordings in Manchester, London, New Zealand, Netherlands and Canada.

This release is a double vinyl on coloured marble effect vinyl.

Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

“They are always different; they are always the same.” John Peel

TRACK LISTING

SIDE ONE
1. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE
2. MARQUIS CHA-CHA
3. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY
4. ROOM TO LIVE

SIDE TWO
1. DETECTIVE INSTINCT
2. SOLICITOR IN STUDIO
3. PAPAL VISIT

SIDE THREE
1. JOKER HYSTERICAL FACE (BURY 27/04/82)
2. TOWN CALLED CRAPPY / SOLICITOR IN STUDIO (LONDON 25/03/82)
3. HARD LIFE IN COUNTRY (WELLINGTON 19/08/82)

SIDE FOUR
1. DETECTIVE INSTINCT (MANCHESTER 22/12/82)
2. ROOM TO LIVE (ROTTERDAM 12/02/83)
3. WORDS OF EXPECTATION (TORONTO 21/04/83)

Released by Beggars Banquet in June 1989, 'Seminal Live' was the first of many live and semi-live albums across The Fall’s catalogue. Its release marks the end of the band’s prolific Beggars Banquet era (1984-1989). The albums that preceded 'Seminal Live' via Beggars Banquet - 'The Wonderful and Frightening World Of', 'This Nation’s Saving Grace', 'Bend Sinister', 'The Frenz Experiment' and 'I Am Kurious Oranj' are all considered pillars of the band’s extensive catalogue.

The studio recordings on 'Seminal Live' were all new songs and make up the first side of the album. The live recordings on side two, meanwhile, are all versions of previously-released tracks. Songs on 'Seminal Live' are now considered Fall classics. Side one contains 'Dead Beat Descendant', and their cover of Lonnie Irving’s 'Pinball Machine' is in the well-worn tradition of The Fall’s country covers.

The live side demonstrates the collage-like nature of the LP. Rather than pulling tracks from one single set, live performances were taken from shows in Vienna and Manchester mostly from 1988. 'Seminal Live' features one of the most celebrated line-ups of the band with Brix Smith, Craig Scanlon, Steve Hanley, Simon Wolstencrof, Marcia Schofield and of course Mark E. Smith.

The Fall’s legendary and notorious frontman Mark E. Smith passed away in 2018 at the age of 60 and left us with a massive output. The amount of Fall releases (and band members) was prolific to say the least. The foundation of their unique sound is a near-cacophonous, amelodic jagged jumble of guitars, sing-speak vocals and keyboards which has had an enormous influence on the indie/alternative scene.

TRACK LISTING

1. Dead Beat Descendant
2. Pinball Machine
3. H.O.W.
4. Squid Law
5. Mollusc In Tyrol
6. 2 By 4
7. Elf Prefix / L.A.
8. Victoria
9. Pay Your Rates
10. Introduction / Cruiser’s Creek

It was all change when The Fall signed to Fontana. Guitarist Martin Bramah, who had founded the group with Smith, returned, replacing Smith's ex-wife Brix, who had been in the group since 1983. There were few cries of sell-out, however, when The Fall signed to a major; it was just part of an evolutionary process. The three Fontana  albums, Extricate, Shift- Work and Code: Selfsh were stunningly consistent.With Martin Bramah and keyboard player Marcia Schofeld dismissed from the band, The Fall worked as a four- piece (Craig Scanlon, guitar; Steve Hanley, bass; Simon 'Funky Si' Wolstencroft on drums) for the frst time in the group's career.

Shift-Work from April 1991 is another commercial Fall high- water mark; it contains Idiot Joy Showland, Smith's rant against bandwagon- jumping Madchester bands ("The shapeless kecks fapping up a storm, look at what they are: a pack of worms."), the one- time album title track, The War Against Intelligence, and the bucolic Edinburgh Man, a love letter to Mark E. Smith's then adopted home city.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1991 Fontana Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

TRACK LISTING

1. So What About It?
2. Idiot Joy Showland
3. Edinburgh Man
4. Pittsville Direkt
5. The Book Of Lies
6. The War Against Intelligence
7. Shift- Work
8. You Haven't Found It Yet
9. The Mixer
10. A Lot Of Wind
11. Rose
12. Sinister Waltz

"After the dark morass of Bend Sinister, the sound of 1988's Frenz Experiment comes as a bit of a shock. The arrangements are spare and broken down to the essentials, with the distorted guitars brought down low and Wolstencroft's drums high in the mix. Marcia Schofield had also joined the band to add keyboards. With most of the songs credited only to Smith himself, this could be seen as a solo album of sorts, or an indication of some rift within the group -- it certainly doesn't translate into the music. For the first time too, his vocals are loud and clear, though certainly not comprehensible; "Bremen Nacht" hints at some sort of run in with a ghost in Germany, "Athlete Cured," with its Spinal Tap-borrowed riff, tells of a "German athletic star" made ill from unusual circumstances -- the narrative turns strange, then funny until wandering off, a classic Smith tactic. Their cover of the Kinks' "Victoria" marked the Fall's first entry into the British charts, but also fit in with Smith's continuing explorations of Britain's history and how it translates into issues of class identity. The CD contains their other two singles from this time -- "Hit the North" and a cover of R. Dean Taylor's "There's a Ghost in My House," which the group makes their own -- plus several B-sides." - AllMusic.

TRACK LISTING

1 Frenz
2 Carry Bag Man
3 Get A Hotel
4 Victoria
5 Athlete Cured
6 In These Times
7 The Steak Place 
8 Bremen Nacht Alternative
9 Guest Informant Excerpt
10 Oswald Defence Lawyer
11 Tuff Life Booogie
12 Guest Informant
13 Twister
14 There's A Ghost In My House
15 Hit The North Part 1

‘The Infotainment Scan’ was originally released in 1993 and was the band 15th studio album reaching no 9 on the album chart. 

This set contains singles and demos as well as BBC sessions and three live shows from the era.

Compiled in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton and has notes by Fall guru Daryl Easlea and have been mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce with art by Becky Stewart.

The Fall are an English post-punk band, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band has existed in some form ever since, and is essentially built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music has gone through several stylistic changes over the years, but is often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, and is always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

The band is noted for its prolific output: and have released over 25 studio albums, and more than triple that counting live albums and other releases. They have never achieved widespread public success beyond a handful of minor hit singles in the late 1980s, but have maintained a strong cult following.

The band were long-associated with BBC disc jockey John Peel, who championed them from early on in their career and cited The Fall as his favourite band, famously explaining, "They are always different; they are always the same."

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
The Infotainment Scan
1 Ladybird (Green Grass)
2 Lost In Music
3 Glam Racket
4 I'm Going To Spain
5 It's A Curse
6 Paranoia Man In Cheap Shit Room
7 Service
8 The League Of Bald-Headed Men
9 A Past Gone Mad
10 Light/Fireworks

DISC TWO
Bonus Tracks
1 Why Are People Grudgeful?
2 League Moon Monkey Mix
3 Why Are People Grudgeful? - Permanent Single
4 Glam Racket - Permanent Single
5 The Re-Mixer - Permanent Single
6 Lost In Music - Permanent Single
7 A Past Gone Mad - Alternate Version
8 Instrumental Outtake
9 Service - Instrumental Demo
10 Glam Racket - Instrumental Demo
11 Lost In Music - Mix 3
12 Lost In Music - Mix 7
13 Lost In Music - Mix 14

DISC THREE
At The BBC Peel Session 13/3/93
1 Ladybird (Green Grass)
2 Strychnine
3 Service
4 Paranoia Man In Cheap Sh*t Room Mark Goodier Session 17/5/93
5 Glam Racket
6 War
7 15 Ways
8 A Past Gone Mad Hallam University, Sheffield - April 7th 1993
9 Intro
10 Why Are People Grudgeful?
11 Ladybird
12 Glam Racket
13 Free Range
14 Going To Spain
15 The League Of Bald-Headed Men
16 Lost In Music

DISC FOUR
1993 11th October Batschkapp Frankfurt Germany
1 Intro Track
2 M5
3 Ladybird (Green Grass)
4 High Tension Line
5 Glam Racket
6 Why Are People Grudgeful?
7 I'm Going To Spain
8 Free Range
9 Behind The Counter
10 Strychnine
11 Big New Prinz
12 A Past Gone Mad
13 Lost In Music
14 Paranoia Man In Cheap Shit Room
15 Idiot Joy Showland
16 (Instrumental Interlude)
17 The Mixer
18 Dead Beat Descendant

DISC FIVE
Live At Liberty Lunch, Austin, Texas, 11th September 1993
1 Intro
2 M5 [aborted]
3 M5
4 Ladybird (Green Grass)
5 Paranoia Man In Cheap Shit Room
6 Lost In Music
7 Idiot Joy Showland
8 Big New Prinz
9 Free Range
10 I'm Going To Spain

DISC SIX
Live At Liberty Lunch, Austin, Texas, 11th September 1993
1 Glam-Racket
2 Why Are People Grudgeful?
3 A Past Gone Mad
4 Strychnine
5 League Of Bald-Headed Men
6 Dead Beat Descendant
7 Return
8 The Mixer
9 High Tension Line

Originally recorded at Lisa Stansfield's Gracieland Studios in between December 2002 and January 2003 with producer Grant Showbiz.

The subtitle is explained by the fact that the tracks were originally scheduled for release in April 2003 under the title ‘Country on the Click’. Promotional copies were sent out and three of the new songs were previewed in the band's 23rd Peel Session, but Mark. E Smith was unhappy with the mix and decided it needed further work.

Alex Linhardt of Pitchfork called it "as valuable an album as anything The Fall ever released in the 1990s" and stated that "Smith's lyrics are at a near career-best of insolence and nonsense.” AllMusic's David Jeffries wrote that the album "gives the faithful another reason to believe". Helen Pidd, reviewing the album for The Guardian, viewed Smith as being "on magnificently mad form”. Uncut called it "Great by Smith’s standards. Practically genius by everybody else’s.” Spin praised it as "an atavistic orgy of recycled riffs and lifelong obsessions". MOJO reviewed it as "as good as anything in this group's monstrous catalogue”. Pop Matters called it "their best record in a decade”.

This Set as with the other Fall reissues has been compiled in conjunction with Fall expert Conway Patton and has notes by Fall guru Daryl Easlea and was mastered by long time engineer Andy Pearce with art by Becky Stewart.

TRACK LISTING

Vinyl Tracklisting:
Side 1:
1 Green Eyed Locomotion
2 Mountain Energi
3 Theme From Sparta FC
4 Contraflow
5 Last Commands OF Xyralothep Via MES
6 Janet, Johnny And James
Side 2:
1 The Past #2
2 Open The Boxoctosis #2
3 Loop 41 ‘Houston
4 Mike’s Love Xexagon
5 Proteinprotection
6 Recovery Kit

CD Box Set:
DISC ONE 
The Real New Fall LP Formerly 'Country On The Click'
1 Green Eyed Loco-Man
2 Mountain Energei
3 Theme From Sparta F.C.
4 Contraflow
5 Last Commands Of Xyralothep Via M.E.S.
6 Open The Boxoctosis #2
7 Janet, Johnny + James
8 The Past #2
9 Loop41 `Houston
10 Mike's Love Xexagon
11 Proteinprotection
12 Recovery Kit

DISC TWO:
Country On The Click (Original Version)
1 Sparta
2 Protein Protection
3 Mountain Energei
4 Contraflow
5 Green Eyed
6 Boxoctosis
7 Ho(E)uston
8 The Past
9 Recovery Kit
10 Mike's Love Xexagon
11 Susan V Youthclub

DISC THREE:
Interim
1 All Clasp Hands
2 Blindness
3 What About Us?
4 I'm Ronney The Oney
5 Green-Eyed Snorkel
6 Mod Mock Goth
7 Wrong Place
8 Sparta FC No:3
9 Mere Pseud Mag Ed
10 Spoilt Victorian Childe
11 Boxoctosis Alarum

DISC FOUR:
Singles / Sessions
1 Susan Vs Youthclub - Single
2 Janet Vs Johnny - B-Side
3 Susan Vs Youthclub - Remix
4 (We Wish You A) Protein Christmas - Single
5 (We Are) Mod Mock Goth - Single
6 (Birtwistle's) Girl In Shop - Single
7 Recovery Kit 2 # - Single
8 (We Are) Mod Mock Goth - US Album Edit
9 Theme From Sparta F.C. #2 - Single
10 My Ex-Classmate’s Kids (Live Cologne 2001) - B-Side
11 Portugal (aka Debacle (For The Record)) - B-Side
12 Theme From Sparta F.C. - Peel Session
13 Contraflow - Peel Session
14 Grooving With Mr Bloe / Green-Eyed Loco Man - Peel Session
15 Mere Pseud Mag Ed. - Peel Session

DISC FIVE:
Live At The Knitting Factory - New
York - 9 April 2004
1 Horror In Clay
2 Boxoctosis
3 Contraflow
4 Middle Mass
5 Mere Pseud Mag Ed
6 Mountain Energei
7 I Can Hear The Grass Grow
8 Telephone Thing
9 Theme From Sparta F.C.
10 Janet, Johnny And James
11 Groovin' With Mr Bloe / Green Eyed Loco Man
12 Walk Like A Man
13 Mr Pharmacist
14 Mike's Love Xexagon / We Are Mod Mock Goth
15 I Am Damo Suzuki
16 Dr Buck's Letter
17 Loop 41

The Unutterable was originally released in 2000 and was the band's 21st studio album.

This double vinyl re-issue is released to mark the 25th anniversary of an acclaimed Fall classic and accompanies an extended 4CD box set.

Formed in Manchester in 1976 and built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith the band existed in some form or other (with numerous line-up changes) until Smith’s death in 2018. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music has gone through several stylistic changes over the years, but is often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, and is always underpinned by Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

The band were long associated with John Peel, who championed them from early on in their career and cited The Fall as his favorite band, famously explaining, "They are always different; they are always the same."

TRACK LISTING

Side One
1 Cyber Insekt
2 Two Librans
3 W.B
4 Sons Of Temperance
Side Two
1 Dr. Bucks' Letter
2 Hot Runes
3 Way Round
Side Three
1 Octo Realm / Ketamine Sun
2 Serum
3 Unutterable
4 Pumpkin Soup And Mashed Potatoes
Side Four
1 Hands Up Billy
2 Midwatch 1953
3 Devolute
4 Das Katerer

CD Box Set:
1 Cyber Insekt
2 Two Librans
3 W.B
4 Sons Of Temperance
5 Dr. Bucks' Letter
6 Hot Runes
7 Way Round
8 Octo Realm / Ketamine Sun
9 Serum
10 Unutterable
11 Pumpkin Soup And Mashed Potatoes
12 Hands Up Billy
13 Midwatch 1953
14 Devolute
15 Das Katerer

Testa Rossa Monitor Mixes
1 Serum
2 Two Librans
3 Hands Up Billy
4 Cyber Insekt
5 Dr. Buck's Letter
6 Midwatch 1953
7 Sons Of Temperance
8 W.B
9 Octo Realm / Ketamine Sun
10 Devolute
11 Hot Rune
12 Instrum One
13 Instrum Two Aka Two

16th April 2001 - TJs Newport Wales UK
1 Intro One / Two
2 Sons Of Temperance
3 Two Librans
4 Touch Sensitive
5 Antidotes
6 F-Oldin’ Money
7 Way Round
8 Ketamine Sun
9 Devolute
10 Mr. Pharmacist
11 Dr. Buck's Letter
12 I Am Damo Suzuki
13 Hot Runes
14 Cyber Insekt
15 Ibis-Afro Man
16 Midwatch 1953
17 Touch Sensitive

Live At The Edinburgh Liquid Rooms 2001
1 Touch Sensitive
2 Jims 'The Fall'
3 Bourgeois Town
4 Two Librans
5 I Am Damo Suzuki
6 And Therein
7 The Joke
8 Mr Pharmacist
9 Way Round
10 Crop Dust
11 Kick The Can (Instrumental)
12 F-Oldin' Money/Kick The Can
13 Dr Bucks Letter
14 Ibis Afro Man (instrumental)

Released in 1984, The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall was the band’s seventh studio album and their first for Beggars Banquet. It makes few conces¬sions to the larger market - every potential hook seemed spiked with the band’s usual rough take- it-or- leave- it stance - though the integration of Brix Smith into the band added a melodic twist.

This LP has been mastered from HD files transferred from the analog tapes.

TRACK LISTING

1. Lay Of The Land
2. 2 By 4
3. Copped It
4. Elves
5. Slang King
6. Bug Day
7. Stephen Song
8. Craigness
9. Disney's Dream Debased

This 7 track EP features new tracks, remixes and alternate takes of songs from last year’s Sub-Lingual Tablet LP along with a reworking of ‘’No Xmas For John Quays.

TRACK LISTING

1: Wise Ol' Man (Edit)
2: All Leave Cancelled
3: Dedication (Remix)
4: Wise Ol' Man (Instrumental)
5: Venice With Girls
6: Face Book Troll / No Xmas For John Quay
7: All Leave Cancelled (X)

The mighty Fall release their first album in over two years and it’s their Domino debut. Recorded at various studios in the north of England over the past year, "Your Future Our Clutter" is The Fall at their most rampant, most forward moving, bone shaking best. With nine tracks that rock like raw fury, we see The Fall heading into their next decade with the same intensity with which they started.

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Album number 28, and Mark E. Smith and the Fall are back at their very best. Think of "Hex Enduction Hour" mixed with "This Nation's Saving Grace", yep that good!!

TRACK LISTING

Vinyl And CD
O.F.Y.C. Showcase
Bury Pts. 1 + 3
Mexico Wax Solvent
Cowboy George
Hot Cake
Y.F.O.C. / Slippy Floor
Chino
Funnel Of Love
Weather Report 2

Extra Tracks - Vinyl Only
Get A Summer Song Goin’
Cowboy George

Drew Lustman aka FaltyDL releases his debut EP with Ninja Tune and it’s an absolute cracker. Over its four tracks he shows the range and grasp of rhythm, atmosphere and melody which have made him one of the most exciting producers in electronic music right now.

Title track “Atlantis” is distinguished by a complex, swinging, relentlessly danceable beat, unfeasibly low bass hits and a melancholic tune which sits somewhere between Four Tet and classic rave. “Can’t Stop The Prophet” shows the DNA of Wagon Christ (an early influence) spliced with the sonics of post-dubstep and the restless energy of an ADHD toddler, ending with a first-love junglist wig-out. “My Light, My Love”, seemingly sampled and built out of the sonic spaces between notes and beats, is perhaps the deepest moment on an incredible EP, while “The Sale Ends” takes us once more back to the skipping feel of a fractured, interplanetary 2-step.

FaltyDL is one of the hottest names in electronic music right now and the Atlantis EP shows why. Immersed in the old New York and Chicago sound yet creating a more subtle and ultimately futuristic mash-up of influences, Lustman takes his influences and makes them fresh. The sometime sushi-chef and now New York resident has been turning heads since 2008, when Mike Paradinas signed his US-ified versions of UK garage to Planet Mu and released it on an unsuspecting world. Since then, Lustman has looked to expand and evolve his signature sound over two albums, an EP and three singles for the label. In addition, he has released an Afro-beat-inspired 12”, "Mean Streets Pt 1" with Loefah’s Swamp81 label, a single on Ramp backed with a remix from Jamie XX, plus remixes of his own for the likes of Mount Kimbie, The XX, Scuba, Photek, Anthony Shake Shakir and others.

TRACK LISTING

1. Atlantis
2. Can't Stop The Prophet
3. My Light, My Love
4. The Sale Ends

It’s been ten years since Drew Lustman aka FaltyDL last released on Planet Mu. In the meantime he's been running his own label Blueberry Records, been in-house producer for Mykki Blanco and has become a dad. The best things come out of play and it was Drew’s relationship with his young daughter that switched on this playful side of his music. The album in question, ‘Neurotica,’ expresses Drew’s fun in creating such energetic pieces people will want to move to. It's a dizzying sugar-rush at a high-speed bounce; the music is fresh and inviting and most important of all, joyful.

"Summer of ’24, we were in Catalonia. My girl, our young daughter, the old folks. Days by the village pool, afternoons on the dirtbike. At night, I made salads. Simple things. Good things. One afternoon, lying back, phone in hand, I saw a friend post a GRWM. The music behind it stopped me. A song grabbed hold. The track was ‘Secret’ by Mietze Conte, which is fast-paced euro-pop dance music, like soft fluffy gabber with childlike vocals. I hunted down the full version. Played it again. And again. Twenty times over the next few days. It unlocked something. The best music does that. Like the first time I heard Burial. Had to know what was happening under the surface. That time, it led to ‘Love Is A Liability’ in 2009. This time, it led to ‘Neurotica.’“

“I started to record, getting down fast, bright, sugar-rush sounds. 185 to 200 BPM. I wrote them quick—half a day per track. In between, I slowed things down. Gave space for breath. Mike Paradinas helped shape the album, his ear guiding the flow. I tested the tracks. Played them for kids barely out of diapers and grown folks who still move like they are. It worked, on all ages. I kept it simple. Only two rules: keep it moving and don’t look at my phone. Cut the vocals like I used to.”

‘Neurotica’ is FaltyDL with his mojo refreshed, a new life squared, do yourself a favour, crack a smile and feel the joy.

TRACK LISTING

1. Son Of The Morning
2. Don’t Go
3. Con Air
4. Craving You
5. Chaotic Child
6. Breeding
7. Fix Me
8. Trace Your Ground
9. Speed
10. Lay Your Heart Down
11. By Your Side
12. I Can Hear It All The Time
13. We Have Everything We Need
14. Cried Later

Drew Lustman is currently one of the hottest new names in electronic music. ‘She Sleeps’ is the second single from his new album ‘Hardcourage’ and features a collaboration with Friendly Fires' vocalist Ed Macfarlane. The single is spread over two separate 12”s. The only vocal song on the full length, "She Sleeps" features a brilliant, haunting turn from Macfarlane. Mysterious, tender and reflective, his lyrics weave around the driving, purposeful percussion and a melody that's singularly exploratory and gentle. The single comes with a remix package that more than does justice to the quality of the original. Exuberant London broken beaters / boogie-ists 2000Black (Dennis 'Dego' McFarlane, Kaidi Tatham) have worked "She Sleeps" into a deep, hypnotic soulful groove (this 12” includes vocal, instrumental and acapella versions of their mix). Meanwhile, Holland's electronic pioneer Martyn has reworked the track into a writhing, muscular dancefloor stomp.

Jagged but tuneful rocky indie fare on this new cassette from Manchester's own Family Bender out on Wiener Records (A subsidiary of seminal underground indie label, Burger Records). Clanging guitars and melodic single-note melody lines, smoothly spoken/sung vocals and in-your-face raw drumfoolery. Brilliant emotive keg-party anthems. 

TRACK LISTING

1. The Year Of Giving Thanklessly 
2. Pop Day 
3. Teeth Of All Changes 
4. Bats

'Nearly a year since their rapturous home demo 'Trust Me… I'm A Genius' started pricking the ears of tastemakers and industry alike, The Family Rain are pleased to announce details of their debut album, Under The Volcano, recorded over four weeks at Berlin's famed Hansa Studios with Jim Abbiss (Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys). It's ten tracks of primal rock ‘n roll. From barnstorming singles such as the track 'Feel Better (Frank)', the crunching 'Reason To Die', and high octane belter 'Pushing It' - which led the band's first EP earlier this year - the noise and intensity of this record could only be produced by three brothers who know each other inside out. Nagging melodies combine with heavy, metallic riffs to produce a searing rock record of intelligence and wit. The Family Rain have spent the past 12 months relentlessly touring the UK and Europe, winning over legions of new fans wherever they play. An firm favourite at Reading and Leeds Festival this year, the band recently wrapped up an extensive UK tour with Miles Kane and went on tour with Jake Bugg. "Three bearded brothers playing blues-infused rock, it's no wonder the comparisons with the Kings Of Leon are coming thick and fast." BBC Introducing.

TRACK LISTING

1. Carnival
2. Trust Me... I'm A Genius
3. Feel Better (FRANK)
4. Don't Waste Your Time On Me
5. Reason To Die
6. Binocular
7. On My Back
8. Pushing It
9. Together
10. All The Best

The Too Pure Singles Club is proud to announce the first single for 2017 will be by Family Scraps.

Family Scraps is Matthew Johnson (MJ) of Hookworms and Suburban Home Studio and this Too Pure 7" is his first release under the name.

Mistakes and It Follows are two songs about loss and were recorded at Suburban Home before and after the Boxing Day floods of 2015.

A full length album will follow in 2017.

TRACK LISTING

Mistakes
It Follows

Here Comes the Wave is the new album from Sheffield-based filmmakers-turned-musicians Family Selection Box. Building on the kitchen-sink narratives of its predecessor Confetti - which earned praise and airplay from BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley - Here Comes The Wave maintains songwriter Tom Diffenthal’s fascination with everyday life shot through with a hyper-real expression of his own anxieties when coping with it. Lead single Where Did She Go? sets the tone for the album with Lauren Dowling’s breezy vocals telling the story about the pair’s beloved cat Peggy-Sue coupling with the laid-back Lou Reed-meets-Metronomy guitars and then being used as a vehicle to deal with worry, uncertainty and a lack of direction.

The juxtaposition of the upbeat, wonky pop tunes with the considered, lyrical storytelling is also present in the likes of Trying to Forget What’s on Ur Mind and Hollywood Babylon , however the album is varied in it pacing and style. Melancholic Car Journey Part I , as well as its follow up Part II reveals Tom and Lauren’s knack for stripping the music back and letting the strong lyrics sit at the forefront. The complex instrumentation in the swelling woodwind and brass sections of Don’t Break My Heart is grand and belies the album’s DIY methods of creation. Tom said: “This album is about exploring the brighter side of anxiety, whether that’s worrying about the wider state of the world and its structural injustices or being panicked that your indoor cat has found its way outdoors. “There’s also a nod to a time when my best friends were so hungover they squabbled over who had ownership over the one plastic bag they had on standby. “It was recorded mainly at home, although £27 was spent on a rehearsal room to record drums.”

As filmmakers - with award-winning shorts under their belts as well as being resident music video auteurs for the rest of their Bingo Records label mates - Tom and Lauren are no strangers to a compelling narrative. And their work as members of Bingo stablemates and 6 music favourites Mr Ben & the Bens and Potpourri means we are all well aware of their musical aptitude. Here Comes the Wave is a culmination of these things, and a crystalisation of an artistic vision that successfully uses the lens of familiar life to consider - often with a healthy dose of wry humour- the ways in which the ordinary can often seem funny, bleak, strange and daunting all at the same time. This is an album about confronting things head on and looking for brightness, and invites the listener to do so as they engage with it. And much like the narrator in album closer Goodbye Wave , they will be glad they did. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Here Comes The Wave
2. Sunday Morning
3. Trying To Forget What's On Ur Mind
4. On The Bridge
5. Where Did She Go?
6. Melancholic Car Journey Pt. 1
7. Hollywood Babylon
8. The Super Market
9. Melancholic Car Journey Pt. II
10. The Serotonin Swing
11. Don't Break My Heart
12. Goodbye Wave

The elusive Famous Moon King smash out a cassette for Manchester odd-noise/electronic stalwarts Tesla Tapes. 'Crumbling Towers' starts us off with an insectoid infusion of warbling synths and swooping ambience, over a slow-mo throbbing bass, before moving onto the syncopated delayed synth-work of 'Fudge Palace', sending found sounds and industrial hum headfirst into the tightly woven net of saw-waves and staggered gate-pulses. 

'Meancing Urges' sees more of the fractured skittering beats spread beneath cosmic space-station ambience and gloomy dread-pads, before moving into the rhythmic instability and delectable unpredictability of the flourishing electronic noise of 'Mao Mao' 

TRACK LISTING

1. CRUMBLING TOWERS 04:02
2. FUDGE PALACE 05:47
3. Menacing Urges 03:42
4. MAO MAO 04:30
5. Champion Lover 05:12

Step into the tumultuous world of music stardom with this collection of obituaries from The Times. From the rock’n’roll pioneers of the 1950s, to the pop superstars of the 21st century, and lesser-known innovators with undeniable influence, this book brings to life the enduring spirits of music’s brightest stars. Discover the untold stories behind the music, the triumphs, the tragedies and the unforgettable songs that have shaped our cultural landscape.

With era-defining obituaries and behind-the-scenes photos from The Times archive, this collection is a captivating journey through the lives and legends of rock and pop’s most iconic figures.

BBE Music welcomes respected UK funk / soul / jazz combo The Fantastics! to the label for ‘Take A Shot featuring Sulene Fleming’, the band’s long awaited third studio album, nine years in the making.

The Fantastics! story begins back in 2003, when keys maestro and Freestyle Records boss Greg Boraman joined London group ‘Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours’. Officially changing their name to The Fantastics! in 2007, in 2009 the ranks were bolstered by the arrival of prodigious UK vocal talent Sulene Fleming in 2009. Only Greg and bassist Raydn Hunter remain from the band’s original line-up, which now features Mark Norton (saxophone / flute) and James Smith (drums). New member James Byron (guitar) brings yet another fresh perspective on the band’s genre-agnostic approach, which takes Afrobeat, Latin, Rock and Rhythm & Blues influences in easy stride. The band have been honing this album at gigs and in the studio for nine long years, during which time singer Sulene Fleming has been busy collaborating with Incognito and Leroy Hutson, as well as enjoying a stint as lead vocalist for The Brand New Heavies. The approach of constantly testing material in a live setting has endowed this record with an indefinable yet distinctive, authentic feel; put simply, it successfully transmits the energy and immediacy of a great concert.

The range of sounds to be heard on ‘Take A Shot’ is ambitious, but it feels pretty effortless. From the library music tinged spacey jazz-fusion of ‘Oblique’ and ‘Better Than Dead’, 'Hey Misters'’s intense Hammond driven, risqué sister-funk, ‘Pyramid'’s touching & serene modal jazz-dance, ‘Say You Will’ with its shimmering, sweet & summery soul-pop, the Betty Davis-esque ‘Can't Decide’ which is a straight up funk-rock monster, the deceptively slinky West Coast smooth ‘Mind Time’ that takes a sharp left when you least expect it, the woozy and tripped out ‘St Tropez Blue’ - and of course the album’s title track ‘Take A Shot’ - not only display the ensemble’s collective and solo abilities, but also frame Sulene’s powerful and versatile voice in a wonderfully wide election of musical settings.

Special mention goes to Mark Ashfield & his youthful sidekick James Nugent, who not only cheerfully put up with The Fantastics! slow and meandering methods, but also engineered, mixed and mastered this album with truly special levels of detail, warmth and musicality.

TRACK LISTING

Disc: 1
1. Say You Will
2. Better Than Dead
3. Take A Shot
4. Pyramid
5. Oblique

Disc: 2
1. St Tropez Blue
2. Can't Decide
3. The Bounce
4. Mind Time
5. Hey Mister!

The Fantasy Orchestra is a new project led by THIS IS THE KIT’S Jesse D Vernon and featuring Kate Stables from THIS IS THE KIT on guest vocals.

Features covers of Richard Dawson, Caetano Veloso, Sun Ra and more David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Jimi Hendrix, and most recently, Radiohead. There's more than two hundred songs in their repertoire and their mission is World Peace One Note At A Time. They meet every week and go on a bicycle tour every summer. Their eclectic repertoire covers film soundtracks (Morricone, Barry, RD Burman), rock and pop favourites (Hendrix, Beatles, Bowie), and some more obscure treasures. Think psychedelic loveliness, rousing choral noise, and some choice costumes. The track list represents a Fantasy mix of well-known and lesser-known composers such as Bristol-based master guitarists Paul Bradley and Jamie Harrison, whose song, The Bear, gives the album its title.

TRACK LISTING

1: Flow (Disasterpeace)
2: The Bear (Jamie Harrison)
3: Split Like A Lip, No Blood On The Beard (Buke And Gase)
4: Third Stone From The Sun (Jimi Hendrix)
5: Love In Outerspace (Sun Ra)
6: One Of My Favourite Weathers (Paul Bradley)
7: The Empty Boat (Caetano Veloso)
8: Kurtle (The Liftmen)
9: October (Sun Ra)
10: One Rainy Wish (Jimi Hendrix)
11: Final Moments Of The Universe (Richard Dawson)

A collaboration between The Melvins, and Mike Patton's Fantomas. Recorded live in San Francisco, December 2000.

Third release from Mike Patton's Fantomas, and this one showcases a quieter side of Fantomas. Possibly the soundtrack to a very dark fever induced nightmare, the momentary ambience is followed by chaos and confusion. Needless to say this won't be a daytime radio hit!!!

Following ‘Ways To Get Out’-sophomore album ‘The Last Remaining Light’ isn’t a follow up record but more so a departure into a different feel to his previous material. Joel’s influences for the new record lean heavily towards the late 90’s/2000’s alternative scene with references to Autolux’s doubled guitars and expressive drumming, Sparklehorse mixed with The Radio Dept. vocal style and ‘Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind’ styled electronic elements.

Written and recorded in another makeshift studio in the basement of his record label’s office building the album lyrics depicts Joel’s reflection on being thrust back into a post-covid world where everything clicks back into repetitive patterns from day-to-day and how trying to find purpose within the modern world feels like an isolating and pressurised process.

Rather than being introspective the stories within the songs reflect the people he saw day after day on his way to the studio, and how he imagined and empathised about the same challenges for others occupied behind their daily patterns of rinse and repeat. The result is a multi-layered record with moments of enlightened reflection in equal measure to inspection of the darker moments that ultimately come part and parcel with navigating life.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1. Commuter Repeating
2. The Last Remaining Light
3. Arbitrary Task
4. Choice
5. Answer
SIDE B
1. First Warning Shot
2. Own
3. Pet Architect
4. Cyril
5. Pool

Kelly Jones of Stereophonics has co-written an album with Austin’s Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker (aka The Wind and The Wave) resulting in the formation of a new band Far From Saints, evoking a cross-genre sound spanning country, rock, folk, and Americana. Far From Saints is a project born from a shared, unadulterated love of music and collaboration, rich with emotions, creative integrity and defined by the unique sound of Kelly and Patty’s vocal harmonies.

Kelly, Patty and Dwight first experimented playing together when performing a cover version of Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty’s ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’ on Kelly Jones’ solo UK tour in 2019 (Dwight and Patty were openers for Kelly each night). Very soon on that UK tour, the three found themselves jamming and co-writing songs in backstage hallways, dressing rooms, soundchecks and hotels. Each songwriter subconsciously merging their influences to nourish the alchemy between two formidable singers. They booked recording sessions, one at the end of each leg of the tour and completed the entire album in just nine days. While it was created remarkably quickly, it also took years to be unveiled after the pandemic left them an ocean apart. Still captivatingly fresh, the album is now ready to be shared with the world.

TRACK LISTING

1. Screaming Hallelujah
2. Faded Black Tattoo
3. Take It Through The Night
4. Let's Turn This Back Around
5. Gonna Find What's Killing Me
6. The Ride
7. We Won't Get Out Alive
8. No Fool Like An Old Fool
9. Let The Light Shine Over You
10. Own It

THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2014 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

A super disco project to celebrate RSD 2014 and Far Out Recordings 20th year! Made with love by Far Out's Favourite artists including late legend 'Maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami', along with 'Arthur Verocai', 'Alex Malheiros' & many of Rio's finest musicians including a full orchestra. This has been recorded & mastered to give you the full vinyl experience & is the first album of an ongoing series. The record was produced in the best studio in Rio de Janeiro, with all old equipments including 2" Ampex tape, Neve compressors, SSL desk and needless to say all the best delicate treatments to retain that analogue feel and sound along the way to this release.

TRACK LISTING

LP 1:
Mystery (FOMDO Feat Arthur Verocai) /
Keep Believing (Can You Feel It)
A Disco Supreme (FOMDO Feat Arthur Verocai)
The Last Carnival
LP 2:
Vendetta
Keep Believing (Can You Feel It) (SS Translation By Theo Parrish) Special Radio Edit
Don't Cha Know He's Alright (JR Bertrami / J Davis) /
Freefall (JR Bertrami / JDavis) /
Mystery (Instrumental) (A Verocai / J Davis)

Farai’s debut album (a collaborative project between London based vocalist Farai and artist, musician & producer TONE) documents a process of recovery. For the eponymous vocalist of the project, Farai, music has always been personal. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in London, her lyrics are coloured by the different cities she’s lived in, and how that series of different homes has shaped her perspective. ‘Rebirth’ weaves together South East London landmarks, the bare-bones ethos of post-punk, and the experience of being part of the African diaspora. The record is the biggest stepping stone yet in a journey which Farai started in 2012. She hit a period of feeling burnt out, and started attending weekly music therapy classes, where she started writing poetry and music for the first time. It charted a new direction, one that’s brought her to the exciting point where she now stands.

The album follows their debut EP, ‘Kisswell’, released through NON Worldwide in 2017, the label-cum-collective co-founded by Chino Amobi, Angel-Ho and Nkisi. It attracted support from Dazed, CRACK, The Fader and Pitchfork, the latter praising their “rethinking of post-punk and new wave.” Additional support has come from Annie Mac on Radio 1 and a variety of shows on NTS. They’ve performed on Boiler Room and at the Tate, the latter as part of a special one-off connected to their 2017 Soul of a Nation exhibition.

Farai’s partner in creating both ‘Kisswell’ and ‘Rebirth’ has been TONE, a producer she’s worked with from the early on. They’ve carved out an alternative vision of pop together, distinctive and many-sided at once, poised between punk directness and flourishes of soulful warmth. TONE’s heritage is Afro-Guyanese and Welsh, and their shared pan-African heritage was one of the things which drew them together. He spent part of his childhood in Germany before moving to the UK when he was nine. He visited the Caribbean growing up, where he was introduced to his grandmother’s roots as a performer, hearing soca, dancehall and dub.

The album’s opener sets the tone with a short news snippet, situating the album in London: the pair’s common ground and the city where the album was born. ‘Punk Champagne’ nods to a homemade cocktail TONE mentioned to Farai, made of buckfast and prosecco, and is characteristically stripped back, composed of simply drums, vocals and synths. On ‘This Is England’, they adopt a looser structure still, an ominous synth line framing Farai’s reflections on work and hardship in contemporary Britain.

Farai was born in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare, where she lived until she was 12. (Her name means “joy” in Shona, the most widely spoken of Zimbabwe’s 16 official languages.) She grew up listening to TLC, Mase and Notorious B.I.G., and at one time aspired to enter into Zimbabwe’s version of The X Factor. Her mother moved to the UK to work as a nurse, and when political unrest struck Zimbabwe around 2002, Farai followed, moving to live with her in Bermondsey. At school she studied art, including a three year stint at a college in Kentish Town, where one of her teachers had worked for John Galliano. She moved to Manchester to study fashion at university, but dropped out, finding the course overly business-focused. Instead, she moved to China for a year, and when she returned to London, became immersed in fashion and art circles, spending a lot of her time at socialite-heavy parties.

After a couple of years, this lifestyle caught up with her and she hit a wall. Feeling exhausted and with her mental health in a bad state, she started attending music therapy classes, where she began writing lyrics and ideas. She took a new direction: she moved to Lewisham, in South East London, and started promoting music shows. She became a regular at the Shop Floor Sessions, a series of open jam nights in Elephant & Castle, started in a shop that had been squatted, and which grew into a collective of like-minded musicians.

It was those sessions that led to her connection with TONE, who discovered a video Farai had posted of one of her appearances there. He got in touch, and they met in Gillett Square, in Dalston, where TONE found Farai dressed in a fur coat and sunglasses, playing a game of giant chess with the locals. They quickly struck up a creative dynamic, where Farai would read a poem, and TONE would work out hip-hop drum chops to accompany it. The first track they recorded, that same day five years ago, was ‘Love Disease,’ where police sirens can be heard outside TONE’s house. “I set the mic up and a guitar,” TONE recalls, “and we did it first go with the windows open.”

It was a shared learning experience: for Farai, learning how to adapt her spoken word poems into verse-and-chorus structures, and for TONE, learning how to arrange her poetry into song structures from a new vantage point. Later on, TONE having learnt his production skills from years of playing in bands, session playing for numerous artists and working on his own productions eventually took the raw sessions which were recorded with just guitar and drum loops and re-recorded all the drum parts for ‘Rebirth’ with Marc Pell from Micachu & The Shapes, who is currently Mount Kimbie's live drummer and performs under the alias Suitman Jungle. He also applied his love of electronic instruments into the recordings with his collection of 80s and early 90s analogue synthesisers in a studio he shares with Mica Levi aka Micachu. Much of the album was made with a sense of urgency, like ‘National Gangsters’, which was recorded in TONE's DIY studio, with neighbours in close vicinity, where they were conscious of the noise. They finished it after the second take, receiving angry complaints right afterwards. The track has a raw feel, where Farai reflects on heroin in London’s streets, and drums crash into tinny arpeggios, undergirded by a bloated synth bassline. It’s in the spirit of the album as a whole; for Farai, it’s about the act of musical expression as much as it’s about the music itself.

TRACK LISTING

LP
A1. Cray Cray
A2. Lizzy
A3. Punk Champagne (feat. TONE)
A4. Social Butterflies
A5. Talula
A6. This Is England
A7. National Gangsters
B1. Love Disease
B2. Secret Gardens
B3. Space Is A Place (feat. Chris Calderwood)
B4. Radiant Child

CD
1. Cray Cray
2. Lizzy
3. Punk Champagne (feat. TONE)
4. Social Butterflies
5. Talula
6. This Is England
7. National Gangsters
8. Love Disease
9. Secret Gardens
10. Space Is A Place (feat. Chris Calderwood)
11. Radiant Child

Magical Thinking, Farao’s third studio album, unfolds as a layered journey through loss, longing, and transformation. Evoking the title and spirit of Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, it moves through the quiet terrain between denial and acceptance—where grief is not solved, but carried. These are songs of rebuilding and resilience, shaped by themes of grief, motherhood, and the essential rituals that sustain us when clarity fades.
Recorded between Oslo and Berlin, the album pulses with ’90s R&B flair, ’80s disco shimmer, and the contemplative sweep of spiritual jazz—anchored throughout by Farao’s intimate vocals and intricate arrangements. From the opening shimmer of “Waiting for You,” where heartbreak is dressed in sequins and a groove evokes Robyn and Chaka Khan, the record invites us into a world where longing is made luminous.

On “Spiritual Garden,” named after a fleeting Janet Jackson lyric, Farao crafts a humid, narcotic R&B reverie. Timbaland-style percussion and silky basslines cradle her zither’s unexpected textures, conjuring a meditation on abandonment and the fragile reclamation of self-worth. When “Dreamy Ride” glides in—where Aaliyah’s cool meets Dorothy Ashby’s cosmic harp—the album slips into nocturnal motion, an R&B fantasia for 2 a.m. city drives, her zither weaving through the mix like a guiding star.

The playful synth-jam “Hey Ladies” and a bold reinterpretation of Brandy’s “Full Moon” lighten the mood midway through. The former is a cheeky, one-minute homage to Destiny’s Child; the latter, a nighttime elegy that drapes a beloved classic in deep bass and glimmering synths. Then comes “Xiang Xiang,” an intimate interlude built around a whispered voice-note from a friend—reminding us of the real-world bonds grounding Farao’s lush sonic universe.

At the album’s center is the title track “Magical Thinking,” which directly references Didion’s memoir. Here, pulsing synths and drifting vocals trace the blurred terrain between presence and dissociation. It’s followed by “Endelig” (“finally” in Norwegian), a deep exhale—a minimal, spiritual jazz interlude that offers the illusion of resolution. Farao then teams up with ambient pioneer Laraaji for “Voice Continues,” a spacious, fourth-world-inspired meditation where zither, layered vocals, and synth textures form a sonic tapestry mapping the lingering traces of maternal love across generations.
“Tschüssi” (a breezy German goodbye) becomes a vessel for something far weightier: a farewell laced with looping memory and emotional disorientation, built around a ghostly fragment from Farao’s track “Marry Me.” The album closes on a hazy, merciful note with “Sleep It Off,” a lullaby for the overwhelmed—a final permission to rest, to let go, to simply lie down. Not a promise of healing, but a compassionate pause in a record defined by yearning and illusion

TRACK LISTING

01 Waiting For You 3:37
02 Spiritual Garden 3:48
03 Dreamy Ride 3:58
04 Hey Ladies 1:14
05 Full Moon 4:26
07 Magical Thinking 3:33
06 Xiang Xiang 0:20
08 Endelig 1:33
09 Voice Continues 4:20
10 Tschüssi 3:36
11 Sleep It Off 1:33

Lights, camera, Faris Pashion action!

The elusive house and disco rework label is making a comeback for the first time since Autumn/Winter '21. This time presenting a new strut for the warmer seasons, 'Milano Edizione Spring-Summer ‘25,' is a two-track EP featuring fresh Italo disco and house tracks that are perfect for the catwalk, whether on the dancefloor or at Milan Fashion Week, darling.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Ital Come Out
B1. Say To Ya

For Fans Of: J. Tillman, Phosphorescent, Low, Damien Jurado, Bill Callhan.

“It’s going to be hard to talk about this when it’s done.” So begins A Mold For The Bell, the new album from Colorado singer-songwriter and producer Logan Farmer. What follows that enigmatic lyric is a collection of stark and ambient folk songs, tethered solely by Farmer’s unadorned vocals, acoustic guitar, and moving embellishments from contributors, including saxophonist Joseph Shabason (who also mixed the album) and renowned harpist Mary Lattimore. With the help of Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Berlin (Gregory Alan Isakov), Farmer tracked all of the vocal and guitar parts over two days in the early months of 2021. The tracks were recorded quickly, live in the studio to capture the raw intimacy and immediacy of Farmer’s live performances. The rest of the album’s creation occurred remotely, over texts, phone calls, and emails with Shabason and a handful of other musicians, as wildfires, insurrections and the pandemic raged around them.

“I was working at a bookstore that winter,” Farmer explains, “and I’d walk to my shift every day, obsessing over lyrics and early mixes in a cheap pair of earbuds.” These daily walks would take him past a church, where he’d often stop on the sidewalk and listen to the bells at the top of the hour. “I’ve always loved the sound of church bells, but as the situation worsened, what began as a comfort began to feel ominous, almost threatening.” This experience, along[1]side influences as disparate as Tarkovsky’s film Andrei Rublev and the novels of Olga Tokarczuk, led to a collection of songs that are similarly foreboding, expanding upon the stark and spacious universe of Farmer’s last album (2020’s Still No Mother) to reveal an atmosphere that’s even more oppressively still, like an abandoned Victorian home.

TRACK LISTING

01 Silence Or Swell
02 Cue Sunday Bells
03 Horsehair (feat. Mary Lattimore)
04 Crooked Lines
05 William
06 The Moment
07 Renegade
08 South Vienna

Original DIY success story, indie/dance crossover icons and enduring figures across multiple realms of British popular culture, The Farm return with 'Let The Music (Take Control), which is instantly recognisable by the sound of their aspirational, observational and near-spiritual upbeat and aspirational electro-inspired indie, and by sight for their mod-ish terrace gang wardrobe, the formerly riotous, now reformed 80s/90s Liverpool five-piece return as wised-up statesmen of pop.

Despite appearing to be forever present as a force in music thanks to repeated cover versions and timely re-issues of their greatest hit singles, plus decades of well-publicised activism, The Farm’s last album was 1994's US-only release of 'Hullabaloo'. A band whipped up into a frenzy of deserved hype following the release of their 1991, No.1 debut album, 'Spartacus', which brought era-defining singles, 'All Together Now' and 'Groovy Train' into the world, they quickly followed up in 1992 with their second album, 'Love See No Colour'.

Constructed by the band’s original ‘heyday’ line-up of Peter Hooton (vocals), Steve Grimes (guitar/keys), Keith Mullin (guitar) Carl Hunter (bass) and Roy Boulter(drums), the fruits of The Farm’s new studio sessions were first tasted with BBC Radio 2-playlisted single, 'Feel The Love', released in summer 2023. Sensing new creative momentum within themselves and a hunger amongst fans for more of the same, The Farm connected with leading indie label, Modern Sky and completed a further, nine tracks to complete 'Let The Music (Take Control)', their first album in over three decades.

TRACK LISTING

1. Forever & Ever
2. Let The Music (Take Control)
3. Feel The Love
4. Waiting For The Sun
5. Breathe
6. That Feeling
7. World Without You
8. Moment In Time
9. Can't Stop (Loving You)
10. Eternity

British singer / songwriter Lizzy Farrall releases her debut mini album, ‘All I Said Was Never Heard’, which will drop just in time for her scheduled UK tour supporting Seaway.

Lyrically the release is about situations she went through in her teenage years and forms a diary of that time.

For fans of Julien Baker, Now Now, Dashboard Confessional, Neck Deep, This Wild Life.

TRACK LISTING

Broken Toy
Pack Of Wolves
Better With
Better Off
Hollow Friends

With his sophomore full-length album, Born Hot, Chris Farren paired polished, up-beat pop songs with lyrics full of self-examination and insecurity, all while developing a newfound sense of humor when it came to promoting himself. Stereogum called it “a tongue-in-cheek exploration of ideas of confidence and self-loathing," while The Atlantic featured it on their “Best Albums of 2019” list.

On his third full-length album, Doom Singer, Farren injects his latest work with a newfound sense of power and cohesion. Collaborating for the first time with outside drummer Frankie Impastato (Macseal), Farren's songs take on a whole new dimensionality, with Impastato's live drums bringing a fresh spontaneity to the tracks. Doom Singer marks another significant milestone in Farren's career as it is the first time he collaborated with a producer, multi-instrumentalist Melina Duterte (Jay Som, Bachelor, Routine). Her masterful production experience adds a layer of sophistication to Farren's sound, creating a rich and multi- dimensional sonic landscape that takes his music to new heights. With Duterte's keen ear and meticulous attention to detail, the album resonates with a level of clarity and depth that showcases Farren's songwriting and vocal abilities in a whole new light.

Chris Farren’s music has been praised in outlets such as MTV, Stereogum, and The Atlantic, who describes his music as having “bright-eyed hooks, sparkly orchestration, and tight songwriting.” With numerous world tours alongside artists such as Jeff Rosenstock, The Gaslight Anthem, Laura Stevenson, and others, Farren has been building a dedicated following of fans who connect with his introspective lyrics and infectious pop sensibilities.

TRACK LISTING

1. Bluish
2. All We Ever
3. Get Over U
4. Only U
5. Doom Singer
6. Screensaver
7. First Place
8. My Beauty
9. Cosmic Leash
10. StatueSong

Maxwell Farrington & Le SuperHomard cultivate a certain taste for subtly arranged compositions and pop songs that feel both timeless and current. And beyond this elegance, beyond their solar songs, even beyond Maxwell's majestic voice, we can deeply feel that music is above all a story of meeting and sharing.

Since the time of our early talks with the duo, we've known one thing for sure: their first album "Once" had a misleading title. There was never any question of quickly closing the deal, of getting close to the top and packing up. "Our time alone, our finest hours are spent" sings Maxwell Farrington on the opening, and we don't believe a word of it. Recorded last fall while on tour, "I Had It All" offers 6 new treasures, 6 new proofs of our musicians' dazzling talent, an achievement even more remarkable considering the disc's short format.

Released back in April 2021 "Once" sealed the meeting between Maxwell Farrington (musician, crooner, Australia jack-of-all-trades living in Binic) & the SuperHomard (Christophe Vaillant: orchestration, arrangements, production). Acclaimed by critics, widely praised by the public, this first opus allowed the band to play (in quintet form) at various festivals (Villette Sonique, La Route du Rock, Hop Pop Pop, etc.) and through- out France.

TRACK LISTING

1. I Had It All
2. Two Hopeful Lovers
3. Burning
4. Donna
5. Change Direction
6. Il Cacciatore

Released in early 2019 on the Spanish label Elefant Records, "Meadow Lane Park" was the debut album by Avignon-based Christophe Vaillant under his new entity, Le SuperHomard. Undoubtedly dreamlike and enchanting, hailed by critics both in France and abroad, and by Paul Weller (who invited the group on his entire European tour), the musician laid the groundwork for a new artistic direction. Originally from Brisbane, Maxwell Farrington left Australia in 2013, travelling to the United Kingdom and then France. After Marseille and Toulouse, he moved to Saint-Brieuc and took part in the formation of Dewaere, a noise quartet bathed in 90s influences. Maxwell's vocals bring a poppier and warmer touch. Christophe and Maxwell met during a joint concert at La Boule Noire, on the MaMA Festival in 2019. During his band's sound check, the Australian performed an a capella version of a song by American composer Burt Bacharach. This lead to an engaging conversation between the two musicians, who discussed their common passion for Lee Hazlewood, Scott Walker and Frank Sinatra. We find this elegance again reiterated throughout these compositions – in the orchestral pop, the subtle arrangements, the velvet singing voice. "Once" is a four- handed collaboration. Recording began in February 2020, ending within a short distance of the New Year. "Once" is a journey, both near and far, where everyone will find a safe haven.

TRACK LISTING

1. We, Us The Pharaohs
2. North Pole
3. Free Again
4. Lights & Seasons
5. Love
6. La Mesa Motel (Feat. Max Meser)
7. Good Start
8. Oysters
9. Hips
10. Happening Again
11. Big Ben (Feat. Evelyn Ida Morris)
12. Tonight

'Please, Wait...', their sophomore album, emerges from a profound collaborative evolution, contrasting with Once, which was crafted remotely during the lockdown. This album is steeped in shared experiences from two years of touring, showcasing a symbiotic musical evolution between Maxwell and Christophe. Please, Wait...is a journey into the realm of the senses, an invitation to a dreamscape where listeners are free to find their own meaning. This record is a testament to beauty and modern hedonism, crafted by artists who live and breathe the epicurean ethos.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Wistful hazy melodies, psychedelic twists and theatrical vocal work all mix together into a lovely distillation of influences. Lounge, melancholic rock and grand orchestral melodies all slotted together perfectly.

TRACK LISTING

The Boat
The Nimbostratus Jig
Plat Du Jour
Backgammon
Hexagon
Galbulus
Begging's Not My Business
Catch 42
Topinambur
Postprandial Promenade (feat. Nadine Khouri)
Stirred But Not Shaken

The second release for Epic was still granite hard and the arrangements every bit as engagingly eccentric as their opener "Tin Cans With Strings To You", but it was more textured. The little extra effort demanded of the listener was definitely worth it though - and if you're prepared to take my word for it enough to get your sticky hands on a copy of this passionate, multilayed 1998 groundbraker, you'll find out why.

Today, Fashion Club, the alias of Los Angeles-based artist Pascal Stevenson, has announced her highly anticipated sophomore album, A Love You Cannot Shake, due out October 25th via Felte Records. Lead single “Forget,” the steamy art-pop track with country-inspired harmonies from Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas, is a conversation between Stevenson and her past self about the power of overcoming struggles. “It’s trying to love a version of myself that I’ve spent so long trying to distance from,” Stevenson says. “But it’s also a recognition that if I drift too far away from the version of myself that I see as really flawed, I might forget the things about myself that I felt I needed to change.”

Though A Love You Cannot Shake is the first album that explicitly addresses her transness, it’s not so much a “coming out” record or a confessional, straightforward tell-all as it is a tastefully abstract distillation of her personal experiences and identities into stirring vignettes that anyone can relate to. Whether it’s the search for self-worth in a society that only values humanity in its relation to capital (“Confusion”), the uncomfortably circular nature of self-growth (“Forget”) or the self-destructive urge to make up for “lost time” (“Ghost”), this LP is rooted in the universal truth that self-actualization is always worth pursuing. Tracks often begin from a place of discomfort and shame, but by the end, they tend to arrive at a more patient, hopeful frame of mind, as Stevenson cherishes the authenticity of a more amorphous emotionality.

TRACK LISTING

1. Faith
2. Confusion
3. Forget (feat. Perfume Genius)
4. Ghost (feat. Jay Som)
5. Enough
6. One Day
7. Ice Age
8. Deny
9. Rotten Mind (feat. Julie Byrne)
10. Deify

Debut art-rock album project from Moaning’s (Sub Pop) founding member/bassist/synth player, Pascal Stevenson (she/they).

RIYL: Moaning, Wire/Colin Newman’s solo work, early Brian Eno, Cate Le Bon, Crack Cloud, Japan, Preoccupations, Deerhunter, Iceage, Ought.

Scrutiny, the debut album from Moaning's Pascal Stevenson under her new solo alias Fashion Club, explores the mind's complex relationship to morality, and the way structures of power tend to replicate themselves through unexamined habits. Stevenson began writing the songs that would become Scrutiny toward the end of 2018, as Moaning embarked on a European tour in support of their critically acclaimed first album. Between shows, in the back of the band's tour van, she traced early drafts of Scrutiny's instrumentals on her laptop, planting the seeds of what would bloom into her captivating solo debut.

While concocting Scrutiny's dreamlike art-rock palette, Stevenson drew inspiration from artists working during the incipient decades of the synthesizer’s lifetime, like Kate Bush, Brian Eno, and Wire's Colin Newman –
musicians whose work bridges the gap between disarming experimentalism and pop pleasure. The album similarly channels the influence of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’s tactile, material production on Janet Jackson’s late ‘80s albums Control and Rhythm Nation 1814, records that exploded the potential of digital music-making and entwined the sounds of new technology with the currents of the body.

TRACK LISTING

01. Pantomime
02. Failure
03. Dependency
04. Scrutiny
05. Feign For Love
06. Reaction
07. Chapel
08. Phantom English
09. All In Time

A Yorkshire farmer who led a challenging and isolated existence, caring for elderly relatives whilst running her farm in the most extreme conditions. She became an overnight celebrity after appearing in an ITV documentary, her virtues of hard work without any complaints, without any expectations of praise or credit, were something an entire nation identified with. Hauxwell is the subject of album track ‘Perfectly Planned’, whilst ‘Hellsto’ looks on admiringly at the working women of WW1 and WW2, who often go nameless, under the radar. “FORGE’ is about the small pockets of communities that are overlooked, unheard, ignored. Their ways of work and living are changing, either drying up or being sold off, and this is causing people to burn with frustration whilst also causing them to reaffirm their strengths and identities”, say Fassine.

The London trio’s distinctive take on electronic music has previously earned acclaim and support from the likes of The Guardian, The Independent, Clash and more. Yet on ‘FORGE’ they’re bolder than ever before, the instrumentation heavier and more aggressive than on previous full lengths ‘Gourami’ (2017) and ‘Dialectik’ (2016). They still follow tradition in one sense though, opting again to feature a cover, this time Paolo Conte’s‘ Max’ with guest vocals from Italy’s Fabrizio Pagni (Arqtic, Zen Circus). Recorded primarily at London’s Battery Studios, Sarah Palmer, Laurie Langan and James Hayward (Fassine) would play late into the night, adopting a much more improvisational approach than previously, “This process was far more improvisational - a lot of ideas were done on-the-fly in the studio. We had a skeletal demo, then ideas were batted out and put down.

Far fewer demos were gone through to begin with, and gut instinct was followed much more quickly. We also decided that no matter what the song, if we liked it, it would go on’’. Since their last release, Fassine have been busy on our screens, the London trio’s XTC cover of ‘That Wave’ appeared on the Sky Arts’ documentary on the seminal band, This Is Pop. Their track ‘Whatever It Takes To Help You Sleep’ played as the backdrop to Netflix’s first feature film ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’, and ‘Leaves’ was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar. ‘FORGE’ literally meaning to ‘create something strong and enduring’. And with this album, Fassine have embodied the grit and grime of their personal heroes to weld into existence something that’s an industrial and hard-hitting piece of craftsmanship. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Forge
2. Limbs
3. Magpie
4. Perfectly Planned
5. Migraine
6. Everyone Is Guilty To Me
7. Max
8. Bloom
9. Hellsto (The Sweetness Came For Us)

Collection of the lost recordings of Fast Eddie, one of the most exciting live bands of the early 1980s Rhythm ‘n’ Soul-fuelled Mod Revival.

From Billericay, the band followed in the wake of Thames Delta Blues pioneers Dr. Feelgood, originally playing raw, authentic R&B before expanding their sound to incorporate club soul and a broader palette of influences and sounds.

Originally produced and managed by legendary label man and broadcaster Eddie Piller, founder of Acid Jazz, who released their first single on his first own Well Suspect marque in 1982.

An exciting collection of Mod-Revival-era tunes, and an important document of the wider Mod Revival and Acid Jazz Records story.

TRACK LISTING

Shake A Tail Feather
I Don’t Need No Doctor
Sugar Coated Love
Sweet Sensation
Turn On Your Love Light
Vicinity
My Babe
Ninety-Nine & A Half
Out Of Sight
Fever
Keep Your Hands Off It
Teenie Bit Of Your Love *
Barefootin’
Hit The Road Jack
36-22-36
Homework
Treat Her Right *
Land Of 1000 Dances *
Little Suzy (Instrumental) *
Help Me *
* = CD Only Track

Fat Dog’s ‘Peace Song’ is available on limited edition 12” vinyl, backed by a glitchy breakbeat version from TowerBlock1, the creative alias of Jimmy Cauty (The KLF/The Orb).

Fat Dog are the most exciting breakthrough band of the past few years, conjurers of the sort of frenzied and wild live shows not seen in the capital for years and now the creators of ‘WOOF’., a brilliant and mind-bending debut album. A thrilling blend of electro-punk, rock’n’roll snarling, techno soundscapes, industrial-pop and rave euphoria, ‘WOOF’. is music for letting go to or, in the words of frontman Joe Love, “screaming-into-a-pillow music”.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A wild and uncompromising mix of electroclash, industrial and rave aesthetics wrapped around indie instrumentation and garage rock production. Effortlessly fleeting from soaring synth atmospherics into snarling, driving mayhem. Wildly brilliant.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
Vigilante
Closer To God
Wither
Clowns

Side B
King Of The Slugs
All The Same
I Am The King
Running
And So It Came To Pass