The Fall - The Remainderer EP [Cherry Red Records - 2013]After to been somewhat frustrated & torn by Re-Mit- the last full length Fall album. I approached this EP with great caution, wondering if this would be another mixed ride…so I’m happy to report for the most part this is a fairly consistent six track affair, which finds the band mixing together edgy & experimental flourishers with often memorable song craft. Opening up proceedings we have the title track, which is a slurry chaotic, yet charming mixture of: memorable indie guitar droning, up-front tribal drums, shifting layers of synth buzzing ‘n’ squelching, and the careering yet endearing vocals of Mark E Smith. Later on with “Remembrance R”- things start-up stripped back with a almost jazzy & tight drum beat, bleak punk/post punk bass-line, and a more clear & wordy Smith. As the track progresses the band subtle build the mood & detail of the track, with at first more drum detail, then subdued electronic scatterings, then caustic guitar chug ‘n’ flay, and finally even more rhythmic & textural detail…with all the time Smith’s vocals growing more taut & tense. The track ends with a mix of the built up music, & cynical spoken word text ( not from Smith, but another Fall member) about other bands reforming after years away. Lastly we have “Touchy Pad”, which brings together tight ‘n’ strummed electric/ acoustic indie guitar riff, shimmering psychedelic synth sways, and a mix of Smith & female vocals- it’s a great end to the album managing to be short & sharp the 2.25 mark..been both memorable yet edgy/ experimental.
One of the great qualities about The Fall’s long & highly prolific career, is their predicable un-predictability, and uneven-ness. From period to period, line-up to line-up, and album to album you get moments of great-ness & moments of lacklaster-ness..and I’d say thankfully most The Remainderer EP sits in the first camp. Roger Batty
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