The Fall - Sub-Lingual Tablet [Cherry Red - 2015]Here we have the 31st album from long running, highly distinctive & influential English post punk band The Fall. And I’m happy to report this time around the band are in fine, often challenging, yet rewarding form. The release comes in two editions- a CD version & double vinyl; both versions take in eleven tracks, but the vinyl version offers up a slight longer version of one of the tracks- I’m reviewing the cd version. There’s always a real feeling of intrepidation when one plays a new Fall release for the first time, as they are one of the more un-predictable bands regarding releases- some are hands down masterpieces, while others are highly mixed bags, and a few are very underwhelming through-out. When I first put on Sub-Lingual Tablet, I was more than a little worried I was starting one of the bands lesser works, as the opening track “Venice With The Girls” sounded very much like a band on auto-pilot, with a fairly typical Fall riff & Mark E Smith ( the bands singer/ main creative force) sounding rather flat & tired. Thankfully after this initial disappointment the album picks-up stream in both creativity & punchy-ness, with the other ten tracks all been consistent & rewarding. We move from “Dedication Not Medication”, which brings together wavering ‘n’ noisy ugly & angular synth texture, a persistent cymbal crashing beat, and Smith’s cryptic yet slightly playful lyrics. Onto to sleazed ‘n’ pumped-up garage punk of “Stout Man”, with Smith ranting & shouting out lyrics like ‘a big man pushing a pram’. Through to “Auto Chip 2014-2016” which takes, speeds-up, and sleazes-out the riff from The Doors LA Women, and creates a churning & building groove of a track. So for the most part Sub-Lingual Tablet is another worthy & creative album from The Fall. It shows the band ability to still create edgy, experimental, yet rewarding song craft; which is not something you can't say for many bands who have been around since the mid 1970’s. Roger Batty
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