The Fall — Sub-Lingual Tablet
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.