The Fall

This 1983 album finds the Fall circumventing preconceived notions about punk, be it post-punk or otherwise. Tempos slow down unexpectedly and chords ring out and drone for extended periods of time before collapsing, while Mark E. Smith is spitting out his own skewed take on pop songs like "The Man Whose Head Expanded" and the galloping "Kicker Conspiracy." Most excellent.

New members, even female ones, aren't news with this group, but Mark E.'s guitarist wife Brixe Smith does lend his poetry readings apparent direction. The appearance is created by side-openers that go on so long you don't really notice your attention flagging as their momentum gives way to, well, poetry readings--roughly accompanied, as usual. (Grade - B-)