RE: (idm) the fall :: 0161

From martin burbridge
Sent Wed, Nov 11th 1998, 12:45

here's the definative rant ...

> Just listening to "powderkex" and wondered if a)there are any fans of the
> fall out there

yes.

> and b)if "powderkex" is an abberation or if there fall
> releases in a similar style?

bit thornier this one. over 20+ yrs the fall style or sound, has changed
both beyond recognition and not at all at the same time. they have covered
punk, rockabilly, industrial, northern soul, top40 pop, dance, glam rock,
techno, disco, drum'n'bass and even ballet among others, while still
managing to release exactly the same record, at least 200 times. this is the
highest compliment i can think of.

general rules of thumb. anything released on the receiver label or live
outings can probably only be fully appreciated by regular fall abusers, and
those that enjoy the sound of muffled conversations recorded in toilets
randomly spliced w/ badly miked snippets of fall music, and or tv shows and
radio interviews. please note that this technique can be found on virtually
any fall release, but usually takes up less than 50% of the overall running
time.

if i had to pick quality releases more in the "powderkex" vein (i.e. using
similar technology and instruments), i'd go for "levitate" (artful), their
latest release (which initially included an ep containing "powderkex") or
the earlier "code selfish" (phonogram). although "extricate" (phonogram?)
might also get an idm nudge due to the presence of both adrian sherwood and
coldcut on a couple of tracks.

warning, the vocals on "powderkex" are v. low in the mix in comparison to
most fall output. they don't get any more intelligable, just louder. or to
be technically accurate 'more shouty'. also most of their stuff you could
broadly class as 'guitarica' (fight back, now on. today's weapon of choice -
willful ignorance).

otherwise, in lance mode personal picks would be:

.dragnet/step forward/lp
.totales turns/rough trade/lp
.grotesque/rough trade/lp
.slates/rough trade/10"ep
.hex enduction hour/kamera/lp
.this nations saving grace/beggars banquet/lp
.bend sinister/beggars banquet/lp
.code selfish/phonogram/cd
.levitate/artful/cd (or 2cd w/ "powderkex" plus others)

and the singles compilations
.early years/step forward/lp
.in palace of swords reversed/cog sinister/lp

some re-issued on cd, some out of print at the mo'. resolutely not idm, but
i think v/vm and diskono understand.
(i don't mind quibbling about any of the above off-line, but as i said its
not idm and i don't want to upset aran's tight schmidt)

... hey slates, give us a break.

-martin