Album Info

Fall Heads Roll

By The Fall

Rock - 2005

Mark E. Smith has always gotten the best out of his musicians. He has a gift for bringing sounds together... more

Tracklist

1

Ride Away

5:01 min
2

Pacifying Joint

3:46 min
3

What About Us

5:51 min
4

Midnight Aspen

3:13 min
5

Assume

4:07 min
6

Midnight Aspen Reprise

1:53 min
7

Blindness

7:24 min
8

I Can Hear the Grass Grow

2:50 min
9

Bo Demmick

4:15 min
10

Yawanner

5:02 min
11

Clasp Hands

2:45 min
12

Early Days of Channel Führer

3:48 min
13

Breaking the Rules

2:26 min
14

Trust In Me

3:34 min

About Fall Heads Roll

Mark E. Smith has always gotten the best out of his musicians. He has a gift for bringing sounds together in unorthodox ways that take on a life of their own. "Ride Away" is sparse, relying on Ben Pritchard's slashing guitar, Elena Poulou's elementary keyboards, and Smith's near-tuneful delivery. From this deliberately lumpy delivery, the album hits its stride. "Pacifying Joint" spotlights drummer Spencer Birtwistle's supple rhythm bouncing with Poulou's keyboard (which again drives the melody). A cover of The Move's "I Can Hear the Grass Grow" is another excellent reinvention of an unexpected cover. "Bo Demmick" rides Steve Trafford's sturdy bass line as Smith prattles on in pure Fall fashion. Trafford has several vocal turns, highlighted by the acoustic waltz "Early Days of Channel Fuhrer." Meanwhile, "Trust in Me" is—even by Fall standards—a stylistic departure featuring several guest vocalists. However, "Blindness" is a purebred Fall grinder that exemplifies everything that's magnificent about the Mark E. Smith songwriting schematic.