The Fall’s fanbase is notoriously obsessive, but there aren’t likely too many fans who would consider the band’s seventeenth full length studio release, 1995’s ‘Cerebral Caustic’, to be one of their very best. It lacks the sheen of 1994’s ‘Middle Class Revolt’, and kicks off a three album run of less essential offerings. The rougher production values call back to the band’s origins in some ways, but with less distinctive material in hand, the bulk of ‘Cerebral Caustic’ often sounds like Mark E. Smith and cohorts going through the motions with a selection of garage rockers given a post punk edge. If you approach it expecting not much more than that, it’s actually fine for what it is, but considering the band featured Karl Burns, Steve Hanley and Craig Scanlon at this point, and the album marked the brief return of Brix Smith, it should be better than it is.
Tag Archives: box set
STATUS QUO – The Early Years Vol 2 (1970-1972)
As any big Quo fan knows, the band’s early recordings for Pye Records have been milked to death for the reissue market. From cheapo compilations to multi disc sets, it’s felt as if Pye era material has always been an easy licence for anyone hoping to make a quick quid. Most of the compilations are a little lacking, but occasionally a decent one will creep through, and BMG’s 2024 release ‘The Early Years, Volume 1’ did the best job ever, presenting a 5CD box set rounding up pretty much everything from the band’s archives from between 1966 and 1969.
IAIN MATTHEWS – Rhythm Of The West: The Columbia Years 1975-1977
In 1970, Iain Matthews formed band Matthews Southern Comfort, a top notch country rock band which would become his main musical vehicle following his departure from Fairport Convention. Formed essentially as a vehicle to promote Iain’s 1969 solo album of the same name while out on the road, they’ll always be remembered for their UK number 1 hit with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’ – a recording very much modelled upon the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recording – but the band recorded a lot of strong material across two more rather fine albums. Over the next couple of years, Matthews barely rested; by the end of 1972, he’d recorded and toured with country rock band Plainsong and also recorded a brilliant solo album,‘If You Saw Thro’ My Eyes’. That would ultimately be the springboard for a run of great solo records over the next decade.
By the mid 70s, Matthews had already amassed an impressive body of work. His albums ‘Tigers Will Survive’ (1972), the marvellous ‘Valley Hi’ (1973), ‘Journeys From Gospel Oak’ and ‘Some Days You Eat The Bear’ (both released in 1974) shared a typical mix of folk, country and pop-rock tunes mixing covers with original material, but 1975’s ‘Go For Broke’ found Iain taking a dip into slightly more commercial waters. …And it’s with that album – a slightly overlooked entry in the Matthews canon – that ‘Rhythm of The West: The Columbia Years 1975-1977’ begins its look back at another prolific period for the singer-songwriter.
THE FALL – Fall Sound Archive Vol. 12: Fall Heads Roll
On 2003’s ‘The Real New Fall LP’, Mark E. Smith and his band sounded somewhere near the top of their game. Some of their more critical fans might claim the record didn’t quite capture the fire of their early work, but the record boasted more than its fair share of memorable performances. It showed the now veteran act in a position of strength and would be a hard act to follow, if not impossible, especially considering Smith had a habit of shaking things up whenever he felt things might be going too well.
ROSE TATTOO – The Albums: 1981-1984
Don’t be fooled by the title: despite claiming to contain albums released between 1981-1984, this four disc set by Aussie legends Rose Tattoo actually kicks off with their self-titled album from 1978. With Lemon Records being a UK based company, the decision has been made to present that record as it was first experienced by UK audiences domestically, with its alternate title (‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaws’) and belated 1981 release date. [Further evidence of this clam shell box being pitched squarely at the British buyer can be found in the sleeve notes, when Rose Tattoo’s 1986 LP ‘Blood From A Stone’ is referenced as being an Angry Anderson solo album of the same name released in 1988.]