The Fall Album: “Perverted by Language [Bonus Tracks]”

What an incredible, amazing band, and an incredible record... Mark E. Smith is a genius, no doubt. I just picked up a copy of the Fall's recently re-released/re-mastered, incredible 1983 LP "Perverted by Language" after not having it in my record collection for many years, and it sounds even more ahead of it's time now than it did back then! What a shambolic, lo-fi mess of cacophony, beauty and ranting poetry. This album had a huge effect on me i/r/t musical influences when i first heard it in 1984, and just listening to it again still blows me away after all these years! I urge anybody whose never heard these guys to check this album out! Sonic Youth, Pavement, Pussy Galore, and about a bazillion other bands owe a huge debt to these guys, and "Perverted by Language" is, in my opinion, probably the Fall's masterpiece record. This one's right up there with other life changing albums like 'Daydream Nation', 'Let it Bleed', 'Spiderland', 'Loveless', 'Marquee Moon', etc...

A true stunner, i highly recommend this if you are a true fan of post-punk/indie rock/lo-fi/noise/and just overall general musical brilliance!

Before purchasing this double-disc edition, I debated whether I should get the one-disc version instead. In the end, I figured that, since I love The Fall so much already, I ought to just go for the one with the extra tracks. I can't vouch for the inside sleeve of the other editions, but this one has a sleeve that folds out to the size of a mini-poster with an article about the album and pictures of press clippings and associated album covers.

The first disc includes the original eight tracks of the first release, and tacks on the 5 bonus songs that were present in the 1998 re-issue as well: "The Man Whose Head Expanded", "Ludd Gang", "Kicker Conspiracy", "Wings", and "Pilsner Trail". The first four were songs issued by Rough Trade separately, while "Pilsner Trail" is a song from this album's recording sessions. In 2005, this edition was supplemented with a bonus disc containing the following: "Smile", "Garden", "Hexen Definitive/Strife Knot", and "Eat Y'Self Fitter" (from The Fall's sixth session with John Peel), "Garden" (the 1998 remixed version; now the original can be found on the first disc of this re-release), and "Neighbourhood of Infinity", "Smile", "Tempo House", "Perverted By Language", "Wings", and "Backdrop" (live tracks).

As far as my own preference goes, I prefer the Peel session tracks of "Smile" and "Hexen Definitive/Strife Knot" to their original versions on disc one, while I think that the version of "Wings" on the first disc is much preferable to the live track on the second one. Having these additional songs to compare with one another is helpful and interesting, though I find that I can't quite get into any of the three alternate versions of "Garden" presented here! Overall, however, if you are going to purchase one of the myriad versions of 'Perverted By Language', this would be the one to choose! Though

is my favorite Fall album, this one and

aren't far behind.

If you're new to the Fall, and post punk in general, this recording will not be easy first time listening. I wasn't crazy about it when I first got it myself, but over the years it's the one I listen to the most. I now consider this to be the Fall's best studio album (followed closely by 'the Real New Fall lp' and 'Slates').

In 1982, the Fall had a remarkable lineup, including 2 blazing guitarists and 2 drummers. They had a full, almost *too* full sound at times, and were a juggernaut of a band. At the end of this year, Mark E. Smith sacked one of the guitarists (Marc Riley),and the Fall now had one guitarist and 2 drummers.

This created a new sound and a new way of writing material. The material on this 1983 album has much more space and a greater sense of dynamics and tension. The lyrics are MES' best ever and really become the star of the show with this new approach. They are at times inscrutable, fascinating, and hilarious - often all in the same song. The vocals are delivered with supreme confidence and shine with the brilliance of an artist who is taking his game to a new level - and *knows* it.

The Fall have often sounded better live than on record (simply because they are THAT good) but many songs on this lp are still untouchable. 'Garden', 'Neighborhood of Infinity', 'Tempo House', 'Smile' .. the list goes on and on. The music is not immediately catchy but it will stick in your head. If you love Captain Beefheart's best stuff, you will probably love this album. Look upon the work of the mighty Fall and despair .. post punk never got better than this.

the music of The Fall is both engaging and off-putting...equal parts clever and brilliant mixed with the confounding and annoying. the casual fan of punk or post rock will probably be confused. and that my friends, may be the point. or maybe not. you decide. take a listen.

Another great record by the Fall and the first one to feature Brix on guitar. the songs have gotten a little shorter and a little more catchy...but only in that Fall sort of way. this edition contains a whole slew of bonus tracks, but i have not delved into them all deeply enough to make any profound observations.