Disco de The Fall: “Listening In: Lost Singles Tracks 1990-92”

This handy CD compiles all of the rare Fall singles and B-sides from their time with Phonogram. Sure, true fans will have all of these songs already in one format or another, but it's nice to have them all in one place and with clean digital sound. Contains the original version of "Life Just Bounces" which is far superior to the version that later appeared on Cerebral Caustic. Also has "Xmas with Simon" which is hands-down the most humorous and sardonic Yuletide tune these ears have ever heard and features such joyous lyrics as 'died at the age of 33 which is ... as good a time as any'. "Ed's Babe", with it's bouncy synth line and sweet female backing vocals, is charming. "The Knight, the Devil, and Death" is a haunting droner which ends in a crescendo of screeching violins and chanting. Powerful stuff. The three versions of "So What About It?" sprinkled throughout are just overkill and necessitate some tracking around. Perhaps obsessive Fall fans will appreciate their inclusion. Listening In isn't for the casual listener; it's for the completist. It's almost impossible to suggest any one album for initiates because The Fall has been around for sooooooo long. For this phase in their career, try Extricate or Shift-Work if you want a good introduction.