The Fall
Reformation Post T.L.C. (Narnack)
By Erin Wolf
Published: April 27th, 2007 | 2:49pm
The Fall has been specializing in creating music and chaos with swagger since 1976 – changing up band members has also been a specialty. Most recently, the Fall, once stalwart Brits, have forgone all formalities, and have even inducted a group of Americans (in addition to core member, Mark E. Smith and wife, Eleni Poulou) to finish up a fallen American tour and break out a record, which is aptly entitled Reformation Post T.L.C. — aptly, in that the album, itself, needs a bit of T.L.C.
The slipshod band assembly that the Fall has become so used to punkily perfecting over time, simply dissolves on this release. Reformation is an awful listen; to be avoided by any fans that still have light in their eyes for Mr. Smith and company. They will be insulted. What we were once promised in the form of a comeback through 2004’s excellent Fall Heads Roll, quickly dissipates with every moment of this quagmire of uninspiring lyrics, sloppy song craft, and an overall sinking feeling of the band failing at going out with a proper bang. The only sound heard is of John Peel, the legendary British DJ, turning over in his grave, as his once-favorite band makes like its name and falls from its pedestal.
Issue #30
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