The Fall are an English post-punk band, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band has existed in some form ever since, and is essentially built around its founder and only constant member Mark E. Smith. Initially associated with the punk movement of the late 1970s, the group's music has gone through several stylistic changes over the years, bu for all us fans of the band, the greatest news is that The Fall�fs latest studio album, Sub-Lingual Tablet, has just been released on CD via Cherry Red Records. Indeed, a limited edition 2�~12�� vinyl, featuring different mixes, is now also available to own. Come on now, how "old school cool" is that!

The album kicks off with the frenetic 'Venice With The Girls,' a cut that immediately showcases exactly what The Fall have always been musically about. That's followed by the gritty, trippy 'Black Roof,' which in turn is backed by the distorted vocal groove of 'Dedication Not Medication.' One of the stand out tracks, in my humble opinion, is the drum-led 'First One Today,' which cruises brilliantly with Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics as its guide.

The "spoken word" 'Junger Cloth' is next, but suddenly we launch into 'Stout Man,' a track that harkens back immediately to a lot of the English nuanced post-punk bands of the day. Man, this is a true flashback to the golden age of punk and a real delight to hear Smith crush out. The more stylistic 'Auto Chip 14-15' is next, but at over 10 minutes long it's repetitive nature quickly suffocates the joy of when the song first started playing. That's followed by the angry 'Pledge!,' 'Snazzy,' the distorted potty mouth rants of 'Fibre Book Troll,' and then, as the whistling fades out, the album is finally rounded out by the expansive pop rock of 'Quit Iphone.'

www.CherryRed.co.uk