The Fall - Extricate LP

Label: Proper

Formed in 1976, by 1990, The Fall had been through 18 line ups, releasing 14 albums and 24 singles – The only constant was leader, vocalist Mark Edward Smith – welded to the work ethic, creating music that stunned in its obscure brilliance; railing against mediocrity, flailing against the status quo.

It was all change when The Fall signed to Fontana. Guitarist Martin Bramah, who had founded the group with Smith, returned, replacing Smith's ex-wife Brix, who had been in the group since 1983. There were few cries of sell-out, however, when The Fall signed to a major; it was just part of an evolutionary process. The three Fontana albums, Extricate, Shift-Work and Code: Selfish were stunningly consistent.

Released in February 1990, Extricate was a big bold statement, co-opting some Madchester beats into The Fall's mix, with the band and Smith on excellent form. From the catchy indie of "Hilary" and "The Littlest Rebel," the oblique attack on past lovers in "Sing! Harpy," and the touching rumination on death and new love, "Bill Is Dead," Extricate is one of the group's most coherent albums. Smith also worked with dance producers Coldcut updating the Lisa Stansfield sung track "My Telephone" as "Telephone Thing."