Two recordings available - both audience and both decent quality. HPAFBs version gets the review and the superior accolade due to slightly better balance on the instruments and less audience intrusion. The Yousef version (*) adds the spoof literary reading from Daren at the start. In both Spurr is somewhat under recorded.
Mixed reviews on this but the majority go for it being one of the better ones of late. No American cousins on this evening but the Motherjohn rhythm section and ex-Fringer Pete Greenway back to support the Smiths.
To these ears this is an excellent gig albeit a little sloppy in places - that is to say not as tightly honed as the Presley/Barbato/McCord group however it is quintessentially a Fall performance. Indeed "Pacifying Joint" appears to have regained some of its initial fire. It starts with a muscular non-vocal "Wolve Kidult" until the meister enters with the usual crap-rap which appears to pay passing reference to the festival. Please note that the version of "Wolve Kidult" here is nothing like the version played at the Bilston gig earlier in the year. The Bilston version was built around a four note ascending riff - this version is built a round a ten note descending riff (thanks to Mike for pointing this out!!). "Fall Sound" is excellent and "Perverted by Language" gets a name check. "Over! Over!" suffers a little from feedback at the beginning and has some structural problems as Mr Smith appears to be distracted in rearranging the "health and safety" threat of the numerous leads crossing the stage.
"Sparta" is very well performed with Greenway getting the riff down right - some interesting microphone thumping and good rhythmic interplay. An interesting take on "Hungry Freaks" which moves from the soulful para-skank of the Americans to a fast paced garage version revolving around either a single riff or some serious note bending. Keiron appears to be playing the drum part from an early Free number on "Wrong Place" which works quite well in places but suffers from too much cow bell and some instrospective comments from Mr Smith about the lyrics.
A comment from MES about "Always encouraging everybody in the local arts" presages an excellent version of "My Door" with some great guitar from Greenway, and a rock steady bass riff from EP on the synth.
This is followed by the first live outing of "I've been duped" a chunky fast tune featuring Elena on vocals. The lyrics are difficult to decipher but it appears to concern a moan about something or another. A great football chant chorus has the boys shouting "I've been duped" and Elena repeating in a call and response fashion. This will take a few listens to get into but it appears to have the makings of a classic with a strong melody line echoing a sparse 80s garage sound.
"Mountain Energie" gives Spurrs previously quiet bass to shine. Marks microphone has the reverb/echo effect still on from the chorus singing on the previous track and he soon replaces it with a non-FX'd version and abandons it to the floor with a resounding thud. A nice laid back version of the tune - with minimal guitar and a nice understated feel.
Another premiere with the reading of a song called "Strange Town" which features a repetitive walking riff and a general rant in the first part and then a second slower section which builds into yet another riff. This would be another new Fall classic in the making with a fantastic structure and extensive word play if it were not for the fact that after repeated listening and a shaking of the old memory cells that the realisation finally hits you that it is of course a cover of the Groundhogs song from the "Thank Christ for the Bomb" album. There is some interesting howling from Mark giving it an alien feel. Some excellent drumming and riffing in the coda leave the listening wanting more. Exciting stuff.
The first encore is another mammoth reading of "Blindness" it starts with visceral bubbling synth sounds and Mark intoning as the drums kick in. Mark has picked up the microphone with the reverb on it and it takes a while for the mixing desk to get it sorted. Again Pete is restrained to great effect. In some parts its just Mark, Dave and Keiron giving a great sense of tension. However this soon builds to a dense wall of sound with an exceptional atonal solo from MES forms part of an exceptional ending with a massive wall of sound and slabs of guitar noise.
"Reformation" is not up to its usual muscular standard and there are some structural problems - the audience appears to have got hold a microphone in places as there are some odd squeaks and shouts. Pete seems to leap into a completely new riff in places which does not fit. Keirons drumming is very good but the whole thing feels a little unfocused. During a second encore break part of "Enigrammatic Dream" is played.
The band return to close with a memorable "Senior Twilight" with some great guitar and synth noises. Mark provides some sparse vocals which are a little indecipherable. Again there is a good sense of structure here with the song moving through a series of segments. "My work is done" exclaims Mark at the end. More spoken word concludes the event.
Another line-up and new songs and generally a great gig despite some sloppy moments. Essential for the first outings of "I've been duped" and "Strange Town".