An excellent audience recording with Mark's vocals very clear.
The 2006 US tour reaches another high with a tight and well recorded gig from Chicago. For once Rob's bass does not dominate and the group dynamic is better appreciated. The band is becoming used to the material and taking it further than what was delivered on "Fall Heads Roll". This is mostly due to Orpheo McCords control of the light and shade of the rhythm. High tempo versions of "Bo Demmick" and "Pacifying Joint" kick off a great set. "Sparta" with a compelling back beat from McCord, and Presley's keening guitar is mesmering.
"Mountain Energei" suffers somewhat from overheavy use of the snare but is still compelling. This bands take on "Wrong Place, Right Time" is stunningly rockist and driven by Tim's harsh guitar. The unrecorded "Systematic Abuse" gets a good 9 minute workout. The music has developed since the original airings on the UK tour. The synth dominates and there is a clear use of alternative timings to allow the bass, guitar and synth riffs to overlap and create a hypnotic melee of sound. The one riff dominates the song but the interplay and restructuring of the timing makes it a unique laminal sound experience akin to "Still Life" era "Van Der Graaf Generator.
The other "new" tune "Formation FD" which would eventually become "Reformation!" is continuing to develop. A strange concoction of 60s surf guitar and an insistent simple bass riff underpins a new set of words of from Mr Smith. Redolent of "The NWRA" and "Backdrop" is its narrative style however with an intense vocal experience from Mark who growls and snarls tales of Manchester and Reformation. A sort of Marc Ribot meets Black Sabbath sound!
A mammoth 11 minute "Blindness" is exemplary with Presley taking the lead on the guitar for the signature motif and MES noodling on the keys leading to a solid performance of this modern Fall classic.
Mr Pharmacist is short and sweet and then a false start to "What About Us?" leads to a driving motorik version worthy of "Neu!" at their most intense. The pace is fearsome and Smith drives the band to the peak of perfection.
The set closes with five minutes extended guitar noise and feedback, and churning percussive sounds as the crowd bays for more.
An excellent Fall gig which will sit well in any collection.