I’m a fifty year old man, and I like you! Forming in 1976, The Fall inspired the likes of Sonic Youth, LCD Soundsystem, The Pixies - and confused the hell out of most everyone else. Imperial Wax Solvent is their 26th album and is one of the more consistent efforts of their later output. The Fall is more of a tradition than a specific sound, but there are plenty of the expected growls and jeers from Mr. Smith over a solid post-punk rumble. The album highlight is the nearly twelve minute “50 Year Old Man”, with big riffs ceding suddenly into ukelele and cackles. “You tried to destroy me, Steve Albini!”, Smith howls, before he is lost in the resurgent riffs. This is the first vinyl edition of this album since 2008, and comes on transparent yellow vinyl.

• 180g transparent yellow vinyl pressing
• first vinyl edition since 2008
• music label: Cherry Red 2019

reviewed by rip mark e smith 04/2019