The Fall were one of John Peels favourite bands and he famously described them as "always different, always the same" and with this, their 26th full album release, I think its fair to say that, if Mr Peel were still with us, he would concur in the usual fashion.

Now I must admit to being somewhat surprised to find The Fall were still a going concern, especially after most of the immediate previous incarnation of the band quit midway through an American tour earlier last year, with only Smith and Poulou (his wife) remaining from that line-up the notoriously single minded Smith has gathered together a new band and released a new record almost without missing a beat.

For anyone new to The Fall its impossible to fully explain The Fall, either in sound or in their direction. Constants throughout the last 30 years (apart from Mark E Smith) are the minimalist, bass heavy alternative rock, with touches of dissonant guitar and electronica examples of which are scattered throughout "Reformation Post TLC".

If you're a fan of the kind of alternative rock that was coming out of Manchester in the late 70's/early 80's such as Joy Division, Durutti Column et al then you will of course know that The Fall count those bands amongst their peers. This makes it even more remarkable that Mark E Smith still has the fire in his belly to be producing this music after all these years.

From the Gang Of Four like rhythm of ""Reformation" to the funk bass and dissonant guitar of "The Usher via the suitably ramshackle reading of Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever" and the stream of consciousness led "Insult Song" the inventiveness of The Fall is still very much in evidence and the band still crackle with an energy and vibrancy that deserves a current audience, its not easy listening at times but for anyone prepared to put in the effort, the rewards are there to be had.

Let us know your views on 'Reformation Post TLC'

Track List

Over! Over!
Reformation
Fall Sound
White Line Fever
Insult Song
My Door Is Always Open
Coach And Horses
The Wright Stuff
Scenario
Das Bootuboat
Tim Song
Systematic Abuse

 Line Up

Mark E Smith - vocals
Elena Poulou - keyboards
Orpheo McCord - drums
Tim Presley - guitar
Dave Spurr - bass
Rob Barbato - bass
Pete Greenway - guitar