Album Review: Your Future, Our Clutter - The Fall

****
A funny thing The Fall. I've been aware of Mark E. Smith for years but it's only since listening to favourite comedian Frank Skinner's radio show (in which he insists on playing one Fall track every week) that my interest has finally been piqued.

As a result I feel even less qualified than usual to offer a musical critique (this is the 28th studio album under 'The Fall' moniker since 1979).

What I can say about 'Your Future, Our Clutter' is that I've already grown to cherish its eccentricity. From the opening of 'Bury Pts. 1 & 3', which sounds like it's been recorded down a well so compressed is the sound, to the mad ranting of 'Mexico Wax Insolvent', the unique charm of the album is irresistible.

Of course there's no doubting The Fall's sound is an acquired taste. Like your fist sip of lager as a 12 year old lad, the initial reaction is to recoil from the unexpected shock, but stick with it and suddenly the idiosyncrasies begin to have their appeal. Again on 'Mexico Wax Insolvent' the nuance of Smith's repeated 'Aqua Rosa' somehow burns itself into your psyche.

There is, however, a charming delicacy on display too. Album closer 'Weather Report 2', revels in its wistful guitar, Smith crooning "You gave me the best years of my life", yet he still remains joyously cutting, "I watched 'Murder She Wrote' five times/The cast deserved to die". Perhaps in an act of glorious defiance the song ends with the line, "You don't deserve rock 'n' roll".

Similarly witty couplets abound throughout and, although most of the lyrics are spawned from an organised chaos of hotch-potch phraseology, backed as they are by a collection of tenacious tunes from Smith's current band members, the album succeeds as a delightful melting pot out of which many a crystal jewel is smelt.