Ie live May 6 1983 in Iceland.

No track by track run down this time. It's not just getting lazy after all these reviews, a combination of a couple of things: this CD has been highly rated, and as I started playing it, I suspect many rate it higher than I do, so I was not sure how constructive I would be I am not familiar/fond enough of all the *original* versions of all the tracks here to do one.

I was pleasantly surprised, once more when I listened to this album (I recalled that I had actually liked it a lot when I last listened to it, despite my opinion of the source material).

Allow me to explain briefly - I am not a big fan of the Perverted By Language album; on the other hand, I enjoy the oft-knocked 'Room To Live' album. I find the former too dirge-y for me, even by Fall standards. I Feel Voxish is great though.

I was reading through the User Guide book today, and DT had said what a difference Brix's introduction made to the band, judging by the sound of PBL compared to the sound of the tracks here. Elsewhere he implies though that Brix's impact was not felt immediately and also he quotes Mark saying that the band/he chose to change rather than Brix forcing changes upon them...whatever, the point is, the tracks on this live album sound fresh to me, whereas PBL sounds weary and hard to get 'into' to my ears. I don't think that's anything to do with Brix though!

As I've acknowledged, this album needs little recommendation - many have raved about it already. I can simply add to the chorus of approval!

Ie live May 6 1983 in Iceland. (re posted due to mis-titling cock-up on previous post).

No track by track run down this time. It's not just getting lazy after all these reviews, a combination of a couple of things: this CD has been highly rated, and as I started playing it, I suspect many rate it higher than I do, so I was not sure how constructive I would be; also I am not familiar/fond enough of all the *original* versions of all the tracks here to do a good/useful rundown comparing each track to the original.

I was pleasantly surprised, once more, when I listened to this album (I recalled that I had actually liked it a lot when I last listened to it, despite my opinion of the source material).

Allow me to explain briefly - I am not a big fan of the Perverted By Language album; on the other hand, I enjoy the oft-knocked 'Room To Live' album. I find the former too dirge-y for me, even by Fall standards. I Feel Voxish is great though.

I was reading through the User Guide book today, and DT had said what a difference Brix's introduction made to the band, judging by the sound of PBL compared to the sound of the tracks here. Elsewhere he implies though that Brix's impact was not felt immediately and also he quotes Mark saying that the band/he chose to change rather than Brix forcing changes upon them...whatever, the point is, the tracks on this live album sound fresh to me, whereas PBL sounds weary and hard to get 'into' to my ears. I don't think that's anything to do with Brix though!

As I've acknowledged, this album needs little recommendation - many have raved about it already. I can simply add to the chorus of approval!

I think this CD is over-rated. None of the tracks sound better than the album versions to me and I think it shows the gap that Marc Riley left which Brix filled - ie. some kind of guitar thing. Having said that, I appreciate that it is an entire gig and a very listenable one at that, rather than a random compilation of live tracks.

WHOA! This one is HOT. Definitely for fans of the double-drummer lineup. I guess this is right after Riley left, so it's just Mark/Craig/Steve/Paul/Karl. And it's intense. And there's the best version of "Backdrop" yet -- I actually enjoyed it, and many of you know I was having difficulties finding the song's charms. The liner notes actually say that it is missing some intensity due to Riley's absence but I think the more minimal approach opens up the song for me.

It's also made me realize how much I prefer PBL to Hex. Never really realized that before.

REX-- where did you score a copy of this?

Yeah, wonder where a copy could be traded for (btw, I only have access to my 128 kpbs mp3s right now)?

Ah, there's the rub. Secondhand. But it's a fairly recent release, right? Should still be milling about somewhere...

It sounds like a studio recording!

I've another question-- should I try to pick up 2G+2? I try to get any Fall I can find but I am typically not a real fiend for live stuff.....it has some rare studio stuff on it too, right? Hmmm...guess I'll just cave in and get it....

Cleanville....honest. We have a 3 day weekend but I WILL SEND TUES. !!!!!

:)

honest!

Six* words: "I Wake Up in the City"



*technically only 5 on the back of 2G+2, because it's missing "the"...

1983- Incredible recording and performance. The definative Fall gig in my opinion. The official version is missing two tracks though, Ludd Gang and Wings. They are supposed to be tracks two and three.

If anybody has these two missing tracks please let me know. Maybe they could be released as part of Perverted By Language 2005?

Gee, thank you. Now I have d ooled all ove my keyboa d and ce tain lette s a e sho ting out left and ight. <_<

Is the Iceland show really so hard to get? I didn't seem to have any trouble, but maybe it's been deleted quickly.

i would love to get this album as well.

Caved in yet? I think it's worth it.

aka live in reykaviK?-Action Records 4 quid 99

This is highly recommended. I really like it, but it also documents an interesting moment in the lineup, which isn't replicated elsewhere, really. Interesting versions of songs with a Riley shaped hole in the middle. Smart. B)

I have this one on order and after reading this thread I can't wait for its arrival.

You should be, it's amazing. Best performance of The Classical ever.

:applaud:

Yes, I recently got mine from there at that give away price and to think I was dubious about buying it at one stage.

i got it as part of free trial with www.emusic.com. best £0.00 I ever spent.

and yes, it's magnificent. tempo house is majestic

About two-thirds of the way through the drums seem to lose a lot of their "oooompf"... which ruins it, for me. Prior to that, it's great.

I prefer both "In A Hole" and "Live in America".... as well as an "unofficial" or two. Hammersmith Odeon 85 (or 6) is particularly excellent.

Yes of course!

I should have it this week sometime.

:D

The line up on the Reykjavik CD was one of the best ever - I loved the space with just Craig on guitar. It's a shame that the only studio evidence is about half of PBL - if the whole album had been finished before Brix's arrival it would be their best album ever, no contest.

i agree. although even as is i think it might be the best.

the one guitar line up really suits the long songs, which have so much space.

Funny that people feel this way. One thing I've always had against Hex is the lack of space. By PBL, the problem was fixed. I wonder if Hex/PBL are an either/or situation for most fans.

I think one reason the Peel sessions are so great is that they usually have a lot more space in them, due to the lack of overdubs and simple clear production. The Peel versions of the Hex songs sounded better than the LP versions to me for this very reason. I'm also very fond of Room To Live for the same reason - it was quickly recorded with not everyone playing on every track.
I must say I do love Hex, but it may have been even better if...

both great albums. it's possible to like one album one for reason and another for completely the opposite reason.

Yeah, Hex/PBL-- an incredible one-two punch. I love 'em both. I do find that there is some sparseness on parts of Hex. Winter, namely, for one. But nothing like the creepy spare qualities of PBL.

I think the problem with most musicians is that they overplay. (I'm not really talking about any incarnation of The Fall here...) I think a two guitar lineup can be excellent if they are playing OFF and not against each other or doing some grandstand showboating bullshit, which too many are wont to do.

You can accomplish things in a live situation with two guitars that you can't with one, but I really think there is something to the "less is more" rule of thumb.

I used to have a composition teacher who would berate us to "get rid of any unnecessary words!" Depending upon the needs of a particular song, I think often that could apply to playing an instrument as well.

More like a one-three punch, right? :P How do you feel about Room to Live?

Well, to be honest I have not heard Room to Live in quite a while. It's been since April or so, and a long time as well before that. The reason is because I only have Room to Live, Slates and A Part of America on really ancient cassette and I don't pull it (or any cassette) out too often anymore. I sold the vinyl of these more than a year ago (and for a pittance too, I should add...) I am looking forward to the reissues of these, but you caught me-- I gave it a pass here and shouldn't have. Its brilliant. Even Papal Visit. Task one tomorrow is to pull it out to listen to again.

(on the headphones tonight- the first LP by A Flock of Seagulls (don't ask why...I dunno...) and Dead C- DR503 (Feel Good All Over edition)

sadly, can't help tide you over on RTL -- I am not quite set up for vinyl up here in Canada yet.

I have 2 copies of Room to Live on CD... the 1998 reissue (mastered from vinyl?) with the bonus disc and the Plus version from a couple years back. The Plus version sounds better but I'm not ready to give up the one with the bonus disc. I'll definitely need to find a home for the Plus version once I pick up the Sanctuary release... anyone is welcome to claim it now.

I think this was Eno's aesthetic for many of his albums and served him well. He often chipped away at the initial recordings which left a more sparse final mix; this worked particularly well for Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy).




Just received Austurbæjarbíó this week and it's fucking great!!! I love In A Hole and Totale's but this one's a real contender for best live album. I was stunned by the quality of performance and recording therein.

This is the five man lineup, post-Riley & pre-Brix. Excellent setlist, soundboard recording, good performance.

Except for the first half of the recording you can't hear Scanlon or (especially) S Hanley enough; they're really buried in the mix: drums & vox *way* out front. Very frustrating! This could have been great, but it's merely a curiosity.

Why don't they put out the City Gardens, Trenton NJ April 30 1983? That's a fantastic recording.

Yeah - that's what I think too. I bought it following several positive comments on this board. However, apart fom the last 2 mins of 'Backdrop' (right at the end of the gig!), it just never gets going.
'Garden' and 'Tempo House' sound ok, but the gap Riley left is very obvious and overall the sound is just so *thin*.
The quality of recording is great, but not a gig I'd revisit often, if ever.

Hanley and Scanlon are unacceptably far out of tune with each other on 'Garden'. :(

Layman's ear mate - never noticed... :D

There's a thread about this already.

RIGHT HERE.

Stephen! We really need that new and improved index for this section! :rolleyes:

I don't understand. I looked in the reviews index and the review section *and* CTRL F searched 'reyk' and 'aust' both places with no results. How could I have missed it?

Sorry...

It hadn't been active in so long that it wouldn't display in the section unless you changed your option bar at the bottom to display all topics in the last *90* days rather than *30* days.