A recent release reviewed

THE FALL
Hex Enduction Hour Sanctuary ****

Originally released in 1982 and now re-mastered with an extra CD, this, for many, is one of The Fall's finest moments. John Peel summed them up best when he said "they're always different but always the same". But what strikes you most about Hex Enduction Hour is just how innovative it must have seemed on its release. Although it did a good imitation of sounding ramshackle, there's always a lot more going on under the surface than you realise. Kicking off with the, eh, classic track The Classical, there's no let-up here as the band clatter away in an industrial/punk manner, and Mark E. Smith is as witheringly sardonic as only he can be. The bonus CD contains tracks recorded for a John Peel Radio One session, as well as the single I'm Into C.B. and a selection of live tracks. Stirring stuff.

Brian Boyd