Customer Reviews

Sinister Waltz

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This is the first of three disks compiled by Receiver Records that pulls together previously available material plus a few gems. The versions you get here differ from the eventual songs which were included on Extricate in 1990 and Shiftwork in 1991. When a band like The Fall have so many compilations, it gets confusing to their mostly devoted followers but Sinister Waltz is an interesting find.
I especially liked the cocky "Couldn't Get Ahead" and the spooky mix of "Telephone Thing" which makes the common version almost too slick. Mark E. Smith is spot on with his vocal delivery whether it is spoken word or almost melodic. Listen to "Wings" or "Chicago, Now!" and you can almost see him shouting down the curious from the stage.
They even crank out a swinging version of "Birthday" written by Jeff Lynne, sung by Lucy Rimmer.
Not every Fall compilation, whether studio tracks or live, will be as satisfying a purchase as Sinister Waltz. There are many to choose from and being a Fall fan, I've heard many others that pale in comparison. If you are a Fall fanatic, you should enjoy this.

First off, let me say that this CD is really only for seasoned Fall fans, not as a first purchase.

Then let me say that liner notes with dates and places are painfully absent and are why I cannot rate this any higher.

That said, the music contained here is really 5 star. Not every track, but as an odds and ends collection this ranks right up there. Excellent takes on 'Telephone Thing', 'Couldn't Get Ahead' and 'Chicago, Now!' more than make this necessary listening.

If you love The Fall, this belongs in your collection.