Slates

by The Fall

Overview

Originally released in a time when "neither an EP nor an LP" was different and not a marketing gimmick, 1981's Slates was issued as a 10", but its six tight songs didn't have that key track to make it as revered as other Fall releases of the time. "Leave the Capitol," "Middle Mass," and "Prole Art Threat" deserve their place in the Fall's hall of fame, but compared to the second, punchy and polished version of "Lie Dream," they sound a bit anemic. Not a bad taster if you're new and want some post-punk, pre-pop Fall -- and 90 percent of this is prime material. [The 1992 and 1998 reissues added the live and short A Part of America Therein, a worthy complement for which Sanctuary has other plans. For the Fall fan, the bonuses on the 2004 reissue are a mixed blessing. With classic tracks like "Lie Dream of a Casino Soul," "Fantastic Life," and the great "Hip Priest" tacked on, the extras read as if from an early-'80s "greatest-hits" package. Great, but if there's a bummer to be had, they weaken the punch of the original Slates' sprawling attempt to restructure the Fall from punk to prog -- prog in the least pretentious sense of the word. Longtime buyers of the band get better sound quality, great liner notes, and the duplication blues once again.] ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	11/26/2021
Label:	Superior Viaduct
UPC:	0857661008070
Rank:	50137

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Fall   Primary Artist
Craig Scanlon   Primary Artist,Guitar
Mark E. Smith   Guitar,Piano,Vocals,Harmonica
Paul Hanley   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Steve Hanley   Bass
Markell Riley   Vocals,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Electric)
Karl Burns   Drums
Marc Riley   Keyboards
Richard Mazda   Saxophone
Dave Tucker   Vocals,Clarinet

Technical Credits

Paul Hanley   Composer
Stephen Hanley   Composer
Steve Hammonds   Project Coordinator
The Fall   Composer,Producer
Daryl Easlea   Liner Notes,Sleeve Notes
Craig Scanlon   Composer
Steve Hanley   Composer
Mark E. Smith   Composer
Martin Parker   Engineer
Kay Carroll   Management
Adrian Sherwood   Producer
Dale "Buffin" Griffin   Producer
Marc Riley   Composer
Grant Showbiz   Producer
Richard Mazda   Producer
Joe Richards   Project Coordinator
Nobby Turner   Engineer
Doug Shearer   Mastering
Becky Stewart   Reissue Design
Sam Riley   Composer
Mark Riley   Composer
Craig Scanlan   Composer