The Fall – The Infotainment Scan

Lovely reissue, bright and full. Would be nice if it came with some extras like the Cherry Red ones do, but it’s still absolutely worth the £18. Bass is a bit thin on some tracks but I think that’s more an original production decision than a pressing problem.

I received my copy warped like a banana. A quick look at the discogs page made me laugh and cry at the same time - of course it was pressed by GZ Media...

Comparing it with the original, I can say that playing it with a serious equipment you can hear more details. However, 2 out of the 3 copies we received have a disturbing noise in the starting part of 1B (so, both given back to supplier and label sent us good ones). In my opinion, one of their best album.

This edition sounds good! Flat vinyl with no audible defects.

I'm glad this comes without any bonus tracks polluting the original experience.

The vinyl sounds really great and I am very happy this was available again and would recommend it heartily, but I have two negatives. Firstly, I really think they should have taken the opportunity to add 'Why are people grudgeful' to the LP release upon this reissue, even if it was on a separate 7", or somesuch; it feels cheap that they haven't. Secondly, I don't have an original to compare it to, but the printing quality of the cover is poor - bootleg quality poor.

Love the album. The clear vinyl sounds great. My only gripe is I wish "Why are people grudgeful" was a bonus song like on the CD, but I have that on a singles collection so no biggie.

Please note I received my copy on the 25th of March; I have written to Demon and the release date of the 26th is the official date; I can only assume Rough Trade (where I purchased my copy) acquired some copies a few days earlier. I ordered on the 22nd, 2nd-class postage and it arrived today. Really good pressing but I've looked very hard to see if it's been remastered, can't find the information, maybe I didn't look hard enough! Apologies if that's the case!

The Fall. Do they ever put a foot wrong? Before listeners who experienced 'Ersatz GB' shout out yes, lets take a nostalgic trip to 1993.

John Major was our beloved PM. The comedy world was left reeling at the loss of Les Dawson and Bernard Bresslaw in a 24 hour period and Sonia represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Better the devil you know' (and coming a respectable 2nd)

The Infotainment Scan released in April 93 by The Fall and was a success by Fall standards peaking at No 9 in the UK album chart. Let this fact not put you off!

For me, this is a peak in The Falls hi-tension filled career and the highlight of an exceptional run with Permanent Records that includes the excellent 'Middle Class Revolt, the bruising 'Cerebral Caustic' and the chaotic live double 'The Twenty-Seven Points'

There are so many highlights on The Infotainment Scan you can dip in and out with ease. Ladybird (green grass) kicks off the record in true Fall style. Its a full throttle bass driven killer with regulars Scanlon, Hanley and Wolstencroft proving again that they were a taut and explosive rhythm section. This more than adequately compliments MES' acerbic broadsides on the proliferation of cheap holidays, bald headed men and spangles. 'Its a curse' continues in the same vein sounding like a bastardised U2 in which Bono has been replaced by a local Rochdale live night compere who has a few grudges.

There is also much humour to be found on this record from the exploits of Cousin Norman in 'I'm Going to Spain' and the paranoid shape shifting males that carousel in 'Paranoid Man in Cheap S**t Room ("he shakes-aa in the chemist-aa, while buying his vits-aa")

Add to this a cover of 'Lost In Music' and two class A dance remixes as bonus tracks then you have a classic Fall album. Sure, the synth sounds are pure 90's and this is a fair departure from earlier Fall fare but who cares when The Fall sound this much fun.

Reissue on Demon coming september 2020 - 2LP clear vinyl - https://www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/catalogue/releases/the-infotainment-scan-clear-vinyl/