The Fall
by Mark E Smith & Mick Middles

A past gone mad?

There are few characters in music seemingly less likely to lend their name to an authorised biography than The Fall’s lynchpin Mark E Smith, yet this new edition of the 2003 book, helmed by RC contributor Mick Middles, goes a long way towards helping the reader’s appreciation of the man’s worldview and of his musical sensibility.

Rather than a straight, sequential run through of the story, Middles opts for an approach that explores not only Smith’s roots but a social perspective of post-war Manchester. Smith’s musings on various tangential subjects relating to English society develop our understanding of a man often caricatured in the press.

Middles often bristles against what he, and no doubt Smith, perceives as false retrospective journalism. He is often at pains to point out The Fall’s distance from the Manchester punk scene of the late 70s and lambasts the way in which Smith’s lyrics are studied academically. This makes for a fresh and irreverent look at a much misunderstood band.

This revised edition covers the usual steady flow of new material, personnel changes and Smith’s rantings. Strangely, perhaps, it may be just what The Fall novice needs to guide them into the singular world of Mark E Smith.

ISBN 9781847724168

Reviewed by Jamie Atkins
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