"People get ready, strip down your houses because it's the FALL TRACKS BALLOT ROLL- OUT!" - PART TWO The Tracks (Pre-wray)

Some pretty great stuff in the lower reaches. Sorry I didn't get around to submitting, a few of these would've been bumped up ('Free Range', 'Slates...', 'Container Drivers' all on my definites list on my drafted ballot, quite a few more on my longlist).

I had Spectre Vs. Rector at 2. I'm v. fond of the noisy ones on Dragnet (S Vs. R, muzorewi's daughter)

culled: jawbone and, marquis cc, container driv, slates slags, gross chap, fortress/dp. glad to see they made the crossing.

Jawbone and Container Drivers made my ballot. Third peel session might be my favorite: best thing imo about 79-83 Fall is how the band sounded basically like a garage rock band who started from scratch with every new song they came up with, and third Peel Session is the first to really show this.

The Peel version of "Blindness" is definitive for me and the single version of "Sparta #2" is as well, with the addition of Eleni and extra chants.

Quite a bit of my ballot has already appeared. Not holding out much hope in seeing my number 1 showing up at all. Glad to see Tempo House on there.

Gross Chapel - British Grenadiers is too low. I didn't care for the song at first but the driving, insistent rhythm eventually won me over.

'The Peel version of "Blindness" is definitive for me'

Otm, my vote for blindness was a vote for this one. It's all about when he goes into that high babbling tone toward the end (sounding a little like beefheart's bass clarinet playing except vocally)

I didnt vote for any Peel Sessions versions but the PS Glam Racket was the last thing cut from my ballot so I am stoked to see that slip in

I have no problem with anything so far in the track countdown. The only one I voted for was Jawbone, but these are all solid choices. I guess my heart will be broken later when half of my top ten choices don;t place.

I honestly don't get the love for "Weather Report 2", it's not even in my top 5 for that album.

This is the value, we can go "What, higher than "Slates, etc", really" and go find out

It's all about when he goes into that high babbling tone toward the end (sounding a little like beefheart's bass clarinet playing except vocally)

Ah, that helps me understand - that's my exact sticking point on the track, because I always see it as an error. I don't know if it comes down to me needing a more Catholic taste in tonality/timing (but I'll totally buy "Hurricane Edward"!) or being more willing to extend or suspend belief w/r/t intentions and capabilities.

I mean, I have the same problem with a lot of Beefheart - so much effort has gone into creating an internally whole song instrumentally and the voice just hangs back just gesturing over the damn thing. Are MES's voice and the Captain's bass clarinet using fiendishly advanced techniques? Are they just fucking around? Are they productively fucking around their limitations? Why can't MES just flow anymore? Why can't we live in England?

I honestly don't get the love for "Weather Report 2", it's not even in my top 5 for that album.

It took me a long time! Headphones help. Like a lot on OFYC, it works especially well for me because it makes thematic sense of the vocal decrepitude. Also, I mean, the track itself is OK, but then it gets fucking eaten alive by synths. It's fantastic! (The same way that "Slippy Floor" repeatedly, gratuitously, awesomely torpedoes "YFOC.")

Why can't MES just flow anymore?

i figure he's color commentary at this point. also, the way our friends become cheerful but sometimes dismayingly shabby reminders of the people we once knew/were. they're still our friends, right?

Voted Blindness for the Peel version. Maybe could do with a longer intro but once it gets going that doesn't feel like an issue.

Gross Chapel - GB Grenadiers was very high up my ballot - The Fall go goth, and do it amazingly

YFOC is a great album, regret not voting for the mighty Mexico Wax Solvent along with WR2

I also did not get round to posting but am very interested in the results of this - I would have pushed Container Drivers/ Slates / Gross Chapel and Rebellious Jukebox up further. Possibly like others? I know some parts of the Fall's oeuvre very well and other parts are basically blank it so primarilly looking at this for new avenues and places to explore. Keep up the good work people!

I have the same problem with a lot of Beefheart

Well, yes, frankly it took me years to come to terms with MES' vocals, and a further 15 to do the same for the Captain, but once you've made that adjustment it all just MAKES SENSE. I think The Fall could actually be more broadly enjoyed by the public but that warm-up period is something most people just won't give it.

Re: Gross Chapel - GB Grenadiers - I'm not certain the Peel version surpasses the studio, but they certainly compliment one another, if that makes sense. And, yes, the whole Fall-as-goths treatment of "Bend Sinister" is what makes it unique in their catalogue and made me vote it number 1 on the albums section.

the PS Glam Racket was the last thing cut from my ballot

I had the Peel Session "Glam Racket" at number 15 on my ballot. After getting off the bus in the early 90s, that song and "Chiselers" were what made me reconsider the error of my ways.

Whoa, that's 8 of my ballot represented already (Fortress, Jukebox, Hobgoblins, English Scheme, Middle Mass, Smile, Prole, Spectre), which could be a good OR bad sign. "Prole Art Threat" was my #2, so TOO LOW, etc, for that at the very least.

re: fall members list - i'm guessing "mark hanley" is a mistake there?

25. Lie Dream of A Casino Soul Points: 163 Votes: 6 Number Ones: 0

Reckon the biggest curveball in the top 25 will be my number 2, a song notable for its drumbeat and the use of the word 'faaarmhaaaand'

24. An Older Lover etc Points: 165 Votes: 6 Number Ones: 0

TOO FUCKEN LOW

23. Hit The North Points: 173 Votes: 7 Number Ones: 0

22. (Theme From) Sparta F.C. / Sparta 2XX Points: 190 Votes: 9 Number Ones: 0

Hmmm, is it possible my ballot was lost? Should have at least one #1 vote for "Lie Dream".

Hmm, seems there are actually five votes and one number one.

Anyways...

"he.. is .. nottt"

21. New Big Prinz / Big New Prinz Points: 190 Votes: 9 Number Ones: 0

20. The N.W.R.A. Points: 196 Votes: 7 Number Ones: 1

dunno why i didn't vote for "an older lover etc". should have. another of my early-on favorites, along with "putta block".

19. Cruisers Creek Points: 202 Votes: 8 Number Ones: 1

18. Eat Yrself Fitter Points: 206 Votes: 13 Number Ones: 0

17. Bill Is Dead Points: 208 Votes: 8 Number Ones: 2

Ok, maybe Hurricane Edward won't make it. Wailing, gnashing of teeth etc

16. The Man Whose Head Expanded Points: 214 Votes: 10 Number Ones: 0

of this he was con vinced

Eat Y'self Fitter is some magic. Lots of songs here that I've mostly avoided due to presumptions of conventionality, which are presumably sodomising me as I type. Will return.

Mark, down to 11 today then top 10 tomorrow, aye?

Yeah, that's it.

15. I Feel Voxish Points: 217 Votes: 10 Number Ones: 0

NO ONE WILL FUCK WITH ME AGAIN

top 20 = PBL era, top 10 = Hex era

Garden had best make the top 5 tho

xpost so where does that put...

14. Rowche Rumble Points: 219 Votes: 9 Number Ones: 0

13. Gut of the Quantifier Points: 239 Votes: 10 Number Ones: 0

Rowche! Rumble!

CHIP!

12. New Face In Hell Points: 248 Votes: 10 Number Ones: 1