LP: This Nation's Saving Grace
October 26th 2008 13:30
The record is unparalleled in the Fall canon for its consistency and continuity. "Bombast" rocks with the angular guitar attack so familiar to the group's fans, while the droll "What You Need" is a fun stream-of-consciousness litany of crass commercial phrases. But Saving Grace works best in its poppiest moments. "My New House" has chugging, hummable guitar chords over Smith's deadpan extolling of upper class mobility. "Spoilt Victorian Child" uses crazed repetition to create instant memorability, and "L.A." takes on trendy new wave by adopting a radio-friendly veneer.
None of this is to say that The Fall's breakthrough record is pure pop. Smith's dedication to artistic expression always trumps commercial concerns, and Saving Grace is no exception. 1985 in America was all about U2 and Springsteen; The Fall were singing "I Am Damo Suzuki" with no expectation of becoming more famous (or less relevant, come to that) than Suzuki's own band, Can. Mark E. Smith and company always fit in better with obscure krautrockers than with the Top 40 sounds of the day.
For its mix of inviting pop, sarcastic wit, and angular guitar menace, This Nation's Saving Grace is one of the top albums of the post punk era.
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