The Fall‘s seventh album, The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall, was released on October 8, 1984. It was the band’s first for Beggars Banquet and was the first studio album to feature Brix Smith as a full-time member of the group. Frontman Mark E Smith met Brix on tour in Chicago the year before in America, invited to join the band along the way, and they would marry just a few months later.
The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall also marked the start of the band’s most accessible era of the group; Brix had a way with pop hooks and co-wrote some of The Fall’s best-known songs during her run in the band (and will MES) during the mid-to-late-’80s. The band also worked with producer John Leckie (XTC, Magazine) who helped bring The Fall’s new melodic side to the fore without sacrificing their signature bite. The album includes classics like “2×4,” “Lay of the Land,” “Slang King,” and the Stooges “homage,” “Elves.” The fantastic non-LP singles released around the same time which were added to the US/CD edition — the irresistible “C.R.E.E.P,” “Oh! Brother,” and “No Bulbs” — really make the album an all-timer. It’s this writer’s personal favorite (though most would say the next album, This Nation’s Saving Grace, is their best).
For the 40th anniversary of the album, Beggars Arkive has made a new lyric video for “2×4” which you can watch below.
To further celebrate, the Beggars Arkive store is offering 20% off all Fall vinyl through Friday.
