the new fall albums. country on the click, the unutterable, fall heads roll and reformation post tlc are some of the strongest and musically proficent albums the fall have ever done. its not right comparing fall albumns from 20 odd years ago to todays or even the 80s ones. as john peel said, the fall are always different but always the fall.
the last line up mark had (country/ heads roll) is probably the best line up he ever had and im countuing the mark riley, craig scanlon line up. awesome riffs an music. an so what if he decided to use pub bands so what. its the fall for fuck sake not radiohead!!!!
as for the question of line up changes, mark may have said its to keep egos in check but the real reason is tha mark is a cantankerous git and slightly mad and he will just break up a band when he feels like it. being in the fall must be like being a tightrope waker, exciting and amazing but one little slip up and youre fucked..........
here is the bbc4 film about the fall, this may answer questions. 6 minute youtube segments....
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Ff-7ui9BY
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bP568Yrfs
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKRyiNVsN10
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNiZz3FwuYk
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb9DRt6q72c
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6l8otkX3M
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj2Tiqyrpk8
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qryrkmo5Y
9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECdKZC4_3zE