Scott McFarland | Manassas, VA United States | 11/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The perfection, the brilliance of this band DOES come across to me on this 5-CD collection, moreso than on recent studio albums. Those albums had some great stuff on them. But they also had lesser material on them. It has to be said also that some of the group's material, especially songs from the quickly-recorded "Are You Our Missing Winner" sounds better on here from these gigs than it did on the album. Much of this material is meant to be played live, and sounds perfect live. "Crop Dust", "Beourgeousie Town", "Kick the Can", and "Way Round" to pick three sound here like they should. "Ketamine Sun" is another.The Fall continue to promulgate a garage-rock aesthetic unlike anyone else on the planet. Smith and his cohorts continue to mine a rich vein of minimalist noise crossed with rhythmic complexity. They continue to journey into the heart of rock and roll darkness, emerging time and time again with gems that connect 50's rock to 60's garage to 70's punk to 90's grunge to new millenium dance. This band will be understood by future generations as something that was really great, and really undervalued by undiscerning consumers. I don't like everything that Fall produces, but I like this a lot. I recommend this to anyone who thinks they might be interested in it."