The Fall

LP version. 77 - Early Years - 79 was The Fall's first comp ever. Originally released on Step-Forward in 1981, the LP compiles the group's first four singles recorded for the label between 1977 and 1979 - Bingo-Master's Break-Out, It's The New Thing, Rowche Rumble and Fiery Jack - none of which appeared on any of the band's studio albums. (Also included is "Dice Man" from 1979's Dragnet.) Taken together, these 7-inches are The Fall as they initially emerged from the primordial soup of '77 Manchester, pushing out from founder Mark E. Smith's poetry-collective origins into the early punk scene.

Right from the first track, "Repetition," Smith and crew's working-class art punk is in full effect. His obtuse lyrical brilliance and inimitable vocal delivery ride atop the band's ringing atonal guitar, looping basslines and propulsive drumming - complemented by wheezy combo organ tones. The tracks from each 7-inch are presented here in reverse chronological order. The Fall's fierce contrarianism defines the early UK punk sound and, at the same time, sounds nothing like any of their contemporaries.

The revolving cast of band members includes Martin Bramah, Una Baines and Karl Burns as well as Marc Riley, Craig Scanlon and Stephen Hanley who would remain in The Fall's classic '80s lineups. Many of their best-known songs are featured here - from "Psycho Mafia" and "Rowche Rumble" to the Mayo Thompson-produced "Fiery Jack."

Superior Viaduct's edition is the first time that 77 - Early Years - 79 has been reissued on vinyl. Includes liner notes by Stephen Malkmus.