condition (record/cover): EX / VG+

Rowche Rumble is in many ways the proper debut of the band, in that its the debut of the main structure of the classic lineup. More accurately the band is halfway between the first lineup and and the second one. First keyboardist Yvonne Pawlett is still in the band, but first guitarist Martin Bramah is gone (so is first drummer Karl Burns...but he'd be back as main drummr soon anyway). The important thing is two of the big deal mainstays make their first outing here, guitarist Craig Scanlon and bassist Steve Hanley. Two dudes who would in many ways be the right and left hands of M.E.S. throughout the classic heights of the band. What better way to test the waters then a weird droning anthem that is both hazy and energetic at once? Only to the Fall could a song like this be an a-side single. And only to Fall fans could it function as one as well. If you were expecting the singles of the band to be some sort of access point if the band has given you trouble, I'm really sorry man! Nope! This is really only gonna work for you if you already get the band. Stylistically it sounds (go figure given the lineup) a lot like a song off Dragnet, being raw and pure in a way that no other classic record they did can quite claim. It would have been a stand out on it if they'd put it aboard, but the single came out halfway between the debut and Dragnet, bridging the gap as it is. Anyway, Fall fans will enjoy this quite a lot. In My Area. Yvonne Pawlett's still being in the band is really clear here, given the dinky keyboard sound off the debut is quite present and all. Sort of the last hurrah for that sound and her by extension. The song as a whole is a nice counter-balance to the thudding anthem of Rowche, being a pleasant breezy little bit of industrial scuzz. One of those Fall songs that both sounds nice and almost poppy, and still like a piece of rusting factory equipment at the same time. It doesn't exactly impress a ton on its own, but paired with the a-side and you appreciate it more for what you get. Overall a nice piece regardless of context.