Out of all the bands who formed during the '70s punk revolution, none were longer-lived, more prolific, or more innovative than the Fall. Throughout their career, the band underwent myriad lineup changes, but at the center of it all was vocalist Mark E. Smith. The Mancunian artist established an unmistakably unique style which generally avoided conventional song structures, instead preferring free-form prose ranted over raucous, primitive rhythms inspired by garage rock, Krautrock, dub, and other styles, with common ground being hypnotic repetition. Drawing from influences such as dystopian and paranormal literature, he delivered his cryptic, bitterly cynical lyrics in a nearly incomprehensible snarl, and his recordings were graced with collage-like artwork strewn with hand-written scribbles. Smith also employed unusual recording techniques, incorporating passages captured at home on a dictaphone or audio cassettes into professionally mixed studio productions. All of these factors made the Fall stand out, and they've remained a lasting influence on generations of alternative rock, indie, post-punk, and lo-fi musicians, with acknowledged disciples including Sonic Youth, Pavement, LCD Soundsystem and Gorillaz.
