Mark E. Smith and Ed Blaney - Smith and Blaney

  by Jon Rogers

published: 9 / 11 / 2008

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Review

It’s a potentially lethal thing to do. Singer from successful group begins to believe all the hype whilst surrounded by yes men telling them they’re the best thing since the wheel was invented. Fuelled by cocaine that not only rots their nose but expands their already large ego, said musician takes it upon themselves that what the world really needs more than anything is a solo album. More often than not the vanity project is, not to put too fine a word on it, well, shit. Self-indulgent, narcissistic twaddle where the record company has indulged their star signing to keep them happy and on side. So keen to keep platinum-selling, stadium rock gods Kiss their record label let each member release their own solo album. But this is professional grumpy poet Mark E. Smith, he of institution The Fall we’re talking about here so you can forget all that self-indulgent lark. Taking a side step away from his regular band's recent 'Imperial Wax Solvent' Smith has teamed up with former Fall manager and some time band guitarist Ed Blaney to knock out a low key (and lo-fi) album. 'Smith and Blaney' is all rough and ready, and hardly polished at all. In fact on songs like 'Durasti' it sounds like they’re nothing more than demos given a bit of a clean up. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Smith and Blaney bash out a few favourites – Nervous Norvus’s 'Transfusion' and the Velvet Undergroun's 'Real Good Time Together' – and throw in their compositions too. Smith, as ever, laces everything with his own sardonic wit and personal observations on anything that takes his fancy. 'Mettle Claw' sees him do a sort of state of the nation address and 'The Train' sees him pontificate on the problems of “riches and fame”. At times Smith and Blaney seem to simply run out of ideas. There’s two versions of 'Ludite' and 'The Train Pt 1' and 'Pt 2' seem to indicate the presence of some filler, and at times its all a bit too rough and ready for its own good as if they’ve decided to head to the studio after a couple of sessions in the local. 'Smith and Blaney' does come alive though. 'Transfusion' is transformed from its novelty hit status by feedback and Smith's laconic drawl and 'Mettle Claw' has filed its talons down to a sharp point. And while 'Real Good Time Together' has its faults the pair make a valiant stab at it. Which really seems to sum up the whole album – has its faults but Smith and Blaney make a valiant stab at it all. It’s hardly going to make any new converts to the cause but followers of The Fall will find something to appreciate.

Track Listing:-

1 Ludite 1
2 Real Good Time Together
3 Durasti
4 Mettle Claw
5 No Retreat
6 Ludite 2
7 The Train Part 1
8 Hustle
9 The Train Part 2
10 Transfusion
11 When We Were Young
12 Transfusion 2 (Re-mix)