The Fall – Container Drivers (Peel Session) (1980)

One of my favourite records of all time. It gradually lumbers into its stride and then never stops.

The version on the “Grotesque (After the Gramme)” LP is terrific but, as so often happened, the version recorded for the John Peel show is even better (for other examples of this, check out the two Joy Division Peel sessions which are unbelievably good).

I have liked The Fall over all stages of their career. Their early stuff (like this) is wonderful and they peaked again in the early 1990s.

The lyrics on this are priceless:

Communists are just part-time workers

And there’s no thanks from the loading bay ranks

The build up to, and execution of, the concisest guitar solo in history (1:45-1:55) is one of the finest 10 seconds in 20th century music. No, really.