When I arrived at the college radio station where I grew up, I discovered a strange, wonderful, boldly enlivening world. That’s hardly a new observation for me to tap out in this space, but I truly can’t repeat it enough. I had a glancing knowledge of some of the major artists of college rock, but there were legions of seminal acts I’d never previously heard a note from. Usually, it was a thrilling revelation with each introduction. Occasionally, a band rattled my senses with their blazing audacity and edged willingness to disregard any instincts toward making music that the uninitiated might find approachable.

That preamble brings me, of course, to Mark E. Smith’s band the Fall.

I was mere weeks into my tenure when the station’s new music rotation was graced with I Am Kurious Oranj, one of two albums from the Fall bearing a 1988 release date. I have a foggy memory of the single “Big New Prinz” arriving first, but that would have been somewhat atypical for my radio home. Still, it’s the song that can transport me back into that on air studio, listening as the bounding, bizarre music spills out of the speakers, Smith yelping out the mesmerizing, repetitive lyrics with seeming ease.

It was a track that defied me to try to make sense of it. I wasn’t going to be able to slot it into my simple little concepts of how pop music was supposed to work. In that sense, hearing the Fall for the first time provided an ideal orientation into the way my long trek through college radio was going to work. Surprises were on the way, as was music that was going to be difficult to warm to, by design. Rules were different, and those who broke the few rules that were in place were worthy of reverence. It was a good lesson to learn.

Listen or download —> The Fall, “Big New Prinz”

(Disclaimer: I’m not sure if I Am Kurious Oranj is still in print as a physical item that can be procured from your favorite local, independently-owned record store in a manner that properly compensates both the proprietor of said store and the original artist. There is so much music from the Fall that’s available, though. The track shared here is meant to be a sample that encourages commerce, not takes the place of it. Regardless, I know the rules. I will gladly and promptly remove the track if asked to do so by any individual or entity with sue authority to make such a request.)