Second Dark Age
The Fall · Other Songs - The Fall
[have to turn] a glass house
And the Arabs have it made
All their women in veils, eyes glazed
Second Dark Age. Death of the USA.
Return of the family.
And the commune crapheads sit and whine
While the commons near my birthplace is now a police college
It's a second dark age.
"Processed life starts monday or any other day. The city is dead.
Plus [...]"
I could join a pray-peace group
Explain it all away
Cause groups can change the world
and meet Ms. Fjord and Benny.*
"Hi I am Benny. Peace trance.
No Czechoslovak groups are barny fools"
I'm mediocre anti-Jew
And single people are screwed
in the Second Dark Age
I am Roman Totale, 17,
the bastard offspring
of Charles I and the Great God Pan.
[ Abba reference. ed.]
Second Dark Age
Second Dark Age stands as a testament to The Fall's enduring capacity for reinvention and their signature post-punk intensity. Mark E. Smith's distinctive vocal delivery drives the track, weaving through the band's characteristic blend of jagged rhythms and experimental textures. The song reflects the group's long-standing commitment to challenging conventional rock structures, maintaining a raw energy that has defined their extensive discography. While the specific recording details may vary across different releases, the track embodies the band's relentless exploration of industrial and alternative sounds. It serves as a compelling song point into their vast catalogue, showcasing the dynamic interplay between Smith's idiosyncratic phrasing and the band's tight, often chaotic instrumentation. The Fall's work continues to influence generations of musicians who value artistic integrity over commercial appeal.