Nobody ever liked Crispy Ambulance — even Tony Wilson boss of their record label, Factory, hated them. In their review of “The Plateau Phase” the NME were kinder than most in describing the album as “one of the most pretentious, turgid and tedious LP’s I’ve ever heard”.

Time I think for a bit of re-evaluation. I first came across Crispy Ambulance on an old Factory Video compilation. To be frank the video for “The Presence” was crap — the total budget was probably about £2.50 — just a series of moody shots of Manchester city centre intercut with the band playing live. However, the soundtrack blew my mind — I can only describe it as be like the first time I heard Neu’s “Hallogallo” — only better. 

The excellent LTM reissue CD of “The Plateau Phase” includes the “The Presence” as a bonus track. This track is worth the price of admission alone — the production is superb — the drum sound is simply the best I’ve ever heard. When you notice the track was produced by Martin Hannett you are perhaps not so surprised by the quality, however, even by Hannet’s legendary standards this is stunning. The sleeve states that this single track is over 13 minutes — this does not seem possible — it seems to fly by in an ecstatic rush. Long before the track is over the sound of the snare drum has left it’s indelible mark on your soul.

Returning to the original album one is flabbergasted by the sheer breadth of the bands ambition. Consider for example the album closer “Simon’s Ghost” — this gently lilting track could have sat quite happily on Popul Vuh’s “Hosiana Mantra”. On the other hand “The Federation” might have been off a Test Department LP. 

Generally I suspect that the “The Plateau Phase” was not what the record buying public expected of a Factory band in 1982. However, if you make the effort to listen to this album properly — and you do have to give it a few listens — I think you’ll regret you didn’t discover them earlier. 

P.S I bet Crispy Ambulance don’t get a mention in the forthcoming Factory Film “24 Hour Party People”.