Released in February 1990, Extricate was a big bold statement, co-opting some Madchester beats into The Fall's mix, with the band and Smith on excellent form. From the catchy indie of Hilary and The Littlest Rebel, the oblique attack on past lovers in Sing! Harpy, and the touching rumination on death and new love, Bill Is Dead, Extricate is one of the group's most coherent albums. Smith also worked with dance producers Coldcut updating the Lisa Stansfield sung track My Telephone as Telephone Thing.