Extricate was originally released in 1990. It was recorded after some serious personnel changes, as MARK E. SMITH's partner, guitarist and vocalist BRIX left him for NIGEL KENNEDY! Needless to say, Mark's lyrics acquired a new level of cynicism. Mark's sleeve notes say; "It is the culmination of stuff I've / we've held back or just wrote over and through the tendril wires and chaos of the last 14 months. The first half reflects on things witnessed and / or sensed, while the second half is NOW. The simplicity will confound all bores, imitators and anxiety mongers."