* in stock
CD: NCCD002
RELEASED: 2003
LABEL: North Country
01. As Long As I've Got You
02. Soldier Man
03. Byrds Turn To Stone
04. The Girl With The Long Brown Hair
05. On The Terrace
06. Miles Apart
07. Meant To Be
08. Carousel
09. On The Streets Tonight
10. Chinatown
11. Camden Road
12. Happy Everafter
Its been four long years since the release of their last critically acclaimed album ?HMS Fable? and Shack's new album "... Here's Tom With The Weather" is set to further enhance the reputation of Liverpool born brothers Michal Head and John Head as amongst the finest songwriters of their generation. Shack began life back in the early eighties as The Pale Fountains, relesing two albums ?Pacific Street? and ?...From Across The Kitchen Table? before splitting up in 1985. Four years later Shack emerged with their first excellent release ?Zilch?, followed by ?Waterpistol? in 1995 and the Michael Head's solo project ?The Magical World Of The Strands? in 1998. The group constitutes the Head brothers on guitars and vocals, Iain Templeton on drums and Guy Rigby on bass. Opening track "As Long As I've Got You" is stripped down to basics, a beautifully crafted song that sets the tone for the album ahead. You're instantly reminded why the word genius is rarely far from critics lips when talking about Michael Head's song writing. Similarly forthcoming single "Byrds Turn To Stone" is a beautiful, lilting, folk ballad. Shack's subtlety isn't just about being lo-fi. "Miles Apart", one of the handful of tracks written by John Head, contains a gorgeous string arrangement alongside achingly plaintive vocals. And "Meant To Be" incorporates mariachi horns in a spiralling crescendo. Shack are back and in exquisite form, even if initially they do sound slightly muted. They do say that if you sing loudly you will be heard, but if you sing quietly you will be listened to.
Influences / Similar Artists:
Shack, Michael Head, The Strands, Love, Nick Drake, Beatles
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