* in stock
CD: CK 63625
RELEASE DATE: 1999
LABEL: Columbia
01. Natalie's Party
02. Comedy
03. Pull Together
04. Beautiful
05. Lend's Some Dough
06. Captain's Table
07. Streets Of Kenny
08. Reinstated
09. I Want You
10. Cornish Town
11. Since I Met You
12. Daniella
Brothers Mick and John Head fronted the underground band The Pale Fountains in the mid-'80s and were key players in the fertile Liverpool postpunk scene that included fellow Scousers Echo and the Bunnymen. Unfortunately, their brand of subtle pastoral pop was out of tune with the Zeitgeist, which dictated big hair, expensive videos and flashy synthesizer dance tunes. Fortunately, the Head brothers return, in the form of Shack, perhaps just in time for yet another renaissance of guitar pop. If the Pale Fountains were chamber pop, then Shack is anthemic, orchestral pop at its glorious best. Wistful and irresistible melodies back up lyrics of well-worn lives. There are great tunes on offer here, however, 'Natalie's Party' and 'Beautiful' are joyful anthems which are certain to put smiles on faces whilst first single 'Comedy' is more redolent of Head's re-released album from 1998 with The Strands. All in all, this is a rousing and tender reminder that good old-fashioned songwriting with heart will never go out of style.
* 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:
Pale Fountains, Michael Head, The Strands, Love, Nick Drake, Beatles
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