H.M.S. Fable

by Shack

Overview

Shack is led by Michael Head, who fronted the Pale Fountains in the mid-'80s after his mind was blown by Liverpool's incredible Echo & the Bunnymen and Teardrop Explodes. Head and his brother John know their way around highly-developed '60s-to-'80s pop. Get past what used to be called side one; it's often wonderful, but it's lesser. For instance, the one clunker, "Pull Together," is like uncharacteristically-bad Oasis. "Lend's Some Dough" is fun Mersey bounce pop like the La's, and the two U.K. singles, "Natalie's Party" and the much better Bunnymen-like "Comedy," are both guilty of trying too hard. But, starting with "Streets of Kenny," the LP shifts into a more natural pace, marked by chattering, delicately-picked bright acoustics, ringing electrics, busy background strings, and the Heads' onrushing, splendid harmonies. The level of compositions, arrangements, and singing on side two sets Shack apart from all the merely-OK, press-fed bands cluttering up British festivals. In fact, Head's pop knack has never been greater, as if he finished a long apprenticeship. He's rather sly about it, too: From the affectionate "You Only Live Twice" coda of the standout, "Since I Met You," to the staccato Burt Bacharach trumpet blurts of "Re-instated" to the Revolver Beatles outros of "Natalie's Party" and "I Want You" to the Arthur Lee/Love-worship of "Daniella," the milestones of yesteryear are referenced but built upon as well. What a contrast to the shambles of Shack's 1988 debut. The drums crackle, the guitars zing, the strings wash overhead. Perhaps the Heads sounded better in the past with more organic production, starting with 1996's Water Pistol. The bigger, bolder production is just a new wrinkle. Say no more. ~ Jack Rabid

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2024
Label:	Shack Songs
UPC:	5051142062147

Tracks

1. Natalie's Party
2. Comedy
3. Pull Together
4. Beautiful
5. Lend's Some Dough
6. Captain's Table
7. Streets of Kenny
8. Reinstated
9. I Want You
10. Cornish Town
11. Since I Met You
12. Daniella

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Shack   Primary Artist
Richard Payne   Celeste,Organ (Hammond)
Will Malone   Strings
Roddy Lorimer   Horn,Trumpet
Martin Duffy   Piano
Anne Wood   Violin
Paul Spong   Horn,Trumpet
London Session Orchestra   Strings
Michelle Brown   Bass
Michael Head   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
John Head   Vocals,Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Hugo Nicolson   Mixing Engineer,Recording,Mixing,Producer
Nick Ingman   String Arrangements
Shack   Performer
Hugh Jones   Mixing,Producer
Hugoth Nicolson   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Youth   Producer
Wil Malone   String Arrangements
Britannia Row   Producer
Michael Head   Composer,Lyricist,Composer,Lyricist
Nigel Schermuly   Photography
David Whittaker   String Arrangements
John Head   Composer
Ridge Farm   Producer