Shack | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Shack was formed from the ashes of the Pale Fountains, cult favorites led by Liverpudlian singer/songwriter Michael Head. Chris McCaffrey, the Fountains bassist and Heads best friend, died from a brain tumor in 1986 and Head began experimenting with drugs, including heroin, which was especially prevalent in his neighborhood. Despite his drug problems, he formed a new group with his brother John, the L-Shaped Room. The brothers later changed the bands name to Shack and released the debut album Zilch in 1988, with friend and roommate Ian Broudie as their producer. Though the albums sales were poor, Shack persevered, recording a new album, Waterpistol, in 1989. However, a fire destroyed the studio and all of the groups tapes, save one copy that the producer had kept; this copy was lost on a road trip in America. The tape was found a year later by the car rental agency the producer had used, and the album was released soon after by the German label Marina. Waterpistol received strong reviews, but the band had disintegrated by then and the Head brothers went on to back one of their musical heroes, ex-Love singer Arthur Lee, while bass player Pete Wilkinson joined Cast. The Head brothers kept working on new music together however and with the support of French promoter Stephane Bismuth, they recorded an album in 1993 under the name Michael Head & the Strands titled The Magical World of the Strands. Though it was a critical success when finally released in 1997, it didnt catch on with the masses. Michaels heroin addiction continued and his creative output slowed until the late 90s, when Shack began work on their third album, H.M.S. Fable. Though it was delayed several times by Michaels stays in detox, the album was released in the U.K. in the spring of 1999 to critical raves, and a U.S. release followed in the fall. The follow-up album, Heres Tom with the Weather, arrived in 2003, and the Head brothers, along with drummer Iain Templeton and bassist Pete Wilkinson, appeared on Shacks 2006 album, On the Corner of Miles and Gil, released by Noel Gallaghers Sour Mash label. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 8 Title: Zilch Released: 1988-03 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Emergency (03:31) 2 Someones Knocking (03:53) 3 John Kline (03:45) 4 I Need You (03:25) 5 Realization (05:57) 6 High Rise Low Life (03:42) 7 Who Killed Clayton Square? (03:36) 8 Whod Believe It? (04:35) 9 Whats It Like (03:06) 10 The Believers (03:44) |
| Zilch : Allmusic album Review : Former Pale Fountains leader Michael Head resumes where his previous band left off on Shacks 1988 debut, Zilch. There isnt much on this album to woo fans unfamiliar with the Pale Fountains; the Pale Fountains were soaked in 60s influences, but while they spiked their sound with jazz and new wave, Shack operates within a limited stylistic range here. Of course, theres nothing wrong with that, especially when the ringing guitars sparkle like summer sunshine. Devotees of the Pale Fountains will glow from the warm harmonies and sweet jangle of "High Rise Low Life" and "Someones Knocking," but unenlightened listeners might feel left in the dark. The Pale Fountains were an acquired taste, namely because of Heads breathy croon, a flashback to late 60s England. On Zilch, Head sounds a little different, less open to reaching for the high notes he hit with the Pale Fountains. Although many of the songs are catchy, theyre not instantly hummable; the lyrics, especially in "John Kline" and "Who Killed Clayton Square," are somewhat vague, filled with references recognizable only to the group or native Britons. The brittle riffs at the opening of "I Need You" recall Echo and the Bunnymens Ocean Rain LP, while "Up Against It" has a Beatles-like psychedelic intro; both Echo and the Bunnymen and the Beatles are from Shacks birthplace, Liverpool, England. Praised by critics when it was initially released, Zilch is recommended only to followers of the Pale Fountains; anybody else might wonder what the big deal is all about. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 8 Title: Waterpistol Released: 1995 Tracks: 12 Duration: 51:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sgt. Major (04:49) 2 Neighbours (03:57) 3 Stranger (05:22) 4 Dragonfly (03:25) 5 Mood of the Morning (03:48) 6 Walters Song (03:15) 7 Time Machine (04:51) 8 Mr. Appointment (05:22) 9 Undecided (03:50) 10 Hazy (04:03) 11 Hey Mama (04:46) 12 London Town (03:58) |
| Waterpistol : Allmusic album Review : The genesis of Waterpistol is one of the most convoluted in all of indie pop, and its one of the genres most legendary stories. The album was recorded in 1991, but (shades of Tater Totzs Alien Sleestacks from Brazil) the master tapes were destroyed when the studio caught fire. All was not lost, however, as producer Chris Allison had made a DAT safety copy before he left for an American vacation. Unfortunately, not knowing about the fire, Allison inadvertently left his DAT in his rental car. Amazingly, he was able to track it down with the help of the car rental company, but given that Shacks record company had gone under and the band had split up in the interim, the album didnt come out until the German label Marina Records rescued it in 1995. Like an acoustic-oriented version of the first Stone Roses album (or perhaps a less 60s-obsessed Las), Waterpistol mixes shimmering jangle pop tunes with leader Michael Heads alternately wistful and depressive lyrics. Melancholy without being overwhelmingly sad, Waterpistol includes a number of remarkably strong songs, like the relatively cheery "Mood of the Morning" and the achingly wistful ballads "Undecided" and "London Town," all of which top anything Heads previous combo, the Pale Fountains, managed. Though its non-release at the time was an exacerbating influence on Heads temporary descent into drugs and depression, Waterpistol is one of those rare "lost" albums thats actually as good or better than the hype suggests. This may actually be better than the more lauded H.M.S. Fable. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 8 Title: H.M.S. Fable Released: 1999 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Natalies Party (03:50) 2 Comedy (05:27) 3 Pull Together (03:33) 4 Beautiful (03:22) 5 Lends Some Dough (03:51) 6 Captains Table (04:14) 7 Streets of Kenny (03:52) 8 Reinstated (03:54) 9 I Want You (04:06) 10 Cornish Town (03:59) 11 Since I Met You (03:16) 12 Daniella (03:31) |
 | Album: 4 of 8 Title: Live in Liverpool 1992 Released: 2000 Tracks: 12 Duration: 53:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Alone Again Or (03:51) 2 Daily Planet (03:40) 3 Signed D.C. (04:50) 4 And More Again (04:03) 5 A House Is Not a Motel (04:26) 6 Somebodys Watching You (03:43) 7 Hey Joe (02:58) 8 Passing By (05:54) 9 My Little Red Book (02:42) 10 Orange Skies (02:50) 11 Everybodys Gotta Live (03:53) 12 Interview - May 1992 (10:48) |
 | Album: 5 of 8 Title: ...Heres Tom With the Weather Released: 2003 Tracks: 12 Duration: 48:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 As Long as Ive Got You (02:11) 2 Soldier Man (03:33) 3 Byrds Turn to Stone (03:52) 4 The Girl With the Long Brown Hair (04:04) 5 On the Terrace (03:48) 6 Miles Apart (04:46) 7 Meant to Be (05:36) 8 Carousel (05:09) 9 On the Streets Tonight (02:09) 10 Chinatown (04:09) 11 Kilburn High Road (05:58) 12 Happy Ever After (03:09) |
| ...Here's Tom With the Weather : Allmusic album Review : Heres Tom With the Weather reads the sleeve, and on Shacks fourth full-length album, the forecast calls for mostly delicate vocals, partly chiming guitars, and more-than-occasional ballads. With these twelve hushed songs, songwriter Michael Head has crafted the most relaxed album of his career. Song titles like the Lilac Time-esque "The Girl with the Long Brown Hair" and "Byrds Turn to Stone," which declares an obvious musical influence, are every bit indicative of the lilting, graceful songs they name. Heads tunes havent felt this soft and bouncy since he fronted the the Pale Fountains, but that doesnt mean the album ever feels dull. Quite the contrary, Heads songwriting channels so many decades and genres, that all one can do is marvel at the subtle melodies, and hum along to his easy vibes. Tropical beats bounce in the air, harps reverberate romantically, and chiming, sometimes chugging guitars inspire easy moods. Spanish guitars paint texture, threatening to explode out of any given song, and finally do so on the albums most bombastic track, "Meant to Be," which throws in wonderful horns and strings to stir true passion. "Carousel" is, perhaps, the finest Nick Drake song that Drake didnt write, its stirring jazzy arrangement and yearning piano as bittersweet as can be. Heres Tom With the Weather feels like it could be the work of a super-group obsessed with the music of the Byrds and Love, made up of members of Aztec Camera, The Ocean Blue, Doves, Trembling Blue Stars, Echo and the Bunnymen, and the Las. That Head has been quietly creating music this strong in relative obscurity for so many years is remarkable. Maybe Shack just doesnt gel with the zeitgeist, and maybe thats part of what makes them a consistently compelling listen. No matter from which angle one approaches Heres Tom With the Weather, its an excellent, timeless musical treat. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 8 Title: The Fable Sessions Released: 2003 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:18:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Comedy (05:27) 2 Beautiful (03:21) 3 Pull Together (03:33) 4 Streets of Kenny (03:52) 5 Captains Table (04:13) 6 Natalies Party (03:50) 7 Re-Instate (03:53) 8 I Want You (04:05) 9 Since I Met You (03:15) 10 Daniella (03:32) 11 Cornish Town (03:58) 12 Lends Some Dough (03:50) 13 Flannery (03:58) 14 Petroleum (03:20) 15 Solid Gold (03:31) 16 Delanelo (03:30) 17 Extra (03:04) 18 John II (02:32) 19 Christine (03:57) 20 Since I Met You (original) (03:35) 21 Cornish Town (original) (04:18) |
 | Album: 7 of 8 Title: ...The Corner of Miles and Gil Released: 2006 Tracks: 12 Duration: 52:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tie Me Down (03:33) 2 Butterfly (04:50) 3 Cup of Tea (03:35) 4 Shelley Brown (04:24) 5 Black & White (05:13) 6 New Day (03:54) 7 Miles Away (05:31) 8 Finn, Sophie, Bobby & Lance (04:18) 9 Moonshine (04:02) 10 Funny Things (02:21) 11 Find a Place (05:48) 12 Closer (05:24) |
 | Album: 8 of 8 Title: Time Machine Released: 2007-09-24 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:09:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I Know You Well (03:44) 2 Comedy (05:27) 3 Cup Of Tea (03:36) 4 Als Vacation (03:08) 5 Pull Together (03:33) 6 Meant To Be (05:39) 7 Butterfly (04:50) 8 Sgt. Major (04:49) 9 On The Terrace (03:51) 10 Undecided (03:51) 11 Cornish Town (03:59) 12 Miles Apart (04:47) 13 Streets of Kenny (03:52) 14 Shelley Brown (04:26) 15 Neighbours (04:00) 16 Holiday Abroad (02:15) 17 Wanda (03:15) |