679 Shack - HMS Fable (1999)

 679 Shack - HMS Fable (1999)

Studio Album - Britpop



About the Act:

Shack, a Britpop band from Liverpool have a slightly unusual history. A couple of the members started their musical life in a band called The Pale Fountains, but in 1987 they "emerged" as Shack. Apart from these two, the Head brothers, there has been some turnover in members. Their first album didn't do very well, and their second was beset with disaster. The studio that it was recorded in burned down, and the only remaining copy was a mastered DAT tape, which was in the possession of the producer, who left it in his hire car while we was in LA. By the time it had been found, the publishers had gone bust, so four years after it had been recorded it was released by a German Indie label. By now the band had effectively given up and the Head brothers had formed Michael Head and the Strands.

But that fated album (Waterpistol) was released and got critical acclaim. So the Heads re-formed Shack. They have had three more albums since and seem to be still a going concern.

About the Album:

This was the band's third album, and the first after their reformation.

My History with this Album:

None

Review:

At times it reminds me of some other Britpop. It's kind of medium rock. There is a lot of use of strings, which at times I like, but at other times seems a bit overdone. Some of the songs are leaning in a Folk direction, particularly Captains Table and Streets of Kenny. Some are more airy and wispy with a feel approaching Dream Pop. There are guitars, there are chords, there's music.

I listened twice, and remembered some songs from the first time when I heard them a second time, which is always a good sign. Musically I quite enjoyed it. It doesn't seem to quite know where to sit, like a toddler that has to try all the chairs in the room. That's OK, because it gives variety, but can deter from it having a feeling of identity. The identity comes more from the vocals of The Head brothers. Given the pace and some of the sounds, and the vocal harmonies (which are nice) it reminded me at times of Crowded House, and it has the same kind of measured pace and thoughtfulness as them too. With a slight Scouse accent, That's possibly the clearest bit of identity.

The song-writing is pretty good, with  variety of subject matter. I didn't absorb all the words, but those I did absorb I liked. Possibly my favourite in that regard is Lend's Some Dough with some nice word play. At times there is some usual lyrical rhythms too which is nice.

7.3/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0waCN9Dzq28sIxCSVYwPHO

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1xm0HhIaKcEr0sanYLAdyER4ltkx80u2

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S._Fable



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