HMS Fable

Shack | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B00000JZCL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,133 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of 1999's Top-10 CDs!, September 13, 1999

By 

Edward Dunn - See all my reviews

This review is from: HMS Fable (Audio CD)

Michael Head has knocked around the British music scene for 15 years. After a couple albums from his band The Pale Fountains in the early '80s, he dropped out of sight and, apparently, into a debilitating drug habit. A few years ago, he reappeared with his brother John in the guise of Shack. The import-only "Waterpistol" showed that, during his exile, Head developed songwriting talents that were totally dormant during his stint with The Pale Fountains. Then, last year's one-off with The Strands was yet another leap forward into a countrifed rock style with piercing lyrics and subtle, imaginative arrangements. And now, "H.M.S. Fable." Where to begin? It's yet another quantum leap in songwriting confidence, singing strength, musical accompaniment, and just plain first-rate tunes. "Streets of Kenny" details his drug woes with scathing honesty. And, for my money, "Cornish Town" is the song of the year. Hopefully, this won't be the last that we hear from the underappreciated yet undeterred Michael Head.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: HMS Fable (Audio CD)

This is a fantastic album from one of the most under-rated bands of the last 20 years. Michael Head, chief architect of the Paleys (slang name given to The Pale Fountains), together with brother John, started the group 18 years ago. In between releasing three beautiful albums, the brothers became addicted to Heroin. So much so that the band disintegrated, and their habit continued through the emergence of new band Shack. So much so, that the band was often called Crack, or Smack...but in between those dark times they released two landmark albums.

The first was Waterpistol, thought lost but recovered and released through a tiny German label. The second, known as The Magical World of The Strands was becalmed in a luminous, mysterious fog, affected by Head's years in the junkie wilderness. No surpries for what X in the song X Hits The Spot could be eh? Both widely acclaimed, but failures commercially.

So we come to this, a new album from a newly reformed and junk free Michael Head. Here is an album that is SO alive it is difficult to comprehend (I guess the closet thing was Oasis' arrogant debut Definitely Maybe, and Liam Gallagher's disdain at everyone around him). Just listen to the anthemic Pull Together, the beautiful tear-jerker Comedy, and the album's magnum opus, the drug influenced Streets Of Kenny.

Indeed, I present to you, the finest song writer to come from Liverpool/England/Great Britain/ since John Lennon. Michael Head, take a bow. Nice one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I tried not to like it..., January 5, 2001

By 

StanOfSac "StanOfSac" (Sacramento, Calif. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HMS Fable (Audio CD)

This album is a lot like cotton candy. It really doesn't have much substance, but somehow the more you eat the more you want. My real problem was the lyric content. After listening a few times, I just didn't get it. So I did some research on the group's history and put things together. That's the problem. New listeners won't get the vague and inside metaphors of the Brothers Head. It's like listening to two old friends who keep winking and jabbing each other. If you stick around long enough, you pick up their lingo. That being said, the more I listen to the album the more I ... well, LISTEN to it! I've tried not to like it, but I just can't escape the fact I really enjoy their sound. For older listeners, there are many familiar '60s British sounds (from the Beatles to the Hollies) with contemporary sensibilities and production. The harmonies are rich. Lead instrument play is steady if unspectacular. Most impressive is a tight rhythm section. They are much better at chording than at lead work, which works well with some solid drum and bass work. Lest I be too harsh on the lyrics, there are moments of general clarity -- especially "Pull Together." Bottom line: If you're looking for deep social commentary, it won't be here. If you want interesting background music while bouncing down the highway with friends, it's outstanding!