Hms Fable

Another British pop album so important that the only sentence under the Legacy tab in Wikipedia is the one noting that it is on the 1001 albums list. I understand that sometimes you need a bit of distance between an album and the review to gain perspective on it, but that's exactly why it shouldn't be on this list. It's a late 90s pop album that sounds like a late 90s pop album. It's fine, but indistinguishable from a hundred other albums that came out in the same era. It's not special or groundbreaking or technically outstanding in any way. Why not throw a couple of Days of the New or Stabbing Westward albums on here while we're wasting everyone's time? 2/5

Jesus, 1999. Were people still doing this in ‘99? Blur were forming The Gorilaz, Radiohead had moved on to Kid A, Kasabian were starting out… and Shack were making this. It’s fine I guess, it’s like a very good pub band but I can’t see any reason for it to be on this list. I got quite angry that this is included.

Boy, Oasis really did a number on the Brits, didn’t they?

I think that the fact that this album is in the 1001 is the biggest joke so far. I went to dozen of record stores, I'm on Facebook group with more than 15000 music lovers, I'm digging music for more than 15 years now and no one, absolutely no one ever recommended me this. I had never even seen this poor artwork before. And you know why? Because this album is insanely generic and because it is NOT a monument in the history of music AT ALL. This 1001 thing doesn't even contains albums from artists and bands likes Phil Collins, Gentle Giant, Broadcast or American Football, but of course, SHACK IS HERE! THE QUINTESSENCE OF MUSIC. Thank you and goodbye.

2.6 - Another lukewarm Britpop entry. To quote Beavis and Butthead: "We've got enough crap over here in this country. Why do we need to go to Europe to get more?" The pretty "Daniella" ends this pleasant but forgettable record on a hauntingly mournful note.

1001 britpop albums to listen to before you die by your own hand i hope the hms fable sunk with no survivors, this album was trash

"H.M.S. Fable" is the third album by the Liverpudlian band Shack and the first album after the band's reformation following their previous album "Waterpistol" and an album by an off-shoot band, The Strands. H.M.S means Her Majesty Ship which makes sense given the album cover and some of the lyrics. Yeah, I had to look that up. Shack consisted of Mick Head (vocals, guitar), his brother John Head (guitar), Justin Smith (bass) and Mick Hurst (drums). This is a very well-crafted and well-produced (Hugh Jones and Youth (Martin Glove)) album. Definitely in the pop (or Britpop) category but also has some pyschedelic and prog elements. This is one of the most happy and optimistic sounding albums given that some of the songs are about the Head brothers' struggles with drugs, which was no secret. The album starts extremely strong with two great songs. "Natalie's Party" is pop sounding and also reminds me of Cracker. Very optimistic. Guitar bridge. Strings. Chorus. Great lyrics about two lovers. "Comedy" is slower, with strings. Nice guitar outro. Again, optimistic about someone pulling him through. "When you cry it pulls me through." The next two songs "Pull Together" and "Beautiful" sound more like the pop-side of Oasis. Both songs soar. "Lend's Some Dough" may be the happiest song I've heard about drugs... kind of Beatles-esque. The second half of the album incorporates some pyschedelia and prog. In "Streets of Kenny" he's searching for drugs. Pyschedelic and prog, it kind of reminded me of the Moody Blues. Pyschedelic ending with dual lead guitars. " I Want You" moves back to more pop. Lyrical references to ships, kings, queens and Merlin. Very Love-sounding with the pyschedelic guitars. The album ends kind of sad with the song "Daniella," unlike the rest of the album. Acoustic guitar. He lost his friend Jack. Wow, I think I made the most band references in anything I've written but Shack created music that is their own. I've like everything I've heard from Mick Head both previous with The Pale Fountains and subsequently. This album is no exception. I can see why his music is revered by many.

After listening to the first song I had a feeling this was going to be a maximum 3 star, on its way to a 2. But the songs on the album changed genre a few times and the stories for a few of the songs were fairly unique. In the end I went and listened to it all the way through again.

Thought this was brilliant. Natalie's Party and Daniella are both superb and book end some absolutely brilliant 90's indie music.

Bland and uninspired britpop. Wished I was listening to something else almost the entire time. No more of this, please

Splendid

Never heard of this but it is brilliant

Mick Head is one of the greatest (unappreciated) songwriters from Britain in the last 30 years.

Call the police! I'd like to report an album that's been criminally under-rated.

It would be hard to review this album without comparing Shack to Oasis, so I won't try. It's a band fronted by troubled brothers who sing soaring melodies about scoring heroin accompanied by strings. They're the Liverpudlian Oasis. In fact, the two bands had a sort of co-dependent relationship, even if one made it big while the other one opened for them years later. This certainly sounds like an Oasis album, but better; a glance at the lyrics reveals a song-writing talent that the Gallaghers could only dream of. Shack is one of those "what could have been" bands that nevertheless managed to pull it together long enough to make one memorable album, and this is solid stuff. Best track: Beautiful

Yeah, this is just typical britpop. The fact this album and this band are utterly unknown to me, someone who was a teenager in the 90s in the UK and bought in, at least a bit, to the britpop scene, speaks volumes.

disharmonious cross between blues traveller and oasis. it actively offends and i dont like it

This album is absolutely great. Loved every song!

From the name and album cover I thought this would be Irish jigs or something. This album is nice, it has a calming feel-good rock vibe. Definitely that late 90’s alt feel

Good stuff. I enjoyed this.

Great album. Very chill. I liked it so much I added it to my Spotify favorites. I especially liked the vocals / harmony.

First listen of this band. Loved this record

For some reason seeing this cover always made me think this was some kind of bad Alt Country record. Boy, I couldn’t be more wrong. This, is a very welcome surprise and the record pretty much hooked me. It’s in the vein of Oasis, very strong Britpop with great instrumentation and songwriting. I’ve got a feeling this record is gonna creep up very fast and become one of my favourites! 8,5 out of 10

Loved this, and never had heard it. I hear influences from the Beatles, the Who, the Byrds, maybe even a little Simon & Garfunkel. Will listen again.

I was very surprised by this album. I really loved it! Not only did I enjoy every song, but also how the album ties together. It has this very nice cool calm alt-rock vibe that feels modern but it is also very distinctively 90s.

Superb album!

I really liked this.

The last classic album to come out of Liverpool?

Great album, combines the best aspects of Britpop with some Indie and Folk elements. Especially loved the harmonies and the catchiness of the songs

Don't know how that one passed me by, fantastic album

Reminds me a little of All The Roadrunning or REM. Their songs are really good at both hitting all of the satisfying resolutions while also moving in interesting unexpected directions.

I liked how this album wastes no time and dives straight into the music—several great and lighthearted songs.

This was massive in the UK for a bit, but somehow it completely passed me by. It was better than I expected; the connective tissue between Oasis and Elbow.

Wasn't expecting to like it, but this is a gem of its genre! It sounds a lot like R.E.M. The strings were a wonderful touch throughout. I loved the songs that felt a little shanty-ish/adventurous/folksy, like Streets of Kenny or Daniella. At times a bit too cheesy, but it never was unenjoyable. The best songs I loved, and the worst songs were still very nice.

Some good easy listening - kind of distracting how often they changed time signature in many songs, but it felt like a precursor to Guster, so I liked it similarly.

Not sure how this one snuck in... Its good, its fine. I like the songs, some songs were better than others. I probably won't revisit, but I wouldn't be mad if it was on. I guess it was somewhat forgettable?

Didn’t change my life, but wasn’t bad.

Scouse britpop arriving at the fag end of the movement. Best Tracks: Natalie's Party, Comedy, Streets of Kenny

Meh

Not bad, but nothing that particularly stuck with me

Sounds like a bad Coldplay cover band. It’s not miserable but wouldn’t pay the cover charge.

Why is this on the list? Who the fuck cares about Shack? Who even remembers Shack in 2023? Imagine the great album whose place on the list is kept occupied by fucking Shack

Pretty boring.

It was pretty sweet. I don't really like how it's recorded for some reason but with a bit of bass boosting it sounds on point, tho tbh I'm against doing that

I’d fuck to this album

midnight icecream

Pop Genius. A wonderful collection of lived-in songs, celebrating real life, with sharp observations and great tunes, uplifting strings and heartfelt vocals. Streets of Kenny is one of many stand-outs, a story about falling back into drug use, aching, melancholic

This was very, very good! Loved it

Vraiment une belle découverte! je ne connaissais pas du tout.

Cool

I‘ve never heard of Shack before today. Before listening, a rudimentary glance at Wikipedia shows they’re from Liverpool, which is basically a 15 minute drive from where I live. Did Shack not get very big, or have I been living under a rock? Songs I already knew: None Favourites: Comedy, Lend’s Some Dough, Daniella Is it the familiar accent in the vocals? Is it the similar sound to other bands I like? Is it simply that one of the song titles is my name? The amalgamation of all these little parts, as well as the excellently orchestrated music, gave me goosebumps several times when listening to this today. As the guitar played out the final track, the goosebumps came back, I removed my headphones, and had to take a few moments to appreciate everything I had just heard. Truly, this was a phenomenal album that I thoroughly enjoyed today, and definitely something I’ll be returning back to a lot.

idk yet

At first I'm like, "Meh, I like Toad the Wet Sprocket better." Then I keep exploring the layers and variety of this music. I am stunned by Streets of Kenny and Beautiful. Okay, this is a great album, worthy of many more listens. 4.5/5

In-Depth Review of H.M.S. Fable by Shack Shack's H.M.S. Fable, released in 1999, stands as a significant work in the landscape of British music, particularly within the jangle pop and alternative rock genres. The album is often lauded for its lyrical depth, musical craftsmanship, and production quality, all of which contribute to its enduring legacy. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also addressing its pros and cons. Lyrics The lyrics of H.M.S. Fable are a poignant reflection of Michael Head's personal struggles, particularly his battles with addiction. The songwriting showcases a blend of raw honesty and poetic imagery that captures both despair and beauty. Themes of Addiction: Tracks like "Lend's Some Dough" and "Streets of Kenny" delve into the harsh realities of drug use. For instance, "Lend's Some Dough" vividly portrays the physical symptoms of withdrawal, using lines like "I've got a sore back and I'm itching," which starkly depict the struggles associated with addiction13. The song does not romanticize drug use but rather presents it as a painful reality. Narrative Quality: The storytelling aspect is prominent throughout the album. "Streets of Kenny," for example, juxtaposes a quest for drugs with the imagery of searching for joy, encapsulating a sense of desperation intertwined with hope34. This duality in the lyrics enhances their emotional impact. Cultural References: The album is rich with references to Liverpool's cultural landscape, grounding its narratives in a specific geographical and social context. Such references not only enrich the storytelling but also resonate deeply with listeners familiar with the region. Music Musically, H.M.S. Fable showcases Shack's ability to blend various influences while maintaining a distinct sound. Melodic Craftsmanship: The album features catchy melodies and harmonies that are hallmarks of jangle pop. Tracks like "I Want You" exhibit lush guitar work reminiscent of bands like The La’s and Echo & the Bunnymen, creating an engaging sonic experience14. Diverse Influences: Shack incorporates elements from various musical styles, including psychedelia and folk. For instance, "Daniella" presents a darker folk sensibility that contrasts with the more upbeat tracks, showcasing the band's versatility4. This ability to traverse genres without losing coherence is one of the album's strengths. Production Quality: The production on H.M.S. Fable is polished yet retains an organic feel that complements the songwriting. The instrumentation is layered effectively, allowing each element to shine without overshadowing others. This balance enhances the listening experience, making it both rich and accessible. Themes The overarching themes in H.M.S. Fable revolve around struggle, redemption, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. Personal Struggle: Michael Head’s experiences with addiction inform much of the album's emotional weight. The lyrics serve as a cathartic outlet for his pain and confusion, transforming personal turmoil into universal themes that resonate with many listeners35. Hope and Redemption: Despite its darker moments, there is an underlying current of hope throughout the album. Songs often oscillate between despair and moments of clarity or joy, reflecting the complex nature of human experience3. This duality invites listeners to find beauty even in difficult circumstances. Cultural Identity: The album also serves as a homage to Liverpool's rich musical heritage. By weaving local references into their narratives, Shack not only roots their music in a specific place but also connects with broader themes of identity and belonging13. Influence H.M.S. Fable has left a lasting impact on both fans and musicians alike. Critical Acclaim: Upon its release, it received significant acclaim from critics who recognized Michael Head as one of Britain's finest songwriters3. Its inclusion in various best-of lists solidified its status as a cult classic within alternative rock circles. Legacy: Over time, H.M.S. Fable has influenced subsequent generations of musicians who draw inspiration from its lyrical depth and melodic structure. Bands within the jangle pop genre often cite Shack as an inspiration for their own work45. Cultural Resonance: The album continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate its authentic portrayal of struggle and resilience. Its themes remain relevant in contemporary discussions about mental health and addiction. Pros and Cons Pros Lyrical Depth: The honesty and poetic nature of the lyrics provide profound insights into personal struggles while maintaining relatability. Musical Diversity: The blend of various musical styles keeps the album fresh and engaging throughout its duration. Production Quality: High production values ensure that each track is polished while retaining an organic feel. Cons Niche Appeal: While critically acclaimed, its themes may not resonate with all audiences due to their heavy nature. Commercial Performance: Despite its quality, H.M.S. Fable did not achieve significant commercial success upon release, which may have limited its exposure to wider audiences34. Dark Themes: Some listeners may find the subject matter too bleak or heavy for casual listening. Conclusion In summary, H.M.S. Fable by Shack is a remarkable album that combines lyrical brilliance with musical innovation. Its exploration of addiction through heartfelt storytelling set against a backdrop of rich melodies creates an immersive listening experience. While it may not have achieved mainstream success during its initial release, its critical acclaim and lasting influence underscore its importance in the annals of British music history. As listeners continue to discover or revisit this album, they are met with a profound reflection on human experience—one that resonates deeply across time and space.

19/11/24 It was an okay album. Not too bad.

pretty nice vibes but some songs are repetitive.

Tuneful and well-crafted – right up one's alley, though one finds it's somewhat hard to believe never knew this band in real time. The strings add depth and attractive flourishes (if pushing toward too-much at times). The restrained little '70s trumpet on the opening of "Re-Instated" is delightful, as is the nifty skittering synth effect (plus the understated strings). One's sorry to hear what hard drug addicts were the Shacksters, but at least they retained a high degree of soul and feeling – they weren't zombies, in other words. One is astonished to come across a band from one's sweet-spot genre and era that one has never heard of. One digs fully, picking up the notes of Elbow and Crowded House.

Thought from the cover art it would be a slog of a thing but what a fun little 90s Britpop album.

Never heard of this but so far sounds like some Canadian 90s folk alt-rock, like the Corner Gas theme song. (Liverpool, ah close enough) Really liking it.

I had never heard of this band. Some good stuff here. I like the synth strings and the harmonies. Good guitar playing and overall production. I really like Streets of Kenny. Also Lend’s Some Dough, Comedy and Captain’s Table are standouts. There a few tracks that could have been cut and it would have made for a stronger release but this was the CD age where everyone thought they needed at least 12 tracks on every album. Cornish Town is a clunker for me. If this band would have released a video for Comedy on MTV they would have been huge in the U.S. Sounds like they never really got big outside the UK. Shame.

Not entirely sure how this passed me by at the time, but I'm all the better for hearing it now

Enjoyed the album, but as far as Beatlesque Brit pop goes, there were ones better and earlier than this. Not sure why this would be deemed essential. (7.9) ★★★½

Up the Scousers!

Wonderful discovery.

I didn’t know this band or album - another 3 or 4, rounding up because I really liked Captain’s Table and Streets of Kenny.

8/15/24. Hectic day, but glad I received this rare album! Very REM/Jangle like with good pop quality.

This is good. Sounds a bit like Ash and The Coral, and a few tracks were very Stone Roses. Definitely starts stronger than it finishes but still lots of good tracks throughout.

I've never heard this before and it fucking ruled. It's almost chamber rock but for people who keep rosin next to their H. They clearly love the Beatles with the reverb washed, beautiful vocal harmonies and contrapuntal lines. The string arrangements elevated every song they were used on. However, they also loved The Beatles a little too much so some of the songs felt structurally derivative and unsurprising, but if "derivative of the Beatles" was a mortal sin then 90% of the music made since 1963 would have sent its creator to hell.

Hmmmm... never actually heard of this band, but this music sounds very solid. This was back in the era of the Stone Roses, etc. Rock without too many gimmicks.

I enjoyed this quite a bit! Like a British Fountaina of Wayne.

Enjoyed this one

4.8 First experience with this band, and I really dig it.

Never heard of them, but I put them instantly in my library.

Wonderful late 90s britpop album, best enjoyed in the morning with a nice cuppa joe

Ok nice listen

Wow. Wasn't expecting this. At all. First track plays like a pleasant mash up of Crowded House and Oasis. But as the album progresses it goes much much deeper and farther back. There are moments that fit into the British 60s revival of the early 90s. But never lingers there and ultimately transcends through excellent songwriting, thoughtful arrangements and some exquisite musicianship. Ultimately though all that means nothing with the melodies - the melodies and harmonies - I'm just blown away. An album and band I have absolutely no recollection of even hearing a mention of that is this damn good. Dismiss as a random forgotten britpop artifact at your own peril. This has a lot more to offer than appears at first glance.

Very listenable 90s album

At the first listen I thought, Ideal beach music listen! I googled up. Nope, they are indie Liverpoolians. Very nice yet not very memorable. I probably won’t relisten. Their earlier album, Water Pistol has a higher AllMusic rating. Shack doesn’t seem to have any further releases since 2006.

Very nice!

It's a good listen. It's rare for this list, but I will explore this group further.

Me fait bcp penser à REM

A well crafted pop album.

Reminds me of a mellower Stone Roses or a not as poppy Oasis. Surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this one.

I loved it 4 stars

Nice! Very chill.

Yksinkertaisesti taas hyvää rockia. Vähän Oasis tulee mieleen. Parhaat: Natalie's Party, Comedy, Pull Together

- Das Album dürfte bisher zu den weniger gehörten Platten in dem Game hier gehören - Habe noch nie von der Band oder dem Album gehört - Ich hatte genau zero Erwartungen und es hat mich direkt abgeholt - Die Jungs haben teilweise einen krassen Oasis-Einschlag finde ich, insofern verwundert es nicht zu lesen, dass die 2006 bei Noel Gallaghers Lable gesigned haben - Ich kann das nur als richtig sympathische Mukke beschreiben. Das ist meine Empfindung dazu. Ich habe nur basierend auf der Musik das Gefühl, ich mag die Leute als Menschen dahinter, obwohl ich noch nicht Mal ein Bild von denen gesehen habe :D - Eckt nicht besonders an, aber geht dafür auch runter wie Öl. - Könnte von seiner ganzen Anmutung her auch ganz wunderbar in den Scrubs Soundtrack passen. - Es wundert mich ein bisschen, dass die mit der Art Musik 1999 nicht erfolgreicher gewesen sind, hätte man nämlich durchaus vermuten können - Hab ich sehr gern gehört und werde ich auf jeden Fall wieder drauf zurückkommen! Rating: 3,75-4/5

A lush Indie / Britpop gem The emotion comes through so clear and honest and had the entire musical development of the 90's to help push it towards something special. To be considered with Oasis and the Verve

Melodic mellow brit pop Stand out track - pull together

Chilled 90s vibe

3.5/5

This was a surprise. Knew nothing about the band. A collection of well crafted songs with good harmonies.

I think this album might almost sound too good. I wouldn't say overproduced, just kinda "perfect". Just because it sounds perfect though doesn't mean the music itself is perfect. I've never heard of Shack and just by looking at their repertoire and popularity, I feel most people haven't either. With that said, they certainly sound ahead of their time in a weird way, so I wonder if there's some underlying influence with this album. This album is definitely on the poppier side of indie rock, it's called Britpop for a reason. I can see why some people may roll their eyes at how cheesy some of these songs are, and many are admittedly cheesy, but for me, I enjoy it. It feels like a consistent sail through indie rock's foundation that would later be tinkered with and built upon in the 2000s. I mean there's not a single bad song here, right? And that has to count for something. I loved the songs "Comedy" and the following "Pull Together". I can't say the instrumentation was all that adventurous across this thing but I liked the slower nature of a song like "Captain's Table" and I enjoyed the theatrical strings on "Natalie's Party". The closer "Daniella" might be my favorite song here instrumentally, I love the mellower and almost haunting acoustic guitar here. The nature themes of the album come to a head in the lyrics, I love their cryptic nature. The entire record is just so peaceful and simple. I'm shocked by how little I have to say about this thing considering how I enjoyed almost every song. I've always been a sucker for pop, growing up, and even now. Give me a catchy, simple chorus and I'm hooked, and this album is filled to the brim with them. Weirdly, it reminded me a lot of Ween's poppier songs from around this time. I think the second half is weaker than the first but overall, really dug this album.

Another 90's british band I've never heard of. I did kind of like it though. Definitely felt some Oasis and Beatles coming through. Probably a 3.5 but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

One of the more normal, easy to listen to albums I've had in this entire project.

Sort of a travis and better than Ezra combo

Really really good! Surprised I’ve not heard of them as this was definitely my sort of thing back at that time! I guess the charts were full of similar artists and seeing as this lot didn’t have a lot of commercial chart success, they escaped me. Decent songs, vocals and variety. Reminds of ‘World Party’ and ‘Dodgy’ but with a little hint of ‘Waterboys’ folky business. Liked it!

This was a nice surprise! Never heard of them (although I'd heard of the Pale Fountains). You could tell there was a link to Cast which was more than just geographical. Nice guitar textures and some good tunes. I'll be giving this lot another listen soon. A low 4.

pleasantly surprised

Pretty good.