Reviews (page 2 of 8)
- greatttt start damn - And to think I almost skipped this! - I love the strings on comedy - I want you was a vibe - The whole album is a vibe! - The outro to since I met you is great
This is unique.
Never even heard of them. Love it-and I’m not a britpop fan. It sounds like Crowded House to me. Even so, I love it. Now in my library.
Never heard of these people but easily one of my favorite finds! Great album overall!
Music is great.
What an incredible collection of songs. This was a complete hidden gem for me. Enjoyed this a lot and will be listening again. Great album.
1999 UK. Alternative Rock, Britpop
This was really good.
Good
Really good. Has that Stone Roses 90s britpop psychedelia feel that I really like. Added to my liked albums after the second song
This is a beautiful album and worth it for just Captain's Table.
Reallly good I enjoyed it thoroughly and I’ll look at more of their albums. It was just what I needed today
amazing???
This album was 🔥
listening to this on a train ride in april felt really good
i generated this album after a day of catching up on several albums i'd missed, so i was predisposed to not like it (even *more* music homework?). when i saw the album cover, i assumed it would be sea shanties, and i was even less enthused. but then i listened to it and it blew me away. i'm writing this without looking at the reviews or the wikipedia page, so i don't know what the story is or what genre you would even call this. but it was a joy to listen to. beautiful harmonies. a total surprise!
Really nice and pleasant music to listen to. It's a nice Britpop album. I thought that there would be pirate vibes based on the album cover.
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 like this
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
Albums like this are why I want the book. How is this influential? The Wikipedia page says nothing of the sort. I mean, I did like it though ; )
This album has some really nice arrangements, and is truly a very pleasant album to listen to. I've liked it much more than what I thought, and it has surely been a surprise in many senses. It has many different layers and sounds, and a very beautiful atmosphere too. So, even though it's still not the kind of music I would go for, I'm surprised to have liked it that much.
Неплохо, пару песен слышала до этого
Buen disco! Me gustó mucho el ritmo, tiene buenas canciones y buena voz.
This one was completely new to me. Pretty standard 90s britpop, but I really enjoyed my time with it. 4/5
Wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much. Favorite one is Captain's table
Honestly wasn't expecting alt rock/britpop when I put on this album. Seriously was expecting some Irish sea shanties, haha. But I'm finding myself enjoying this quite a bit than a lot of the other britpop I've heard before (Even Blur and Oasis). The singing can sometimes be annoying as it sounds like he's swallowing his tongue at points, but the music is great enough to allow me to not be bothered too much about it (Pull Together is a great example of that). Overall, one of the best britpop albums I've heard before. I don't know if it's something I'm necessarily going to go back to much other than playlisting Pull Together, but yeah.
Never heard any of the tunes on this. Would have loved this when i was a teenager.
Ok. That was good. I’d listen again. There were tracks that wandered into renaissance fair music but mostly quite nice. 3.5 stars but I’ll round up because I’m a sucker for britpop brothers with heroin addictions.
A great find. Liked it very much.
Surprisingly interesting and chill album, kind of like Oasis meets Ben Folds
Meget nice Indie Rock / Brit Pop album gode sommer-vibes og en levende mix. Standouts: Comedy, Pull Together (Hej Oasis), Since I Met You (interessant atmosfære)
Fun
This was a nice listen all the way through. Sometimes they sounded a little like a British REM to me… other times the vocals almost made me think of They Might Be Giants. I didn’t think it was going to stand out enough to avoid the middle-of-the-road score at first, but starting with Captain’s Table I think the album actually gets stronger and maintains it all the way through the 2nd half. I Want You and Daniella are the best two songs and saved for near the end and last. I think the story about the Waterpistol album I read while looking up Shack was the most interesting thing I learned. Nothing stood out to become an immediate favorite, but everything was pretty good.
Pretty groovy and chill early 2000s Britpop; I liked it.
I'd never heard of Shack before, despite liking and listening to quite a bit of Brit rock in the lat 90's and early 00's - though I'm from America, so my exposure was naturally a bit limited. Anyway, this is a b-tier album to me from that time and scene, but I do like it, and I think it is very interesting and fills in some picture of that time. However, I still don't believe it belongs on this list when there are so many small American bands that were doing more unique stuff that aren't on this list. I'd give it 3.5 stars, but I'll round up here, as I still think it is more interesting and varied than some other "just good" things on this list.
Good vibes, some instrumental bits
Vraiment sympa
Usually it’s guitar rock, but this is guitar pop. Has a good good to this album. Favorite track: comedy other picks: natalie’s party, captains table, streets of kenny
This album was a lot better than I anticipated. Whenever one of these no name English bands pops up, especially if from the 90s / 00s, they generally are terrible. This one, however, demonstrated a lot of musicality throughout this record. At times, it reminded me of some of the stuff that Mark Knopfler was doing around this time. To be sure, his Sailing to Philadelphia album is better than this record, but there are some parallels to me which drew me in. I particularly liked Comedy, Pull Together, Captain’s Table, and Daniella. All in all, an excellent album.
I wasn’t sure what this album was going to be like. I admit I judged an album by its cover and assumed I was going to get some sort of folky album. I ended up LOVING it. Natalie’s Party was an absolute banger! It was everything I wanted out of an opening track. Comedy was an experience of a track from start to finish. Enjoyed it so much! Pull together was less of my thing. I felt that the vocals let it down slightly, but it was a well put together track. Beautiful had some great moments. Those strings were awesome, but I’m always a sucker for some strings. Lends some dough was super fun. Captains Table was more what I expected out of this album, but I thought it fit in well. Streets of Kenny was wonderful to listen to. It scratched my brain in just the right way. The horns in re-instated weren’t bad, but made me laugh. Cornish town had a very nice flow to it. Since I met you was interesting in starting out with the lullaby-like intro then. Daniella ended it well but I would’ve liked it to go out with more of a a bang. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 91/1089
A cool aspect of Britpop with an interesting production, also the first album on this list by an artist I hadn't heard of yet
Pretty good Brit pop. Strangely bar-band-tinged.
На таком сказочном корабле я бы поплавал
Just an incredibly likable pop/rock record. Sounds like some of the mid-tempo stuff happening during the period but with better songwriting, lush orchestration, and a more refined, gentle, British sensibility. A surprise gem.
Almost a FOW vibe???
Like a lost REM album. A real treat
I really like this. Nice sound, a bit "raw", but overall something I'd listen to again.
Klingt überraschend frisch! Für mich eine der unerwarteten positiven Überraschungen in dieser Liste.
Another Britpop group here, but this one was decent enough, definite Oasis vibes. Clean production helps with level balance but also makes it a bit more boring at the same time. Overall 3.5/5
I'd never heard of this band, and seeing that it's another Britpop album, I didn't have high expectations. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed listening to this one.
7.5/10
A stunning album that I have played regularly since its release many decades ago. If you don’t know this album you need to go and check it out it’s iconic
The first thing I noticed was that the last song on this album is called Daniella. That is my youngest sister’s name, so already my interest was piqued! I had never heard of this band before, but I will definitely be back for more! I love the way their voices sound! I have already added their other 3 albums to my Spotify to listen to soon! Favorite songs: Daniella (obviously!), Pull Together, Beautiful, Captain’s Table Rating: strong ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked this one. It had some great songs on it, and seemed to pretty effortlessly go between a few different genres. Definitely something I'd recommend, and something I'd listen to again.
This is by far the best "never heard of it" album I've gotten from the site and I'm 402 albums in. Listened to it twice. A hidden gem or whatnot.
Thought this was class! Surprised at the low reviews
Never heard of the band but thought this was a fine album. Will listen again.
Really cool find here. Don’t know much about these guys but I think there’s something for everyone here. Singer/songwriter vibe, lots of acoustic guitar, some other string accompaniment. Pleasant! Pull Together is the fave - 4/5
A complete unknown to me. Really pleasant easygoing and enjoyable indie
Never had I ever heard of this band before. I was pleasantly surprised. It grew on me the more I listened. Kinda in that vein of The Waterboys & definitely made me think of The Blue Nile. It was so much better than a lot of albums here, probably a 3.5 rounded up.
catchy.
Enjoyed this. I've absolutely never heard anything about this band. Apparently they were the phoenix that rose from the ashes of an 80s cult indie pop/new wave band called the pale fountains. This album kinda reminded me of britpop decemberists but that might just be the album art mostly.
Gemütliche Album mit „Natalies“ Album. Ein bisschen Songwriter, etwas Wave und eine Priese Rock.
I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.
New to me, and at times, pleasantly surprising. Worth your time!
It's a pretty good album, they know how to use the orchestra parts at the right moments, its pretty good. 7/10
Prettige indiepop, af en toe doet het een beetje aan REM denken. Verder een gezellige retrovibe. Punt is, er beklijft ook niet veel. Ik vrees dat ik ze morgen alweer vergeten ben.
Bizar hoeveel 90s muziek we te horen krijgen, waar ik nog nooit van heb gehoord. Ik begin dan ook maar weer eens sceptisch aan dit album, maar de mannen van Shack weten dat in no time om te draaien. Want het is vrolijkstemmende poprock, die me doet denken aan NL bands als Voicst of the Sheer. Internationaal heeft het wat weg van Crowded House. Zijn manier van zingen is wel enigszins herkenbaar. Het zou me niks verbazen als ik een of ander hitje toch wel ergens eerder heb gehoord. Hoe dan ook, het is iets dat bijzonder vergeetbaar is ben ik bang, maar ik vond het toch wel leuk om te luisteren. 3,5 ster. En ach, laat ik dat maar weer eens naar boven afronden, voor al die lollige bandjes die dit soort vrolijkstemmende muziek maken.
The sound of post-Britpop exhaustion. There is a much less snarky vibe to these tunes, and it owes more to the loose, jingle-jangle, 60s folk of the Byrds. A lot of late 90s bands sounded like this. Shack were one of the better ones, if less well-known. Having said that, Lend Some Dough is a horror I’m not sure how much this deserves to be on the list, but I do really like it.
A very pleasant surprise from a band I'd never heard of before. The thinking man's Britpop, as it were, as English as jellied eels and Pimms in the park.
Eh, I don't care if it's something that has been done so many times already, I enjoyed it a lot.
Late 90s rock, all of the songs were lovely to listen to
4/5
Quite liked this.
Nice, if a bit forgettable (I totally had 0 recollection of this, despite hearing it at least twice before), I like its atmosphere
Was impressed with this album having never heard it before. Great production, performance and writing.
I like Britpop, so I'm disposed to finding this music palatable. But it took me a couple of listens, maybe the correct mood and finally I got there. That being said, if I never hear Re-instated again, I'll be pretty happy. Otherwise, I'll be listening to this in the future.
I had never heard of this band or album before this project sent it as the first one of 1001. Having listened to over half of it, I really like it. Their harmonies remind me of the Moody Blues and Jefferson Airplane. I bit of 60s psychedelic without the too much weirdness. Added it to my Apple Music collection!
After the Pale Fountains broke up I kind of lost track of where the band members went. The lead singer, Michael Head’s drug problems were in the music papers. Imagine my surprise to find that this record, HMS Fable, features Michael (apparently recording this LP in numerous sessions broken up by during multiple detox stays) and his brother performing some truly inspired pop songs. This is a hidden gem. More or less straightforward quiet pop reminiscent of the 2nd Pale Fountains record and very similar to the Bluebells, the record is laced with some solid songs. The standout is Comedy which is catchy emotional and would be a terrific live singalong. Michael’s voice is very similar to Loyd Cole so at least in my mind the smooth vocals with the hint of an accent are thoroughly enjoyable. Try Comedy, Cornish Town and Streets of Kenny.
really not sure why this isn't more popular. really solid, lush and dreamy textures, and some-what "folkish-sounds". great! 8.5/10
Nice lil softie album. Definitely sounds like the 90s. I liked the strings and horns included in here. High 3 low 4, but well bump it up cause I'm in a good mood
A very good vibe album. I liked the vocals and guitar and I generally enjoyed listening to it!!! defienetly recommend
Really good, similar to radiohead.
I need to go back and listen again but I'm rating 4 because I kept thinking of was an REM album.
Nice chill vibes.
This was a band that I hadn’t heard of and they were classed as Britpop, at least according to Wikipedia. This washed over me on first listening, but then I went back and gave them another chance and that that’s when they grabbed me. This is closer to folk rock like the Waterboys or Echo & The Bunnymen, with a darker edge hidden under the jangly guitars and (at first hearing) cosy songs. They’re from Liverpool with Irish heritage somewhere in the mix, and listening closely shows that they are singing about the experiences of being broke, trying to buy drugs and of a would be thief getting knee-capped for his troubles. Yikes. This probably explains why they were overlooked by mainstream music fans who preferred songs about boozy lads holidays and dog racing. Scouse-tastic!
This album really has two sides: on one hand, it has this britpop roots that makes it blunt if not painful. But on the other hand, it's a bit less polish (and boring) than an Oasis record, it's not overproduced (and LOUD), and there are some interesting songs here and there. The closing track is really good, and that's not always easy to make a good acoustic ballad on this kind of album without being too caricatural. I was expecting something way worst. This is not that bad.
Indie background montage music
Like
This album gave me major How I Met Your Mother vibes, listening to this from start to finish was such a peaceful journey. It made me feel all romantic and stuff. Also gave me nostalgic feelings every now and then, I really really enjoyed it and there was still enough switch ups to keep it interesting. Sometimes it feels like saying goodbye to someone, or a movie montage or being on a ship, just so many scenarios I could make up in my head lol. Last song is so freaking good, the mysterious vibe really got to me!!! So good!
Was dreading getting to a Shack album as it's a band I've never heard but everyone tells you that you would love. The first two songs did nothing to convince but by the fourth I was in.
This might be one of my favourite discoveries in this project so far. Looking at y'all's reviews, I guess that makes me basic and tasteless, but they had me from the first song and kept me for the entire 46-minute run time. This album scratches all my musical itches, from beautiful harmonies to lovely guitar tones and strings and la-las. Maybe it doesn't belong on the list over many other albums, but I'm thrilled I got the chance to hear it. 4.5
This was unexpectedly good! Neither my husband nor I had heard of this but we both really liked it. I’m saving this to listen to again later
Best nice
Seriously underrated band, noel wishes he had michael heads songwriting prowess.
This one was new to me. The sound was so familiar. Repeat listening opened it up to me. Willcheck out more Michael Head works
Really liked this one. It had some subtle hints of REM, but also reminded me of like Robbie Williams and Oasis a little bit. It was still it's own thing, but it sounded familiar at the same time.
I can see why some may dismiss this as Oasis lite Britpop. But I think it offers much more than the standard indy 90s music. Michael and John Head are able to write eccentric songs that span different genres. There are many influences here and Love, The Byrds, Beatles are definite inspirations. These are much better than Oasis could ever be.
Really good, solid Britpop. Like a bowl of mashed potatoes. Could’ve used a bit more seasoning and it would’ve been a 5. 🥔🥔🥔🥔 / 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔
Gorgeous, Beatles-influenced anthemic rock from the 90s. Should have been bigger.
Well this is a weird one. This band/album completely passed me by, despite being released at a time when I was deep in to all sorts of music. As soon as it started I feared the worst but I was pleasantly surprised. It's such an easy, basic minded, probably American viewpoint to compare them negatively to Oasis. Good songwriting, good variety of sounds.
I liked it. Reminds me of more interesting Oasis
Well here's a band that's mostly escaped my radar, aside from a single, clearly unmemorable spin in 2014 according to my Last.FM stats. This was a great album. I love Britpop, particularly bands like James, Super Furry Animals, Oasis, Stereophonics, and Shack fit right in with this mix. Lend’s Some Dough was the standout track and has been added to my playlist of faves. I will explore more of their discography.
7.5/10. Yet another enjoyable listen.
Reminds me of something like The Proclaimers? Pretty standard alt rock sound for the era. Solid and enjoyed it.
Interesting, didn’t catch my attention the way I hoped it would. Natalie’s party was my favorite, a few standouts later in the album, but altogether maybe too long?
good
alright cool, nothing wrong with some british rock music. compared to some of the other britpop albums i've listen to, this one is a lot more softer and graceful in sound. blending soft rock sounds with chamber influences, this album is pretty chill. at times it makes me think of early music from R.E.M.. a true deep cut in this collection, and honestly i thought it was generally great. it's a bit controversial lately on the list, a lot of reviewers don't seem to like it but i think it's fine on its own.
This is a well-crafted brit-pop album that absolutely does not need to be on this list
jävligt bra, behöver lyssna igen.
very nice Manchester/Britpop album (yes, I know they are from Liverpool)
Never heard of them before, but nice vibe. Feeling in between Oasis and Angus and Julia Stone. Pull Together an Streets of Kenny but the entire album flows well
Thought this would be more heavy/punky based on the cover (just shows you shouldn't judge) but this was still pretty pleasant. Very 90s, almost like early Elbow?! Feel like my Dad would enjoy this
Never heard of this band ever. Sounds like the 70s more than the 90s. So far I like this. Ok. I’m halfway through and I really like this. The sounds capture me. Great album. 4 stars
I definitely didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. A surprisingly beautiful album. Favorites: Pull Together, Re-Instated, Lend's Some Dough, Daniella
Not familiar with the band, though some songs ring a bell but I think I might be confusing them for something else. Still, I wasn't expecting a lot going un, but there's some very pretty parts throughout
good
Good music and a good voice.
I found this easy to listen to, and enjoyable.
Never even heard of the band before. Really great British 90’s rock. Can definitely hear the Oasis influence.
Never heard if them before this. Enjoyed it.
An absolute no-name for me, still i enjoyed this a lot
Aw, I really liked this one. Moved a bit sluggishly at first, but it grew on me by the end.
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.
Ganske bra skate album
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.
This was such an easy listen. It really reminded me of like Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, those real easy listening vibes.
would like to revisit this is the good kind of indie unlike that yucky The Smiths
another band ive never heard of. solid britpop album. pleasant and catchy in parts. pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Lived in Liverpool for about 18 years now and never heard of these..... In parts I really quite enjoyed it. But, in others it did feel a bit generic 90s Brit indie type thing. Little bit of oasis, little bit Richard Ashcroft, little bit doves, etc. certainly nothing bad. Streets of Kenny was interesting. Comedy and Lends some dough were good On second listen a friend's band called Gintis sounds like them a little It's growing on me. 3.5. think I'll be back and I'm fairly amazed I hadn't heard of them before
Heerlijk muzikaal. Mist net die knaller die het 5 sterren zou maken. Maar dit kan zeker veel vaker gedraaid worden.
Я не особо понимаю почему приятно и в тоже время мимо. Но хочу влепить 4-
Я послушал ещё один брит-поп. Я молодец?
Good Britpop album. Subtly upbeat songs, not too cliche, some with cool symphonic arrangements. But mostly, I just had a good time bopping my head to the rich acoustic guitar melodies.
I liked it more on second listen. The songwriting is what stood out on a second go-round.
Tuneful and swinging, with enough melancholy and darkness to make it interesting. One doesn't know the band but is inspired to hear more and dig thru the "lost band" phase of their history, too. If there's a complaint, it's that it can be a bit too shiny (a la Elbow and Crowded House, two reasonable comps).
Not sure what to expect here, never heard of them. They sound like Oasis. There were several great songs here. I really enjoyed the slow acoustic melancholy vibe this album had. 4 stars.
Very good, expected more odes to the great briny sea ⚓️ But H.M.S Fable won me over nonetheless Oasis 🤝 Elvis Costello 🤝 The La’s HL: “Captain’s Table”, “Comedy”, “Natalie’s Party”, “Cornish Town” November 18th, 2023
Opening track Natalie's Party is fantastic, the chorus is just amazing, feel good, the orchestra sounds so good. I think the orchestra and the backing vocals make the album pretty great. High three, or low 4 I think I'll go 4/5
Nothing terribly innovative here but does does everything need to be? I enjoyed this one for what it is, a solid 90s Britpop album
Pretty good.
Comedy Beautiful Since I Met You
I rather enjoyed this album
Oh! Another surprise! I quite like this and haven't had a great track record being accepting of unheard of Britpop acts while doing this challenge. But yeah, this is hitting that sweet spot of melodic and aimless hipster tunes with subtle quirk that I do fuck with, very much. Yeah yeah, getting into it. Me likey.
The average rating on this feels incredibly harsh. It's a fun album to listen to with some pretty attractive arrangements throughout. I understand the gripes over its actual place in this book, but it's clearly better than a 2.8ish average. Favorite track: Since I Met You
Once this gets going there's some really good stuff on here.
Never heard of them before, but really like this. Good energy, happy to instantly relisten. 3.5
This one snuck past me when it was released. I may have heard a few songs before. Ultimately enjoyable.
Beautiful with exceptionally crafted pop songs that sound fresh and nostalgic at the same time. Not quite to the level of Water Pistol which sounds more immediate. HMS Fable is a little more produced and ornate in its production. 4.5 stars
This is a good solid album, there were a couple of stand out tracks (Streets of Kenny, Re-instated) but I enjoyed the whole thing.
This is an example of some of the music from the UK that never made it to my ears over the years (especially in the 90s) that I've been so happy to give a proper listen. This is music I really enjoyed listening to, with its lush instrumentation and lovely melodies. Although I didn't find anything especially remarkable about it, it made me very happy today.
This was saved from mediocrity by Captain's Table and Streets of Kenny. Those two songs made the album for me.
Some very 90s pop to me… a Rembrandts/Lightning Seeds smooth sort of feel. It took 1/2 the album to warm up to this but warm up I did. I enjoyed the listen.
It feels like you already know the album. Sometimes it sounds like something from 70s, maybe Tim Buckley's vibes, sometimes it's 90s, like a decent version of Nickelback)) Totally like it!
I'm a fan of the Strands and the Red Elastic Band already, so no surprise that I'm very taken with this sweeping, shimmering indie pop, suffused with the merest hint of Pentangle-esque Brit folk. The rather dreich Michael Head himself remains one of the most lugubrious sounding men in rock, but there's a warmth to his downbeat, yearning songs that rescues them from outright misery. Lovely stuff.
Bacana de ouvir
Surprised at how good this was.
Gewoon leuk weetje
Pretty good actually. Didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did. A little clunky at times and maybe not amazing cohesion between songs but overall I liked it
Wow, dit is vrolijke pop-muziek! Doet me denken aan The Rembrandts en zelfs aan Acda & De Munnik vanwege de meerstemmigheid. ****
BL: Never heard of Shack but i like the album cover AL: Pretty good album. Underrated in the britpop sphere, much better than any Oasis or Blur record i've listened too. Solid instrumentation and some very good mixing. a hidden gem for sure FT: "Comedy", "Streets of Kenny", "Cornish Town", "Daniella" 4/5
A nice album - not sure if it's a classic, though.
Beautiful record! Never heard of it before.
Better then expected. This record is melodic and also very beautiful.
Britpop uit Liverpool dat nooit echt buiten het VK bekend is geworden. Geen bijzonder iconische nummers, maar de muziek is fijn om naar te luisteren. leukste nummer: Lend's some dough Leadzanger Michael Head heeft naast Shack ook in The Pale Fountains, The Strands en The Red Elastic Band gezeten.
I genuinely wanted to switch it up as soon as I began listening, but couldn’t because I really didn’t feel a need to. I liked it a lot actually! I don’t know for what reason I’d return, this isn’t really my genre, but I feel like I will. ‘Pull Together’ brought this up an entire star.
I liked this one. Definitely a 90’s sound, and I prefer this to Oasis. A few different styles here. Will explore their discography
Reminds me heavily of Stone Enjoyed it a lot. Added it to my playlist.
Album #200! I had never heard of either Shack nor Hms Fable before. Solid britpop with all the hallmarks: british accent, strings, and catchy melodies. 'Comedy' is a standout track.
Another 1001 album with barely a Wikipedia page - always exciting! Oasis if they were from Liverpool. How come I’ve never even come across the name Shack before? This is great! The opening trio of songs are extremely well written and for a moment there I almost thought this might be a hidden masterpiece. There is some heavy R.E.M. vibe going on and I’m all in on Mick Head’s vocals. Unfortunately my interest starts to fade along the way but after just one listen I was still quite taken aback by this. Well hidden, Liverpool. Well hidden.
Don't know how I've not heard of this britpop band before, being British and all. I was kind of hoping for sea shanties, considering the name and album art. Instead it was some indie britpop tunes. They were alright, seemed very well written. I found myself switching off during some of the songs, but overall it was quite good I thought. Favourite: Daniella
I had never heard of this, so I expected this would sound like 90's Brit-Pop. At times it does, they definitely sound like Oasis on some tracks, while on others they almost sound like they could be American. This was an interesting and enjoyable listen, will have to listen again to get the full scope of the band.
Pretty good!
Great album, very enjoyable from front to back. Favorite track: Re-Instated
I like it. Reading by the reviews people are mixed. But in my opinion I think it's up my alley. I like the sound of it. British garage indie pop rock vibes...
Really good britpop LP. Not sure how I missed this one. I still prefer Teenage Fanclub or Del Amitri.
ok
Okay. Hear me out. I think everything is great about this album except his vocals. I think they’ve got some great lyrics and I love the songs. Someone else has just gotta sing them. I especially liked Lend’s Some Dough.
A pleasant surprise
we've gotten a string of britpop recently in this project, and by and large it's been "just okay" for me. i don't know what happened with shack's h.m.s. fable, but i enjoyed their sound so much more. britpop appears to be a convoluted genre, so whether or not this album can be truly referred to as britpop, i don't know. i do know that the whole album flows easily, one song into the other. shack did well creating songs that were unique and can differentiate from one another, but taken as a whole, the songs are even better. the songs are pop in the sense that they are easy and catchy, but the songs are more broadly alternative. some songs are a little cheesy but charming ("beautiful"!). there are some good choices with the instruments. the horns on "reinstated" were particularly lovely. really, just a nice listen overall.
Really awesome album as a whole
really loved this one, probably my favourite so far from the albums that I hadn’t already heard in some capacity before!
I have never heard of Shack before, and all of the music on HMS Fable was new to me. The album sounds like it could be grouped with some of the music I would have been listening to in the 90s. I didn't want to skip any tracks, but I didn't have any stand out tracks that I saved for my personal playlist either. This album comes in at exactly 3.5 stars. I'm not sure that I will think of listening to this album again, but I guess I will round up to 4 stars.
J'ai beaucoup aimé cet album de la voix française de Shark, qui sécurise sa belle note de 4/5 grâce au superbe "2-0 pour les Bleus de Port-Marie" annoncé en fin d'album.
I just love the sound of this album! No single song stands out but it’s the way they all flow together and belong with each other, makes the albums really feel like a single piece of work. I really did enjoy listening to it.
This was a lovely surprise. I thought I was going to hear Oasis with Michael Stipe as lead singer. But then we get these folk songs, as well as lush songs with strings in the background. This is the album that Oasis wished they could make.
Kinda oasis but better - not a fan of britpop and didn't like this on release, but the songwriting is so good it's aged well
Peak 90s, fun listening.
Enjoyed it~
Close to a 5, really enjoyable listen from a band I’ve never heard of! Kind of Oasis crossed with Richard Hawley.
Great album with plenty of songs I thought were really good. The album doesn't seem to be that well known, but it was surprisingly fun. Only complaint is that the second half didn't appeal to me as much as the first. Favorite Songs: Natalie's Party, Comedy, Pull Together, Beautiful, Lend's Some Dough
Genre: Britpop 4/5 The quick research session for this album before my listen did very little to illicit any genuine excitement from me. Blur’s Parklife was pretty bland, and most Britpop is fairly regular in concept and execution, but these guys really did something here! The orchestration and high-class production on this thing was incredibly unexpected, and didn’t feel facile or forced at all. Quite a refreshing listen, honestly. While the first two tracks are two of the band’s most popular, the album continued to impress, continued to have big, beautiful choruses, and continued to layer sounds in a very nice, very pleasing way. Even a song like Cornish Town, which starts rather innocuously, grows into a beautiful pop soundscape. I might be in the minority here, but I genuinely enjoyed this album!
4 really really good album. Liked every song, but many 90s albums sounds just like it. Will relisten soon.
A pleasant album that hit the spot. No recognized songs
Fairly standard Britpop, but a pretty decent example of that genre
Quite liked this so 90s!
Not your usual Brit pop album some good songs on the album I enjoyed it 4/5
A good album that I could easily listen to again. Sit back, relax and enjoy the tunes.
perks of being a wallflower chill vibez
Thrills / oasis vibe. Good listen.
Leuke ontdekking.
Mij voordien totaal onbekend. Poprock met hier en daar een folk-toetsje. Prachthoes ook (4,5 is geen 5 -> 4)
solid britpop album, overall the style wasn't my favorite and some of it was overwrought, but i liked the variety and the stories. 7/10
7/10. I can't quite pin down what it sounds like, but it sounded familiar, and I liked it.
Pretty good Bri-ish innit
fine listen, kept me from killing my students for one more day :)
I had never heard of this, which is somewhat surprising given that this type of music was right up my alley during this timeframe (college). Pretty great stuff.
Loved it
I love the liverpudlian accent making it’s way into the songs and the overall melodies. Feels very lightning seeds inspired and that is not a bad thing!
This is really good. I had never heard of this band before, happy to have now discovered them!
The writer of this book being from UK is showing. Never heard of this. Sounds like pretty standard 90s britpop at first but it’s a lot deeper than that. Glad I pushed past my initial impression. I’m a little surprised these guys weren’t bigger in the states.
Thoroughly enjoyed. Few tracks i don’t care for though
A surprisingly fantastic album! I love the soft rock groove, and I added it to my playlist. Shack was never on my radar, but they are awesome!
7.5
Sounds like a less interesting version of Ween to me. Not bad though.
Pretty good album with a 90s rock sound
Better than I remember...
Very 90s garage rock. I liked the vibe but all the songs felt like they meshed together for me, not a lot of distinction between them.
If on a great, spirited journey I'd quite enjoy this. Perhaps questing through a meadow with the Fellowship. Or on a sunburnt morn aboard a dory crossing the Mediterranean. But as background music while clacking a keyboard with the blinds drawn in an office, not so much.
I question the assertion that I "must hear" this before I die. It's pretty generic Top 40 adult contemporary rock. That said, there's nothing really bad about this, either. It's the musical equivalent of lukewarm water or plain oatmeal.
It's not bad. Kinda reminds me of Guster. 3.3
Like Halcyon yesterday, totally new to me. I think of this with the same appreciation I have for Gin Blossoms: excellent pop songcraft, memorable riffs, great stories. The production almost kills this with needless, invasive strings but thankfully only rarely. Just let it play. Would go 4 but for those glaring miscues.
I’m not paying too much attention, but it’s sort of reminds me of the Jayhawks
Not sure why it's on the list, but if I take that out of consideration, it's a decent, if unmemorable, record.
A good late 90s sound. I enjoyed going there.
Not what I was expecting, in a good way... just not sure if it is good enough to be memorable.
Not a bad album at all. Quite likes most of it. Mind you could throw a dart into a dozon or more Wnglish bands and come up with something fairly similar.
This was interesting. Not sure if I like it or was kinda bored by it. Very eclectic, I think I liked it, but it didn't blow me away either. Three stars.
Not a bad album. Almost REM like. Several of the tracks blended together unfortunately so I got lost especially about the 2/3 mark. Interesting to hear an album by a band I hadn’t heard of before but I generally liked it less than aforementioned REM.
Another listened to on Friday. Reviewing Monday. Don’t remember it at all. Looking back at Spotify I liked a song. It was generic adult rock. I would never tell anyone they have to listen to this record. I am not sure why this app is telling me to. It was fine
Another album by another band I've never heard of despite me being a child of the '90s and listening to an author of Indian music. This man have never crossed my path. Whilst not bad, it also wasn't good. It was just so middle of the road.
3.5
Oasis meets R.E.M. meets the Jayhawks. Breezy, catchy pop rock.
If I'd heard this when it came out, I'd probably have been a big fan. Sad to say, it was released when I wasn't listening to as much music and I didn't. It's pretty good but it doesn't really stand out in a very crowded field.
Another middle road album that features things I like and simultaneously dislike. I don't know, it's kind of a mood thing. However, there could be really something bubbling under the surface in regards to Michael Head. Maybe this might jump start a rabbit hole with the Pale Fountains.
Sounded of the britpop era it was made, enjoyed it but I don't think I will be revisiting
Is this Oasis? No? Could have fooled me. Not bad, but nothing distinctive.
Pretty cool album. Love how full of life and closeknit every song feels. My favorites were Beautiful, Lend's Some Dough, I Want You, and Since I Met You, I think. 6.7/10.
Resiliently mediocre to above average.
Kept me entertained which certainly counts for something.
A bright, full production envelops "H.M.S. Fable", a fine rock album from the tail end of the Britpop era - a wave of mainstream popularity that largely passed Shack by. The album is well arranged and tightly performed, packed with toe-tapping melodies and vocal harmonies. Lush, sweeping brass and string arrangements elevate the tracks, while songs like 'Streets of Kenny' offer a a differing showcase of shifting, tense dynamics. There is also a distinct folk influence woven throughout, particularly on 'Lend's Some Dough' and 'Captain's Table'. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable, fine album. What it lacks is a killer track or two to make it a truly essential album. Three stars. 1 "Natalie's Party" (3/5) 2 "Comedy" (3/5) 3 "Pull Together" (3/5) 4 "Beautiful" (4/5) 5 "Lend's Some Dough" (4/5) 6 "Captain's Table" (4/5) 7 "Streets of Kenny" (4/5) 8 "Reinstated" (3/5) 9 "I Want You" (3/5) 10 "Cornish Town" (3/5) 11 "Since I Met You" (3/5) 12 "Daniella" (3/5) Total - 40 Average - 3.33 348/1001 187/348 albums reviewed were new to me.
Surprisingly good. Nice flow. Definitely over a 3. But I can’t quite give it a 4.
It’s alright. Monotonous but alright.
Reminiscent of Oasis
I found this utterly unremarkable
A story about her majesty's ship.