Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Occasionally interesting but mostly mediocre. Standout songs: Pull Together Streets of Kenny
It's a pretty good album, they know how to use the orchestra parts at the right moments, its pretty good. 7/10
I’m not sure what to make of this. It’s kind of boring but it doesn’t totally suck. I’m trying to figure out what kind of person this appeals to. Don’t love it, don’t hate it.
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.
De definitie van een vergeetbare 3.
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.
Pretty enjoyable, pretty upbeat pop music
hard to get through. seemed irrelevant
The back half is much better than the front. It sounds very suburban dad band-ish.
Before listening to a note I’m wagering the reviews will be full of “another British band I don’t know” calls for more Pearl Jam or (Christ) Radiohead or whatever the hell you lame-oes like. This is stalwart melodic, heads down guitar pop that I’ve somehow never heard despite it surpassing what I remember of the avalanche of dull, post-Oasis dadrock that had me fleeing radios for the second half of that decade. They sound profoundly unfashionable and completely devoted, which pushes them up in my book.
Now this is some prime over-rated low-effort Brit bollocks (as judged upon hearing it in 1999, yet alone today from this list). I think their A&R man later wrote the entertaining if concerning "Kill Your Friends", perhaps as a diversion from the tedium herein. If we're now just randomly lauding tuneful obscure nautical-adjacent Beatlesy-indie I'm going to use the rest of my time to highlight Pugwash and the excellent "What Are You Like?" You're welcome.
Hms Fable, while it at first glance seems to spark an interesting vibe with it's opening track, quickly bores. Truly one of the most mediocre inclusions on this list. I can't see how this album should be here at all. It's not unlistenable, far from it, but still. This is one inclusion I'm going to rightfully rant about, if I finally get to know which albums didn't make the cut.
I thought this was Shaquille O'Neal, boy was I disappointed
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.
Generic off brand Oasis
Hms Fable was a pretty forgettable but still solid album. I've never heard of this band prior to listening to this album but it seems like just another one of those britpop/alt rock bands that are on this project like Oasis, Blur and The Verve. I don't really think that this album hits any of the heights the ones by the other bands i mentioned did but i still think that this album was a very pleasant listen. It is clear here that Shack clearly knew what sounds would be the most pleasant to listen to in terms of both music and vocals. That being said, it doesn't really do anything all that remarkable either and just fades into the crowd of 90s britpop bands. It's perfectly good for what it is, just nothing all too special and it just plays it too safe. Best Song: Since I Met You Worst Song: Re-Instated
It was fine. Very British. Kind of boring.
Scouse, Celtic, sea inspired. This promised a lot but just didn’t deliver despite some snippets of what I was hoping for
Sounds like Brit pop. It’s okay.
None/5 Another day, another proof that whoever made this list is fucking retarded. When I saw the album cover, I thought "hey this could be interesting if it's something like Flogging Molly"... But ofc I was disappointed when I read "Pop/Brit Pop". This album is somehow even worse than the Robbie Williams bs I had to listen to a couple weeks ago. Good thing I can choose not to listen to this.
Pas passé un mauvais moment je crois mais déjà oublié
Classique… rien de fabuleux Des airs de red hot par moment
Je donne la moyenne 3/5
The album isn't bad, but it's trying to be sometime that it isn't. The result is a really messy album. Vocal melodies are very basic which is probably for the best because the vocalist can barely perform them well as they are.
May be cheesy and basic, but.. well yeah that's what it is. I definitely liked a lot about this album, I just don't think it's something I needed to listen to really. It didn't knock my socks off or anything. Just some good songs. Probably won't be coming back to this, but I appreciate 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.
Another one that I don't understand why it's on this list.
YAWN! Almost 10 years late to the Britpop party and this is supposed to be an important album? And that doesn't even start to touch on the fact that this is totally uninspired and derivative drivel.
You know, the first britpop album I got, I thought, “Wow, this genre’s not too bad, it sounds like Oasis! Why does everyone seem to hate it so much?” I’m starting to understand why: most of it sounds like knockoff Oasis. This album does have a lot of tropes that I like whenever I hear them, so it’s not terrible or unenjoyable, it just doesn’t feel very special, not even from song to song really. There were so many better albums that could’ve been here instead. 3/5
Not bad, but nothing special. English Alternative rock album from the 90's. No real standout tracks, but no real low lights either. Overall didn't leave an impression. 3-star.
Eh, I don't care if it's something that has been done so many times already, I enjoyed it a lot.
#172/1001. There is a grave in between stadium rock and insie pop in which this album should be buried.
Late 90s rock, all of the songs were lovely to listen to
I have a feeling bands like Elbow were quite influenced by Shack. Well-meaning and competent, but - to these ears - quite bland. Earnest Indie.
I'm pleased the 1,001 Albums list threw up the Shack album this morning. I'd forgotten completely about the band, plus The Pale Fountains. There was a lot going on back in 1999 - both musically and personally. I was always aware of HMS Fable through the music press, though I've never listened to it. Which is odd, seeing as though the NME banged on about it. It sits perfectly in a post-Britpop world. There's even an argument that The Pale Fountains were very early forerunners for all that followed. On HMS Fable you have the melodies, plus the production. I would have preferred something a little more raw and rough around the edges. The songs are strong enough to carry it without the polish.
2/5
The first couple tracks made me think that they are what Oasis would sound like if they relaxed a little. But the later tracks kind of drifted into the same pretentiousness that made me glad the album was over.
Fine; the harmonies were okay, but necessary to fill out the sound; unfortunately the album was bloated, as many were during the cd era.
Kinda sorta like Guster, but less good.
This shit doodoo
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.
A very nice album, played this loads back in the day
Never heard of these people but easily one of my favorite finds! Great album overall!
Perfectly generic. I wonder if there's Polynesian music on this list.
Never heard of this band before and I probably will never think of them again after today. The album isn't really bad but it is a genre that doesn't appeal to me much and the songs feel really bland.
Sounds to me like very generic British pop. Not bad per se, just really bland to me. Music you were forced to listen to on the radio in the 90s.
It didn't move me in any way. it was just oke.
This is definitely an album.
Good
Good britpop. Really nice instrumentally. Vocals pretty weak. Surprised it was released as late as it was.
Meh. Didn't really care for this.
It's a perfectly nice-sounding album, which is maybe the most damning praise. There’s potential buried in the restraint. Struggling 3. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions Natalie’s Party Comedy Daniella
I for one had not heard of this band before this. This was a solid record. Very 90’s. Some of the songs sound great. I think for me I’m missing a nostalgia factor that would otherwise elevate this rating for me… I like the record but I don’t have much desire to return to it. It reminds me of American bands Toad The Wet Sprocket and Jars of Clay
making a lists of albums you need to know (because the people who made them had a relevant role in the production of all this other music) leads to albums like this being included. is the entire list boring English rock or...? because i am at my limit already and this album wasn't even bad or anything
Nice
Album #942 Decent Indie rock with some dull bits, but just average overall.
Not very good. But also not annoying. Like lukewarm tea.
Rock alternativo británico que a mi parecer no envejeció muy bien. Esto se ha escuchado muchísimo y creo que con mejores resultados. No me encantó.
Well produced and there was a time years ago where I might have been into it but at this point this flavor of britt pop is just not for me
So boring. This was a bit like The Good The Bad and the Queen. On paper just average rather than bad, but its so insultingly average that it makes it bad. 1.9/5
Utter shite. It's derivative as all hell, a bit like a Temu Crowded House over a decade too late, combined with the worst aspects of C-tier UK bands at the time like Travis. Trite lyrics and embarrassingly simple songs, coupled with a competent pub singer with zero interesting or intriguing qualities. Saccharine and overwrought string arrangements and flourishes on meandering songs that neither need or deserve them. As the 90s came to a close, in the year that we got classics like 'The Soft Bulletin', 'The Fragile', 'Ágætis byrjun', '2001', '13', 'Terror Twilight', 'The Slim Shady LP', 'Mule Variations' and exciting debuts like 'Showbiz' and 'The White Stripes', even Coldplay's Blue Room EP...*this* is what we're highlighting????
Ok pretty generic but a good example off UK alt rock late 90s
Why are there so many bland British bands on this list?
This album should have been left off this list. Not a single song aspires to be anything but average. Each track is cloyingly friendly and ordinary -- in a word, mild. And there is way too much orchestration going on in the background. Is there such a thing as Brit-pop Lite?
4/5
entretenido
Quite liked this.
Not frightful but too over produced for my tastes.
if this book makes me listen to even just one more britpop album you WILL see me on every news channel
… tbh I literally have nothing to say other than I did not think I needed to listen to this before I died
When I started this list I thought I hated Britpop. Then after this list exposed me to the subgenre I thought I loved it. Now, however, Shack has me reconsidering my position. This is mind-numbingly boring and safe rock and really doesn't deserve to be on this list. Despite this, the music isn't terrible - just boring. 1.5/5.0: Bad
the opening had me really excited then we settled into the albums true nature; another midtempo britpop record. its fine but nothing exciting
Nice, if a bit forgettable (I totally had 0 recollection of this, despite hearing it at least twice before), I like its atmosphere
I had never heard of the band Shack. I had no idea what I was in for, but I was pleasantly surprised. Shack could be described as Britpop. In fact, Shack is a Liverpool band formed by two brothers Mick and John Head and ended up getting signed to Noel Gallagher’s label. So, it doesn't get more Britpop than that. Before becoming a part of Gallagher’s label, the band released three albums and Fable was their third release. The band had actually broken up before their second album came out. They thought a fire had destroyed the master tapes and then Mick Head got hooked on heroin and the band broke up. Someone then tracked down a DAT with the album was recovered. Their second album was released and the band reformed to record H.M.S. Fable. Didn't the whole thing seem doomed from the start? So H.M.S. Fable comes out and makes a bit of a splash in England making the top 25 albums chart, getting good reviews and inevitably making the 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. It sounds exactly what you’d think it sounds like when you find out it’s Britpop, which isn't a bad thing. I think the album is good, I just don't have the affinity in my heart for Britpop. The song Pull Together would be a huge hit today, I think. The song Captain’s Table is like an old-time sea shanty about the singer’s time aboard the H.M.S. Fable. There isn’t a bad song on the whole album. I think the album a grower and when I’m getting a new album to listen to each day, I don’t have much time to give an album a dozen listens. If I were making a list of albums you need to hear before you die, I’m not sure this would make the cut. I think it’s a shame the band had so much bad luck in its time together. They eventually released one more album, then the drummer died and they broke up. If you’re a fan of Oasis and Blur, and you’ve never heard of Shack, this is going to really be satisfying.
"Look, 1000 albums is, like, a lot man. We have to fill it out with something."
3.5
2.5
Nope Sounds like Christian yacht rock Not for me at all
I found the first half of this album very hard to get through. Quite cheesy/corny melodies, and not really my thing. It gets better in the second half of the album. Songs like "Streets of Kenny", "Cornish Town" and "Since I Met You" are decent enough. But there's not much interesting happening here overall.
Was impressed with this album having never heard it before. Great production, performance and writing.
Music is great.
This sounds like they keep trying to write a theme song for a '90s sitcom but keep falling short.
I’d never heard of Shack and was surprised to read that they predate Britpop as this sounds like a fairly derivative Oasis/Stones-lite North-West indie act clinging to its coattails. I’d much rather listen to any number of similar-sounding acts from the same era who were writing better, more catchy and lyrically clever songs at the time. There are some half-decent moments but I have no idea why this made the list.
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.
gitarrenrockgeschrammel / acoustic guitar
Generic brit-pop. It's alright, but not in 1999. Other bands did it better, earlier and moved on. It's not bad by any means, but probably not worth being on this list.
Never heard of this band. I can see why. The ragged end of Britpop just not wanting to give up the ghost. I won’t remember this album because it doesn’t deserve to be remembered.
Hadn’t heard of this but quite enjoyed it.
Sounds like they're trying to be any one of a number of bands from the 90s. Without really achieving an identity of their own. Occasionally, particularly on the more melodic pieces they sound like there's something there but otherwise it's cut and paste 90s indie pop guitar band
Good album
Nice at points but mostly forgettable.
I love britpop more than most, and this is another good album.
Nudy 2/5
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!
Chill band, guitar and voice like Oasis, but much less moving
This wasn't a bad album, but there was nothing special about it either. Of it's time meat and potatoes britpop. This could be someone's favorite album, and it could be someone's else's example of britpop's nadir.
I wouldn’t put this in the top 50 of 1999, much less the top 1001 all time.
Unknown band. Good tunes and nice vocals. Very enjoyable.
A solid but mostly unremarkable pop rock album.
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.
This is a pretty average album for me. Nothing that stands out as great and nothing that stands out in the opposite way. Nice enough to listen to. As an American, the undiscript British isle accent is nice. But thats almost all that stands out. Its someone who isn't me's favorite album. Its just fine.
It was alright.
A pleasant listen. Mellow. Somewhat boring.
Not a band I’d heard of - I was too old and they were probably far too trendy for me to listen to at the time. I imagine that if I’d seen them as a support band I might have gotten in to them. A bit. Maybe. This seems a curious choice for a list like this. I’m not convinced it adds very much and it all feels a bit bland and not all that interesting. It’s not bad; it’s just not something that I feel I’ve particularly missed in my life by not having heard before.
There were some nice moments (Streets of Kenny, Danielle) on this but that would be obliterated the next minute by the most middle of the road Britpop indie crap. Really frustrating album
Nada mas empezar me ha parecido musica del restaurante “El paso” o “El coyote” o como fleet foxes mal. No soporté
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
Dad- 6 Mom- 7.5 Mike- NA Lori- 5.5 Michael- 4 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg-5.75
I was expecting sea shanties. Wish they were sea shanties. I found this album rather bland and unexceptional. It was a long 45 minutes - I just couldn't find anything to hook onto.
Yet another British pop band, I'm so close to giving them all an automatic 1.
Not an album of sea shanties
More average Britpop...bleh. I'm not hearing the R.E.M. comps but I also don't have a good one myself. This might be the most inoffensive, bland Britpop we've had. Like it didn't sound bad, but also wasn't super engaging. Landing at a Low 3.
I'm four tracks out from the end of this one and remember nothing of the first 8... This falls into a particularly bland space of turn of the millennia alternative rock and I'm struggling to see why its included on the list. On one hand, the music is fine, but on the other every song sounds like an impersonation of another, better artist. At their best, they sound like a slightly edgier R.E.M. Can't imagine ever coming back here, but it also feels wrong giving this a 2. So I'm going with a completely limp 3.
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
An album that just kind of came and went. Sounded like REM a bit. Probably a 3.5
Some meh britpop. Some of it did remind me of Elbow even though it was worse. Still not terrible but not great either.
I can envision everybody screaming “ITS ANOTHER 90s BRITISH INDIE BAND! FUCK!” right now. the first side is so good but the second side drags down it a bit. 3.5/5
I was tricked by the first two songs
no real standouts pretty consistent though
Perfectly OK minor Britpop act...Nothing compared to Oasis and Pulp, of course...Some of the songs were too long and homogenous.
Felt quite average, grew on me a bit from a very uninterested start
This album was fine. Nothing great, nothing horrible, just straight down the middle.
There are at least 10 albums from Canada, Mali, Australia or any other country that are more important than this one. Come on! Liked Songs Added: Natalie's Party
I was living in London at the height of the emergence of the british indie scene into what is now known as Britpop. Reading up on this band, outside of an album released in 1988, their first major album was 1995. Maybe they got lost in the noise of the oasis debut album and everything that followed, but I have never heard of this band in my life, and I was fully embedded in the scene at the time. I listened to this album very objectively and it is very very generic. Sounds like every other band from that era that got lost in the noise of britpop. Comedy was probably the best of it. In a year where so many incredible albums were released that didn't make this list, i cannot for the life of me see why this gets the nod ahead of so much. its not unbearable to listen to though so gets the generic 3 stars
A tad too bland for me.
Kinda hipster-ish turn of the century alt britpop that starts out ok, and then wears out its welcome.
6/10
Not sure why this is on the list, not exactly setting the world on fire.. dreading to think of the amazing albums that might have been bumped off the list because of this album.
Not my cup of tea but the music is solid.
A very good vibe album. I liked the vocals and guitar and I generally enjoyed listening to it!!! defienetly recommend
Nothing amazing
good small pop
Hat perfekt in die Stimmung gepasst, nett, nicht mega aufregend
It's just not my cup of tea
Fikk ikke med meg at jeg hørte på denne. Kjedelige greier.
I was surprised I did not know the band. Some Brit Pop/Rock with rich instrumentation, sometimes too much. Mostly harmless. Fav: Daniella
A few fun songs, but nothing too memorable.
More Brit pop. I’m not sure any of it is very interesting.
A less enthusiastic generic Britpop with an obligatory Beatlesque framework. Uninteresting compositions, quite contrived and soulless. Well executed but lame. I’m with a lot of others here asking why this is on the list.
I liked Re-instated but nothing else really stood out to me.
Nah
Cool album cover. I’ve never heard of Shack before. This looks like an indie rock affair, if I’m to judge by the cover. Wow, not quite what I was expecting. I was ready for more of a sea shanty affair, not something this dreamy or aspirational. It ain’t bad, though it ain’t all that good, either. Still, for what it is, I enjoyed my time with this album. I’m always down for some well-meaning optimism, and this album gave me my fill. “Pull Together” is alright. I like the reverberated sound, and the cowbells during the chorus are a much-appreciated addition. I also like how the vocal delivery continually builds on itself. “Captain’s Table” is another decent cut. The guitarwork is quite intricate and I like the hymnal vocals. Checking the book. The album came from hardship. That’s about it for the entry, really. Heading over to Wikipedia reveals that this album was warmly received by critics, but not much else, really. Yeah, this could do with a snub. In place of this album, I humbly submit Velocity : Design : Comfort by Sweet Trip for inclusion on the list
2/5
Underground oasis
yet another 90s britpop album. oasis and blur are probably enough. people who love those bands will seek out more on their own. the overrepresentation of britpop is frankly staggering, at the expense of even other influential british acts like spacemen 3. this album just sounds like watered down R.E.M. it baffles me how this is in the list.
Really enjoyable album through and through, not any hits but everything was good. Good lyrics and some fun sounds, definitely enjoyed
The title track is something like a sea shanty and it is a pretty decent song. The rest of the album is a mix of Mid 90s REM, Oasis, James Taylor and some folk. The folk is not bad, but the other songs are too muddled and sound too much like the artists they are copying to stand out. 2/5 because this is a group I have never heard of and would not have ever listened to but for this list.
Ok
Oasis light.
Every song sounds like the backing track to a filler scene in Dawson’s Creek where the camera pans around to the characters in their various past times, separately.
Is quite a normal and chill album to listen, an classic late 90's soft Pop 2/5
Letztes Lied war gut. Sonst ganz ok
honestly sound a bit like oasis overall enjoyed
Another that belongs in the genre of bands that might not exist were it not for this list. (ntm.)
There’s nothing wrong with this album, it’s just lame to my ears and I don’t like it. Wait, it’s one of those Oasis-like British bands. That explains it.
Really good, similar to radiohead.
𝘏.𝘔.𝘚. 𝘍𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 isn’t a bad record, but it suffers from being both too late and too safe. Released in 1999, well after Britpop’s peak, its clean production and pleasant melodies feel like echoes of a scene already fading. Had it come out in 1996 or 1997, it might have found more visibility and success. As it stands, it’s a decent listen, but far from essential.
I feel like these guys should have been on the radio 20 years ago. Seemed overly pop. First few songs were OK then it all just kind of seemed to blend together. If there weren't pauses in between the songs I would have thought it was all just one giant song.
Generically britpoppy, but in no way unlistenable.
oasis if they were drunk while recording the vocals instead of on cocaine (seriously though this album is ruined by the fact the vocals sound so bad)
I need to go back and listen again but I'm rating 4 because I kept thinking of was an REM album.
couldnt care less realy, not bad but heard it 1000 times
HMS Fable – Shack (1999) | Britpop / Indie Rock | Avg: 6.65 | Favorite Song: “Natalie’s Party”* HMS Fable sits in that middle ground where solid songwriting and likable melodies carry the weight, even if the album doesn’t push any boundaries. “Natalie’s Party” shines through as your favorite, and it makes sense—it’s one of the few tracks here that feels fully realized, with a memorable hook and genuine energy. The rest of the album hovers mostly in the mid-6 to 7 range, suggesting a smooth, enjoyable listen without a ton of standout moments. It’s competent and occasionally charming, but not particularly daring. There’s a bittersweet, reflective tone across the record that gives it a consistent emotional color, which can work both for and against it. Some songs start to blend into each other by the back half, and that sense of sameness is likely why a few tracks dipped closer to the low-6 range. Still, Shack clearly knows how to write from the heart, and while HMS Fable may not be a top-tier Britpop album, it has a sincerity and melodic sensibility that keeps it grounded and likable.
1999 UK. Alternative Rock, Britpop
1 stern
I’m not going to act like this is the worst thing I have ever heard, but my rating comes from pure confusion as to why it is here. I guess it’s pleasant to have on the background, but as an album to sit down and pay attention to? Not really, I was quite bored.
Lullabies to agonize
μόνο το comedy ακουσα, αλλά δεν είναι του στιλ μου γενικά
There was something unique about listening to this album, but not the good kind. This is perfectly acceptable music, and I genuinely enjoy a number of the compositions and instrumentation... but it's missing something, and it feels like it would have been dated even way back in '99. Everything done here has been done better, before and since.
Nice chill vibes.
Who dis? Never head of this band or album, and I would like to think I know "influential" things in music given my education and background. And after listen to the album, I still don't see it.
oh boy. what a miss here. i'm a bit surprised because this album clearly lives in a relative zone of music that i would enjoy, but man it is really underwhelming. REALLY underwhelming. the songs here are not interesting in the slightest, the instrumentation is bland and lacking oomph. the vocals are pretty rough and wobbly in stretches! it mostly sounds like a local band who is not long for this world. an album i had to hear before i died? you could have fooled me.
Not bad. Sounds a lot newer than it is.
So it makes me think of Friends for some reason. I never watched friends, seen clips, but this album is so 90's I feel it could be played during a friends episode. It's really kinda boring and I wonder why this made the list.
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.
I’ve seen this album cover before on the visual checklist, but I’ve never heard of Shack before. Looking at the album cover, I’d assume that Shack sounds like Flogging Molly, with more focus on the accordion and the concertina. I truly have no idea what I’m in for on this album, but I’m excited to find out what this album sounds like. I could never have predicted what I’d hear on this album, but I enjoyed it. Listening to this reminded me of what I felt when I first listened to Copper Blue by Sugar. Like Copper Blue, HMS Fable is a solid and fun rock album, with a heavy emphasis on some beautiful melodies. The thing that I found most striking about this album were the strings, but the guitar playing and vocals were good too. My biggest complaint about this album is that it didn’t lean on its strengths enough, and as a result, some of the songs were a bit bland in comparison to the standout tracks on the album. But when this album was firing on all cylinders, it sounded really good. I thought “Pull Together,” “Beautiful,” and “Natalie’s Party” were the best songs on the album. “Natalie’s Party” was a great lead-off track, and I really loved the depth of sound created by the strings and guitars. The vocals and piano on “Pull Together” were great. The echoing effect on the vocals was really great, and the strings went along perfectly with them on the chorus. The strings on “Beautiful” were excellent. I especially loved the way that they built in pitch across the lines of the chorus, making each chorus feel like a mini-crescendo. All in all, this was a fine album, with some really good high points on it, but I don’t know that I’d come back to it again.
Nice for background music, I'll probably check out some of their other stuff.
not too memorable to me
Non touching soft rock.
Getting hard to rate these 90s britpop beatles inspired albums, there are so many
chatoooooooooooooooooo meu deus q trem chato não é ruim, só é chato
só na primeira música já é notável o estrago que o oasis fez na música britanica noventista dito isso, nhe. achei paia mas não horrível.
It's okay but nothing that stands out to me. Still pleasant though!
Like a lot of others here I’ve never heard of this band and I feel I’m very literate about UK music in this period. However I do know The Pale Fountains so get the genesis. It’s just an Ok album. Which is probably why it’s not revered now or considered of note. I like it without thinking it’s as good as, say, Doves from a similar genre. Normally a three as it’s perfectly fine but a two for annoying obscurity and middle of the roadness .
Indie background montage music
2.7 I'm obviously missing something here. Just sounds like some generic 90s Brit rock, I assumed it was something earlier but given it was 99 I thought this would have stopped right now. Like a crap Dodgy. Clearly am missing something, apparently it's crept on to some best of all times lists. Am I even listening to the right album here?
It was fun
Like
I mean, not bad, just just the definition of average. 2.5/5
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!
Fine, relaxing album, but I'll definitely forget it.
Why was this on here this is the most uniteresting sounding music on a list of albums that should be some of the most interesting music ive ever heard
This was really good.
Hmm British ok
Too bland for me
1. party - 0 2. comedy - 1 3. pull - 0 4. beautiful - 1 5. dough - 0 6. table - 1 7. kenny - 0 8. inztated - 1.5 9. you - 1.5 10. touun - 1 11. met - 0 12. daniella - 1.5
Never heard of Shack. Not bad. Not great.
Never heard of Shack. Dreamy, late 90's Irish/Liverpuddlian vibes. I'm getting a spacey Todd the Wet Sprocket? Not bad. 2.75 stars. Rounding up to 3.
good indie rock 6/10
There is some good music on this but the singer's voice ruins it for me. Not a fan of it at all. Favorite: Comedy Would I listen to it again: No
In a total judging the album by the cover you know immediately know this album is a bland BritPop filler for the list… a listen and view of the Wiki confirms my logic is probably 495/500 by this point. This is an okay album, not a worthy must listen album. 2/5
I feel like I'm in a 90s quirky rom-com. A little curious if they sound a bit derivative or if they're one of the first of this type of...alt? britpop? I like the nautical sea shanty parts.
I like this. Reminds me of Sixpence None the Richer. Favorite Track: Comedy.
mitä on nää mitättömät joita tulee nyt kokoajan vastaan?? ja mitä helvetin autotunea siinä yhressä biisissä oli? joo muuta huomioita ei ole.. ja pitäis kirjottaa kymmenen riviä lisää päätin ensimmäisen sadan päivän aikana jostain syystä... pitäskö kopioida pippeli kuva taas tähän.. ei varmaan. cock massiv. noh pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop pop britpop kjeh kaptains table
The author must be British...
A nice collection of alternative rock. I enjoyed the album as background music for working. No real standouts but solid album all together.
I figure I could ask Suno for angsty late nineties brit-pop and the AI would spit this out. Reading the entry in 1001, I get the sense the reviewer was more fascinated in the bands journey than its music. I guess the journey was more interesting.
That an album so utterly unremarkable and devoid of artistic adventure would choose a picture not of a warship but of a picture of a picture of a warship as its cover art is about the only poetry to be found here. A rare level of tedious to inspire passionate hatred. One day, the spiritual successor to a shitty British catchphrases-and-wigs sitcom like Mrs Browns Boys will come here for its theme song. I've rated less listenable projects higher but the sheer banality of this offends me, as does its inclusion on this list.
This is bright, optimistic, and woefully behind the times at its release. Here’s the deal though: it sounds just as good as any pop rock album of the 90’s. There are good songs here based on threadbare subject matter like ‘being too tired to socialise’. It’s all fluff, and clearly chasing a trend. But damn, I kind of vibe with this in spite of its obvious mediocrity. The arrangements are glistening, and I get the sense that these guys really gave a shit. A sheepish three stars. ✨
I was expecting more hot trash from the author’s Brit Bias, but it ended up being a middle of the road experience. Some songs were pretty meh, while others turned out to be decently enjoyable. I’ll never return to this album, but I’ve had worse recently. 2.5 / 5
this was like if ai would've produced a britpop album
Good
Started out thinking okay this is pretty good. Now again today I can’t remember it.
Dnf
It's fine. Best song is Since I Met You, which is almost great if it was just a little more bombastic. So I'm giving this a meh, over all. Didn't dislike it at all.
So this is another one of those albums that got published in a book of 1001 albums to hear before you die. Only God knows how this ended up on the list, while so many other great albums were just passed up. With that being said, it wasn’t horrible music, but there wasn’t anything standout about it either. It was just a basic, middle-of-the-road Britpop album that came out about eight years too late. By 1999, all the bands from the late ’80s and early ’90s that were the flag bearers of Britpop had already moved on, forming new projects and exploring new sounds. While there’s nothing really bad about this album, so it probably doesn’t deserve to get dragged through the mud, putting it in a category of the top 1001 albums really sets a very high bar for it.
sin mas
Another late 1990s Brit Pop group / album. Nothing wrong with this. Also nothing exciting about it. Just another one. 2.75
Just Another Oasis Clone Another band where the cover art is more interesting than the music. This music is about the safest Britpop album ever produced. The singer(s) also are lost in who they are from song to song. Sounding like Michael Stipe in "Beautiful", the Gallagher brother in others, and lyrics delivered in the style of Bruce Springsteen. Nothing original with this band which is why it is oddly listenable. It feels familiar with a constant undertone of being a rip off. I don't think it would have hurt anyone's feelings if this was subbed out for Tool's Lateralus or Stabbing Westward's Darkest Days.
Just … ok.
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
Saccharine. Players are pretty great. Songwriting sounds like the band knew what they were doing. Lyrics are pretty whack.
If you’ve listened to Oasis, Blur, and Third Eye Blind, you’ve already listened to Shack. Pretty generic Britpop. Nothing special.
Sounds like the background music in a family movie from 1999. I don’t get why this album is on this list.
Anthemic, britpop, psychedelic, swirling, sappy, Beatles. Sure, a bit generic, but inoffensive.
Hmmm... Jangly pop rock. Canadian? Not my thing so far. Nice hooks
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
Raw notes about this album: About as spicy and edgy as vanilla ice cream. Makes Hootie and the Blowfish sound like Tool. The optimism of late-90's Jangle-Pop was a harbinger. Watered-down Oasis wannabe
7/10
Managed to listen to this without knowing anything about the band, and yet it was /instantly/ identifiable as a second rate Liverpool indie band, circa 1998-200. Not unpleasant at all - there's that late 90s sweetness or production polish, and there's maybe a little bit of the La's, a bit of The Pernice Brothers, a bit of the Cosmic Rough Riders, a bit of The Thrills etc etc etc. It's fine, but totally unexceptional. Probably a three star album, but tempted to mark it down because what the heck is it doing on the list?
This is some boring British pop music from 25 years ago.
Nos toca hoy martes una banda que desconozco completamente. Suena a MTv de fines de los 90, britpop con un dejo de nostalgia en sus sonidos. Algunas de sus canciones parecen música de alguna publicidad de esos años. Tranca, bien como fondo para trabajar. Tiene algunos temas con ciertas distorsiones y suciedades, pero en líneas generales son canciones limpias. Hasta mañana.
i dont fw britpop except this twink man
Basically a perfect "C", which I guess rounds up to a 3?
Accent is too strong and deflects from the music. Feels mismatched somehow when it should work.
4/10 Un buen disco de 1999, el primer tema me subió de una al barco (jajaj) pero después me aburrí y punto. Punto para el diálogo entre las cuerdas y las guitarras medio country (Beautiful parece un tema de Fuerza Natural cuando se queda la instrumental y ni bien empieza el estribo se convierte en un tema masomenos de Keane).
# Album Name: HMS Fable # Artist: Shack # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Wow, This is extremely average brit pop. Has a very generic feel to it. I can imagine id be walking down the aisles at asda, picking out my german beers for the weekend, whilst this plays. No way this should be on the list. Everyone blasts Oasis but they are head and shoulder over anything like this by a million miles. # Top Tunes: None # Would I listen to it again? No
My thoughts while listening to this album: Maybe this will be one of those good Brit-Pop albums? Ugh, halfway through the first song and I'm already over it....... It's like Oasis, but not as good, and I don't like Oasis These lyrics are terrible 5 tracks in and I'm really loosing steam. Did not enjoy, will not recommend
Okay, but I doubt I will be going back to this one.
The closest I’ve ever been to a 90s Time Machine.
There are a handful of excellent songs in here. Then others are plain as cardboard.
Some decent songs on here but nothing that someone must hear before they die
I liked this one, especially Natalie's Party and Streets of Kenny.
Best nice
Alright not incredible (to me)
I do not understand why this album is included on the 1000 albums list. Pretty forgettable and mediocre record.
Fun record, never heard of the band, but the album sounded okay, a product of its time and well produced.
Sounded very *of its time*, which isn't a bad thing, but I didn't love that sound when I lived it.
So amazingly unremarkable.
YABA (Yet Another British Album) (I've written this so much lately; the makers of this list just really suck and need to listen to music made in other countries) Pretty mid and brought nothing new to the table, 2*
Not heard this album before. Some good tracks on there. Worth a listen again.
Not bad, but nothing grabbed me.
Couldn’t even finish the whole album it was that 💩
This wasn’t anything spectacular. Not really sure why it’s on this list
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
Not one I had heard of before. It's OK. A nice bit of variety in there. I wouldn't turn it off but then again I doubt I have the urge to go, I really want to listen to Shack today.
Can’t remember
Robert Dimery probably heard these guys in a bar once and decided to put them in his book.
Some cool rock tracks in there!!
There's a certain kind of UK music journalist who can't let go of the idea of Michael Head as a lost genius. The songs on this album are nice enough pastiches of all the 60s tropes you know so well. It's like a gentler Oasis or maybe Cast. It's not really genius. He's put out more than a dozen albums in different guises. So, he's not really lost either. Just there if you like this sort of thing. I think it's OK.
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.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why this didn't wow me. It might be because the wall of sound was so dense that even the breakdowns were drowning in reverb. It may be because some of the songs sounded like Discount Oasis from a small fishing town whose main exports are tinned anchovies and 2 weeks of tourism. The more folky bits were good
Really good. Has that Stone Roses 90s britpop psychedelia feel that I really like. Added to my liked albums after the second song
I liked half of it. It’s a 3.5, but I’m rounding down.
Ok
Favourite track: Since I Met You
Didn't hate it but it didn't stand out to me.
Negative
Talented band but just not for me. One or two songs sounded okay.
No siis ihan taitavaa ja on vähän genrekokeiluakin. Mutta itse kuulen vain kunnianhimoisten setien äänen. Jää tylsäksi ja pintapuoliseksi, tai mä en ainakaan aisti omaperäistä sielua.
Eka biisi on lupaava, mutta karmeat jouset. Loput ei ole lupaavaa (mutta karmeat jouset silloin tällöin). Olisin odotellut inspiraatiota.
Don't think this one would have a place in 10,001 albums to hear before you die
Uninteresting, bland, uncompelling
Britpop is one of my favorite genres but there was so much garbage produced as well when trying to replicate the big boys. This is definitely one of those. I did enjoy the small shifts of genre but seems like an easy 2 star Rating: 1.9
I'm stuck between giving this a 3 or a 4.... Favorite song: Lend's Some Dough
This album is fairly good but nothing really stands out. 3 stars or C+.
Here we go, my first Britpop album from the list. I've gotta say it isn't really a genre I'm especially interested in, which isn't to say I haven't enjoyed anything in the ballpark. I can get into some of the classic bands that have transcended the genre, most notably Blur and The Stone Roses. However, what we have here seems to be a real deep cut, I was kind of taken aback when I saw that this band only has 23,000 listeners, initially because that is *pretty* underground. But after my listen of this, I'm more surprised that this band doesn't have more, I think a lot of people would be pretty into this. That being said, I only sort of liked it. To my ears, this album is one with a couple of great songs, a couple good ones, and everything else is sort of just fine to me. The opening hat trick of Natalie's Party, Comedy, and Pull together is pretty good. All of these songs are at least good, with Pull Together being pretty great in my mind. These three songs are all catchy and well written, and Pull Together has a subtle melancholy and some faint electronic elements that push it above and beyond for me. Overall, this is a strong enough start to the album, all things considered, but it kind of loses its footing pretty quickly for me. It takes until Streets of Kenny and its kind of baroque, shanty-esque feel to even get remotely as interesting as this opening salvo again, and even then, I don't know if I think it quite reaches the heights of those first three songs. Then we have another run of songs that don't do it for me, before ending on a high note with what may be, in my eyes, the album's best, Daniella. After some of the lower moments on this album, which I think somewhat often gets a little too twee for me at times, Daniella is a refreshing joy. It is stripped back and earnest, and stands out here as an especially well-written folk/singer-songwriter song that I could see entering my regular rotation. Also, I'd like to note that even though I think this project is a little uneven, the palette of it is overall pretty interesting. Acoustic guitar, violin and the vocal stylings all contribute to a sort of baroque atmosphere overall, which, as I mentioned earlier, occasionally shifts into kind of a shanty-like space. Additionally, the electronics on this are usually welcome. There may be too many good songs for me to go a 2 here, and I'm also not sure that the lows are low enough, so I'm gonna settle on a pretty low 3. This was fine for me, if pretty uneven, but your mileage may vary.
I try to judge these albums on various merits for why they should be included on this list. Some albums are a showcase of the technical skill and musicianship of the artists involved. Others were a cultural phenomenon at one time, and some are just progenitors that influenced other artists and albums. This album is none of those things. As a band with a name I didn’t recognize, I was expecting to hear something amazing, or a style choice that others mimicked to greater success. None of that is here. It’s a perfectly cromulent album, but nothing about it makes it worth a recommend, let alone a spot a list of extremely important albums to hear in your lifetime.
This is a beautiful album and worth it for just Captain's Table.
It's chill
Reallly good I enjoyed it thoroughly and I’ll look at more of their albums. It was just what I needed today
boring and forgettable
Not bad!! Liked it overall
This wasn't bad! Cool album art too.
ok
I feel this meant a lot of things to some people at the time. It is like oasis, a band I don’t care too much for, without any swagger. Really quite dull. But inoffensive.
This album's biggest sin is its mundanity. The artwork made me think I was in for an album of sea shanties, which would have been preferable to the rather dull album we have here. There were a few tracks that I initially liked somewhat, until I realized that it was because they reminded me of other songs. That said, there were two tracks that I did enjoy: "Streets of Kenny" and "Daniella."
Итс окэй. Лучшая песня - Daniella.
Bland
Generic late '90s rock album. Could be worse.
Warm and pleasant, not bad, but it also probably doesn't belong on this list
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.
this one was like fine...david and briks didn't even know it!
More boring pre-millennial British alt rock.
Kinf of music that's nice when you hear it in a record store selecting some other stuff...it's not bad but there are 1001 bands that play this kind of music that are way better...didn't knew these guys before, won't remember them...
Is this really an album I needed to hear? Really generic