Shack to release their classic 'HMS Fable' for the first time on vinyl
"This man is our greatest songwriter. Recognise him?" NME with Mick Head on their front cover, October 1999.
One of the most iconic albums to hail from Merseyside. HMS Fable was the third LP released from Shack following 1988’s ‘Zilch’ and 1995’s ‘Waterpistol’. A collection of majestic storytelling in guitar form, written by two extraordinarily talented brothers, Michael & John Head. Originally released on Laurel Records/London Records in 1999 the band at that time comprised of MICHAEL HEAD - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar JOHN HEAD - Electric Guitar, Vocals REN PARRY- Bass Guitar IAIN TEMPLETON - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
The album was voted #2 in both NME and Uncut’s critics album of the year polls, only missing out to The Flaming Lips’ ‘The Soft Bulletin’ in both.
Now released on the band’s newly formed label Shack Songs, H.M.S. Fable encompasses many musical styles, from orchestral guitar pop to psychedelic-tinged folk and even elements of Britpop, nicely summed up by the editor of NME Steve Sutherland in a 9/10 review, June 1999:
‘’Not since Liam Gallagher howled his early indolent disdain has this music sounded so alive. 'Pull Together' is an anthem easily the equal of Oasis at their most loved-up and huge.’ ‘Comedy' tender and uplifting, like the missing track from 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Daniella' a haunted and exhausted homage to Head's hero Arthur Lee, and 'Lend Some Dough' a rollicking Scouse Play For Today with a chorus that goes, "I've got a sore back and I'm itching’’
The Shack story is one of music’s greatest legends. It incorporates hardship, bereavement and chaotic misadventure, but above all it tells the tale of beautiful music triumphing over trouble and tragedy.
In the 80’s, the two brothers from the notorious Kensington estate in north Liverpool were singer and guitarist with The Pale Fountains , an effervescent pop group which imploded under the weight of two albums in 1986. The Heads returned in ‘88 as Shack and a debut album Zilch. In 1991 , Shack made ‘Waterpistol’ , an inspirational guitar jewel that would have proved just as influential as any British album in that era had the studio not burned down, taking the master tapes with it. Four more years passed , but by the time it was finally released on Marina it had developed ‘lost classic’ status.
The Heads battled on. They toured as their hero Arthur Lee (RIP) of Love’s backing band. In ‘97 , they created a new group called The Strands and recorded the delicate, dreamy masterpiece ‘The Magical World Of The Strands’ . They spent a long time making another classic ‘H.M.S. Fable’...
"Mick Head is a genius" Noel Gallagher.
Tracklist
1 Natalie's Party
2 Comedy
3 Pull Together
4 Beautiful
5 Lend's Some Dough
6 Captain's Table
7 Streets of Kenny
8 Reinstated
9 I Want You
10 Cornish Town
11 Since I Met You
12 Daniella
