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.
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