Dogged by illness, accidents and perpetual disappointment, it's a minor miracle that indie veterans Shack are still on the go at all. As a new generation of Liverpudlians thrust their city back into the musical spotlight, however, Mick and John Head have made yet another bid for stardom with this typically well-crafted collection of wistful folk-rock. Shack's music has always been a little on the traditional side for some tastes, but Here's Tom... shows just how good they can be when they're on form. In particular, they have a rare facility for making simple sentiments sound beautifully profound - and these twelve deceptively straightforward love songs have a quiet majesty that puts them leagues ahead of such lumpen rivals as Ocean Colour Scene. Now, if only they could do something about those ridiculous album titles.

Your Comments

No comments have been posted for this article yet. Be the first!