It was recovered eventually and released, but by that time the buzz on the band had faded. HMS Fable is Shack's second record. Although less plagued by bad luck than previous records, it may still have a hard time being heard in between the buzz and howl of younger rock bands. Almost mind-numbingly pretty and hummable, the music takes place on a higher plane of melody than that heard on most LPs. Americans will liken it to that one great record by fellow Liverpudlian Lee Mavers of the Las, but Shack's album is really much deeper.
Shack is a sonic dirigible, utterly uplifting to the spirits.
Unfortunately, emotional uplift isn't really the main thrust of rock right now. Despite the band's uncommercial mien, Shack's album is being released in America on London Records, and one can only hope that it will find a place here in the nooks and crannies left between the Barenaked Ladies and R.E.M., or something. This arty quintet embraces the sensibility of Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, the Grifters and the Chills. And if those names mean anything to you, then dEUS is a must-own item. Those aren't ideas that lend themselves to teenage anthems, but they sure ring true to me.