Head In The Clouds

The PaLe FOUNTaiNS From across The kitchen Table ViRGiN, 1985 An airy, joyous alternative to the saccharine synth-pop of the mid’80s, the Paleys’ second album boasts some early Head classics such as “Jean’s Not Happening” and the title track. Shack Waterpistol MaRiNa, 1995 The band’s confident, expansive second album would have been blowing minds in 1991, and still sounds strong today. Highlights include the psychedelic swing of “Stranger” and the hazy waltz of “Time Machine”. MichaeL head & The STRaNdS The Magical World Of The Strands MeGaPhONe, 1997 Perhaps Head’s greatest set of songs, the Strands’ sole album is as magical as its title suggests, from the tender “Queen Matilda” to “And Luna”, a tribute to Arthur Lee. 9/10 Shack hMS Fable LONdON, 1999 The production can be a bit post-Oasis, but Shack’s third contains prime Head cuts – the raucous “Natalie’s Party”, the submarine “Captain’s Table” and the beautifully grimy “Streets Of Kenny”. 8/10

Shack here’s Tom With The Weather NORTh cOUNTRY, 2003

John Head’s favourite Shack album, the band’s penultimate release to date is one of their prettiest, from the polite groove of “On The Terrace” to the sublime shuffle of “Byrds Turn To Stone”: “We spent the time/Blowing our minds…” 8/10 MichaeL head & The Red eLaSTic BaNd adiós Señor Pussycat ViOLeTTe, 2017 Coming 11 years after the last Shack LP, Head’s new album is proof that inspiration is still in full flow: the baroque-pop “Overjoyed”, “4+4 Still Makes 8” and “Josephine” would fit well on any of his best records. 8/10