Shack The Corner of Miles and Gil Sour Mash Records
Signed to Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash record label, an outsider could probably predict what sort of music that Shack would be providing. It’s not quite right as Shack still worship at the altar of Arthur Lee more than anyone else, and the album is another blend of melodic folk, sea shanties and orchestral and brass manoeuvring.
The pace never quickens too much but there is vibrancy to the album that keeps it moving nicely and as always, the choruses rise and soar enough to encourage as many sing-a-longs as possible.
If there is any criticism it is that it follows the melodic Scouse pattern that Shack have been perfecting for years, and perhaps The Coral do it on a bigger scale these days but there is a smiling charm to the record that was possibly missing on previous Shack outings.
The odd rockier moments like “Black & White” or the brass section of “Shelley Brown” helps lift this album out of the ordinary and it stands as another fine addition to a fine legacy.
4/5
Scouse veterans Shack return with similar fare but find themselves in a lighter, cheerier mood than they have been in before.
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