The Pale Fountains – ... From Across The Kitchen Table (1985)

This eighties Liverpool curiosity was a chance purchase at Oxfam a couple of weeks ago . I vaguely remember the Pale Fountains as one of the bands who might have been from the city around then, just following on from the Eric's scene, but founder Michael Head is probably far better known for Shack and his solo work, much of which has been recommended to me.

My initial thoughts are that this feels like perfectly good, eighties pop music, redolent with shades of Lloyd Cole and Bunnymen. Plenty of bands from the time were producing much less interesting stuff than this and became big stars, but such is the public taste. That said, there's nothing groundbreaking here, but there's lots to enjoy.

There's a smashing sixties sound with Motown tones in Shelter, a bouncy Commotions sound with similar wordplay in Jean's Not Happening, a decent song despite the unnecessary strings. Bicycle Thieves, is a slower, bluesier piece, and that soul sound returns on Limit.

There's a nice jangly sound on Bruised Arcade, but a bit of a lull until the superb title track From Across The Kitchen Table, imagine Lloyd Cole lyrics with Julian Cope music, and a joyous upbeat finish on September Sting.

There's enough to keep the listener interested in this, the band's second and final album with the promise of more, which was never realised in this incarnation. But I will keep my eye open for any Shack or Head solo stuff.

Link to album tracks

3* - an interesting slice of 1980s Liverpool