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

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

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

The Pale Fountains' Ian Broudie-produced second record ditches a couple of the scatterbrained influences of the debut, so it makes for a slightly more consistent listen. Not all of the odd wrinkles are abandoned, though; they still sound as if they are trying too hard to distinguish themselves from the rest of the flock. The Fountains' strength lies in folksy pop, but on a few too many occasions, the incessant smoothness and inability to latch onto one style holds them back. Surprisingly, the title track is almost synth-pop, but a smattering of horns makes sure it isn't completely such. On "September Sting," they try their hands at Laurel Canyon country-rock and fall flat on their jumpers. When they want to, they can write finely tuned, sophisticated pop songs that are quite pleasant. Instrumentally, "Stole the Love" doesn't sound a great deal different from the Smiths. "Shelter" and "Jean's Not Happening" are fine strummers. Though a decent record and an improvement over the debut, Kitchen Table frustrates. They were too anxious to zig or zag when they could have stayed the course. After establishing themselves as a cult band, the Pale Fountains eventually broke up, with Michael Head forming the similarly cultish Shack. ~ Andy Kellman

CD reissue of the 1985 sophomore album from this Liverpool band led by singer/songwriter Michael Head. Produced by Ian Broudie, From Across The Kitchen Table took The Pale Fountains further away from the initial fey pop jangle of their early singles, adding more depth, more atmosphere and more guts to the band's sound. While the songs are tougher and darker, the melodies are still rich and glorious. Though not as successful commercially as their debut, this final album from TPF clearly set the musical blueprint that Head would eventually follow when he formed Shack close to a decade later. 12 tracks including 'Shelter' and 'Jeans Not Happening'. EMI.