The Pale Fountains were formed in Liverpool in 1980 by Mick (as he was then known) Head with Chris McCaffery on bass, Thomas Whelan on drums, trumpeter Andy Diagram and guitarist Ken Moss. Signing with Virgin in late 1982, this was the first time the music world became aware of the work of singer-songwriter Michael Head. 1985's '...From Across the Kitchen Table' was produced by Ian Broudie, soon to form and redefne sugarpop with The Lightning Seeds. The album is more unified than its predecessor as it was recorded over a shorter period of time. Lead single 'Jean's Not Happening' is one of the great lost indie gems of the '80s, complete with a powerful string arrangement. The closing song, 'September Sting', is a joyous slice of scouse-abilly that points the way clearly to later groups such as The La's. Near four decades later, Michael Head is adored by his hardcore following and the wider world freshly discovers him as each of his new releases achieves widescale acclaim, whether it be his subsequent band, Shack, or his current outft, the Red Elastic Band. But The Pale Fountains was where it all began.
Track Listing:
1. Shelter - The Pale Fountains
2. Stole the Love - The Pale Fountains
3. Jean's Not Happening - The Pale Fountains
4. Bicycle Thieves - The Pale Fountains
5. Limit - The Pale Fountains
6. 27 Ways to Get Back Home - The Pale Fountains
7. Bruised Arcade - The Pale Fountains
8. These Are the Things - The Pale Fountains
9. It's Only Hard - The Pale Fountains
10. ...From Across the Kitchen Table - The Pale Fountains
11. Hey - The Pale Fountains
12. September Sting - The Pale Fountains
Year of Production: 1985
