Albums by underrated artists that helped to shape my life.

1) PALE SAINTS - "In Ribbons" (p) 4AD records 1992


Pale Saints were formed in Leeds in 1987 by singer/bassist Ian Masters, guitarist Graeme Naysmith and drummer Chris Cooper. The trio's debut album, The Comforts Of Madness(1990), was 4AD's first of the decade. Later in the year, the band returned with the Half-Life EP, which saw them expand to a quartet with the addition of Australian born singer/guitarist Meriel Barham. In 1991, the group toured with fellow 4AD band The Pixies and cut a new EP, Flesh Balloon. Produced by Hugh Jones, it featured a dreamy version of Nancy Sinatra's "Kinky Love". This song was especially well received and got some chart exposure and airplay on the UK charts and in Europe especially.

Pale Saints' second album,In Ribbons, also produced by Jones, came out the following year. This album in my eyes, is one of the finest alternative albums ever released. It has the twin threat of Masters and Barham's beautiful singing voices (the only album of the 3 to feature both) and has such a beautiful ethereal quality to it. The musicianship paints a whole collage of sound. For me, this is the ultimate 'shoegazing' CD. I was also away at University just about to commence on my 2nd year studies and this CD was a precious and inspiring album to me. In Ribbonshowever, did not quite manage to ride the coat-tails of The Flesh balloon EP (featuring Kinky Love) and sales were less than they should have been, in spite of a wealth of amazing tracks. 4AD's insistence on EP releases and minimal marketing certainly affected Pale Saints, while lesser bands such as Lush and Slowdive were picking up the reputations and sales. The album's title hinted at internal tensions and co-frontman Masters decided to quit the band. Pale Saints added bassist/vocalist Colleen Browne to the line-up and released their final album, Slow Buildings, in 1994. Although 'Fine Friend' was a modestly successful single, the album did not sell well and the band eventually split in 1996.

Now watch these fine Youtube videos and realize how talented and underrated this fine group actually were !

1) The Sight Of You 1990 (from the Comforts Of Madness album) - a little background on the band when they were still a trio with Ian Masters as the sole vocalist. There are some commentators who regard 'Comforts...' as Pale Saints best work, but although I like it, I give that award to 'In Ribbons'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdxFBl_7SSU&mode=related&search

2) Kinky Love (Flesh Balloon EP) 1991 - Meriel Barham's voice just takes me away to serenity on this cover of the Nancy Sinatra song (done shoegazing stylee) - another mistake - this song was successful but was not included on 'In Ribbons' which was a dumb mistake from 4AD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZBilrMCrPU

3) Throwing Back The Apple 1992- later released as a single, a beautiful track which features Ian Masters on vocal but with blended background harmonies by Meriel and some sweet guitar playing, the opening track on 'In Ribbons'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L4s00Fa2Hg&mode=related&search=

4) Blue Flower 1992 - A cover of Mazzy Star's hit song from 1990 also featured on 'In Ribbons' (USA version and rereleases only) sang by Meriel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K583GJMbm8

5) A Thousand Stars Burst Open 1992- *incorrectly titled as 'Featherframe on the credit* A lasting tribute to Ian Masters vocal and poetry skills, the last track on 'In Ribbons' is a real shoegazing masterpiece with the 'wall of sound'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef-vBb_sitI