Michael Head - Profile
by Keith How
published: 22 / 7 / 2015

intro
Megaphone Records re-issue the acclaimed 1997 masterpiece, 'The Magical World of the Strands', by Michael Head and the Strands. Keith How re-discovers its magic and 'The Olde World', an accompanying release of new recordings.
When it was originally released in 1997 'The Magical World of the Strands' took my breath away and was acclaimed as a masterpiece by those in the know. Yet somehow it slipped under the radar. With this re-release, it becomes clear that the word timeless does indeed apply to this album, which seems to have matured with age. A product of Pale Fountains and Shack songwriter Michael Head, 'The Magical World...' is indeed a wonderful creation. The powerful, pastoral aesthetic that pervades these compositions has the power to soothe the angry beast and transport the listener to the hazy and idyllic summers of the mid 1960s with a wistful and beautiful vibe. The history of this legendary album is entwined with Head’s fractured past, his heroin problems and his infatuation with the music of Arthur Lee’s Love. 'Queen Matilda' sets the scene and the listener is immediately engaged. References to Nick Drake or early Van Morrison might give an indication of the kind of territory that we might be heading towards, but comparisons and references do not really apply here. Head invites us to “Come on get in” on 'Something Like You', with its swirling strings and aching vocals. How can you resist? This is really an album of unblemished quality, song after song envelope you like long lost friends. The restrained and fluid feel to the album continues with 'X Hits the Spot' with some lovely Byrds–ish guitar while 'Harvest Time' heralds in the desolate and fragile 'Loaded Man'. 'The Magical World...' is a timely re-issue. If you missed it first time around in 1997, now is the time to take the trip. The new edition is sumptuous, with a 20 page booklet and liner notes by Michael Head. Accompanying 'The Magical World...', Megaphone also release 'The Olde World' which is really the Holy Grail for Head completists. Constructed from rough sketches and mixes, 'The Old World' is the perfect companion to the original and includes a string quartet instrumental version of the enigmatic 'Something Like You' and three unreleased songs - 'Poor Jill', 'Wrapped up in Honour',which is a wistful psychedelic beauty, and the jaunty title track “Olde World”. All these wonderful visions come from Michael Head’s Liverpool bedroom window, but somehow to look out over Arthur Lee’s heady landscape of the LA canyons. I simply cannot recommend these recordings highly enough.
Band Links:-
http://www.michaelhead.net/https://www.facebook.com/redelastic
https://mobile.twitter.com/michael_head_
Picture Gallery:-


most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Allan Clarke - Interview
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart