Emerging from Leeds in the late 80's, the Pale Saints were another band of 4AD hopefuls. 'The Comforts Of Madness' is considered the best by many of their fans but in reality it lacks the depth and tunes of the second album. Ian Master's voice is a little too weak to support the guitar work on offer although the melodies certainly win through on 'You Tear The World In Two' and 'Little Hammer', elsewhere though there are moments but a lot of it sounds like generic indie fodder. The second album arrived two years later in 1992 and vocal duties were now shared between Masters and new member Meriel Barham and despite an indifferent start on the first two tracks there is quality right up until the end of the album. Slow-burning misery and mystery is very much the order of the day on 'Shell', 'Liquid' and 'Hair Shoes' but there are also delightful grunge-pop songs in evidence such as 'Babymaker' and 'A Thousand Stars Burst Open'. Masters left before the final album was recorded, 1994's 'Slow Buildings'.