... Love Is Here by Starsailor was released in the fall of 2001 and climbed the UK charts to reach it's peak position of #2. This success meant a lot of celebration for the band, and it was very well deserved.
Love Is Here fuses all the emotions of being in love, and the pain we feel when ... Read review
Love Is Here - Starsailor
Although Love Is Here, Starsailor's anxious, soulful folk and urban blues nuanced ... more
inaugural album will be less of a culture shock to any scene-follower who experienced, say, Tom McRae's debut from 2000, it will certainly jolt the core beliefs and commo...
Love Is Here - Starsailor
AlthoughLove Is Here, Starsailor's anxious, soulful folk and urban blues nuanced inaugural ... more
album will be less of a culture shock to any scene-follower who experienced, say, Tom McRae's debut from 2000, it will certainly jolt the core beliefs and common...
Alcoholic Poor Misguided Fool Fever Way To Fall Coming Down From A Whisper To A Scream She Just Wept Lullaby Some Of Us Talk Her Down Love Is Here Hot Burrito #2 Good Souls Born To Be With You Tie Up My Hands. Includes full live concerts 4 promo videos plus exclusive tour documentary.
the opening of the nearby Charnock Richard M6 motorway services in the 1960s. Like the aforementioned favourite resting point for Blackpool day-trippersLove Is Here (Live), will become a solid, long-stay favourite for fans. Recorded in November 2001, one month after the release of their debut album and while they were still being lauded as "the next big thing", the main feature is a live run through of the album. New composition "Some of Us" and the B-side "From a Whisper to a Scream" are also performed, along with versions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Elton John's "Rocket Man". The concert footage and the audio (Dolby 5.1) are of a high quality, and breakthrough tracks "Poor Misguided Fool" and "Alcoholic" sound stunning. The show is hampered, though, by the limited material the guys candraw upon, and Walsh's repetitive melancholic delivery of existing songs. What does become apparent is that after a couple more albums and a little more musical experimentation Starsailor are on course to be live giants.On the DVD:Love is Hereincludes a good Channel 4 documentary on the band. Three other documentaries are also incorporated (a tour featurette, the making of "Love is Here", as well as a short film on the recording of "Born Again"). The promo videos for Starsailor's first four singles ("Good Souls", "Alcoholic", "Lullaby" and "Poor Misguided Fool"), and acoustic versions of two tracks are also on the disc. Despite the varied mix, these extras only last a few minutes and vary in quality. However they can all be accessed easily via the stylish menus. --John Galilee
James Walsh Gets Rid of That Lump in His Throat...
A review by Arbobug on Love Is Here - Starsailor June 16th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Amazing song writing, and songs which will stay in your heart .
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It's a rare thing when a new band comes out with a debut album that makes you think "They are definitely going to be huge." Usually (And especially there days) a band will come out with an album which has a couple of good tunes and everyone thinks they are great. I'd like to take you back to a time, not too long ago, when good bands, were good bands. Love Is Here by Starsailor was released in the fall of 2001 and climbed the UK charts to reach it's peak position of #2. This success meant a lot of celebration for the band, and it was very well deserved.
Love Is Here fuses all the emotions of being in love, and the pain we feel when we love someone who we know in our hearts, will never love us back. This is deep song writing, and most of the album seems to be based around this theme, giving the whole album a very strong song writing edge. The lyrics are meaningful, and judging from the emotion in lead singer James Walsh’s voice, are also very personal. The music too, is very good; the band consists of guitars, bass, drums and piano, the standard rock band line-up, but it works very well. The soaring piano melodies create a musical fusion with the voice and acoustic guitar. The rhythm section work well enough together to give the music both melody and a driving force, full of feeling.
Singer James Walsh also has a unique voice - Something else which is quite rare these days. Trying to compare him to other singers is a very difficult task, Walsh has one of those voices which is instantly recognisable, as soon as you hear him singing, you know it’s Starsailor. If you had to compare Walsh to another singer, it would have to be REM’s Michael Stipe. Not because he sounds almost exactly like him, but because he has the same kind of voice as a famous person has a recognisable face.
The album art is thought-provoking. It’s a photograph of an old wooden train track at sunset. The person who took this photo is standing in the middle of the train track and when you look at the photo you seem to imagine that it is you walking along this track. Keeping this in mind you imagine that you walk on this path to clear your mind and think about things. This keeps with the theme of the album, because the person who is walking must be thinking about the problems he is having with love. Being in love with two people at the same time, and loving one of them who you know deep down, you can never be with.
Track one is called “Tie Up My Hands”. It begins with an atmospheric acoustic guitar and a bass drum keeping the beat. Walsh’s haunting voice comes in to sing of the woman who remains the theme of the album. The song continues to creepily build up into a more upbeat sound but never really taking off until the end of the song. The words “I wanna love you, but my hands are tied” remain the beginning of a triumphant chorus of heartbreaking vocals.
The next song is “Poor Misguided Fool”, and it seems to be more about the singer realising that he is wrong and he should try to bottle up these feelings, or throw them away. The piano is featured more prominently in this battle between two minds of the same person, debating about what to do with themselves. The electric guitar is also heard for the first time in the album, emphasising the burning urgent feeling to this song.
“Alcoholic” is next, and this one stops the album from being a concept album. The story to this one is about the singer’s father, who used to be an alcoholic, and that he might be turning the same way. The song is strangely structured into just one verse repeated three times throughout the whole song. Although this might still be related to the theme’s of the other songs, turning to alcoholism as a way of dealing with his love problems. The song is mostly piano and vocals, although drums and acoustic guitar are also featured.
The sweet sounding “Lullaby” is next. This is the first bright sounding song on the album, possibly a reminiscence of better times. The piano is again prominent throughout, and it’s a very nice sound this time instead of the darker piano of the previous tracks. The electric guitar plays nice little guitar fills over the distant rhythm of the acoustic guitar, then has a little solo towards the end, where Walsh shows off his higher range.
“Way To Fall” was used in the ending to popular video game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This one gets dark again, and seems to be another song where the singer is talking to himself. The excellent musicianship throughout the entire song gives this one a brilliant sound, keeping moody all the way through, as Walsh bellows that he has “Something is his throat”. Something he wishes to say, but just can’t. It’s easy to see why this was chosen for the ending to Metal Gear Solid 3, the mood throughout is very dramatic, and when it gets to the ending, it will leave the listener speechless yet wanting more. You will feel the hairs on your skin rise up upon listening to this.
Track six is called “Fever”, the next painful account of deep feelings which are hard to find the words to describe. This time, the singer is talking to the girl, but only in the chorus. The verses are full of the singer talking to himself again. This one really lets you know how he is feeling, the pain and anguish he feels about this woman. It sounds almost hopeless in the verse, to going quite angry in the chorus, sounding rebellious, and really giving off an impression.
“She Just Wept” is the most heartbreaking song on the album. It’s either about breaking up with someone to be with someone else, or that someone else having a conversation with the singer about how their feelings are mutual. There are dynamite lyrics in this song which make you almost put on his shoes, and become him, in his world of pain, where he doesn’t know how to approach the woman who is weeping. It features nothing much more than an acoustic guitar and vocals, with excellent use of organ sounds on a keyboard. The lyrics “Daddy I’ve got nothing left, my life is good, my love’s a mess” are a look back at “Alcoholic”. One can only presume that the singer’s father is dead, yet he is the one he looks to for help in his messed up love life.
The next song is called “Talk Her Down”. The album becomes more upbeat again, and more crying out for help, in a desperate state of mind. Again, this one sounds somewhat rebellious, as if he doesn’t like a particular decision that has been made. A great combination of the vocals, drums, and slightly different sounding piano, with trills and various ornaments to help set this song’s mood. This track gives the listener the feeling that Walsh is rising up and defending himself again.
“Love Is Here” is another particularly heartbreaking album, which sounds like the singers final attempt to reach out to the one he loves. The lyrics begin with “If you could see the lover in me…” and the chorus desperately asks “Can you feel it? Love is here…”. This track will take you into the singers world where he is lost in his emotions and feelings and not really trying to find a way out anymore, and settling for “What he’s got”. A simply amazing song, both lyrically and musically, this one will bring a tear to the more sentimental listener.
“Good Souls” will cheer you up again, because no matter how down you get, your friends are there to help and support you. This is one of those songs that feels like it is used near the end of the band’s gigs. After so much darkness and sorrow, things brighten up and we “Thank goodness for the good souls, that make life better”. This would be a very nice way to end the album, but it works just as well second to last, as the final track “Coming Down” feels more like a secret track. “Coming Down” is an acoustic song by the lead singer which features a perfect harmony of the whole band in the background. When the song ends, and the minutes keep counting, a secret track has one attempt at these backing vocals, where Walsh messed up and all he could do was laugh very loudly.
Altogether, Love Is Here is an absolutely beautiful album which will be listened to for many years to come. From start to finish, the album tells the tragic story of how the singer falls in love with two people at once, has to make a choice, but knows that either way, his choice will hurt people. Each song deals with a particular stage in this process, and I think that all of us have been in at least one situation that the singer describes in this album. The main focus of Love Is Here is definitely the amazing lyrics, but the musicality is brilliantly presented here too.
Every song is really good, and you don’t find that in most albums. The constant emotion that fills this album in each song is something hard to produce. Upon hearing, the listener is able to tell that there are no songs which have been thrown in simply to fill up the minutes of the album. Each and every song has been cleverly thought-out, and musically shaped into a beautiful piece of work. It’s hard to find a band like Starsailor, and although the two follow-ups aren’t as strong, Starsailor remain one of the finer bands of previous years.
Advantages: Something fresh,pure talent. Disadvantages: Maybe a little to sombre in parts for some.
...have made so far “ Love Is Here”, was released on October 8th 2001.
It debuted in the top 40 at a very respectable number 2 and would probably have made the top spot if Kylie hadn’t been around at the time!
LOVE IS HERE
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11 tracks in total, 11 tracks of hard hitting, nerve tingling, sombre, ecstatic emotions all rolled into one.
James Walsh has the voice of an Angel, pure, powerful and so very unique, his talent and style are ... ...course as it suggests a love song of sorts, a good solid track if you like ballads, but nothing out of the ordinary here and in fact I am actually quite surprised that it was the title track when something like “Fever” would have been far more suitable if you ask me!
It does have some excellent guitar solo’s in it from James and this probably makes up for some of it’s faults, however it certainly is a lot slower than most and quite a calm and soothing ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Top quality acoustic rock Disadvantages: None
...is a collection, not of love songs exactly, but of songs about love in all its forms. Starsailor are the musical equivalent of being softly spoken; all gentle melodies and soft bass, although the band does occasionally raise its voice to make a point as instruments burst from mere backing to take the fore. But make no mistake; the centrepiece of the music is very definitely Walsh’s vocal talent. What is less definite, is how to best describe ... ...best way I have of expressing myself”. Personally, I prefer to write for Ciao, but each to their own...
Track listing: Tie Up My Hands, Poor Misguided Fool, Alcoholic, Lullaby, Way to Fall, Fever, She Just Wept, Talk Her Down, Love Is Here, Good Souls, Coming Down ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Sublime lyrics and great musical performance all round Disadvantages: Why the silence and a pointless bit at the end, inlay could be better
Starsailor are a new band who seem to have come out of nowhere to become quite a success. This new album, ‘Love is Here’ must have helped promote them to stardom. This is there debut album and here is what I think of it.
~ History ~
Well not exactly long but I will try my best, being a new band and all. Ok then, Starsailor came into being (complete) at the beginning of 2000 with the arrival of the final band member Barry Westhead. During ... ...etc. As far as I am aware they performed at Glastonbury that year but facts aren’t very clear about that. After this they had record companies knocking at their door to get then to sign, after three months or so they finally signed with EMI: Chrysalis records then things really began to hot up, loads of tours and stuff eventually got them several top 20 singles early this year and then this album coming in at number 2 in the album charts. The ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: It's obvious big things are to come. Disadvantages: Not quite as great as it was made out to be,
...of this the debut album, Love is here. The band follow a similar sound to Coldplay with a calming, relaxing sound. However, the album is no where near as impressive as Parachutes, Coldplay’s debut offering but there are signs of big things to come from Starsailor. The album was finally released in October 2001 after 3 singles and spent weeks at number 1 on the album chart, whilst a year later it was still lingering near the bottom of the chart. This ... ...the album.
“I wanna love you but my hands are tied I wanna stay here but I've been denied”
The album opens with “Tie Up My Hands”, which is one of the first tracks I actually liked on the album. The guitar and drums come in from the beginning, with a slow beat building up slowly and fairy quietly. The guitar is probably the best part of this intro with the drum keeping the same beat throughout the song but the guitar varying it nicely. The vocals ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great music, they can actually play, superb vocals and lyrics, topped off with nice pianos and guitars Disadvantages: Hidden track (what is the point of them?)
Starsailor burst onto the music scene this year with a stunning debut album. From the moment it starts to the end of the 11 tracks the genius and talent of the boys is obvious. Each song could be a greatly successful single, their sound of soft lyrics, smooth guitars and pianos, pure vocals and all tied together with great melodies and a calm finish. Think I like this album. Your right then.
Starsailor are a relatively new band, the current form ... ...from the Northern town of Chorley, and comprise of four members. James Walsh is the lead singer, he is a terrific talent, producing smooth polished words to fill the album. Other band members are James Stelfox, Ben Bryne and Barry Waterhead. All songs were written by then band, and in the case of ‘Fever’ produced by them as well. The majority of the tracks though were produced by Steve Osborne. The album was released by Chrysalis and ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A great return, A less depressing sound, still same passion. Disadvantages: Too short.
...On the Outside shows just how great starsailor really are. The album repeats the passion that was present in their first album 'LoveisHere' but has given it a much more upbeat and rockier feel. This combined with some great vocals and original songwriting has made this album Starsailor's best album to date. Songs such as In The Crossfire, Counterfit Life, I Dont Know and Get Out While You Can, show just how much the band has matured and grown. This is a must have if you are a fan of Starsailor's previous albums. However just like the album 'Silence is Easy,' On The Outside is over to quickly with only 11 tracks and the album is less than 40min. Just one or two tracks more woud have made it much better. One of the must have albums of 05....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: The return of pianos and reassuring lyrics Disadvantages: None
...Forgothissurname. Full of weeping strings and mournful acoustic guitars together with the crumbly voice akin to Tom of Keane, this is a nice way to get to know Turin Brakes. Check out the 2003 follow-up, Ether Song, for more of the same.
Most Keane-like moment: "Save Me"
Puressence: "Only Forever" (1998)
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Indie also-rans with an ear for a melancholic drama. Most notable for the disturbing vocal similarity and soaring, epic choruses, there's not a dry eye in the house when he sings: "I lay back watching football/with no interest at all/why can't I just ever see things through?" They resurfaced in 2003 with the equally impressive Planet Helpless LP.
Most Keane-like moment: "All I Want"
Starsailor: "LoveIsHere" (2001)
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Half of the band are called James...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Album Notes: Starsailor: James Walsh, James Stelfox, Ben Bryne, Barry Westhead. Despite their enormous success in their native England and their inroads into the US market, Starsailor defies expectations at every turn. While the group takes its name from one of Tim Buckley's most experimental albums, there's nothing remotely Buckley-like or experimental about their sound. And though the quartet is often lumped in with Britpoppers, they share neither the laddish anthems and Beatles obsessions of Oasis nor the friendly pop sensibilities of Travis and Coldplay. Instead, Starsailor offers a moody brand of folk-rock that brings late-period Cat Stevens to mind more than any of the band's contemporaries. With a chiming, organic mix of electric and acoustic guitars and '70s-sounding keyboards, LOVE IS HERE takes the listener through an often angst-ridden series of emotional extremes while never becoming too sonically taxing.
Album Reviews: NME (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #5 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001" Entertainment Weekly (12/20-27/02, p.126) - Ranked #3 on EW's list of 2002's "Albums of the Year" - "...The most beautifully intense of this year's nonstop parade of British guitar bands..." Rolling Stone (1/17/02, p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...[They] show a flair for melodramatic modern rock....decidedly British, balancing fey shoegazer misery and sunny acoustic-guitar strumming..." Alternative Press (2/02, p.80) - 8 out of 10 - "...Taking its cues from straightforward rock'n'roll...there's nothing fancy or flashy about Starsailor, but LOVE IS HERE definitely does the trick." Uncut (11/01, p.112) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "...A stream of aching, acoustic-based songs of strife and suffering....It's that voice which ups the ante..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Tie Up My Hands
2.: Poor Misguided Fool
3.: Alcoholic
4.: Lullaby
5.: Way To Fall
6.: Fever
7.: She Just Wept
8.: Talk Her Down
9.: Love Is Here
10.: Good Souls
11.: Coming Down
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Listed on Ciao since : 17/10/2001
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