Well it has actually been a very long time since I developed had any real serious addiction to any one particular band, I tend to like allsorts really and not have any real favourites, however this all changed a while ago..

Starsailor are the band in question, I expect a lot of you have not heard of them or don’t know a lot about them, so I will try and enlighten you a little with this opinion.

With only one album to date, they are a band that I feel are far to underrated, a band bursting with something fresh to offer the music scene, a band that has actually got talent bursting at the seams…

GROUP FACTS
¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤¤•¤

Starsailor are a relative newcomer to the music scene and comprise of 4 members, the band was named after a Tim Buckley album.

It was actually Jeff Buckley’s album Grace that we have to thank for Starsailor being around today, as singer/songwriter James the front man with the band only decided to pursue a career in music after being moved and inspired by Buckley.

The actual band itself didn’t really take off till 2001when they were soon becoming noticed and were snapped up by EMI, there then followed a huge interest in their unique style and the sheer talent of James Walsh.

From there onwards things soon took off for Starsailor with many appearances round the country, to festivals and TV appearances.

BAND MEMBERS
¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤¤•¤

James Walsh 21 (vocalist, lyricist and guitarist)
James Stelfox 25 (Bass)
Ben Byrne 25 (drums)
Barry Westwood 25 (keyboards)

Now with their feet firmly under the table there had to be of course an album release, the Debut and to date the only one they 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
¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤¤•¤

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 incredibly hard to fault in any way, this gives the album that something fresh and his overall versatility all round is pretty impressive I can tell you.

•~ 1.TIE UP MY HANDS (5.46) •~

Quite a mellow song to begin with, heavily peppered with acoustic guitars, this could almost lure you into thinking it was a ballad at first, but it picks up gently to be quite catchy and gives more of a heavier feel later on in the track.

A lovely album opener but not one that really gives James a chance to show us what he’s made of….. 8/10

•~2.POOR MISGUIDED FOOL (3.50) •~

Probably the most “bouncy” track on the album if you can call it that, despite the sombre lyrics this song will have you singing along in no time, its up tempo, catchy and is a lot more likely to appeal to any of you that have never heard this band than the other tracks.

An excellent mixture of vocals and backing give this one just the right balance. This was released as a single in March 2002 and made 23 in the charts… 9/10

•~3.ALCHOHOLIC ( 2.54) •~

One of the “spotlight” James Walsh songs here and probably the one most people will actually remember them for with it’s hard-hitting title and lyrics, it does actually start quite slowly but gradually builds up into something big.

No mass backing here but this allows James to give it his best shot and that he does admirably. Full of variation vocal wise, his voice full of emotion, and sung from the heart, he certainly carries this one off. This track was a single 17th September 2001 and made number 10…..9/10

•~4.LULLABY (4.10) •~

This particular track is one of the weakest links as far as I’m concerned, it is a sort of mix and match style wise and doesn’t really take off at all, you seem to get through it still waiting for more from it.

Yes it has powerful lyrics and of course excellent vocals but even this can’t save it, released as a single 10th December 2001 it only managed to make 36, no surprise there!…5/10

•~5.WAY TO FALL (4.28) •~

Now your talking class, a track that starts off misleading you into thinking it’s another slow ballad, but one full of surprises, the vocals on this particular track are absolutely faultless, they are charged with emotion and this comes through while you listen to it.

It will send shivers down your spine, so don’t be fooled by the beginning, this is sheer excellence and will leave you thinking wow….

James range of vocals on this one really give him a good work out, he switches with amazing ease from almost a whisper to belting out the harder, heavier parts, a track that builds up into a crescendo and one that will whirl its way into your soul…10/10

•~6.FEVER (4.01) •~

Lets stop with the class tracks and have another, Fever has aptly become Starsailors anthem, indeed it is worthy of such a title and it has the marching feel courtesy of heavy drum features, yes you really could march round singing this one if you wanted to!.

Again with the trademark sombre lyrics but by no means a sombre song, uplifting with a chorus that demands James Walsh gives it his all, and that he does.

If any of you saw Glastonbury you would have seen them perform this live and you would have also seen just how easy James made it look and just how note perfect he was too live.

This was the first release from the album on February 5th 2001and made 18…. 10/10

•~7. SHE JUST WEPT (4.09) •~

Quite this is what I want to do when I hear this song, sorry but this is the weakest link of the album, wishy washy depressing lyrics make this ballad one to avoid for me,for those who like gentle ballads than this could be your thing but for me not even James wonderful voice can save this one..sorry! 3/10

•~8.TALK HER DOWN (4.09) •~

Lets get back to business and liven the joint up a bit with this one, very different indeed and the background piano sounds like something from a Saloon or a cocktail piano, a very up-tempo song indeed and packs a powerful punch.

A perfect combination of strong vocals, piano and drums give it everything it needs to get you going….. 10/10

•~9.LOVE IS HERE (4.39) •~

The albums title track and of 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 track….. 7/10

•~10.GOOD SOULS (4.52) •~

Another early single release and this one is the only track that for me contains hints of Oasis, mainly in the backing of the track.

Quite a cheerful happy little number and again James manages to get over the “happy” feel via the mellow calm emotions in his voice..how does he do that?,lol
A lot lighter and easy going than some of the songs, particularly good for any who have not heard a lot of the bands stuff before.

Overall an excellent track, ideal as a single and was released 23rd April 2001 and made number 12…..9/10

•~11.COMING DOWN•~

Last but by no means least. This track will make you go funny inside and grab your heart and twist it round, this one is absolutely pure heaven.

Ironic that this track is more of a solo for James and done in almost an MTV unplugged style, mainly just James and his guitar, its fairly simple but requires a hell of a lot of input vocal wise.

Quite sad in its lyrical content but it is a complete must in order for anyone to appreciate his true talents.
The chorus is a belter and remember he has basically no backing, it will leave the hairs on your neck standing up as you are totally stunned by the power and emotion of his voice.

I also saw him do this alone at Glastonbury in the studio tent and I was totally amazed that he carried it off without a falter and you really couldn’t tell the difference form the CD, top class all-round….One I recommend yo give a listen to...10/10 and the top pick o the CD..

TO SUM UP
¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤¤•¤

So there you have it, quite a hard album to actually pick apart and review, in fact hard to actually get across just how excellent this actually is…

The key factor to my addiction to this band is that they are different, not only do they have real talent and can actually perform and sing as well live as they do on CD.

The bands sound is something totally fresh, you certainly couldn’t mistake James Walsh’s voice believe me, this and the fact he not only writes all the songs but plays the guitar as well as singing makes him outstanding.

James who is only of 21 manages to carry all this off in such a mature way that most people are stunned when they find out he’s only 21, he does actually look older I admit.

He also has that “likeable” look about him, he’s pretty soft to look at and certainly not bad looking either, one you can certainly watch and take to with ease., more of the untainted boy next door look..

Back to the lyrics and these are just amazing for someone so young, deep and meaningful and so well thought out it makes you wonder how he does it.

I feel he would do exceptionally well as a solo singer, credit to the other 3 members they compliment James perfectly but then again as he does most of the things himself he really could manage alone if need be.

His main attributes are his versatile approach to styles of songs, James isn’t afraid to tackle anything and make it sound good; he has been known to sit and do a solo acoustic version of S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Moving and did a very good cover of it too!

There are so many new bands around these days that are ten- a -penny, they all sound alike and very few have really put their heart and soul into the music they produce, James Walsh is the exception, in my opinion he has far more talent than say Oasis and a few more I could mention.

It just seems a shame that somehow they never actually get the credit or attention that other bands do, but this could change I suppose and I hope it does, as they certainly deserve it.

A brilliant masterpiece of a first album, here’s hoping the second can match it at least, a hard one to follow with so many excellent tracks in it but I have faith Mr Walsh will come up trumps and only get better.
Lets hope Starsailor are along for a very long time and all I can say is roll on album number 2 and the next tour…

For those who want to check them out go to:
www.starsailor.net, and you can even listen to selected tracks here too.

© Ana 2002-07-07