Starsailor (EMI) Is it original? At first listen, the answer seems a resounding no. Hot on the heels of Coldplay, comes another young British four-piece gnawing on the bones of the Verve, this time seasoned with a bit of Tim Buckley-inspired romanticism and a few Neil Young licks. But the question gradually becomes irrelevant, for despite the optimistic title this is slow-burning, melancholic music that forges its own identity due to the sheer emotional depth involved. The angelic voice of singer James Walsh is perhaps the band's strongest weapon, and it is put to good use on thoughtful, often moving lyrics, such as telling a friend on Alcoholic, 'Don't you know you've got your Daddy's eyes/And Daddy was an alcoholic'. Tender sides are found on the title track and dreamy Lullaby, while the pacy Fever and hero-homage Good Souls show a band oozing with confidence. Thankfully though, the lyrics and overall mood of the album remain downbeat enough to avoid anthemic cliches.
