Love Is Here

by

Starsailor

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After a strong start in their native UK, Wigan band Starsailor release their debut in the US...and it was well worth the wait. Beginning with the captivating "Tie Up My Hands," Love Is Here is an impressive collection of emotionally-driven songs about loss and hope. Musically, it is filled with catchy folk/indie melodies that are sure to appeal to fans of Coldplay, Travis, Tom McRae, Neil Young, Turin Brakes, Doves, and the Verve.

The strength of the albums lies a great deal in singer/guitarist James Walsh distinctive voice. Very few singers have the ability to convey such depth and emotion as Walsh's, which is particularly evident on the more acoustic-based tracks, "She Just Wept" and "Coming Down." While his style is reminiscent of Tim & Jeff Buckley meets Richard Ashcroft, Walsh is a standout because of how he much he constantly sings from the heart. It's quite breathtaking. Also, an equal amount of credit for Starsailor's musical accomplishments has to go to keyboardist Barry Westhead. His contributions lend a great deal of texture to the songs, especially during "Fever" and "Talk Her Down."

If Love Is Here is any indication, Starsailor is sure to be a band that will go far and I look forward to hearing more of their music in the future.

Starsailor has been tabbed the next Radiohead and the next Coldplay, but on the other hand they've also been called the UK's answer to the Goo Goo Dolls. In reality, their talent probably lies somewhere in between. Fronted by singer James Walsh (an ironic name since perhaps the band they most resemble is the UK's own James), Starsailor is ostensibly a vehicle for Walsh to display his lyrical and vocal talent, yet the album's MVP is keyboardist Barry Westhead. Ironically, Westhead was the last member of the band to join yet he is the one who places his stamp all over Love Is Here. The album's second US single, "Poor Misguided Fool," is driven by Westhead's piano and Walsh's acoustic guitar. "Fever" includes feverish keyboards, and "Talk Her Down" employs a piano break that wouldn't be out of place in an old, western saloon. Walsh himself has been compared to Jeff Buckley with respect to his songwriting talent, yet some of his lyrics (especially in first single "Good Souls") tend to be on the sappy and cliched side. There are gems to be found, however. "Tie Up My Hands" is a moody opener to the album, with more stellar keyboard work from Westhead and acoustic guitar from Walsh. "She Just Wept" ups the mood ante with perhaps Walsh's best lyrics on the album, "Daddy I've got nothing left/ My life is good, my love's a mess." The track has a very introspective and eerie feel, and it fits well with "Fever" and the title track, "Love Is Here." Although the hype that has showered the band thus far may be a bit much, Starsailor has provided enough evidence on Love Is Here to suggest that they may someday live up to the lofty standards that have been set for them.