Search - Starsailor :: Silence Is Easy

Silence Is Easy
Starsailor
Silence Is Easy
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

Awash in the same Britpop romanticism of their debut Love Is Here, Starsailor's Silence Is Easy strains with the weight of the band's next-big-thing status. In response to the clamor anointing them as the next Verve or Col...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Starsailor
Title: Silence Is Easy
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Capitol
Release Date: 1/27/2004
Album Type: Enhanced, Extra tracks
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, British Alternative
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 724359000701

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Awash in the same Britpop romanticism of their debut Love Is Here, Starsailor's Silence Is Easy strains with the weight of the band's next-big-thing status. In response to the clamor anointing them as the next Verve or Coldplay, Starsailor try to meet the expectations with sheer weight of conviction. They even lured legendary producer Phil Spector out of retirement to boost their sound into new realms of lovelorn sincerity. Occasionally, it works; "Music Was Saved" opens with a burst of sunny, Echo and the Bunnymen-like pop, as singer James Walsh sweetly layers his delicate voice through a brisk, catchy chorus. Also impressive is the title track, thick with tender emoting and soaring melodies. Too often though, the band gets stuck in syrupy sentiment, like a cover band playing to the cheap seats. Ballads like "White Dove" try for melancholy allure, but come closer to maudlin excess while emphasizing Walsh's lack of dynamic range. This may not be the big "statement" record they tried for, but getting the attempt out of their system will hopefully allow them to relax and tap their considerable pop savvy in the future. --Matthew Cooke

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CD Reviews

One Step Forward; One Step Back
Ari Weiss | Jericho, NY United States | 05/22/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think Silence Is Easy is a very good album. However, as with the last, I feel there is something missing. This time, it is not a lack of tightness or energy by any means. I feel that just when they've rid themselves of one major problem, they've come upon another, sadly.



Whereas Love Is Here felt like it had shoddy production that couldn't capture the vibrant beauty and spirit of the songs, Silence Is Easy's vibrancy and spirit come from the skillful production and not necessarily the songs. This makes for a more listenable album than the last, I would have to admit. It holds your attention, just not for as long as a Starsailor album should I think. Love Is Here had me enthralled at their shows, but listening on my player left a pervasive emptiness.



Music Was Saved is a brilliant opener, Silence Is Easy is a noteworthy title track, and Four To The Floor would be my favorite if not for its dance remix feeling cooler than the original...



All in all, I feel this was a step in the right direction. I enjoy each and every song. And now I know they are capable of a studio album that does justice to the excellent songwriting of the band. I will just be keeping my fingers crossed that the next time around, the songwriting will be as inspired and excellent as Love Is Here, with the forcefulness and intensity of Silence Is Easy."
Underrated and overlooked sophomore album
Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 06/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Starsailor blasted onto the music scene with their 2002 debut album "Love Is Here", which even made some waves in the US, and their follow-up album was hotly anticipated.



"Silence Is Easy" (11 tracks, plus 2 bonus tracks, 47 min.) came out in 2004 and has largely been ignored in the US, regretably so. It is a better album that "Love Is Here", showing main song writer and lead vocalist James Walsh has matured. The album blasts off with "Music Was Saved", one of the better songs on the album. The other stand-out track is "Four To The Floor", an irresistable hum-along "disco" song that, say, George Michael wish he could make these days, just great. Also great is "Born Again", the next track. The album has 2 bonus tracks only available on the US edition, and they are good, although non essential.



The album is now also famous for having 2 tracks produced by Phil Spector (the title track, and "White Dove"), his last work before getting engulfed in the murder trial he's now facing. That aside, this album is a great listen all the way through, although it hasn't gotten the attention of US audiences... Starsailor is a band to be watched, for sure. Can't wait for what these guys will bring next!"