Review: Starsailor - All The Plans

Since Starsailor first burst into the mainstream in 2001, most famously declaring 'Your daddy was an alcoholic,' singer James Walsh's voice  has become an immediately recognisable part of the UK music scene. Now on their 4th album, returning after a considerable break, the best new band to come out of deepest, darkest Lancashire this decade are back with 'All The Plans', another brilliant slice of indie pop realism.

Having moved record labels and inspired by all the 'rights and wrongs' they've experienced in the last few years, lead single "Tell Me It's Not Over" showcases compelling harmonies and an emotive vocal that sizzles with passion. Reminiscent of Coldplay's "The Hardest Part", it's just as epic and makes a strong impression as the album's opening track.  'All The Plans' and the yearning 'Boy In Waiting' have a similarly epic quality and capture that essential festival anthem spirit with hints of Oasis creeping into James Stelfox's bassline on the title track.

Equally there's a honesty in Walsh's voice that makes the gorgeous 'The Thames' feel like a genuine insight into his broken heart.  Despite sounding like it could soundtrack a Western, were it an instrumental, lyrics like 'the birds & the bees, the leaves on the trees, die all at once, now that you're gone', coupled with a compelling belief that his girl will one day be back in his arms, crackle with heartbreak.

Starsailor have unfairly become a band most people sneer at but "All The Plans" has recaptured that special something that made debut album "Love Is Here" so exciting. Whether it's too late to change people's opinions remains to be seen, but were we not so bothered by the 'cool' factor, there's no doubt the songs on this album show an anthemic return to form.