Starsailor - On The Outside

Starsailor - On The Outside

This third release from Starsailor sees the band finally establishing a personalised style to their music. Whilst the first drew comparisons to another UK band - Coldplay -, the second saw the band try a little too hard to break away from the stereotype. This resulted in a messy effort which failed as an album.

Back to the present, "On The Outside" is a tighter offering - from the driving first single "In The Crossfire" to the Bon Jovi sounding "Faith Hope Love" to the second single "This Time". The only let down, like in the previous two albums is the lack of consistency throughout the album. Still, this is an enjoyable effort filled with lots of potential indie anthems.

Rating: 7 (out of 10)
Reviewed by: addy

For full tracklisting and samples: Click Here

Eminem - Curtain Call

Eminem - Curtain Call

Dubbed as Eminem's final bow before he retires, this compilation serves as a reminder of the evil genius that is Marshall Mathers. Spanning 17 tracks and covering all four of his albums, all his hits from "The Real Slim Shady", "Stan", "Lose Yourself" to "Like Toy Soldiers" are included in here. Though some of the Spice Girls and Christina Aguilera jokes may be a little outdated, it doesn't really spoil the ingenuity of his music. The only drawback here is perhaps the exclusion of the anti-Bush anthem "Mosh" and the extra-ordinary choice to include the bonus track, "Stan (live with Elton John)". We all know that Sir Elton is very capable at crossing genres (AND genders for that matter!) but even stuck right at the last track, he just seems out of place on this otherwise wonderful compilation.

Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Reviewed by: addy

For full tracklisting: Click Here

Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales

Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales

If you are into jazz or chill out music, do check out Jamie Cullum's new album. Besides his own songs and jazz standards, Cullum does a cover of another indie song - as he did with Radiohead's High And Dry on his very first album. This time it is the Doves' Catch The Sun. The album also features a range of collaborators from Dan The Automator (of Gorillaz) to Guy Chambers (who co-wrote most of Robbie Williams' better songs) to another one of my favourite singer-songwriters, Ed Harcourt. Despite Cullum's obviously wide musical influences, the album is tight without sounding too polished.

Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Reviewed by: addy

For full tracklisting and samples: Click Here

AltereD! - Online

Finally AltereD! (previously known as Get AltereD!) gets online. It took quite a long time but now that i've set up this site, hopefully i will have time, energy and motivation to sustain it. Anyone who wants to contribute to the site can email me at adored_10@yahoo.co.uk. Those who want to be notified when the site is updated with new reviews can drop a comment or email me as well. Thank you and enjoy the music!

Cheers!
addy