With the announcement earlier in the year of a first UK headline tour since 2009, the release of a long-overdue Greatest Hits compilation has been imminent. With 19 tracks (including two new songs), Good Souls: The Greatest Hits is released on September 18th.
Formed some 15 years ago, Starsailor released four albums selling in excess of three million copies, with the last being All The Plans, before going into hiatus back in 2009. Since then Starsailor’s lead singer and former choir boy James Walsh has kept himself busy releasing solo material with 2014’s terrific Turning Point reminding all of his talent.
In these days of 2 albums equating to the release of a Greatest Hits, Good Souls is a worthy addition to any collection, and title track ‘Good Souls’ opens the album. Not following the once popular chronological track-listing, Good Souls continues to go for the jugular from the off with their biggest two hits following in the shape of ‘Silence Is Easy’ and the numbing ‘Alcoholic’. These opening tracks alone remind everyone of the powerful emotional connection Starsailor established with their fan-base back in the early noughties and with the first of two new tracks, ‘Give Up The Ghost’ following, any debate regarding their current relevance is extinguished by the time the guitar solo kicks-in.
Front-man Walsh explains “’Give Up The Ghost’ came from the energy of being back together after so much time, it’s about not being ready to give up on something despite the challenges that you face.” The other new track is ‘Hold On’, a ballad that fizzles out without really going anywhere, “whoah, whoah, whoah”. That said, highpoints are aplenty with the infectious orchestra backed ‘Four To The Floor’ being a real stand-out. Back in the day, the track was massive, hitting number 1 in France with a dance version (also included) proving popular in Australia. ‘Poor Misguided Fool’ and ‘Lullaby’ highlight the vocal strength of Walsh and sound great vocally, with the guitar of James Stelfox adding to the magic.
‘Tie Up My Hands’ has a hypnotic groove to it while ‘In The Crossfire’ from the 2005 release On The Outside will appeal to many as the band turn up the guitars and take it up a notch. With 19 tracks this is exceptional value capturing the highpoints of Starsailor’s career to date, and with the tour just round the corner a great night out beckons.
Good Souls: The Greatest Hits is released on 18th September via Parlophone Records Ltd.
Bazza Mills
@bazzamills
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