Alternative 4 (album)
Encyclopedia
Alternative 4 is an album
by the British
band Anathema
. It was released on June 22, 1998 through Peaceville Records
. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental
, depressing and atmospheric.
The title of the album is derived from Leslie Watkins' book entitled Alternative 3. Bassist and main composer Duncan Patterson
had read it a few years before they wrote the album. The book is about conspiracy theories
, and most songs on Alternative 4 are about trust. Patterson is now playing in a band with same title, and the songs are based on similar themes.
Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue:
All of the bonus tracks are Pink Floyd
covers, with the exception of the Bad Religion
cover, 'Better Off Dead'.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band Anathema
Anathema (band)
Anathema are an English band from Liverpool primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock, progressive rock, art rock, new prog, and post-rock.-History:Anathema...
. It was released on June 22, 1998 through Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
, depressing and atmospheric.
The title of the album is derived from Leslie Watkins' book entitled Alternative 3. Bassist and main composer Duncan Patterson
Duncan Patterson
Duncan Patterson is a Liverpool born musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema and Antimatter .-Career:...
had read it a few years before they wrote the album. The book is about conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
, and most songs on Alternative 4 are about trust. Patterson is now playing in a band with same title, and the songs are based on similar themes.
Track listing
- "Shroud of False" (Duncan PattersonDuncan PattersonDuncan Patterson is a Liverpool born musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema and Antimatter .-Career:...
) – 1:37 - "Fragile Dreams" (Daniel CavanaghDaniel CavanaghDaniel Cavanagh is an English guitarist and singer who formed the British band Anathema in 1990 with his brother Vincent Cavanagh...
) – 5:32 - "Empty" (Patterson) – 3:00
- "Lost Control" (Patterson) – 5:50
- "Re-Connect" (Vincent CavanaghVincent CavanaghVincent Cavanagh is an English singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of British art rock band Anathema. Vincent took over as Anathema's vocalist following the departure of Darren "Daz" White from the group after the Pentecost III EP...
) – 3:52 - "Inner Silence" (D. Cavanagh) – 3:09
- (End of this song consists of 27 seconds of silence)
- "Alternative 4" (Patterson) – 6:18
- "Regret" (D. Cavanagh) – 7:58
- "Feel" (Patterson) – 5:28
- "Destiny" (Patterson) – 2:14
Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue:
- "Your Possible PastsYour Possible Pasts"Your Possible Pasts" is a song from Pink Floyd's 1983 album, The Final Cut. It has never been performed live, but lyrics from the chorus are featured in The Wall film, along with lyrics from "5:11 AM " from The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking...
" - 4:28 - "One of the Few" - 1:51
- "Better Off Dead" - 4:22
- "Goodbye Cruel World" - 1:40
All of the bonus tracks are Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
covers, with the exception of the Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
cover, 'Better Off Dead'.
Credits
- Vincent CavanaghVincent CavanaghVincent Cavanagh is an English singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of British art rock band Anathema. Vincent took over as Anathema's vocalist following the departure of Darren "Daz" White from the group after the Pentecost III EP...
— vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Daniel CavanaghDaniel CavanaghDaniel Cavanagh is an English guitarist and singer who formed the British band Anathema in 1990 with his brother Vincent Cavanagh...
— GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Duncan PattersonDuncan PattersonDuncan Patterson is a Liverpool born musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema and Antimatter .-Career:...
— Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Shaun SteelsShaun SteelsShaun Steels is a British rock drummer and bassist.He replaced Bill Law in My Dying Bride, and once was a member of Anathema...
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - George Ricci — ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
- Andy Duncan — Drum loops on "Empty"