Alternative 4 (album)

Alternative 4
Studio album by Anathema
Released	22 June 1998
Recorded	January -- February 1998, at the Windings
Genre	Progressive rock, new prog, alternative rock, alternative metal
Length	44:58
Label	Peaceville Records
Producer	Kit Woolven
Anathema chronology
Eternity (1996) Alternative 4 (1998) Judgement (1999)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Sputnikmusic	[2]
Silencio Hungary	[3]

Alternative 4 is the fourth album by the British rock band Anathema. It was released on 22 June 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 co-principle songwriter 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.

It is the last album with Patterson, and also the only album released without John Douglas on drums. He was replaced by Shaun Steels in 1997 but returned in 1998.

Track listing

1. "Shroud of False" (Patterson) – 1:37
2. "Fragile Dreams" (V. Cavanagh) – 5:32
3. "Empty" (Patterson) – 3:00
4. "Lost Control" (Patterson) – 5:50
5. "Re-Connect" (V. Cavanagh) – 3:52
6. "Inner Silence" (D. Cavanagh) – 3:09
   • (End of this song consists of 27 seconds of silence)
7. "Alternative 4" (Patterson) – 6:18
8. "Regret" (D. Cavanagh) – 7:58
9. "Feel" (Patterson) – 5:28
10. "Destiny" (Patterson) – 2:14

Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue

1. "Your Possible Pasts" (Roger Waters) - 4:28
2. "One of the Few" (Waters) - 1:51
3. "Better Off Dead" (Brett Gurewitz) - 4:22
4. "Goodbye Cruel World" (Waters) - 1:40

All of the bonus tracks are Pink Floyd covers, with the exception of the Bad Religion cover, 'Better Off Dead'.

Credits

• Daniel Cavanagh — guitar, piano, keyboards
• Vincent Cavanagh — vocals, guitar
• Duncan Patterson — bass guitar, piano
• Shaun Steels — drums

Additional personnel

• Andy Duncan — drum loops on "Empty"
• George Ricci — violin

References