“Where The Wild Things Grow,” the new album by Starsailor, produced by Rick McNamara, stands as a modern marvel. If you doubt this claim, consider my high regard for recordings by Nick Drake, Teenage Fanclub, and Tim Buckley, along with traditional wonders like the Great Wall of China. This album’s effortless charm might make you believe it has always been part of your collection, although Starsailor’s long history of brilliant records justifies such confusion.
Formed in Wigan at the turn of the millennium, Starsailor comprises James Walsh (guitar, vocals), James Stelfox (bass), Barry Westhead (keyboards), and Ben Byrne (drums). They have released five albums, including the notable “Love Is Here” (2001), which sold over a million copies and peaked at No.2 in the UK. Their debut was lauded by critics, with the Guardian calling it “an intricately produced tempest of a record.”
Their second album, “Silence Is Easy” (2003), featured production work by Phil Spector, resulting in hits like the title track. Despite difficulties, the album reached the UK Top Ten. Subsequent albums “On The Outside” (2005), “All The Plans” (2009), and “All This Life” (2017) continued to build their reputation.
In October 2005, Starsailor released their third album, On The Outside. Produced by Rob Schnapf in LA, the album spawned three singles – In The Crossfire, This Time and Keep Us Together – and led to memorable live performances at Hyde Park Calling and V Festival in 2006, and several dates supporting the Rolling Stones in Europe.
Three years later, on March 9th 2009, Starsailor released their fourth album, All The Plans. Described by Walsh at the time as “the perfect companion to Love Is Here”, All The Plans – featuring Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood on the title track – was hailed as a masterpiece, the Times suggesting, “Starsailor sound like a band in love again with being a band” whilst the the Guardian claimed “with no one expecting it but themselves, Starsailor have delivered.” Naturally, a hiatus followed, punctuated by a Greatest Hits compilation in 2015, and a fifth album, produced by Embrace guitarist, Richard McNamara, entitled, All This Life in 2017. Now, some six years later, it’s time to get excited all over again.
“I’ve changed a lot as a person since the early days of Starsailor. I feel much more grounded and have a better perspective on things.”
In 2022, Starsailor celebrated the 20-year anniversary of “Love Is Here” with a UK tour, performing the album in full and debuting a new song, “Heavyweight.” This song, and the album as a whole, showcase a range of influences from Chameleons to Steely Dan, blending rock, folk, and prog elements.
“Where The Wild Things Grow” features additional guitar work from Rick McNamara and Travis’s Andy Dunlop, and backing vocals by Lucy Joules. Rick McNamara, who produced the album, is considered the unofficial fifth member of the band, pushing them creatively.
Starsailor’s music has drawn comparisons to Neil Young, Van Morrison, The Verve, and more. “Where The Wild Things Grow” stands up to repeated listens, revealing layers of observations and reflections on life and love. It’s an album that defies expectations with its quality and depth.