Alternative 4

Anathema | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mayhem Records
• ASIN: B000009OSZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,165 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Shroud of False

2. Fragile Dreams

3. Empty

4. Lost Control

5. Re-Connect

6. Inner Silence

7. Alternative 4

8. Regret

9. Feel

10. Destiny

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remnants of dying laughter, echoes of silent cries., May 13, 2003

By 

Lessing - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternative 4 (Audio CD)

Many see "Judgement" as Anathema's best record, but I beg to differ. I have always liked this one more, due to the fact that I had it before Judgement. And of course, the brilliant songs on it.
Alternative 4 is considered (by me) to have one of the greatest openers ever. The whispered lyrics on "Shroud of False", accompanied by a beautiful piano tune, linger forever in the back of my mind. Here they are: "We are just a moment in time. A blink of an eye. A dream for the blind. Visions from a dying brain. I hope you don't understand." After having listened to it for a zillion times, they still cause goosebumps.
The lyrics are amazing, among the best I ever had the pleasure to read/listen to. Not only are they deeply sad and depressing, but also poetic and charismatic. There are true gems in this album, lyricwise and musicwise, with the fantastic first three tracks being the best example, which alone are much worth owning the whole record.
Apart from these, the slow and peaceful yet melancholy "Inner Silence" or "Regret" are good choices for a first listen. Heavier songs are f.e. "Empty" and "Fragile Dreams".
Anathema, starting as a doom metal band, soon developed to softer sounds, away from metal. In my opinion, that development was one of the best things that ever happened, because it provided me with great, great music. I don't need heavy guitars in particular, I want good music, and that's what Anathema did.
The amount of personal feelings of this record is amazing. It tells a history of despair and sorrow, far more sincere than any of the junk food lyrics the charts supply. This piece of music became special to me, and he who gives it a chance might experience the same.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Melancholy, March 17, 2001

By 

Lambros Gavriilidis (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternative 4 (Audio CD)

Alternative 4 was my first Anathema album and it was also the first album I could not resist listening again and again from the time I put the play button.Really beatifull lyrics and Vincent Cavanagh's emotional voice join those magic images created by their music.Technical solos could not find room in this melancholic atmosphere(maybe with the exceptions of "Fragile Dreams" and "Empty")so they 're not there.I believe that Anathema's power is songwriting and emotion anyway...The album hasn't really got any weak points,it's a constant change between power and melancholy,which makes you want to listen to it from it's beginning to it's end without a pause again and again...I would strongly recomment it to anyone who can feel pity,regret and pain and I could even say that you don't really need to be a metal fan to listen to this.Buy this without delay!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words can not describe this album accurately. (4.5 stars), April 9, 2003

By 

IcemanJ (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Alternative 4 (Audio CD)

Considered Anathema's best by many, this release has some of the band's most emotional songs AND good production. Not only depressing songs, but agressive ones too like parts of "Empty" and "Re-Connect". There are obvious improvements from the previous "Eternity," much better production and much better singing overall, much more melodic and powerful.

Unlinke any of their other albums there are many violins and pianos used. I love violins, they have such a soft and enchanting feeling, along with pianos, acoustic, and electric guitars. The instrumentals are very spaced out at times, such as "Shroud of False" and "Destiny" which are just piano melodies and vocals. I feel this creates an empty feeling, which ends up being sort of metaphoric.

Most of the songs are excellent, such as "Inner Silence," the intensely emotional ballad with dramatic yet passionate melodies; "Fragile Dreams" with that unforgettable, timeless violin intro; and "Regret," my personal favorite with a amazing underlying acoustic riffs and epic structure. I love how "Empty" almost comes to a complete stop and goes into a beautiful piano melody, then goes right back. "Lost Control" has breathtaking instrumentals and keeps alternating between hollow parts with emphasis on one instrument; and a lush, full instrumental arrangement.

I feel this album's only weak point is the title track. Personally, that song is way too drawn out and hollow with lack of melody to be enjoyable, but others might like it.

The lyrics on this album are very good, they do a great job of conveying emotions to the listener. They are mostly quite depressing, and about betrayal, loneleyness, emptiness, and regret. What a memorable album.