Alternative 4 (album)

Untitled

Alternative 4 is an album by the British rock band Anathema. It was released on June 22 1998 through Peaceville Records. Unlike previous Anathema albums, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric. It is considered a shift from Anathema's original death/doom metal style, becoming a more soft side of doom metal.

Track listing

1. "Shroud of False" – 1:37
2. "Fragile Dreams" – 5:32
3. "Empty" – 3:00
4. "Lost Control" – 5:50
5. "Re-Connect" – 3:52
6. "Inner Silence" – 3:09
7. "Alternative 4" – 6:18
8. "Regret" – 7:58
9. "Feel" – 5:28
10. "Destiny" – 2:14

Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue:

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

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

Notes

The title of the album is derived from Leslie Watkins' book entitled Alternative 3. Bassist 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. That is the reason they chose this title.

Credits

• Vincent Cavanagh — Vocals, guitar
• Duncan Patterson — Bass guitar, piano
• Daniel Cavanagh — Guitar, piano, keyboards
• Shaun Steels — Drums
• Martin Powell — Violin
• Andy Duncan — Drum loops on "Empty"