On The Outside - Starsailor
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. A commanding return. [Nov 2005, p.131]
  2. They're a confident band, but the tragedy is they're at the top of someone else's game.
  3. 70
    Starsailor find themselves in danger of being lumped in with the much-maligned 'Keaneplay' school of emote-u-like guitar rock. Yet judged on their own merits they are still producing the goods. [Nov 2005, p.104]
  4. 70
    A spirited response to their detractors. [Nov 2005, p.106]
  5. Here, the band do what anyone suffering from a knock to their confidence does - they revert to the safety of what they know best.
  6. Nothing on On The Outside is truly awful--it's just, well, good, which these days, isn't quite enough to get the attention of a well and truly fickle nation.
  7. By merely keeping up, they don't do much to separate themselves from the flock of young bands crossing the Atlantic -- again and again.
  8. 50
    Finds a band in utter denial of what is precisely its appeal. [Sep 2006, p.143]
  9. Like every jerk who reads an Orwell or Rand novel and walks around a few days with a chip on his/her shoulder, Starsailor play the self-righteous yet simplistic social critic.
  10. 40
    Unleashes a torrent of bloated, if occasionally lovely, romantic anthems that aspire to cosmic insight, yet settle for greeting-card corn. [Sep 2006, p.112]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Something of a return to form for Starsailor. After the mediocre Silence is Easy the band once again opt for a commercial American sounding record but instead of the epic instrumentation of that album, On The Outside chooses a more alt-rock sound and surprisingly it works. Despite James Walsh and his particularly high, deadpan vocal delivery the dynamic between his voice and the heavier music actually works well, but the vocals are an acquired taste for this particular record and the overall difference in musical structure and direction can alienate some previous fans. Full Review »
  2. I would probably describe this as 'not bad', they sound like a band stuck in the 90s, cheap guitar effects with songs which aren't at all bad but just seem to pass you by without making any impression. Its a shame as James Walsh has an outstanding voice and I think its what saves this album but Love Is Here is better. Full Review »
  3. TiagoD.
    10
    how can this album be bad? this album is the best album i've ever heard in my life!