Alternative 4 (album)

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.

Background
The album's title is derived from Leslie Watkins' book Alternative 3. Bassist and co-principal 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 the same title, and the songs are based on similar themes. In keeping with the theme of conspiracies, the album cover is a modified photo of American astronaut Buzz Aldrin (depicted as an angel) on the Moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission - this is in reference to the conspiracy of the Moon landings.

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

Personnel

 * Vincent Cavanagh - vocals, guitars
 * Shaun Steels - drums
 * Duncan Patterson - bass, keyboards, piano
 * Danny Cavanagh - guitars, keyboards, piano


 * Guest musicians
 * Andy Duncan - drum loops on "Empty"
 * George Rucci - violin
 * Michelle Richfield (Dominion) - vocals on "Better Off Dead"


 * Production
 * Duncan Patterson - cover concept
 * Tim Spear - cover art
 * Noel Summerville - mastering
 * Doug Cook - mixing assistant
 * Simon Dawson - engineering assistant
 * Kit Woolven - producer, mixing
 * Lili Wilde - photography (band)