Wilson; Damian: Built For Fighting

If you know the name Damian Wilson, then there's a good chance that it's because he is (again) the frontman in Threshold, or maybe through his recent work with [Headspace]. Then again it could be the acoustic Iron Maiden tribute act Maiden Untied that brought him to your notice, or of course it's maybe his time with Rick Wakeman that you're aware of. If you're getting the idea that Wilson is and has been for many a year, a man in demand, you'd be correct. However, along the way he has also released a clutch of acoustic based solo albums and it's possibly these which have illustrated this singer's voice to the full, Wilson's rich, clear, almost stage-show vocals allowed the room to truly shine without all those pesky guitar solos and keyboard crescendos. Built For Fighting, the latest offering in that style, a mix of piano led tracks interspersed with strings and acoustic guitar.

It's a beautiful, restrained collection where clever arrangements ensure that the themes still reveal themselves in grandiose fashion and the atmosphere is never less than heady. "Fire" however shows the true strength here, the swooping strings taking over the themes in broad strokes as drums power unexpectedly beneath. However that it's all bookended by plaintive piano and, of course, Wilson's heart tugging vocals, merely heightens the effect. "Thrill Me" powers along with an electric guitar backing, a prime, if unexpected, slice of poppy AOR the sparkling result, while "Can't Heal War" finds roaming tom-work setting the foundation for organ thrums to dig out an almost native American feel as Wilson shows the versatility of his delivery.

I've a sneaking suspicion that "Somebody" however, may prove a Marmite moment, the lyrics about sharing all of yourself with a loved one, verging on twee and feeling a little rushed in places. With an, in comparison to everything else on this album, simple, commercial backing, it's maybe going to be a little saccharine for some, while others will see it as the best moment on Built For Fighting. Personally I also find the jumping jaunt of "Sex & Vanilla" too close to the quirky strokes of the band Jerusalem to compete with the universally high standard to be found elsewhere on this album. Although even at its weakest, this is a captivating beast.

The many bands Damian Wilson is involved with have been hitting purple patches in recent times. The suspicion that Wilson himself is a key factor in that is proven here, his Midas touch again striking gold. Built For Fighting may well be less 'prog' than most of what you know him for, but rest assures that doesn't mean it's any less intriguing, hard hitting, or memorable.

Track Listing
1. Thrill Me
2. When I Was Young
3. Impossible
4. Fire
5. Somebody
6. Sex & Vanilla
7. Can't Heal War
8. What Have We Done
9. Written In Anger
10. All I Need
11. I Won't Blame Life
12. Battlelines

Added: September 5th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Damian Wilson online
Hits: 2207
Language: english

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