William Fitzsimmons - Gold In The Shadow
Released 21st March 2011 [UK]
Nettwerk Records
Gold In The Shadow is a beautifully mellow yet powerful and intense collection of songs. It is the follow up to The Sparrow And The Crow (2008), whose songs were darker, reflecting on the traumas in the writers life at the time. This new album is far more upbeat and refreshing but just as thoughtful and reflective. The subject matter this time focussing on sickness and recovery. Fitzsimmons himself quotes: "I had reached the point where I was either going to yield to my sicknesses or engage them headlong. In either case, I could no longer continue the way I was."
The Tide Pulls From The Moon starts the album off nicely and this is the obvious single. The proceedings continue with the softer Beautiful Girl and a classically subtle The Winter From Her Leaving. Throughout the album Fitzsimmons’ delicious whispered vocals and intricate guitar work entwine perfectly together, and these two tracks are perfect examples of the man's signature style. Psychasthenia and Let You Break also stand out both featuring soft, surprising and subtle backbeats. The latter featuring the standout accompanying vocals from award winning Australian Folk singer Julia Stone.
What Hold is my favourite track of the piece because of the wonderful guitar work and the gradual acceleration through to the close. Again, the vocals engage the listener without completely overwhelming the song's substance. From The Water and Blood And Bones also show off the artist's talent with the guitar.
All in all, this is a very rewarding album which is not punchy or immediate but should be explored over and over again to reveal it's depth and fragility.
Rob Pope
Guitaristtv.com
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