Hugh Wilson

From INXS to the Church to Midnight Oil to the Go-Betweens, Australia has produced almost as many classic artists as England. Whenever I receive a CD from Australian artist, there’s more than a 50% chance that it’ll be an entertaining listen. Sure enough, Australian singer/songwriter Hugh Wilson’s album Unidirectional doesn’t disappoint. Raised on ‘80s Australian icons such as INXS and Icehouse, Wilson brings the pop-powered radio hooks of that era into the new millennium. Now Wilson doesn’t sound like an ‘80s musician; don’t expect a retro rocker a la Franz Ferdinand or She Wants Revenge. However, the emotionally unrestrained singing; the large, open choruses; and the ringing, summertime guitars have roots in the Reagan years.

Stylistically, as far as contemporary artists go, Wilson can be placed alongside the MOR likes of Maroon 5, Train, and Dishwalla; in other words, this is safe mainstream rock that is simply made for dates or vacation road trips. Wilson’s target isn’t the cutting edge; instead, he reels in U2’s more accessible characteristics, namely their arena-sweeping love songs. On “Here We Go,” Wilson echoes Bono with those massive, toe-tapping harmonies. Even better is “I Still Want You,” wherein Wilson reigns his voice in, allowing more of his cool accent to take center stage.

Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Wilson himself, Unidirectional doesn’t have the excesses you’d expect from a project wherein the artist had complete control. It remains faithful to its goal of being a terrific pop LP - nothing more, nothing less.

http://cdreviews.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1566&Itemid=27 - Written by Michael Sutton

Give singer/songwriter Hugh Wilson (http://www.hughwilson.org) credit for not sounding like his Australian peers. Although when he deepens his voice, like on "She's a Sun" and "I Still Want You," he somewhat resembles Iva Davies of Icehouse in their late '80s glory, Wilson's style owes little to his compatriots. Australia has a rich history of great pop, from the Easybeats to INXS, but outside of Ireland's pride and joy, U2, Wilson's influences seem very American.

The U2 inspiration is obvious on "Please Come Back Soon," which has an arena-sized chorus that would make Bono smile. "Please Come Back Soon" features Wilson's best vocals, soaring and passionate. You can really feel his emotions through your skin. "She's a Sun" is an immediate hit, an upbeat love song that sticks in the brain.

As with most mainstream pop, this is not a record made with music critics in the mind. This is mass-appeal rock, and it takes an open mind, straying from the reviewer consensus that music has to be challenging or innovative to matter, to appreciate such simplicity. Lyrically and musically, Wilson is staying within his strengths, and much of that involves in appealing to the everyday radio listener. From that standpoint, he succeeds. "Steal A Heart" is just as moving as any Maroon 5 or Train track - and it doesn't ask or try for anything more. The grey-haired scribes will shake their heads, but the little girls will understand.
author: Adam Harrington

http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4209 - Whisperin and Hollerin - Adam Harrington