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Hugh Wilson

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Hometown	Brooklyn, NY
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About the Artist

Since winning Australia’s “Star Search” in 1991, Hugh Wilson has been a respected and in-demand professional vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in Australia, Singapore, and, since 2001, New York.

Credits include touring as a vocalist for Lenny Kravitz,...

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Feature on OurStage Radio in Winamp

February 2010 Christian

October 2009 Christian

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UNIDIRECTIONAL by Kyrby Raine
Sometime during the '90s, alternative rock and adult contemporary found common ground and a new genre was born. No, not "adult album alternative," although that comes close. Rather, another breed of artist suddenly appeared, one without the rough edges of modern rock but not as wimpy as easy listening either. The Gin Blossoms may have been the first to achieve this, combining the bittersweet jangle of college radio with the smoothed-down melodicism of Top 40 pop. After them came Deep Blue Something, the New Radicals, and Barenaked Ladies. It was new music that made mellow thirtysomethings feel as hip as their grunge-loving offspring without becoming deaf. Australian singer/songwriter Hugh Wilson falls into this category. Call it hot adult contemporary if you want; pick your industry lingo. Wilson has the emotionally transcendent populist rock of U2 in his bullseye. On "She's a Sun" and "Here We Go," Wilson grabs the microphone with the focused, fiery energy of Bono. Like Bono, Wilson can raise his voice for that moment of spiritual exhilaration. Most of the tracks follow the same guitar-based formula although he does throw a curveball with "Free," which is as sunny and laid back as the most relaxing of reggae tunes.

Australia has always rocked. by Michael Sutton
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.

Unidirectional by Karla Ash
With his exotic good looks (he’s a long-haired Australian, should I say more?) and rich, powerful voice, Hugh Wilson has an aura of Next Big Thing about him. In Australia, he actually scored a hit with his earlier band Vertigo. Now based in New York, Wilson has a distinctly American sound. On “Steal A Heart,” Wilson does exactly what the title says; his romantic vocals croon with the sex appeal of a smooth operator. Lyrically, Wilson sounds better heard than read; it’s the performances, and not the writing, that sell these songs. Because his music is so straightforward and melodic, Wilson is going to be find a number of women, old and young, in his fan base. (His physical appearance will do that, too.) Once in a while I like hearing a record that doesn’t tax my brain or eardrums; Unidirectional fits the bill. For the most part, these are tunes that you can hum along with and feel better about life.

'WILSON, HUGH' by Adam Harrington
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.

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Hugh Wilson

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