Ray Wilson & Stiltskin – Unfulfillment

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It’s now five years since the unexpected resurrection of the Stiltskin name, now “Ray Wilson & Stiltskin”, with the excellent comeback album She and subsequent touring which produced a live album as well, and after a couple more solo efforts and extensive central European tours, comes this astonishing follow-up. In may respects it sounds more like Wilson’s solo work than it does either the Stiltskin of old, or the She album, which was surprisingly heavy. The meatier spells of guitar playing, like the chorus of opener Accidents Will Happen and down-beat chugger Guns of God, are few and far between. Instead there are large amounts of acoustic guitar, a little piano (First Day of Change, Tale of A Small Town), and outstanding solos (of the rock variety on Voice of Disbelief, Ought To Be Resting and American Beauty, and of the beautiful clean variet on First Day of Change) all backing Wilson’s trademark lyrical acrobatics, catchy choruses and political/religious commentary (Guns of God). He remains one of the finest lyricists in music today and when paire with the emotion he puts into his singing and the slightly pained quality of his husky voice and there really us no one else like him. It really has to be said though that Wilson’s absence from UK shores is now verging on painful. Constant, intensive touring of Germany, where he now lives, and the surrounding countries is apparently all there is to be had at the moment. Maybe one day…

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2011, Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Rock, Ray Wilson & Stiltskin