Where We Land - Damien Leith

A year after winning Australian Idol, Damien Leith is ready to take on the world, or at least the Australian public. His debut album The Winner’s Journey, released in December last year, went platinum four times. The release of his second album looks set to follow.

The new album Where We Land is, in the words of Leith “moody but not depressing” and is full of emotional, thoughtful ballads. The focus of this album is on the more melancholic aspects of life. Because of this the album is unbalanced. Leith appears to have forgotten that life can sometimes be happy, too.

Many of the songs on the album examine relationships and what happens when these end or cannot happen. The problem here is they all concern romantic relationships, never friendship or other relationships.

The first single, 22 Steps, reflects on the issue of unrequited love. What happens when you love someone else’s girlfriend?

“And I’m not so sure that you would not say get out, don’t step in. I will never try again,” sings Leith in the bridge. It would be nice to think that he is not acting on his feelings and stepping in on the relationship because he believes that would be wrong. However, Leith’s reticence seems to be motivated more by a fear of rejection, rather than any moral convictions.

Leith’s cover of the popular Fleetwood Mac song Songbird is a well-sung tribute, however, the sparse accompaniment means that it sounds a lot like the other songs on this album.

Herein lies the problem with this album. Its blandness, its lack of variety means that it gives listeners little to think about. It is not thought-provoking. The one troubling lyric in 22 Steps goes by almost unnoticed if close attention is not paid when listening. It would also benefit from songs about topics other than relationships.

Where We Land is an unassuming album that does not demand your time. Musically, it is well-produced and well-executed. This is an album that aims to please everyone. The fault is more in the lack of variety rather than any lack of talent.

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