Recorded in an aged worn-down house in Charleston S. C. Illinois-based singer/songwriter William Fitzsimmons completed his newest album “Gold in the Shadow.”
Perhaps best-known for his songs that have aired on television shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy One Tree Hill” and “Greek Fitzsimmons solo-produced his first two full-length albums Until When We Are Ghosts” (2005) and “Goodnight” (2006) in his previous home in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. His third LP “The Sparrow and the Crow” (2008) was his first studio record that reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Folk Albums chart and No. 56 on the iTunes Top Albums chart.
Born the youngest child of two blind parents Fitzsimmons attributes his multiple instrument abilities to his mother and father who were both musically talented. Compared to better-known artists such as Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens Fitzsimmons excels at creating folk-electronica masterpieces. Before his musical career Fitzsimmons worked with the mentally ill for many years before he went on to graduate school. “Gold in the Shadow” is said to be an exploration of mental illness and healings greatly influenced by his personal experiences with both wellness and sickness.
This new album is a mesmerizing peaceful melt-your-heart collaboration of songs whose lyrics tell stories of Fitzsimmons letting go of the darkness he has held onto for the past several years.
The album opener “Tide Pulls From the Moon is an excellent mixture of sounds that have the ability to lift up anyone’s mood and Fitzsimmons’ dreamy voice pulls the whole song together to start the album off on a great note, literally.
This song is followed by Beautiful Girl which is reminiscent of a story of a heavenly woman who is dealing with depression and sadness. The piano, paired with the soft sounds of a guitar, would be emotionally moving and powerful even if it had not been paired with such powerful lyrics.
The Winter From Her Leaving” is much more upbeat than the two tracks before it. This is the song that you would clap your hands and sway back and forth to if ever you were able to see Fitzsimmons perform live.
The entirety of the album is filled with tracks that are almost too personal and real; yet they still remain relatable to most people. From relationships failing to the cries for help by those in need of a helping hand Fitzsimmons’ heartrendingly soothing voice pulls listeners into each individual track and leaves an impact.
For “Let You Break Fitzsimmons pairs up with Julia Stone, one part of the duo Angus & Julia Stone, who will be performing at Indio, Calif.’s Coachella this upcoming April. Fitzsimmons and Stone’s harmony is brilliant with the calming melodic voice of Fitzsimmons and the harsher, though absolutely beautiful voice of Stone.
It is safe to say that this album is extremely similar to his previous four full-length albums. Some were disappointed by Fitzsimmons’ lack of change or excitement in Gold in the Shadow but no one can deny the pure melodic talent that Fitzsimmons has trademarked for himself.
Some have even said that his music has not improved since his in-home productions, even after signing with Mercer Street. They argue that the emotion Fitzsimmons draws from to create his music is not as real or in-depth as it was before working in the studio.
Gold in the Shadow” has the potential to be a bit emotionally heavy for some but no one can deny the serene folk sounds of the dominant guitar piano and banjo paired with electronica sounds on some of the tracks. Fitzsimmons has yet to make his mark on the mainstream but he is definitely becoming increasingly well known with each new album that he produces. It is safe to say that William Fitzsimmons is a musical genius. This is a great listen on any rainy day.