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REVIEWED FOR THE DWARF.

Damien Binder is a New Zealander now residing in Sydney who has been peddling his wares as a singer/songwriter for a decade now. In a prior musical life he fronted Auckland band Second Child who had were a different type of beast – louder and faster in a post punk, angular indie style. His progression to heart on sleeve troubadour was the logical step but from the evidence on this album it wasn’t a wise move.

At 55 minutes the mid tempo, middle of the road pop rock balladry wears thin very quickly. Binder’s voice inhabits a narrow frequency, never rising to a falsetto or dropping to a moody or intimate place to give some more colour to the album.

Unfortunately the comparisons will be made with the likes of David Gray, Pete Yorn and other non de script artists. There are hints that he could shift into Ryan Adams territory but they are only minor hints. Gotta Run carries a good atmosphere with its wistful guitar and shuffling drums and Damage does well by basing itself around piano rather than just guitar. Its chorus is a sweet, swaying melody that flows naturally.

Take Me Under attempts some nice Kinks 60’s pop flavours that work in the fashion of the more upbeat songs of Elliott Smith and Ron Sexsmith. The electric guitar that weaves its way through it is a standout of this and other songs on the album and hint that Binder would do well to add some weight to the sound of his songs throughout.

Twinkle finishes the album on a sombre note with Binder sitting comfortably in his singing range, not straining like he often does on other songs. It is nice lullaby in the style of Eels or local musician Mark Moldre and highlights how well Binder can structure and arrange the different elements of a song.

While The Wind’s At Your Back is a well executed album but let down by its lack of range and an identifiable personality. It drifts by when it should be drawing you in and it sits in a bland and (too) comfortable musical space. Binder seems to be scratching the surface of the emotions he addresses on the album and instead he should be tearing them open and diving in.