Justice (Kaden Walsh Album)

"***Justice***" Is the third Studio album by Irish recording artist and producer Kaden Walsh, released on September 11, 2000 by Prism Records as the follow up from his second, self titled album Kaden Walsh, (1999). It was once again entirely composed, produced and arranged by Walsh at Abbey Road Studios, in England during October of 1999 till June of 2000. Many critics had stated that though this is where Walsh's career took off, critics had noted that this was where his sound in which would be used for years came from, with the album being an amazing full and complete album, with many even going as far as stating that there could have been charting album songs.

During the months that were spent on tour, Walsh spent many days and nights writing for his next album trying to find a song that would stick in forms of a newer and fresher album compared to the likes of previous albums that sounded slightly dated due to their production. On a lot of the nights after the tour, Walsh would usually spend it travelling back to Abbey Road where he was able to take to said instruments and begin composing and wiring songs in the hopes that one would stick as the foundation for the album.

Known to be more of his prominent sounding albums. Justice leans more into the R&B sound compared to other albums. Walsh's sonic sound and style has been recognized for bringing attention to a further refined style alongside his looks at the time which had rumours swirl around that Walsh was at the time, part of the LGBTQ+ community which Walsh, though fine with said rumours. Stated that he was straight, though having no issue for 'people being comfortable in their own skin' and being complete fine in guys liking him. Almost out the door, the album was slapped with a Parental Advisory sticker in the US due to prevalent themes of sex, sexuality and partying. Almost getting the album complete banned in the US due to how provocative it was at the time, Walsh later spoke out about the albums reaction in the US in stating 'I didn't and still don't understand the reaction towards that album at the time, because though you had so many people buying it, there was also so many people being disgusted towards it and only being 22 at the time. It confused the S\*\*\* out of me'

The first single of Justice, the albums title track, became a top 10 smash in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, becoming his first Number one in Europe, and his second in his home country of the United Kingdom. It however, became of an issue and rumoured that Walsh was not doing so well in the US< when it once more failed to chart with any significance. Though the album reached Number One and the Top 20 around most countries, reaching Number 20 on the Billboard 200. Many critics claimed that this was the beginning of a new pop star that would have 'Decades left on the counter' in terms of chart relevancy. Many people have noted it for it's common use of the "Five Album Test" in which it was stated that Walsh passes with flying colours, and that "Paradise" and "Memories" though somewhat weaker sales, can easily pass with flying colours.

## Background

During Winter of 1999, while on tour in support for both of his first two albums. Walsh began composing songs once more in the hopes to find some ground of what his next album would be, usually ending up with only four hours of sleep before his next show due to how much he was writing and making music for his next album.

Following the end of the tour, Walsh had about four tracks for the next album ready to go, which included the sexual song "Slave" which was played on some nights of the tour as he started organizing studio space to start properly recording the four tracks that he had made during the second leg of his tour. Production of the four tracks would begin in March where Walsh would release the single just a month later.

This is the third album in the row in which Walsh did all of the instrumentation, production and engineering by himself. However, credited his band on doing so

## Composition

*Justice* was recorded solely at Abbey Road Studios, London throughout the last few months of 1999 and through the half of 2000. It was believed that more then 15 songs were made alone within the first two months. The main single track was described as a "heavy cut R&B gem" by MusicRumours' Ted Michaels, while the title track Justice shows off Walsh's talent as an instrumentalist given that he had done all of the work himself. "Slave" and "Luv Me Baby" are bot sexually explicit songs that almost certainly get the listeners attention. "Battle Cry" which serves as the only R&B ballad on the album, shows of Walsh's deeper tones in his voice and the pop-rock influenced "In The Lobby" shows off his lyrical side while dipping in politics that sets his voice that the teller could be very middle ground about what's going on

## Release

Justice peaked at number 1 on the UK Charts and Number 20 on the Billboard 200. As of September 11, 2004. The album was certified 8x Platinum by the BPI and Platinum by the RIAA. The album, alone in the UK has sold 2,500,000 copies. The album has also spent a total of 11 weeks at Number 1 on the UK Charts

### Singles

The first single "Justice" reached the Top 10 in many countries, and in the Top 40 in Japan. The second single that was released, "Doing It Right" was released only two months after the previous singles launch. The single charted in the US at only Number 26. His highest peaking song at the time, and followed in the same route as Justice with charting positions around the world. The third and final single that was released from the album, was "Luv Me Baby". Though falling weaker in Canada, at Number 22. The song became a Top 20 in Japan, which was Walsh's first Minor hit in the country, and became Walsh's fourth Number One in the UK.

## Controversy

During the initial launch of the album, many United States customers were quite disgusted to find the sexual language was found to be 'normal' in use on the album, and that the sexual overtones were too strong on the album, stating that the album should be outright banned, even though many other countries around the world, found the lyrics to be of a typical 'Adult R&B album'.

Linda Gerrard of 'Parents & Music Kids Club' stated that: *"...The lyrics heard on this album are nothing but berating of the opposing sex, and that upon first listen, the way that [Walsh] openly suggests this album is not suitable for anyone, even kids that are finding out about the world and even about relationships- should not even listen to this album. I find this album to be vile, gross and overtone with Sex and nothing but...."*

Walsh would later go onto state that the album was genuinely not of that nature in anyway and that he would be disgusted by his own self if he were writing lyrics of the 'exact nature she was stating'. Many fans even came to the defence and reviewers alike to state that though the album does have sexual overtones, the claims made about the album are complete fantasy, where as Walsh's album is quite the reality only few, Walsh included, seem to be living.

## Track Listing

All tracks are written by Walsh, except where noted

 **2** | Luv Me Baby
 **3** | U Got Me
 **4** | Battle Cry 🅴
 **5** | Doing It Right 🅴
 **6** | Slave 🅴
 **7** | Dreaming of Warmth 🅴
 **8** | In The Lobby 🅴
 **Total Length** | 34:42

## Personnel

* Kaden Walsh - lead vocals, backgrounds and guitar
* Linda Thomsen - Keyboards
* Doug Fenton - keyboards
* Aaron Haynes - bass
* Louis Collins - bass
* Rowan O'Downey - drums
* Max Gaffney - Percussion