Contention (Kaden Walsh Album)

***Contention*** is the sixth studio album by Irish recording artist Kaden Walsh, released on June 21, 2004 by Prism Records. Regarded as Walsh's 'breakout' album in the United States where the album went onto sell of 5 Million copies, the album also consists of a more heavier and mature production compared to Walsh's previous works with the likes of multiple drum, bass and guitar lines.

Much of the album had more of a personal theme compared to the previous albums that Walsh had come out with at the time, which were more of the likes of what was going around him much rather than what was going on inside his mind, themes of the world ending, which were much more happier rather than darker with 2045 (2002) as well as his own self image and the likes of up-tempo pop ballads were mainly on the album, causing it to be raved by many fans and critics alike.

Contention became Walsh's first Top 5 album in the United States but had only stayed there for a single week before the album would drop back down into the Top 10, however, certifying the album with 1 Million Units sold in just it's fourth week alone. By the fourth week however, Walsh had already sold Four times the amount in both the United Kingdom and Europe combined. Contention would also boost Walsh's Worldwide album sales to 50 Million copies by July of 2006. The singles that were released from the album "Wild Horses" became a worldwide smash hit which charted within the Top 10 and Number One of every country, except Japan. And Square, which did the same numbers and became Walsh's thirteenth Number One UK hit.

## Background

With the immediate take-off success of the 2045 (2002) selling over two-and-a-half Million copies by the end of the very same year it was launched, Walsh was met with little to no opposition when wanting to get started on his next album, though the opposition that was met was that of the marketing executives at Prism Records stating that they wanted [Walsh] to take a year break and focus in on the tour and singles that would come from the album to help it keep selling that of the same numbers and possibly move the album to five million copies by the middle of 2003. Days before the tour, Walsh would begin setting up the studio sessions for Contention on October 17th, setting it up at Windmill Lane in Dublin, Ireland in order to begin the writing sessions there and come in after a concert, given it was only an hour flight to do so.

Session recording began during the 2045 Tour as early as the 5th of November, 2002. However, no former direction of where the album was indicated on where to go was placed down until a week later with the track, which has been leaked named "Sunset Man". The heavy use of drum, guitar and bass was noted to where the album would go only days later with the first official track written that would later be on the album would be that of"Wild Horses". Further recording and producing would not move from Windmill lane in Dublin until February, where Walsh would begin writing some songs in WM Studios and Ocean Way Studios (now defunct) for the US leg of his 2045 Tour. It's believed that due to the complications of both US Studios, Walsh only managed to record 14 out of the rumoured 75 songs during the recording period. Three of which, are contained on the album: 2 Victims (The B-Sides), Square and 1,000 Faces.

Complete production of all apparent 75 songs would begin on January of 2003 up until August of the same year. Writing for the album took only 8 months, one of the quickest album sessions Walsh had done at the time, compared to his previous two albums, 2045 and Forsaken (2001): 6 Months equally for each album. Album production however, would only take that of 6 months to complete in full before working on the next album, Overkill (2005).

Though Walsh wrote and produced all songs entirely by himself, credit does go to his backing band for all instruments other than the ones that he played.

## Composition

As per all of his albums, Walsh continues the tradition of having written and produced all songs by himself. However, all songs were aided by the likes of his bandmates to produce that of a fuller sound which included the likes of various drums, drum machines, bass, guitars and synths. The music on the album had been noted by many to be self-respective and reflective of Walsh's own personal state at the time of the recording sessions, the genre elements, though leaning towards a more R&B heavier sound, also lean its roots out to Rock, Pop and even at some points in the later track, Dance. Shortly after the launch of the album, Walsh's band members stated they were "going to see Grammys for days" given how well produced the album was.

## Promotion

### Artwork

The album cover was taken in a general photo studio in Dublin, Ireland as well as the various singles' covers. Walsh stated that he wanted the album to be as simple as his previous albums, but have his own self and text to convey what the album was about. Himself.

### Singles

*Contentions* lead single "Wild Horses" became Walsh's 12th Number One Hit in the UK, and third Top 20 in the US. The single stayed atop of the UK singles chart for nine weeks before it was replaced by the next single "Square". The music video was directed by Walsh and was that of a cinematic nature, compared to his previous 'live take' videos.

The second Single "Square" took over from "Wild Horses" spots on the top of the charts soon after and quickly became a smash hit in the league of "Wild Horses" becoming Walsh's 13th UK Number One Hit at the time.

## Commercial Performance

In the United States *Contention* became Walsh's first Top 5 Album, on the week of June 27th, 2004. During its first week, it was noted that this was the highest the album would peak at the time. In the United Kingdom, it became Walsh's fifth UK and Australian Number One album. With the album moving 2.8 million copies within it's first week, soon becoming the fifth best selling album of 2004 in July after moving over 10,000,000 copies.

As of July of 2004, the only country where the album is not certified Platinum is in Japan, where it has only sold 100,000 copies

## Personnel

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