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 Worth the money... Sep 30, 2009
Five years ago, in September 2004, the wonderful Darren Hayes released his sophomore album, "The Tension and the Spark".
For those of you who were in love with his initial solo release, "Spin", and the work he had done as the frontman of the pop supergroup, Savage Garden, you might have been slightly thwarted by the change of direction that this album had taken. Or you could have been pleasantly surprised, since this was nothing like anything Hayes had released previously.
Hayes stepped out of the comfort zone of the Savage Garden sound with Spark and embraced a newer, more electronic feel while pouring out emotions never before expressed due to major record label oppression.
Here, in saying so without being tritefully direct, Hayes explains his troubled past in small bits, intermingling them with the misery he is trying to overcome. Out of all of Hayes' records thus far, this one contains a heavier, more concentrated dosage of bitterness, sadness and desperation. We can see these emotions on Hayes' other records but never are they as all condensed into one outpouring of grief than on this collection.
Here, Hayes sets out to put to rest events that have been plaguing him so that he can move on with both his life and his music. And Spark can be appreciated in a completely different light from the rest of his work. Even the instrumental backdrop has quite heavy, deep tones that make you want to dance while at the same time understanding that this is not a happy occasion. You feel like you are going through the entire life of the relationship with Hayes. You're there with him through his misery, through the break-up and then when he finally emerges on the other side and experiences happiness again, you're there with him for that, too.
Below is a brief description of each track on the album, complete with numerical rating. The CD is still a bit pricey at $22.98 but that is because it is an import. And don't worry--it's definitely worth the money.
Track 1: Darkness--(9)--a heavy song to start off with, here Hayes admits that he had allowed his demons to take over and he was living in a very dark state of mind for a while. The hope that exists in the song is for the fact that he can sing about it as a past event, that he has moved on from this low point in his life.
Track 2: I Like the Way--(8)--a sexy, sensual song about confessing your attraction for someone when you know you shouldn't give in to the desire. He wants everything he can get from this person but the only thing missing is love.
Track 3: Light--(5)--a so-so song about finding your inspiration in someone else and knowing you can put all of your faith in them and they will come through for you.
Track 4: Pop!ular--(6)--a biting satire of the modern music scene. You'd sell your soul and sleep your way to the top just to be popular, wouldn't you?
Track 5: Dublin Sky--(9)--here we see a touch of the Savage Garden-esque light remaining before it burns out. A beautiful, touching love song about trying to cope with missing someone you used to love, and still do, who is no longer around. "How many days am I gonna regret you? How many nights 'til I forget you?"
Track 6: Hero--(9)--a warning not to idolize, Hayes wants you to know that he is only a human, don't make him your hero, your idol, or it stands to reason that you will only be someday disappointed. Accept the fact that he can make mistakes--he's not a god just because he's a celebrity.
Track 7: Unlovable--(8)--pretty and sad, this song is one of the first where Hayes confronts his parental issues that have arisen from a relationship gone wrong. He regrets everything he's given to this person who has wronged him over and now he is remembering how he felt when he was younger, when he felt his father didn't love him and that his mother had abandoned him. All of his issues are piling up at once from the betrayal of his former love.
Track 8: Void--(7)--we've all felt the message expressed in this song at some point in our lives. Doesn't anyone fill the void that this person has left? We've been trying to fill it for so long with so many things and people, some even regretful, and nothing can quite fill the gap that our former loved one has left behind.
Track 9: I Forgive You--(8)--putting all the sour points of his former relationship behind him, Hayes is accepting the fact that he will feel better by forgiving the former lover who wronged him. He can move on if he confronts everything he was put through, forgives it and accepts it as being part of his past.
Track 10: Feel--(8)--a song about finding that new love who gives you hope, makes you feel emotions again when you thought it was imposible, helps you learn to forgive and to love again.
Track 11: Love and Attraction--(8)--the confusing act of being attracted to people who aren't attracted to you and having people be attracted to who you don't really want but you'll give in to because you're tired of waiting for the one you'll never have. The cat and mouse game of falling in love and being attracted to someone--do they ever co-exist?
Track 12: Sense of Humor--(8)--if only you'd give it a chance, you'd discover how much you would truly love about him--his sense of humor, his scent, everything. But you won't, and his wants and desires eventually turn into tears.
Track 13: Ego--(6)--no matter how hard he tries to let go of his ego, he can't. Everything he does is for the sake of saving face, as annoying as that can get.
Bonus Track: Boy--(7)--a track expressing disgust at the suppression from a society who thinks girls and boys should act certain ways.
Overall album rating: 8
 Amazing secong solo album. Aug 07, 2008
Wondering where Darren Hayes is? The Savage Garden front man shows us here. The amazing album showcases the talents of this underated artist. Gorgeous, painful songs, release all of our deepest thoughts worries,and emotions in a heady reflective album. Added in some fun singalong songs reminiscent of SG.A true showcase to this mans unparalleled vocal talent. Dont miss this album, one of the best albums ever to not be well promoted. What a waste, dont miss this!
This Delicate Thing We've Made (2 CDS)SpinThe Time Machine Tour
Technology Sucks May 17, 2008
This is a wonderful cd, one of my daughter's favorites. Warning: This cd cannot be downloaded to your mp3 collection.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Love the music HATE THE COPY PROTECTION! Apr 21, 2008
All I want to do is put this music on my iPod. The copy protection is a bit too stringent. I've had to copy their software onto my computer and I still don't know if I can get this into iTunes. I think Darren Hays is very talented but I'll never buy a CD of his again.
Love it! Mar 31, 2008
Darren took a bold step away from the sugar-pop sound of his previous album, to create this new album of awesome music and lyrical brilliance. So many of the songs have such pretty lyrics and the each song sounds different from each other. Oh and his awesome voice is nice and clear in all of them. Highly recommended.
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