Darren Hayes - The Tension And The Spark
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Free Music Notes for The Tension And The Spark
Free Music Review: Simply mind-blowing
Hit: 5 Stars
I purchased my copy of The Tension and the Spark a month after it was released, so I had a chance to read many reviews of the CD before I managed to get my hands on one (I live in Brunei and the CD stores here are not up-to-date). At first, I was quite sceptical about what the album would sound like. Darren Hayes, master of the romantic love ballad, delving into electronic music? People giving his new album a rating of five stars? I was intrigued and couldn't wait till I managed to get a copy of my own.
The album is definitely different from Darren's previous work. If you thought Spin was a different direction from his music while in Savage Garden, then this will shock you. The songs in the album are much darker and have more depth to them than in his previous works, and it's actually a difficult thing to listen to the album in one go. Each song evokes so many different emotions in you - frustration, depression, the pain of unrequited love... The lyrics are fantastic as well. Darren has really improved as a lyricist - not that he wasn't fantastic before going solo though!
The best songs on the album? In my opinion, all songs are excellent. It actually takes quite some time to get used to many songs in the album. However, the songs which stood out the first time I listened to the album were Darkness, the tongue-in-cheek Pop!ular, Hero, Unloveable and I Forgive You. I've also found myself humming songs like Light and I Like The Way recently. In fact, I think every person will find a song they love on the album based on their life experiences.
In a nutshell, The Tension and the Spark is a masterpiece. If you have money to spare, don't hesistate to buy this album. It's definitely worth it!
Free Music Review: In response to A Kid's Review
Hit: 5 Stars
Response toA Kid's Review:
Glad you supported your opinion with so much information. Next time you dis an artist at least put something that dissess them in specific areas, not just saying that Popular is scary or "Darren you're not Popular". He doesn't care if he is Popular or if you like his music. He is just doing what he likes and if people happen to like it, thats just an added bonus.
Having said that here is my review:
I could do a track by track review, but since probably most people won't read this or care I will save everyone some time. This album is amazing. I've been a straight male fan of Darren's since the Savage Garden days starting in 1997. With Darren's first Solo album Spin he experiemented with new sounds and still continued to impress me lyrically, musically and vocally. I love Spin, but Darren wasn't expressing much personal, I mean real personal emotions. Now he brings us on his personal journey through depression, self doubt, his childhood, questioning outside perceptions of himself, not wanting to be anyones hero, and last but not least...letting go of our worst enemy our ego. This album is amazing in every sense of the word. If you aren't open to new things or just swoon over Darren cause you are a shallow girl that thinks he's good looking then you should pass this album by because you probably won't like it. If you are open to art in the form of music and will give this album a chance because you to have felt depressed or any of the other above listed emotions then you will love this album. Trendy Savage Garden/Darren Hayes fans stay away from this album. True Darren fans, welcome to The Tension And The Spark, Darren's best work yet.
Free Music Review: A sparkling cd!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to say this album is THE best Darren has done in terms of vocals and lyrics here. For me being a writer too, reading the lyrics book as I was listening to the cd, more of songs have grown on me, and more I listen to them the more I will enjoy them.
At a Listening Party after one listen a few tracks really stood out to me: Dublin Sky, Darkness, Unlovable, I like the way and I forgive you. The rest were in the middle and would grow on me eventually.
Now that I have listened properly one time through (and have cd on repeat in my player), the following tracks in order of my favorites: Dublin Sky, I like the way, Darkness Popular, Unlovable, I Forgive You, and Hero.
The rest are growing on me slowly as I listen to them more: Light, Love & Attraction, Feel, Void, Ego, and Sense of Humor.
This is an album that is a must have for anyone who appreciates good music and lyrics.
The electronic musical parts may not be all people's thing but its secondary and not important to me personally. Its an album that will really appeal to many because it has mature themes to it that most people can relate to for sure: heartbreak, darkness, betrayal, loss, and from the bad times, light and love will come your way for sure.
If I had to pick the next song as the next single, I'd pick Dublin Sky - its got an acoustic feel, and a slower tempo song that people except from Darren. But its not a typical love song either but a song about looking back and having some regrets & more but also looking back with fondness on the good times of a failed relationship.
Run don't walk to the nearest store or website, and get it this cd... its so worth it.
Free Music Review: SENSATIONAL !
Hit: 5 Stars
The Tension and The Spark is a fitting title for Darren Hayes sophomore debut CD. His comeback proved to be MUCH better than his effort in SPIN, though SPIN did prove some memorable tracks, you will find yourself enjoying this cd more (as I did). Hayes' voice is no doubt unique, different, and strong. He has the ability to sing love ballads and rock our body through catchy dance songs. He did it again in this TT&TS. TT&TS seems more well put together than SPIN, it has more depth, personal tone, and superb lyrics. This has to be one of the most sensatinal cd released this year.
This CD is different than your pop for a few reasons:
1) Matured, deep and well expressed lyrics... This is not your Justin Timberlake "rock your body" or JC Chavez "some girls... dance with women" type of watered down lyrics. These are insightful and are written by Darren himself.
2) Unique music, maybe this is because Darren is from another country. It adds a different sound and taste toning down the old familiar pop we hear on the radio... (not that American pop is bad... but this is simply different)
Stand out tracks include:
- Popular (Don't be fool by the single - the cd has more to offer)
- Unlovable (WOW!!! I CANNOT SAY ANYMORE!!! JUST LISTEN!!! SO CLASSY)
- I Like the Way - this is the Darren Hayes we know... He did it (again)
- Hero - Unique & meaningful
- Love & Attraction - Insightful lyrics & catchy beats.
THIS CD IS WORTH YOUR MONEY!!! (EVEN IF IT IS $25+ dollars)... order now and get free shipping :)
Free Music Review: Excellent album
Hit: 5 Stars
The album is good, very nice music, awesome beats! This changed my perspective on electronic music. The beats are awesome. Popular, Light, Dublin Sky, Darkness, I like the way and Void are my favourite tracks. His music is light and enjoyable. A lot of reviewers said the words are meaningful too. I suppose they are, but they are not stand-out. I have heard thousands of songs, and if I want meaningful lyrics, I am more likely to go to Jack Johnson, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, among others. The main reason I listen to Darren Hayes is because of his brand of light disco pop (though his ballads have good music too, often haunting as in Void and Darkness), much along the lines of Kylie Minogue (I read somewhere they have the same music producer.)
Back to the meaningful lyrics thing, I have rarely heard a deep pop song (except perhaps Aqualung.) I listen to pop to feel great, light, sexy and romantic, and in the mood for a party. If I want emotional benefit then I rarely get it from pop, but from jazz, adult alternative, etc.
I do not agree with the reviewers who said that Spin wasn't that good, I really enjoyed Spin a lot too, particularly the title track.
It's hard not to like Darren's voice, it is very emotive, very warm. I was beginning to fall for him before I heard some of the words in Love and Attraction 'He wants me, I want him...' Please? Is Darren Hayes bisexual? Well, if you can ignore/accept that rather disturbing fact, this album is definitely for you. I still like the album, and I still like Darren, and I will continue to if he keeps entrancing me with his sexy voice and great light music.