Really worth getting in a 'Spin' about? (Spin - Darren Hayes)

Member Name: MizzMolko

Product:	Spin - Darren Hayes
Date:	26/04/08 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some promising solo work from Savage Garden's lead singer

Disadvantages: A bit bland and repetitive in many places

Savage Garden were the first band that I probably really fell in love with. When I went to see the duo live in Nottingham at my first ever gig at the age of nine, my affection for the Aussie's grew even stronger after their amazing set with the 'Affirmation' tour.

When I heard they were splitting up, naturally, it was gutted. It perplexed me a little too - lead singer Darren Hayes and guitarist Daniel Jones seemed to have their act down perfectly on stage with no signs of any cracks in their performances.

However, news emerged that shy Daniel just wasn't comfortable with the fame and success of the band who sold over 25 million records around the world - a staggering amount for any artist to say the least, let alone two down to earth Aussies how had only ever released two albums at the time.

Saddened by the news, I was soon comforted by the revelation that Darren would be going it alone, producing a solo album to be released in the spring of 2002.

With high expectations of the front man that I adored, what would my reaction be to his debut solo album?

Perhaps unexpected in a very bemused way...

Track 1: Strange Relationship (5.02 minutes)

Starting off the album was definitely one of the albums strongest tracks. 'Strange Relationship' seems to be a rhetorical rant about the loss of love and the feeling of disownment from a lover or even a friend. That, I feel was left quite ambiguous for the listener to make their mind up over. This was the second single, reaching #15 in the UK singles charts which is respectable but I think is could - and perhaps should - have made its way inside the top ten.

Marks out of 10: 8.5 - One of the best tracks on here that probably should have got more recognition for its greatness and Darren's effortlessly good vocals.

Track 2: Insatiable (5.10 minutes)
I will never forget the day I first saw this video. As the first single from 'Spin', Darren had changed his style quite dramatically; now with more natural looking blonde locks and sporting a classy yet casual suit, it seemed a far cry from the Savage Garden front man with died 'Gothic' like black hair and shiny leather trousers (not a bad thing in my book but I did like those trousers!). With breathy, emotional lyrics, this song is pure indulgence, delivered passionately. So much so, you can actually imagine where he is coming from in a powerful and convincing way. This track reached number 8 in the UK singles chart which was quite promising in terms of his new solo career.

Marks out of 10: 8 - definitely insatiable, baby! Listening to the album over time though, it's certainly not the best track but by no means the worst either.

Track 3: Heart Attack (5.04 minutes)

The next track takes us deeper inside the mind of a vengeful lover. Sung slightly Michael Jackson-esque, this song takes time I think for you to really be able to appreciate it properly. The background music is interesting, whilst mainly sounding upbeat, it actually crashes with the bitterness of the lyrics extremely well.

Marks out of 10: 7.5 - the different pace was welcomed but not quite as dramatically as it could have been done. However, musically, this is one of the strongest tracks on here.

Track 4: I Miss You (5.30 minutes)
Time for another Darren ballad! Love features heavily in Mr. Hayes' song themes and here it is done blissfully well. With the repetition of 'Give me a reason' as well as the feeling of longing for that special person to return, the third offering from this album only reached #20 in the UK charts which to me was perhaps a little harsh.

Marks out of 10: 8 - another classic love song by the master himself!

Track 5: Creepin' Up On You (4.53 minutes)

There is a very grand vibe about this track mixed with a dirty kind of dance beat. I loved it from the moment I first heard it. The song evolves logically, talking about obsession with another in a very realistic, fan orientated fashion (I have no idea where he could have ever got this idea from...). It does sound a little similar to 'Strange Realtionship' but is certainly less personal.

Marks out of 10: 8.5 - Brilliantly different.

Track 6: Dirty (4.45 minutes)
Rumoured to have been originally written for Britney Spears of all people, 'Dirty' was liked very much by its author. To be honest, this is where the album for me personally starts to go downhill. It's a little over worked in my opinion and perhaps would have suited a female lead much more than Darren as I don't think it was a natural sound for him.

Marks out of 10: 6.5 - the lyrics to me, combined with
corny 'record scratching' sound effects make this a little too boy bandish for my liking. A great shame because it had potential to be one of the albums killer tracks.

Track 7: Crush (1980 Me) (4.00 minutes)

Being the last singles attempt from 'Spin', this song was undoubtedly aimed at a younger audience with a funkier tune than its predecessors. The video itself complimented this well - in a diner like setting with all things from the 1980's. Peaking at #19 in the UK, it did only slightly better than the previous offering which I can understand why.

Marks out of 10: 6.5 - to be fair, 'Crush' does get slightly annoying after the fifth listen, I found.

Track 8: Good Enough (6.11 minutes)
From here to just about the end of the album, we hear mushier, self apologetic ballads that verge on irritating. 'Good Enough' was heartfelt in some ways but in others, I just found it a really average B-Side. It's lyrics seem to be a plea for a lover to take their companion seriously and to reassure them that they are not as weak as they may seem.

Marks out of 10: 6 - not awful but hardly great. One of the albums most average tracks.

Track 9: I Can't Ever Get Enough Of You (5.16 minutes)

The first time I heard this, I honestly thought it was still 'Good Enough'! There is little to no variation here in terms of singing style, lyrics or general tunes and boarders on self pity which - to me as a listener - offered a long, droning atmosphere that I wouldn't have expected out of this singer/songwriter.

Marks out of 10: 5 - just bland in all honesty.

Track 10: Like It Or Not (6.20 minutes)
By this time, the 'ohs' and 'ars' are getting a little unbearable. It's starting to lack sense most importantly, seemingly having less impact each and every time it's said. Possibly slightly better than the one before, Darren seems to be doubting himself as a lover, homing in on every minor imperfection he may - or may not - have. Far too similar to 'Good Enough'.

Marks out of 10: 5.5 - dragged on for far too long. Rather pointless in the grander scheme of things.

Track 11: What You Like (5.38 minutes)

Almost a thank you letter to someone dear to him, this track is still sounding too familiar to the three beforehand but with a slightly more upbeat feel to it. Complete with Christmas like ding dongs, this one verged way too much on the boy band side too which is odd as Darren campaigned since the start of his music career that Savage Garden were anything but a boy band. Tracks like this don't help his cause.

Marks out of 10: 5 - With a long 'musical interlude', this one came across as self indulgent rather than meaningful.

Track 12: Spin (4.23 minutes)
The albums title track saved the day before this album was doomed to the bottom of the CD rack! A drastic change of lyric, this is a welcomed conclusion to the end of the album. Politically fuelled and disapproving of certain types of televisions, this is one of the stand out tracks on the entire album for me. It ends on an edgier but higher note and a direction that Darren has explored much more thoroughly since then on his next two solo albums.

Marks out of 10: 9 - I loved the subtle anger here! Very well written and produced.

The cover design and inlay - like the music itself - was trying to keep in line with Savage Garden's previous material. With no lyrics included, I felt that was a little discouraging as - at some points through out the course of the album - it is very difficult to tell exactly what Darren is singing.

There are a few variations of this CD available, including a Limited Edition copy with seven additional tracks on a separate disk. If I had been more impressed with the album itself, I may have given it a try. However, that was not the case so I didn't.
Currently, you can buy this CD new from the following outlets at these prices:

Play.com - £4.80 (from 'Play Trade')
HMV.co.uk - £4.99 (for Limited Edition copy)
Amazon.co.uk - £6.80 (Australian export complete with bonus track 'What the Heart Wants')

Although this album managed to reach #2 in the UK album charts, I think it was released solely for people - like me - who had adored Savage Gardens work and who were disappointed when they disbanded.

However, I think that my main issue with this album would have to be its lack of variation. It felt like I was listening to the same track over and over again from track 8 to 11which was really boring. In fact, if I hadn't listened to the rest of the album it wouldn't have bothered me but I would have missed out on the brilliance which is 'Spin'.

Also, it has come to light that at that point in time, Darren himself was unhappy with his life which caused another major disappointment for me when I went to see him live. Whilst touring with this album he barely lasted on stage for an hour and a quarter which is simply not 'Good Enough', considering the prices of tickets.

That being said, I was glad that I didn't totally give up on him. As a fan of mainly rock music, I was delighted by his second solo album 'The Tension And The Spark'. A darker, edgier and higher standard of electronic music really made that album.

So, if you want to listen to Darren Hayes work, I'd strongly recommend 'The Tension And The Spark'. The bold change in direction was just what the doctor ordered. You could tell when I went to see Darren yet again that that had been his favourite album since Savage Garden and a personal favourite of mine.

'Spin' is a great album if you like friendly yet repetitive pop music. However, if you are like me and want something more thought provoking, I'd recommend 'The Tension and the Spark' in a heartbeat.

Now, that album is certainly something to get in a 'Spin' about!

(Note: Previously displayed in less detail on Ciao by myself as MizzMolko).

Summary: The first debut album from Darren Hayes is not really worth getting in a 'Spin' about!