American Sunshine

Colin Hay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 18, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B002F3BPBI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,557 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

While Colin Hay's voice and visage are familiar to millions as front-man, songwriter, and vocalist of pop sensations Men at Work ("Down Under," "Overkill," "Who Can It Be Now?"), the past ten years have found him quietly re-introducing himself to a new generation of fans. The frequent uses of his music in film and TV have proven the timeless appeal of his songs: quizzical, curious, cynical yet open-hearted. AMERICAN SUNSHINE is a multifaceted portrait of Colin Hay the performer, songwriter, and recording artist.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Colin Hay's Australian Dream August 22, 2009

By Timothy P. Young VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

America (and especially California) is Colin Hay's Australian Dream. Not for nothing is this album titled American Sunshine. It's pastoral, bright, and well put together. An American band might use the term cynically or ironically, but for Colin Hay, it's exactly what he means.

Hay's last album, the excellent Are You Lookin' At Me?, found him exploring different musical styles while growing comfortable as a singer-songwriter. Here, he embraces that role completely, creating a tapestry of finely written songs of varying tempos, with his trademark witty lyrics ("I'm pleased to almost meet you/The pleasure's almost mine"), couched in an acoustic bed that creates a pastoral setting for Hay's musings.

While there's not an "Overkill" in the bunch, there are several very good songs, including "I Came Into Your Store," "Broken Love," and "The End of Wilhemena." It works very well as an album, even if his last release overall had better songs. Where that album worked as an exploration of Hay's own psyche, this one's more about romantic life in America. And of course, Hay's voice is as strong as ever, interpreting the material with warmth and occasional sharpness.

It's a good album. Not the best you'll ever hear, but definitely worth a listen. In some ways, it suggests a happier Graham Parker. It'll grow on you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars American Sunshine - A Diverse Blend of Quality Music August 18, 2009

By Tom G. Duvall

Format:Audio CD

This release from Colin Hay is probably his best. The music covers a lot of territory from the driving rocker Pleased to almost meet you, to the country twang of Broken Love, and the captivating Oh California. The cd has a wonderful blend of many music genres. Among the best is There's water over you. A song reckoning back to Hay's childhood. With it's smooth guitar and gentle drums it is a soothing tonic for anyones ears. No Time has the most pop sounding hook on the cd making it quite catchy. Baby, Can I see you tonight? has Colin playing stripped down with just him and guitar. This song ranks right up there as one of his best with any of his other acoustic numbers. The American Sunshine instrumental was a bit too lackluster for me though and The end of Wilhelmina was just average. Overall, American Sunshine has been very pleasing to listen to as I have been unable to take it out of my cd player since I purchased it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Too much 'studio musician flare' not enough Colin Hay? November 6, 2009

By Stan Horstman

Format:Audio CD

I bought this album to show my support for Colin Hay. I heard Willamina and was excited. Listening to the rest of the album I hear a nice diversity of songs with clean instrument mixes and lots of professional fills BUT I don't believe Colin Hay was put in the forefront enough musically and these were studio musicians- good and polished but not Colin.

If you can tell me it is Colin Hay playing lead guitar in the Joe Satriani like instrumental I will totally change this review. Slide solos, ebow, these things are distracting. As of now I feel he got into the studio, had a great time with some great talent and put together great songs that were too reflective of the other musicians abilities and direction.

The good news is he will take these songs and put his acoustic flare on them for solo performances so YouTube here I come for those. Studio engineer and musicians shame on you- Colin is the talent.

UPDATE: Another reviewer said the album 'grows on you'. It did. I am no longer hung up on all things NOT Colin Hay. I now appreciate the clean mixes, musical diversity and creativity on one album. There are so many 'gem' songs and Mr. Hay's chord progressions (very new and fresh) and awesome voice make this a must have. Everyone should have this. You don't have to know a thing about Men at Work or have seen that Scrubs episode, this album stands solidly on it's own. I was hung up because the album was not what I was expecting- I am now amazed it is so much more than I expected.