Customer Reviews

Company of Strangers - Brown Bag Edition

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Is it possible that Colin Hay keeps getting better and better? It is -- and he's done it again with "Company of Strangers".

The past few years have been extremely sparse as far as music goes. There's a need for music like this, but due to formulaic radio station formats, you'll never hear it. What you're missing is one of the most talented, singer/songwriter/storytellers of our time.

Most everyone in the US has heard of the group Men at Work. Several great pop songs and videos, then they vanished. That's the general conception. Just a few folks know the guiding force behind the band was (and still is) Colin Hay. Colin's had several solo CD's from the late 80's through the 90's and into the new millenium, each brilliant pieces of work. This latest release has Colin continuing the the same vein as always: good voice, great music and a great backing band.

It's really hard to go wrong on any of his CDs. If you can find "Looking for Jack" or "Wayfaring Sons" count yourself as lucky -- they've been out of print for sometime. They're wonderful albums. "Peaks & Valleys", "Topanga", "Going Somewhere" and "Company" are still in print and worth getting.

If you were a fan of Men At Work, here's the brains and the voice behind the band. Don't get the albums so much for nostalgia reasons (his work is lower key than MAW), but get them for the great music and lyrics. You won't be disappointed.

Everyone remembers Men at Work. Few seem to know the that founder and leader of that super group, Colin Hay, just released his seventh solo CD, "Company of Strangers." His first solo venture, "Looking for Jack," received high praise from critics in 1986. Unfortunately, the public did not take to it and Hay's career has been muddled in obscurity. However, his art has gotten better and better with each release. If you are a fan of music, do yourself a favor. Order "Company of Strangers." After hearing, you will no doubt be going back online to purchase Hay's other 6 solo releases.

I'm really impressed with "Company of Strangers" it's such a great album, I heard somewhere somebody says that's is the best work from Colin since Men at Work's "Business as Usual", and well, you better believe that, we have another great album into Colin solos' as 1994's "Topanga". But "Company of Strangers" brings Colin so alive, and such full songs, some of them make us remember Men at Work like "Lucky Bastard". You can find some good rock'n'roll at "I Got Woken Up". You can ride your car thru the highway with "Don't Wait Up" and "Beautiful World". Well, Colin Hay is here, and it's going to be for a long time... So, we better listen what he has to sing!

I sometimes look at reviews with a degree of skepticism and wonder if the authors are simply fanatics of certain musical artists. I put faith in the reviews of Company of Strangers, and, boy, was I glad I did. This is an outstanding CD. I usually have to listen to a CD a couple of times before finally liking it. Not so with Company of Strangers: I instantly liked it. This is very high quality music with thoughtful lyrics.

I too question why the recording industry does not make more of this talented musician.

I'll be brief: this is yet another in a string of gems from the most overlooked artist on today's music scene. His songwriting, singing and arrangements are excellent, and his propensity for self examination coupled with self deprecation make him most appealing. The standouts on this album are "I Got Woken Up" "Lucky Bastard," "Company Of Strangers" and "How Long Will It Last;" with previously-released acoustic versions of great songs including the haunting "Don't Wait Up" and the bright "Beautiful World" fleshed out with full musical accompaniament.

If you do not own Hay's sublime "Topanga", the seminal "Transcendental Highway" and the latest jewel "Company of Strangers"; your music collection is incomplete. When will the record companies pull their heads out and realize they should snap Colin Hay up with a lucrative contract?

There is so much to say about this extremely talented artist, but the other reviews have done such a fine job in doing so. Along with Jeff Lynne (of ELO), Colin Hay is one of the most talented, yet under-appreciated musicians of our time. And, this album is truly one of his finest compilations. Colin is one of the few artists that can bring me to tears with the beauty of his music (in a weak moment). :) Order this CD while you can and try to see Colin in concert. You'll see exactly what I mean.

well I have seen him twice in Australia in the last 4 years and he is not to be missed.The last time was in Melbourne I flew from Perth Western Australia to see him. I love all of his album but my favs are peaks and valleys , T>Highway and Going somewhere.
There are two sites that fans can visit my page at http//www.downundercom.tripod.com which has photos reviews , articles and mosaiscs on colin hay and men at work and also another site called http//www.menatwork.br.com

I bought this CD after Colin's appearance in Halifax. It was instantly enjoyed by not just me but the rest of the crowd. Every track stands on it's own, ranging from the humourous "Lucky Bastard" and "No Win Situation" to the sad and doubting "How Long Will It Last" and "Company Of Strangers". My only complaint is that three of the songs are available in acoustic form on his previous CD. I would rather have had three more new songs to enjoy, but I'm just being greedy. In fact, I prefer "Lifeline" on this CD over the acoustic version, which can't be said of the other two. However, if the listener doesn't have Going Somewhere then such gems as "Beautiful World" and "Don't Wait Up" will be as moving and beautiful as the original acoustics. One cannot listen to Colin and not smile and sing along with him. You want a record that will last for years and make you feel good, then buy this and if you can see him live.

This is his finest solo release. The songwriting is excellent, as is his voice. Standout tracks include, Small Town Big Hell, Company of Stangers, Beautiful World, Lifeline and No Win Situation. This cd will not disappoint if you are looking for good pop music.

I've been a fan of Colin Hay for about a year now and decided to pick this CD up before I got a chance to see him live in Agoura Hills. I'm glad I did as this has not stopped playing in my iPod since I bought. Simply one of the best CDs I own, bar none. The title track is gorgeous (and I was so excited that he played it, and "Lifeline" live) and has a great payoff in it's final line. The rest of the CD is just about as listenable as a CD can get. "Lifeline", "Beautiful World", "Small Town Big Hell"...you can't go wrong. Do yourself a favor and pick this up...now!