Customer Reviews

Tension & Spark

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

From the first time i heard "To The Moon And Back" i knew there was something special about Darren Hayes-with or without Savage Garden.The SPIN album had it's moments, but i was disapointed. Although it did contain,"Insatiable", hands down the best love song ever, i felt like Darren Hayes was capable of better. Upon receiving The Tension and The Spark, I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! I've had it for a week and i can't get over how flawless and percectly crafted this album is. I love electronic music, but it can be cold. But with Darren's beautiful vocals and deep, deep lyrics this album warms my heart. That's the best way i can describe it. This is my favorite album in years. And I can't remember the last time an album affected me as much as this did. I can relate to it whole heartatly, as i'm sure many will. Yes, it's dark, but at the same time it makes you feel really good. There are so many standout tracks here. "dublin sky" and "feel" are beautiful ballads-(can you expect anything less from the man who brought you truly, madly, deeply?)--"darkness" is haunting and maybe the best song on the album. Are you ready to dance?--no problem with that here. "hero", "i like the way", "popular" definetely get you going. and for those of you that miss Savage Garden, take a listen to "Love & Attraction"- it sounds very similar to "tears of Pearls" from the first SG album. and we all remember how hot that song was. do yourselves a favor and get this cd. this is what great music is about. the emotions of the good and bad in our lives- and everything in between.

I loved Savage Garden and after hearing Darren's last solo album and not really liking what I heard I decided to give Darren another chance...and boy am I glad I did. This album is full of intuitive, insightful, deep, honest, and personal lyrics and great beats. Many of the songs are quite bitter and edgy, but that's exactly my kind of music. Ever since Alanis went all happy on me there's been something missing in my life...not anymore, lol. The album does vary and there are a couple ballads of course. I don't care much for the first single "Popular", but that's oddly the only song I don't care for. Some songs seem like they were ripped directly from my brain, like the songs "Love And Attraction" and "Void". I must also say that Darren is both sounding and looking his very best right now. Keep up the good work! This CD is worth its weight in gold and is in regular rotation in my player.

It's a shame that this album was a limited release; It was never released in the US, but is well worth the import price. It's an even bigger shame that such an amazing and critically acclaimed album fails to gain mass appeal.

As this singer himself once said, "my, how things have changed...". Flashback to 2002, when Darren's first solo album, "Spin," came out - many were quick to believe that he'd have no problem recreating the success of previous Savage Garden albums. But apart from constantly clever lyrics and a few memorable harmonies, "Spin" was a self-indulging production that disappointed most. As a result, now, Darren's new album, "The Tension and the Spark" is not released in the States and at this time, there are no promises on that happening any time soon.

That is sad because if you're not listening to this superb offering, you are missing out on what is easily one of the year's absolute best albums. Normally, in today's music world, at least 5-6 years and 1-2 satisfactory albums would have occurred between "Spin" and "The Tension...". But in fact, it's only been about 2 years. It is that high of a creative leap that Darren has made.

Gone are the pre-fabricated beats and the tired ballads. In place of those, Darren boldly brings forth an outstanding effort with incredible results. The provocative, almost intellectual lyrics have come to be expected from this singer/songwriter, but perhaps what impresses the most on this album is the musical arrangement. Collaborating with some of the most cutting-edge producers, Darren has created what would resemble a sort of male version of a quasi-melancholy, quasi-upbeat, REMIXED Sarah McLachlan, a type of sound that is catchy, sexy and pervasive while never losing its ability to elicit genuine sensations. On this album, this gifted performer has finally found the perfect "packaging" for his trademark voice. Not since certain sporadic moments during Savage Garden days, has Darren Hayes sounded so in shape, so personal, and so hip.

In addition to that, the album is positively overflowing with first rate music, in the sense of rhythm and melody. Pieces such as "Dublin Sky," "I Like the Way," "Hero" and "Unlovable" are the type of songs that normally would be used to promote a different album each one of them. Nowadays, pop albums simply don't come packed with so many gems anymore. From that perspective, but also because it has incredible coherence (i.e. this album, as a whole, tells a story), and because it is magnificently creative, "The Tension..." is a contradiction in terms. It captures the best of pop, yet it opposes all of its superficiality.

Judging from this album, Darren is clearly going places. My only hope, as an avid listener of good music, is that we may join him on his future rides. Pick this album up - this music *does* take you places. And how often can you say that about anything else on the mainstream market these days?

I have been a fan of Savage Garden from the beginning and was at first upset when they decided to stop making music. I say at first, because after hearing what Darren Hayes can do by himself, I am glad that he went on to his own solo career. His first album, "Spin," is a good album, but not quite as good as either of Savage Garden's CDs.

Now, with "The Tension and the Spark," Darren makes a surprising, and welcome, change in style. The album as a whole is beautifully insightful and deeply emotional. At first when I put the CD in and heard the beginning of "Darkness," I thought I was going to be disappointed with the album. The further I got into it, the more I began to appreciate it. By the time I got to the end of "Unlovable" I was in love.

Darkness - A slow start to ease you into the album. Darren collaborates with Robert Conley, creator of the online "electronic project" Specificus. They work very well together and do a few other songs on this album. Darren says that his favortie lyrics ever are in this song: "It's hard to take control when your enemy's old and afraid of you..You discover that the monster you've been running from is the monster in you.." Great song.

I Like the Way - Another song with help from Robert Conley. I love this song. Picks up the beat for the album for the second track (although it was one of the last songs he wrote for the album.) It's a song about sexuality. I'd like to add a quote from Darren when he was asked about this song: "I guess I firmly believe that lust and desire, although a huge part of the process of attraction, are embryonic or adolescent stages of love. I know that ultimately the ego craves the physical aspect but the soul wants more." Like I said, very insightful, and emotional person. That aspect of him shines in this album.

Light - Darren's friend who "fell pregnant" and gave birth in the midst of all of his depression and pain, inspired him. The baby simply represented re-birth to him. Showing him light in the middle of all of his darkness. A well constructed and beautifily performed change from the previous track.

Pop!ular - His single in Australia, poking fun at the celebrity world. How anyone will do anything to be popular. It's another fun, upbeat one like track 2.

Dublin Sky - Slows it down a bit again. Absolutely gorgeous song. Darren says that this was the frist song he ever wrote. I can't stress how beautiful this song is. One of my favorite on the album.

Hero - A good song about how people always put one person up on a pedastal and idolize them, and expect perfection from them. How Darren Hayes doesn't want to be that person anymore. Good song, but not one of the most memorable.

Unlovable - Not only my favorite song, but Darren Hayes favorite as well. The song is basically an unsent letter. One thing I love about the song is how heartfelt... how genuine his emotion sounds. This is because the first time he ever sang the song, is what you hear on the record. This song is most certainly not unlovable; it is unbelievable!

Void - An excellent following song right after "Unlovable." Robert Conley is back to help with this song for the "drum sounds from hell" that make the song so unique. Again, very emotional. Great lyrics. You really understand what he's talking about. Yes, Darren, we all feel the void sometimes.

I Forgive You - Darren had some help from Marius De Vries, who worked with Bjork, and Madonna's "Ray of Light" album. Good song, although, again, not the most memorable.

Feel - Great song. I love the melodies, and the way the lyrics in the verses are presented. Each line builds on the one before it. "You teach me how to love... parts of myself... I hated for so long." Each line in the lyrics leaves it open for a new direction to take the mood... Very well done.

Love and Attraction - This is another good song. Brings up the possibility of Darren Hayes being bisexual? I'd respect him even more for that. The song is about how dumb the whole courtship scenario is. In Darrens words it's about "Cupid's cruel joke on us all."

Sense of Humor - Starts off with a nice slow melody. Picks up as the song goes on. I really love the background music in the last half of the song. Everything seems to continue to escalate and add more things on top of each other, but they fit together so well! Darren's overlapping vocals sounds wonderful. He really is an incomparable singer.

Ego - This is a song about how he is trying to get rid of his ego. Simple, straightforward lyrics at times, but they're almost humorous. For example: "I have been contemplating letting go... of you ego... thought I'd let you know..." I love it.

Boy (Bonus Track) - Although this track is not listed for this version on amazon, this is copy that I ordered, and the bonus track edition (which costs over $10 more than this one) was on mine. So I don't know if they sent me the wrong one, or if that track is already on the regular album anyway. Might be a reason to buy this one instead of the bonus track version. Anyway... the actual song is... not really a song. It is enjoyable to listen to, and has some good lyrics, and is quite interesting. But I wouldn't necessarily call it a song. You'll have to listen to it to see what I mean.

Overall the album is totally spectacular, and I have considered it one of my favorites, if not my favorite album ever. I'd recommend it to anyone who'd give it a shot. Definitely worth the money to import it!

(source used for some quotes: [...])

Well, I wouldn't go as far as saying that The Tension and the Spark is better than Spin. But I think it all depends on how you want to see it : Spin has more catchy tunes, but Tension is edgier. One thing is for sure, if you're looking for joyful pop songs like Crush or sensual ballads like Insatiable, you're not gonna find it on Darren Hayes' sophomore effort. Rather, the former Savage Garden frontman offers us a peek into his personal life and inner demons (Unloveable is a touching letter to an ex-lover that really shows Darren's vulnerability), and kindly shares his deepest thoughts, fears and dreams with us. While I could dance to Spin, Tension makes me sit down and listen instead; the lyrics are deep, smart, sometimes tongue-in-cheek (one simply needs to listen to Pop!ular, Darren's satire about the music industry, to be conviced) and are Darren's best to date, in my opinion. The music is also quite different from the previous album; Tension has a more electronic feel that is quite reminiscent of Depeche Mode, in some cases. All in all, both of Darren's albums have their advantages. If you feel like dancing and having a good time, then put on Spin. But if you're in a more meditative mood, then Tension and Spark is what you need.

#1. I love this friggin' cd. Darren is poetic and emotional and moving with his words. Every song deals with some aspect of love or relationship....the dark and light side of it....
#2. The sound is different than SPin, but the difference is good. DOn't get me wrong, I love Spin just as much, but, I don't know, it feels as though he worked harder on this cd, put much more of himself into it and much more reflection.
#3. I Like the Way is a club song....u put it on, and u're going to dance through ALL of it. Unlovable is one of my other faves....Check out the lyrics: "are my lips unkissable? are my eyes unlookable? is my sex undoable? am i unloveable?...you made me feel like my father never loved me...you made me feel like the act of love is empty...you made me feel like my mother she abandoned me..." That's some heavy stuff.....it's just deep. Some of his romantic songs are just so beautiful. The cd is great! GO BUY IT NOW!
#4. IF YOU BUY FROM AMAZON, UR GOING TO PAY MORE. I GOT MINE FROM TOWER RECORDS. $18, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE BONUS TRACK "BOY". THAT CD IS $25. U DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT, EITHER. IT COMES RIGHT TO YOU. AND IF YOU BUY OVER $20, U GET FREE SHIPPING!
#5. Darren proves he can hold his own....I mean he did in Spin, but he REALLY did here. HIs voice is so beautiful...when he hits those ooohhhsss and aaaahhhhhssss....makes u melt.....*ah, faint*.

After Darren Hayes's split from Savage Garden in 2001, his first solo attempt Spin seemed laden with the baggage of industry expectation, cookie-cutter ballads, and sticking to safe ground: in short, not a very original record in the long haul. Enter "The Tension and the Spark," a project which Darren tried to deny himself by keeping busy, but which eventually emerged as an epic, largely autobiographical, self-produced gem with poetic lyrics, Darren in top vocal form, and haunting electronic backings.

The fourteen tracks on the Australian release (featuring "Boy") are balanced between literal and figurative light and darkness, evident in song titles ("Light," "Darkness") and lyrics ("I no longer live like a man in the dark"). We find Darren exploring failed relationships ("Dublin Sky," "Unlovable"), rejecting fame ("Pop!ular," "Hero"), and exploring sexuality and gender roles ("Love and Attraction" with the infamous line "I want her/she wants him/he wants me/I give in," and some of the musings in "Boy": "Find a girl/don't sing high/Nobody likes a crybaby boy/Keep your feelings deep inside/Better lift some weights").

The edgy electronic backings, layered choruses, and vocoder effects make this dance-friendly, but the slower, darker numbers are beautiful as well. It is clear how much Darren invested in this project, daring to bare his soul through music in a search for healing, and although the album may not have been a huge commercial success, I believe it to be one of the best albums I've bought in the last several years and definitely among Darren's best work. Take a chance, and you won't be disappointed.

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.

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.

If you think you know this artist... think again. Now and then an album breaks the surface of your complacency and rattles your beliefs and shakes up everything you've previously held true... and this is such an album. Darren Hayes is not a "new" artist. And yet everything he does on this album IS new. It's electronic in inception...but not the chilly Euro-tech sort of electronic you may have come to associate with that term... organic in performance (you may not recognise the name but you'll certainly recognise the voice) and unexpected in sound. All the melodic turns and flourishes you might remember from his previous work are still there, and all the lyrical depth... and more. Above all, this is a work of brutal honesty, intensely personal, inward-focused...about the contrast between the light in our lives and the dark that sometimes swallows it. Not an easy listen. In fact, there are parts that will test your tolerance, break your heart, and leave you questioning the very nature of happiness. Illusion? Disillusion? Impossibility? You'll be surprised, and reassured, by the end.
So, after all that... how does it SOUND? Like the album Darren Hayes was always meant to make. Which is to say... like nothing you've ever heard before!