Topanga

Colin Hay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B0026IZRFW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Underrated Solo Work, July 21, 2005

By 

J. Merritt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topanga (Audio CD)

The problem with being a fan of Colin Hay's work since the disintegration of Men At Work is that he's only available on indie labels now, so his stuff gets repackaged a lot. Some albums feature a full band while others are just Hay with his guitar. Buying all the albums means duplicating parts of the catalog, and some albums aren't available at all anymore. Ultimately, though, the difficulties of being a Hay completist are a small price to pay: The guy is an excellent and prolific songwriter, and any album you get your hands on is gonna be good.

In terms of the sound, Hay has grown up since MAW; this is more folky and adult, with none of the goofiness. He still has an edge, though, and that distinctive vocal sound. I chose this album mainly because it features one of his very best songs, "Waiting For My Real Life to Begin." This is one of those tracks that's available in other forms, but this is the best one, as is this version of "Into the Cornfields." "I Haven't Seen You In A Long Time" is a great little catchy starter, and "Can't Take This Town" is a good example of the sense of humor that Hay brought to so many MAW songs.

He's released better albums, including "Wayfaring Sons" and "Looking For Jack," but good luck finding those. Of the stuff that's available, this and "Company of Strangers" are your best bets. And catch him on tour if you get a chance. Alone or with a backup band, he's amazing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful medicine, September 21, 2007

By 

L. H. Singletary "Lewis Singletary" (Duluth, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Topanga (Audio CD)

Being a fan of Colin Hay dates me, which is a shame, since a much wider audience would enjoy his body of work if only they were aware of it. I learned about this album in 1992 while listening to a jazz station in Orlando, FL. The station played Against the Tide, and I knew I had to buy the album.

I'll not repeat elements of the excellent review nearby. I really don't even expect that this review will be read. This album, and Colin Hay, are good enough to warrant this token show of respect.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My personal favourite Colin Hay record, December 9, 2002

By 

Shaun Driscoll (Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topanga (Audio CD)

Why this record wasn't a big success is yet another piece in the "Why isn't Colin Hay bigger than Sting?" mystery. Every song is strong, there's not a weak one in the bunch, no "filler" like most artists put on records. The lyrics are pithy, moving, smart and observant as only Colin Hay can write. "Waiting For My Real Life To Begin" was exactly where I was at when I bought this and remains for me the most meaningful. "Woman's Face" is a real man's view of female beauty. "Lost Generation" uses the title of the WW2 generation as irony for the lost "Gen Xers" who whine about being well off. "Oooh Oooh Oooo Baby" made my girlfriend cry because it was something that I had done and just made her think of me when I was away from her. That's a testament to the honest stories and genuine lyrics Colin Hay writes.