|
japhyjunket |
|
THE
SIDEBAR |
|
4.12.2002
Music Review
Spin, Darren Hayes
Darren Hayes’ debut solo album, Spin is such a fantastically well crafted, fun and sexy pop album that it single handedly rescues the genre from hands of Britney and Justin and exposes the teen sensations for what they are: kids. This is far and away the most exciting pop album in years.
Formerly the lead singer of the incredibly successful Aussie duo, Savage Garden, Darren has created something of a pop revelation in these bland times, a genuinely fun pop album for adults. Amid the lush orchestrations and terrifyingly infectious hooks is a voice as iconic as Prince or Michael Jackson. There is an indescribable quality to the breathless moans and falsetto calls of Hayes’ voice that sexualizes a style of music neutered by Wacko-Jacko’s antics and the Backstreet Boys’ toothless pleas of wanting it ‘that way’. Where the boy bands make their millions by being coy, Hayes has no problem with beginning tracks with the sounds of women in sexual ecstasy (Dirty) or taking on the persona of a sexual predator (Creepin’ Up on You).
This is not to say that Spin is a raunch-fest, it’s just not sanitized. You get the distinct impression that his screaming fans are probably not swooning to just get an autograph. The first single release, Insatiable, is a seductive fusion of R&B and Spanish guitar that is far and away the best love ballad in the past five years. With lines like ‘every once in a while, even though I dig alternative style, occasionally I can be caught dancing to Britney’, Hayes writes lyrics that are not only razor sharp, but funny, downright witty.
While some tracks occasionally verge on overkill (there are so may beats on Heart Attack that you can’t help but tune out), the overall effort is top notch, making this a far more solid album than well, Invincible, Celebrity or Britney. If you want to do the whole ‘screaming hysterical girl’ thing and not be secretly faking it, Darren Hayes is your man.
IN A NUTSHELL: Most pop albums are guilty pleasures. This one is guilt free. Darren Hayes is the clear heir to the King of Pop’s crown.
Comments:
Post a Comment
HOME | ARCHIVES | EMAIL
 
Is my Blog HOT
or NOT? This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. |
About Me
THE iRiver PLAYLIST THE BOOKLIST THE MOVIE LIST THINGS TO DO 8.5 Andy Warhol @ The Erotic Museum (9-12) Items marked with an asterisk [*] indicate a must see event. LET'S BUY ON EBAY! PEOPLE TO SEE PLACES TO GO RESEARCHING SELECTED JAPHYDEX JAPHY LOVES JAPHY HATES THINGS TO GOOGLE |