My Review of the Spinalicious Darren Hayes Solo album -

Spin

by Francesca C.

Strange Relationship

Spooky beginning - very 'Thriller-lite'
Nice beat, that's not too fast, but groovy enough to dance to. Think of all the weird relationships you've been in. Trying to get free of the ties, but can't stop going back. The pain is the price of the pleasure. Darren illustrates what all us have went through at some point in our lives. "Gimme that strange relationship!" As you slam the phone down from another mixed up call from your b/g friend, you'll be putting this on and singing loud and proud.

Insatiable

Most of you have already heard this one for yourselves, and if you haven't - hop on over to DarrenHayes.com to hear it.

Intensely romantic, desperate song. Don't let the risqué lyrics on this one keep you from loving it - when coupled with the sheer emotion that comes through in Darren's voice and the silky music - you will see it's much more than the words alone reveal. This speaks of the love that is insatiable, never ending, so intense it consumes you. (Well, I've heard it's out there! lol!) And Darren couldn't have written a better song to make us all wish we had met our Prince Charming…………in leather, that is. ;)

Heart Attack

Are we talking funk? Are we talking POW - in your face emotion?? Oh yes, Heart Attack is all that and more. This song would've fit in perfectly next to Beat It & Billie Jean from Michael Jackson. Why ya gonna break my heart? Gonna stab me in the back?? Well, I'm sure you get the point. A lot of emotion in this one! You'll be playing this one over and over after that latest break-up. But it's okay…join in - sing it out - move on babee! This song is just the one to get you back up on your feet and fighting!

I Miss You

First, I have to say no one, that's right - NO ONE, does love songs like Darren Hayes. I Miss You is everything a love song should be. "You got a way of spreading magic everywhere. Anywhere I go, I know you're always there"……ahhhhh…. Gorgeous music and Darren's falsetto and soft and gentle emotion-filled voice - bring this one home. I can see this and every other love song on this album becoming a No. 1 hit.

Creeping Up On You

The beginning of this song rocks! Get out your weirdest clothes and get your groove on. You want a dysfunctional song - you got it with Creeping up on you. Very funky (have I said that too much? lol), well it is! Very prominent beat and rhythm - and I bet you can't NOT sing the chorus. Think freaky - think Tim Burton or Quentin Tarrentino freaky. This is the theme song of stalkers everywhere - but hey - that's not a bad thing when it's Darren who's doing the stalking!

Dirty

Hmmm…interesting title. No, Darren hasn't gotten into mud wresting. Think the 'other' kind of dirty. ;) Excellent dance song - this one! Wonderfully downtown groove to it. "Why don't you tell me your sign? I hear we're two of a kind." Add the perfect timing of the sequences and groovalicius harmonies - you've got a dance club favorite right here, babee!! "I can get dirty too" - just don't scuff up my sketchers!

Crush (1980 ME)

Okay, if I HAD to have a least favorite song on the album - this is it. But hey, that doesn't mean YOU won't like it. Mr. Roboto welcomes us with a hearty "1-9-8-0 M-E." This one is specially formulated for those disco clubs with the spinning lights (what?? There aren't any left….sure there are!) Fast paced and electronic vibes running throughout this one. The chorus of "gotta little crush, can't get enough of that stuff, it's such a rush" - is what does this song in for me - It's just a little too bubblegum for my taste. But it IS Darren - so make yourself love it anyway!!!

Good Enough

Here's where Darren's talent of brining emotions to life through his music comes in. Very soulful and meaningful song. With some nice current events refs thrown in there for good measure. When he talks about motherly love - get out your hankies; this guy's forte is making you feel what he's singing. "I don't know which way this roads gonna turn, but I know it's gonna be fine." When you're feeling down - put this on for a spin - and feel better. "Am I good enough?" - Yeah, according to Darren, you're good enough, babe.

I Can't Get Enough of You

Special Note: This is my favorite song on the whole album!!

Another No. 1 love song from Darren! Can he spin the lyrics that make our hearts melt? Listen to this and you'll agree..OH YES, HE CAN! The imagery of this song is what blows me away. The music and lyrics are simply amazing. "Now my world is filled with a whisper of love and a promise" - a promise of many lovers young and old embracing this song! It reaches the heights of Truly Madly Deeply and I Knew I Loved You. It tells of new love and how that person is the center of your universe in those precious early days of romance. "There's a symphony and melody that play whenever you're around"..ah…right back at ya, Darren!

Like It Or Not

And the love songs just keep on coming. If Darren hasn't cemented his Love Song King status with this album - I'll eat my TMD ultra rare tracks CD! Hehe. As with all the others, Darren's beautiful voice lifts your heart and speaks to your soul. This song tells of traveling to be with the one you love. "And I'm coming to see you whether you like it or not." Another extremely soulful and meaningful song that will envelop you and take you where ever you want to go.

What You Want

What I want?? How about a fun & funky song with some deeper meaning to it?? Darren delivers with What You Want. Another one that you can't help yourself but sing along to. But not just bubblegum lyrics here..oh no. These lyrics speak of friends who find each other again, and wanting to give your love what they want (in the non-materialistic sense). This one is danceable as well! ;) "...so I can do it again..We've got the rest of our lives to get it right." Bingo - Darren, you just perked up the ears of hopeful bridesmaids everywhere!

Spin

The title track Spin is the last track on the album. And after hearing it - it should not have been put anywhere else! A perfect closing for this collection of incredibly 'real' and emotion filled songs. Darren pulls no punches with Spin. Upbeat and an eclectic mix of current events and how music can take you away from your problems for a while. I totally agree!! "When the music feels like this, you just lose control you gotta go with it." That's what it's all about - not just Spin - but music itself. The best music is that which takes you into it - "and your problems don't exist when the music feels like this." You will be boogying down to Spin and forgetting your problems for a while - no doubt! "Hit rewind," go on now, you know you want to!