Music Review | Darren Hayes -- Spin
Written by: Kage Alan

Album Rating: D+

I wasn't particularly impressed with the way the Savage Garden split was
publicized at all.  Darren apparently announced it at a press conference and
Daniel knew nothing about it.  Yeah, real nice (if it indeed went down like
that).  Darren loves the spotlight and Daniel doesn't, so Darren decided he
had what it took to take the show on the road by himself.  He was wrong.  The label on the CD claims "The voice of Savage Garden returns with a sound that's all his own!" Well, if this is how he sounds, he can keep it to
himself.  I didn't expect it to sound like Savage Garden, but I certainly had
higher expectations than this.

"Spin" starts off with an appalling track titled "Strange Relationship".  It
actually sets the pace for the entire album in that there isn't much of a
pace at all.  The majority of the tracks are musically uninspired while the
lyrics are either sexual in nature or just plain ridiculous.  What happened
here???  To make matters worse, whatever vocal prowess Darren showed in
Savage Garden is lost here in material that treats him like a first time male
version of Britney Spears, only without a pop hit.

The first single, "Insatiable", was released all throughout Europe and Asia
and is supposedly a hit.  Why?  It's awful.  Hayes' voice is grating and
doesn't improve much from one track to the other.  He's either understated or
he's doing a Jimmy Somerville impression.  Whatever it is, this isn't my idea
of music.  It's more like noise pollution.

Now, it's not 100% bad.  "Good Enough", "I Can't Ever Get Enough Of You" and "Like It Or Not" do stand out.  They're mellow tracks and would probably be throwaways on a better album, but not here.  They're also the only consistent sounding songs on "Spin" and that bothered me.  I like a decent melody or at least a decent attempt at one.  The wildly syncopated rhythms and beats detract from what could have been an extremely impressive solo debut.

Had I little to no expectations at all for this album, I probably wouldn't be
as harsh as I sound, but I am way beyond disappointed.  To add insult to
injury, I even bought this disc at Target so I could get the additional free
track only available at that store.  Swell.  After hearing the first 12
songs, the last thing I needed was one more.

Honestly, the worst thing about being a critic is tearing something apart,
especially when it's an artist's debut or a respected artist period.  I
enjoyed Savage Garden and I looked forward to seeing what Darren could
accomplish on his own, but I don't have a clue what he was thinking here.  
Maybe he'll learn from this and do better next time.  I can definitely say
that I won't be running out to buy the CD until I've heard some of the songs,
though.  Not again.  Once bitten, twice shy with the cash.


Kage holds degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels. kage@modamag.com

COMMENTS:
Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 04 2002 / 01:21:49
comments = Excuse me...I think that he is the best singer in the whole world...I bet u like Daryl more....rite? Or u don like Darren Hayes at all?

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 24 2002 / 09:51:13
name = Lynn
Subject = shocked
comments = wow im shocked to hear this. Darren has been my favorite ever since he came out with his first his song Truly Madly Deeply.  I give the man so much credit for writing his own songs and expressing himself for the man he really is.  His upper voice is so soothing and georgous.  I know im my heart that he is the best singer around.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 20 2002 / 06:01:13
IP Address:  195.92.168.169
name = Becks
Subject = Darryl?
comments = Kage may well hold degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels.....yet HASN'T LEARNED how to do a tiny bit of research? IT'S DANIEL NOT DARRYL! get it right.
Reply: Error was fixed. It was caused by technical difficulties, not mental. Chill.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 21 2002 / 16:15:11
IP Address:  24.65.133.74
Comments = I don't think that it was the worst CD ever made on land, as Kage makes it sound like. Spin was different. Different-doesn't mean bad (like Kage seems to think). I love the album, and I'm no obsessed fan. And, you say 'sexual' lyrics? What about Miss.Popular? Britney Spears, what about her? She's got very sexual songs on her new 'Britney' album, which are even disgusting (and promote drug-use with the music film of 'I'm a slave 4 U'). Now, I'm sure you won't be raising your finger at her, though. Because she's got a lot of popularity, and everyone says 'she's good'. I don't really care what you think, or if you've got a degree in writing or not. (It sure doesn't seem like it the way you wrote the Spin review.) This is pathetic.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 09 2002 / 01:01:42
IP Address:  217.39.109.128
name = nash
where = matchbox_98@hotmail.com
Subject = I disagree...
comments = with all you have said.
Listen again with open ears.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 22 2002 / 13:38:20
IP Address:  80.97.4.246
name = Kamy
Subject = no way!
comments = What's wrong with u, Kage? Do u call yourself a critic? why? How can u compare Darren with Btritney? Many people are disagreing with u. So, shut up , learn to apreciate a person and forget to destroy the man.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 31 2002 / 09:59:00
IP Address:  209.202.60.244
name = meddle_mouth
Subject = Your opinion is as good to the man next to you.
comments = I realize that even though Darren may not have the best talent in the world-I THINK HE DOES!  That is opinion!  And I acknollage yours too Mr. Critique, but if it's bashing on a review you plan to do, I say keep it to yourself cause again- it's just your opinion.  Everyone has a worthy "opinion" (there's that word again) and if it's a bad one, just don't verbalize it cause you won't change any fans minds about him anyway.
I do also prefer some other things Darren used to do, but I won't even say it cause deep down I know, who's gonnna care anyway?!

Date/Time of Posting: July 31 3002/2:54:00
Name: Mickey
Subject: Reply to Meddle Mouth
Comments: Isn't that what critics are supposed to be doing? Critiquing?

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 13 2002 / 08:55:35
IP Address:  202.63.214.12
name = Meiji
where = meiji_420@hotmail.com
Subject  = Well.......
comments = I wont disagree with Alan completely nor with all the ppl out there who have commented on this review. Personally, i think that Darren surely has failed to deliver what was expected of him.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 15 2002 / 23:11:43
IP Address:  195.113.166.10
name = Mirka
where = Mirkawolf@hotmail.com
replyemail = I disagree!
comments = Hey, Mr. Critic, do you like at least some music? I donīt say Darren is the best singer on the world, but i like Spin very much. Not absolutely all songs, but most of them are great and i like Darrenīs voice. Fact is, everyone likes something else, and if you donīt like Darren, no one says he must be bad singer.

Q: Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 22 2002 / 10:55:44
IP Address:  213.142.9.89
name = Viktor Enger
where = viktor_enger@glocalnet.net
Subject = Spin "text"
comments = Anyone?  know were to find the text of his last album.

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 21 2002 / 14:54:58
IP Address:  213.1.73.242
name = Jon
Subject = You got him all wrong!
where = stunnin_stallion@hotmail.com
comments = ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? DARREN HAYES HAS ONE OF THE BEST VOICES AND RAW TALENT AROUND! OK SO YOU ARE ENTITLED TO YOUR OWN OPINION BUT YOUR WAY OFF TRACK! I CANT NAME ONE BAD SONG ON THIS ALBUM-CRUSH (1980 ME-IS ABSOLUTLEY OUTSTANDING! YOU ARE THE FIRST CRITIC I HAVE COME ACROSS TO SPEAK NEGATIVELY OF THIS TREMENDOUS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM!
*note* Please, don't use all caps!

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 23 2002 / 10:57:36
IP Address:  194.125.182.96
name = Lez
where = minxy54@hotmail.com
comments = Listen u may have degrees in Creative Writing but you dont know good music when you hear it.I have loved Darrens music since Tothe Moon and Back and although this album is a bit different and maybe not his ultimate best it is fun and enjoyable and BOY does he have some voice!he can fill the simplest song with emotion and deserves credit for it.he is one of (if not)the best popstars out there at the moment!

Date/Time of Posting:  Dec 08 2002 / 22:13:42
IP Address:  202.81.160.26
name = lifehouse
where = tears_of_pearls@yahoo.com
comments = What the hell is wrong with you??
Are you sure it's "Spin" you heard or an album by another artist? DARREN HAYES HAS THE GREATEST VOICE IN THE WORLD and Insatiable iS ONE OF THE BEST TRACKS FrOM THE ALBUM. You suck!!

Date/Time of Posting:  Dec 14 2002 / 23:25:46
IP Address:  148.233.210.236
name = Air four
where = ggarbage_@hotmail.com
comments = Well... i think that the new Spin album its great, but i miss the gothic sound of "carry on dancing" or the soft sound of "still be free". And i think that the lyrics from "spin"  are obvious. I mean, u should hear "Gunning down romance", i think that this song ( and other SG songs) are pretty original. But the new spin album its predictable. but heeEY!, Darren gave us Insatiable and Spin, the best songs from this album. i just wanna say that i miss the melody and sound from SG, but at least we still have the D hayes voice in the streets. and...a big question: Do u think that Savage Garden was the Air supply of the 90īs?. I love the R. Hitchcock voice too!. Darren its not match for Hitchcok.
lol!.. (just joking).

Date/Time of Posting:  Nov 27 2002 / 16:05:31
IP Address:  62.31.224.3
name = Craig
where = craigkennedy@blueyonder.co.uk
comments = hmmmm.......I loved Savage Garden, and when the Solo was release, I couldnt wait to get it.
I think its a very good solo album, his voice is exceptional.  I am not entirely sure about the criticxs views, either he just does not like this style of music (which would seem strange) or has given an incredibly bad review just to get the response you have all given him.
I would hinge toward the latter myself.
None the less, for someone with writing talents, I would have thought he would have employed a slightly more diplomatic approach, being a critic doesnt mean slamming it with all you have.
Perhaps a lesson on the meaning of Critic would be appropriate, oh, but wait, he has apparent skills in literature, so perhaps not, maybe he should try thinking about his writing rather than just scribbling a few things down after listening to part of track one.
If its at all possible, I assume you purchase the disk, listen to the first 10 seconds and throw it in the bin, can you send it to me instead, could save me a packet on purchasing good music.
he he.  Enjoy life, live it to the full, and dont worry.
Craig