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Audio CD
Publisher: SUMA RECORDS
Darren Hayes is not only one of the finest (if not most underrated) singers and songwriters of our generation, he is also a master of reinvention. 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' is released on Hayes' own label, Powdered Sugar, and is the record he has wanted to make for years. Now he is his own boss, he's doing everything his own way. Bizarrely, it's the most commercial-sounding thing he's ever done. His old record label, Columbia, must be kicking themselves.
The album is a double-disc pop opus. It is a deeply felt, moving, and joyous celebration of life and of pop music. Though the tracks vary in style and genre, often deliberately sequenced so as to draw attention to their differences ("Setting Sun" followed by "A Hundred Challenging Things" is one of the most dramatic changes of mood I've ever heard), together they form a whole that is one of the most enjoyable and one of the most intelligent pop albums of the last decade.
It seems inspired by, and certainly deserves to be regarded alongside, albums such as Madonna's 'Ray of Light', U2's 'Achtung Baby', Prince's 'LoveSexy', and Peter Gabriel's 'So'. There are musical nods to these artists, and others.
In terms of style, there is pure pop celebration here, in the form of songs like "Listen All You People", "Tuning of Violins" and the first single "On the Verge..." "Casey" proves that melancholy, yearning lyrics don't have to be stuck on ballads, but can be sung over up-tempo synth-pop to heart-wrenching effect. In tracks like "Bombs Up in My Face" and "Me, Myself and (I)" Hayes is channeling Prince at his funkiest best.
To be honest, any 11 of the tracks could have been released as an album, and would have made a great record. But by giving himself room to explore musical avenues, develop his themes, and (dare one say it) nudge the whole thing towards being a concept record. Hayes has managed to craft an album of intricate narratives and personal confessions that simultaneously document his arrival at peace within himself. He has created something that really demands to be listened to, that hooks you and completely seduces you.
The UK's NME Magazine called him a genius. They weren't wrong.
Ex-Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes stretches his legs a bit on his third solo release, adding a bit of bombast to the radio-friendly boogie. With song titles like "How to Build a Time Machine" and "Waking the Monster" (about a mad professor building a creature with a "phonographic needle and a stereo heart"), it seems Hayes is reaching for more than a simple pop album, and the double-CD length belies the need to say more than you can squeeze into a three-minute radio single. The result is practically a dance-pop concept album, sprawling without quite being epic, occasionally straying into conversational, train-of-thought lyrics that vaguely recall an R. Kelly "Closet" episode. While the single, "On the Verge of Something Wonderful," delivers a catchy chorus over tightly packed production, This Delicate Thing We've Made lacks the kind of monster jams that elevate an album like Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds out of the dance-pop pack and into the stratosphere. Still, Darren Hayes delivers enough variety and soulfulness to keep the listener hanging on through 25 tracks to see what happens next--in the era of 10-second ringtones and downloadable singles, that's no small feat.--Ben Heege
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| Darren hayes is a master |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Just listen to and digest the words and feelings they evoke. Darren Hayes is truly a master and deserves immense praise for this and the rest of his work.
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| Excellent |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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What can I say? This album is very impressive, and has some really incredible songs.
I'm not sure about his transition though, I'm not entirely sure that I 'buy' his new Scissor Sisters persona... I think that he has tried to re-invent himself, which musically, completely worked, although in some ways I think that it came at a price.
It's not what you would call a romantic CD, in the past he has released lots of love songs (Truly, I Knew I Loved You, Insatiable, I Miss You), and he has really let all that go on this album, it's so much more upbeat, and instead of the topic being love, it's life in general.
After I repeatedly played the songs that stand out (Verge, Future Holds a Lions Heart, Setting Sun, Conversation With God, How To Build a Time Machine), I found myself listening to the other songs, and after I gave them a chance, I adored them as much as the insanely catchy dance stuff. Especially 'I Just Want You To Love Me' Written entirely by Darren, 'Maybe' written about his friend who died of HIV, and 'The Only One'. I have no idea why, but 'The Only One' reminded me 'Don't Speak' by No Doubt, although they are really nothing alike, but there is a definite connection there.
I really like this CD, but as I say, even though I love Darren, I'm not sure about the rest of his re-invention. I don't find myself believing it after being a fan for 11 years ;-)
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| Absolutely brilliant. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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In a time where pop artists are creating disposable music, and releasing albums with one or two memorable songs on them, this album is a marvelous exception. This album speaks to the power of the independent artist, rather than one constrained by the shortsightedness of the recording industry. A double-album, a "concept album" (just like they used to do), and an album chock full of memorable songs.. "This Delicate Thing We've Made" could be one of the best collections of music ever compiled by one artist. Honestly, it's absolutely brilliant.
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| Absolute perfection. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Words cannot express how perfectly inspiring this album is.
I am one of the individuals who was disappointed by a majority of Darren's early solo work. Still, I watched the new music videos as they appeared on his website. "Who Would Have Thought?" was haunting. "Words" was heartbreaking. And so I allowed myself to hope.
When at last I was able to buy the album, I listened to the entire thing at once. It was an incredible experience. By the time it was over, I was in tears. "He's back," is the only thing I could manage to think.
There are some songs I don't care for, but that doesn't matter, because the rest are perfect. He shares so much of himself in this album that it's breathtaking and heartwrenching and so emotional that it's almost impossible to believe. He addresses his childhood, his family, his lovelife, and so much more. I was also very happy to hear quite a few political statements in this album.
With Darren, it's the nuances that really make the song. When you can hear the emotion so clearly, you know it is a masterpiece. Happily, there is no shortage of this on this album.
For me, the best songs were "Who Would Have Thought?" "Casey," "Sing to Me," "Listen All You People," "Bombs Up in My Face," "The Future Holds a Lion's Heart," "Neverland," "Me Myself and (I)," and "Words."
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| Brilliant work of Art!! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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"This Delicate Thing We've Made" is a Masterpiece! Brave, bold, daring, deep and lovely. Darren Hayes puts his heart and soul into this album and it shows. The combination of his brilliant lyrics, gorgeous voice and awesome melodies - WOW!! I was speechless after listening to this album for the first time. Darren takes the listener on an emotional journey and shares so much of himself in the process - I can't even begin to describe how this album made me feel. All I know is that I can't get enough of it. This is by far my favorite album!
I haven't seen it mentioned much in the reviews, but one song that I love to listen to is "Listen All You People". It always gets my spirits soaring and my feet moving. And of course there is "Casey", "Words", "Only One", "Sing to Me", "Tuning of Violins", "Verge", "Maybe", "Me, Myself, and (I)", "Who Would've Thought" . . . . . There isn't a track on this album that I don't love. I would have paid much more for this work of art.
I agree with the other reviewers that say listen to it more than once. The more I listen to this album, the more I understand and love it. I've listened to it just about every day since getting it in the mail last August. There is more here than just great lyrics and awesome beats.
I also recommend keeping the lyrics handy - just reading them is a treat.
P.S. For those who love "Casey", there is a beautiful acapela version on Darren's website that you can download - fantastic!
Lori. . .M
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A Fear of Falling Under
Who Would Have Thought
Waking the Monster
How to Build a Time Machine
Casey
Step into the Light
Sing to Me
A Conversation with God
The Sun Is Always Blinding Me
Listen All You People
The Only One
Bombs Up in My Face
The Great Big Disconnect
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