Darren Hayes
(Herald Sun, January 10, 2002)

DARREN HAYES, the lead singer of Savage Garden has come out with a 12 track solo debut which the producers, Sony Music promise offers an antidote to the darker side of humanity, bursting with rhythmic spirit and lyrical heart.

Aussie-born Hayes recorded this track in San Francisco and has co-produced it with Grammy Award winning Walter Afanasieff. For a singer/songwriter the track, which is available in the form of an audio-cassette. It has six numbers on each side. The music is good and the lyrics go well with it.

Listen to `Strange Relationship' or `Heart Attack', and one can get the feel of what Hayes has to offer. The music company claims `Spin' would weave a spell with an `acute palette of relationship themes -- like romantic abandon, sexual desire and betrayal as well as the singer's colourful stance on staying true to personal choices and taking stock in life's bounty. Interestingly, Hayes preferred not to use live instruments other than string and an occasional guitar. The album is provided orchestra support by Bruce Dukov, Eve Butler, Ed Stein, John Hayhurst, Dan Smith, Larry Corbett and John Mitchell. Hear it out.