Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - I love his work in general. It was difficult for me to find it, but when I finally did It was like Christmas. I live in Alabama. I have most of his albums including SG and Affirmation. I have never been disappointed. It is a SHAME that it isn't more popular.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark: Every song was brilliant, from beginning to end, from the Darkness to the light.
A lyrical genius, with soul and a powerful voice.
My favourite songs were Darkness, Light, Unlovable and I Forgive You.

I liked all the tracks on Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark, but I couldn't relate to Dublin Sky.
I think he IS a genius, and his voice is loveable.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - From the moment you start to hear this album you can see Darren is far away from his time in Savage Garden and even his first solo album Spin.
The tracks are closer to the heart than before and the musical background is far removed from what you know and expect of his previous work - which is good as it shows he has the courage to venture beyond what we know of him and what he knows of himself too. The sounds are very electronic and at first foreign to the ear - you find they soon blend in and you get Darren's distinct personality coming through to take you deep into his train of thoughts, feelings and emotion with the usual ease that his fans (of which I am one) recognise. This guy has the amazing ability to draw you well into his world and hold you in it and I found, personally, that I didn't want to let go of him afterwards. There is a good mix of up-beat humour and the darker, more emotive side of the man really giving a balance of his journey from recognising his failings and fears of loneliness to coming out the other side of them lighter and more positive in his mood and outlook. For Darren Hayes' ardent fans, this is a further bonding with him, for those listening for the first time, you soon get to know this man is sharing a humanity not many other pop stars dare to share to such a degree. The album is well worth listening to at least once and I would safely say that you'll be hooked.
The nature of the music in its subterranean guise of all electro and no hint of a guitar does compliment Darren's new found direction on this amazingly well, even with the melancholy lyrics going on I was pleasantly surprised by how well as I wasn't particularly sure of it because normally I don't go for that style of musical sound but Darren has managed with consumate ease to gel the sound with his words so it sits well together.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - This album is not just for Darren Hayes fans.

I don't think there is anyone beyond the age of 5 who has not felt "unlovable" or hasn't had times when they have felt like they were living in darkness.

Darren takes you on a journey into his life, but it's the same life that we all share - sorrows, joys, love and the loss of love. Our personal demons of Ego.

Then take all of these themes and wrap them in the music that comes at you from all sides - sounds move around you - some songs just STOP and leave you open. It's like therapy set to music.

You can listen to this album 50 times and still discover something new each time you listen to it.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - A definite must have album. If you miss this one then you've missed out on one of the greatest albums of all time. From heartbreaking ballads to uptempo dance tunes, this album will have you on an emotional roller coaster. Do yourself a huge favour and go out and buy it NOW!!

Darren Hayes, The Tension And The Spark is the most amazing album I have heard. From the opening bars and all the way through, it is the best work Darren has ever produced. It's electronic but it has a soul, a heart... I think I am saying that although it is electronic it is not cold, instead it is a very deep and personal record. You have to hear this one because any description really will not do it justice. Thoughtful lyrics, the song structure, so rich, is beautiful. It goes from making you want to dance and being so funky to making you feel what he sings within some of the sad songs on it. It is unusual for Darren though in that there are no love songs on it, that being what he was known for in his Savage Garden days and his first release Spin.
So beautiful, so danceable, so heart breaking, it has something for everyone on it.

It is a true masterpeice, it should become one of those CDs that almost everyone will have in their CD collection. There is not a bad word to be said about this CD; you simply must hear it.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - "The Tension and the Spark" is one of my favourite albums of all time. When I listened to it through for the first time, I knew it would be spending a lot of time in my CD player, and indeed it has.

Musically - The music is brilliant throughout, and there is a rich variety in the musical styles from song to song. All the songs are very catchy, also some are very haunting.

Lyrically - In a word - Brilliant! There are some very powerful lyrics here - some dark and moody, some heartbreaking, but also some about optimism and hope.

Vocally - Darren Hayes has a beautiful and unique voice, which is in top form on this album. As always, you can feel the passion in his singing. He has an incredible range too; in the song "I Forgive You" he shows his ability to sing at a much lower pitch than usual.

General comment - I love this album. It's very addictive and I believe it will appeal to many people. I strongly recommend buying it.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - This energetic record of uptempo electronic tracks meets Hayes' honey-glazed voice.......the ultimate re-invention, don't be surprised if you're dancing away to synthpop Pop!ular or reaching for a handkerchief on the impressively honest and emotional Unloveable.....Could be one of the best hidden secrets of all time...a must buy!!!!

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - The sound of the album is electronic & very different to previous Darren Hayes albums in that respect but the same honest lyrics & beautiful unique voice.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - This album takes thought-provoking and Darren's vocals are immense.
This is far removed from the sound Of Savage Garden and his previous album Spin but there's no mistaking the quality and depth of this brilliant singer/songwriter. Good songs will prevail no matter what genre they fit into.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - It's the best thing that he's ever written. The album is very deep, personal, dark but in same time light. It catches your soul and make you cry, but you feel happy because the most beautiful music makes you whole, fills you with love and all good things. Darren's voice makes you believe him, calms you. For me, The Tension And The Spark is like a breath of fresh air. There are no words to explain, his music will do it for itself.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - A must have. New direction with electronica-pop sounds. Very soul-searching for Darren but anyone can relate to his lyrics of heartbreak and hope.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - By far the best album I've bought this year. There's not a bad song on the CD.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - I have to say this album is THE best Darren has done in terms of vocals and lyrics here. For me being a writer too, reading the lyrics book as I was listening to the CD, more of the songs have grown on me, and the more I listen to them the more I will enjoy them.
At the Listening Party after one listen a few tracks really stood out to me: Dublin Sky, Darkness, Unlovable, I Like the Way and I Forgive You. The rest were in the middle and would grow on me eventually.
This is an album that is a must-have for anyone who appreciates good music and lyrics. The electronic music parts may not be all people's thing but its secondary and not important to me personally. Its an album that will really appeal to many because it has mature themes to it that most people can relate to for sure: heartbreak, darkness, betrayal, loss, and from the bad times, light and love will come your way for sure.
If I had to pick the next song as the next single, I'd pick Dublin Sky - it's got an acoustic feel, and a slower tempo song that people expect from Darren. But it's not a typical love song either but a song about looking back and having some regrets & more but also looking back with fondness on the good times of a failed relationship.
Run, don't walk, to the nearest store or website, and get it this CD... it's so worth it.

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - From start to finish, this album takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, from darkness to light.

It's in your face, it's brash, it's electronic. Occasionally funky, often heartbreaking, it will leave you in no doubt of Mr. Hayes's songwriting ability and the production is fantastic!

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - A remarkable album by a remarkable singer / songwriter.
This album truly is a masterpiece. Darren has outdone himself with this piece of work.
Words can't do this album the justice it deserves!

Darren Hayes, The Tension and the Spark - That's a "must buy"... don't let it slip through your fingers... give it a chance and you won't ever ever regret it!!!!!