Manchester Evening News (UK)
Album Reviews
Darren Hayes - This Delicate Thing We've Made (Powdered Sugar)
By Glenn Meads
August 28, 2007

Darren Hayes - This Delicate Thing We've Made (Powdered Sugar)
Glenn Meads
28/8/2007

***** (5 stars)

IT takes a brave pop star to make a double album about personal issues in their life. Kate Bush came up with the goods with the excellent Aerial, but she has never been as mainstream as Darren Hayes.

But this does not stop the Aussie in his tracks. He simply goes for it on this epic, heartfelt album.

His reedy voice is not his strongest point but the mix of eighties electronica and balladry gives a celebratory feel to his emotional lyrics.

Hayes recently came out and many of the tracks reflect this journey. We also explore his relationship with his father. At times when he tones the vocals down, he sounds like Prince meets Ms Bush herself.

Warped

Waking The Monster is deliciously warped and quirky setting the tone for much of the first CD. The single 'On The Verge Of Something Wonderful' is just that and Hayes is at his mesmerising best here.

He even gets on his dancing shoes, moon walking across the track 'Me Myself And (I)'. But fans of the trademark ballad get their wish also with the brilliant 'Setting Sun'.

Although overlong, this experimental album is to be welcomed. Many commercial artists rarely take a risk. Darren Hayes has made an album to exorcise a few ghosts from his past.

But instead of sounding cloying and sentimental, this delicate thing is superb; simply a must-have CD.

Released on August 20.

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