Colin Hay Albums (10)
'Are You Lookin' at Me?'
Release Date 4/24/2007
Tracks 12
Label Compass
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Colin Hay wrote and recorded steadily since his departure from Men at Work in the mid-'80s, but he never quite managed to break out of cult status. He good-naturally resurfaced in sitcoms and videos of covers of Men at Work tunes, so he never totally disappeared from pop culture consciousness, but his albums appealed to an ever-more selective audience as he released them independently throughout the '90s. Released in the spring of 2007, Are You Lookin' at Me? is his ninth solo album, but there is a difference in his approach on this record. Here, he sounds relaxed, comfortable with his status as a cult singer/songwriter, so he's not trying to have hits or sound hip, he's simply lying back and writing songs that are wry, easy, and quite charming. There are some echoes of mortality that ring throughout this record -- from the title track, which looks back at his childhood, to passing references to death, or even his acknowledgement that he doesn't think there are better days to come on "Land of the Midnight Sun" -- but this is hardly a dour, depressive album. It's the opposite: it's warm and witty, tuneful and engaging. Even when he's mining a sad vein, he tempers it with his mildly cynical humor, which gives this a distinct lyrical world view, but what really sets Are You Lookin' at Me? apart from his other solo albums is that it gels as a singer/songwriter album. He's no longer trying too hard to be either commercial or introspective; he's letting his music flow easily, and supported by a very good road band, it makes for his best solo album to date. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
While he'll always be best known as the lead singer for early-'80s MTV darlings Men at Work, Colin Hay has been issuing solo releases on a somewhat regular basis, ever since his former band's disintegration. But for his 2003 release, Man at Work, Hay decided to take a step back and rework several Men at Work classics. While it's not uncommon for classic rockers to rework their songs (the "unplugged" craze of the '90s, anyone?), the reasoning as to why Hay would issue such a recording now is a bit puzzling. While such acoustic Men at Work tracks as "Overkill" and "Who Can It Be Now?" are quite charming and worth hearing, the re-recordings of "Be Good Johnny" and "It's a Mistake" (which are almost identical to the originals) don't add much to the originals. Hay's non-Men at Work songs ("Beautiful World," "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin") are worth hearing, but of course, they're not up to the high Business as Usual standards. That said, Hay's voice is still in fine form all these years later, sounding as good as it did during his commercial heyday. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
'Company of Strangers'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 12
Label Lazy Eye America, Inc
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Going Somewhere'
Release Date 2/19/2001
Tracks 13
Label Hypertension
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Going Somewhere is the sixth solo album from Men at Work's Colin Hay, but one of the few available in the US. First available on MP3.com, then sold through Hay's web site, Going Somewhere is currently distributed by MusicBlitz and is availble on the web. The acoustic album is filled with good songs, including two from previous Hay albums. "Looking for Jack" was the title track from Colin James Hay's debut solo album. "Wafaring Sons" was also a title track, in this case from his commercially unsuccessful 1990 album. The song "Waiting ror My Real Life to Begin" was used by the TV show Judging Amy in 2001. Going Somewhere is actually the followup to Hay's 1992 acoustic album Peaks and Valleys and is intended to sound like his live solo shows. ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Since the dismal sales of Colin Hay's 1990 release Wayfaring Sons, none of his solo albums have been released in America, and that's a shame in this case, for there is much here for adult contemporary radio to embrace. On several tracks, Hay demonstrates he hasn't lost the ability to write a clever, catchy pop tune. This is nowhere more evident than the stirring "My Brilliant Feat," which is a commentary on the ups and downs of his own musical career. Interspersed throughout the album, however, are a handful of acoustic numbers that sound utterly depressing and uninspired. Nonetheless, fans of Colin Hay's unforgettable voice will find much to like here. ~ Steve McMullen, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Colin Hay's fourth solo release finds him in top form. An infectious collection of guitar-based tracks fleshed out by a full band, in a perfect world this would have been a hit album. Highlighted by the carpe diem anthem, "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," there's not a weak song in the batch. Hay's songwriting skills, never bad to begin with, have been more finely honed on Topanga. Similar to musician Bruce Cockburn, his lyrics present a weathered view measured with compassion and insightful observations on his world -- both external and internal. Topanga is a good choice for those seeking intelligent songwriting and timeless songs. ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Even though it doesn't contain any truly outstanding songs, Peaks & Valleys is a pleasant and engaging collection of jangly, vaguely reggae-ish pop from Colin Hay, demonstrating that his melodic skills have not left him. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Upon the demise of the mega-successful group Men at Work in 1985, lead singer and songwriter Colin Hay ventured forth with his first solo album in 1987. Hay's distinctive voice was the most recognizable component of Men at Work, and as such it cuts through the sometimes over-ambitious arrangements on this album. A big drum sound and big rock arrangements threaten at times to overshadow Hay's songwriting and singing. Elsewhere, songs such as the smooth, relaxed title song and "Circles Erratica" rank with the best output of his career. Unfortunately, the album went virtually unnoticed, ensuring Hay's status as a cult artist. His subsequent work, though, has been by and large excellent. ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After Men at Work broke up in the mid-'80s, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Colin Hay continued as a solo artist. Looking for Jack -- credited to Colin James Hay -- was issued in 1987, but then he formed the Colin Hay Band and eventually released Wayfaring Sons in 1990. His new band included violinist/mandolinist Gerry Hale, bass guitarist Paul Gadsby, and drummer Robert Dillon. Wayfaring Sons is an intriguing album. It's rooted more in Celtic and folk music than the new wave and pub rock flavors of Men at Work, and this new direction is evident with the violin and jangly acoustic guitar on the title track. Hay's music still sounds bright; he's just using different tools to achieve it. The most Men at Work-like song here is "Into My Life." "Dream On (In the Night)" rests on Hay's warm, throaty singing burr and jittery percussion, bass guitar, and violin lines. The most notable part of "Not So Lonely" is the Gaelic background vocals. "Don't Drink the Water" is the album's highlight; it's a very Police-like ska/reggae song with cheeky, ecology-based lyrics. Hay actually permits himself to take an electric guitar solo on "Help Me," a mid-tempo pop song with more environment-themed lyrics, told from Earth's point of view. "Back in My Loving Arms" is a soothing, pleasant tune. Unfortunately, Wayfaring Sons was not a commercial success. Even Men at Work would have had problems in 1990, being sandwiched between the tail end of hair metal's heyday and the looming grunge scene. Fans of Hay's distinctive singing will enjoy Wayfaring Sons, and Men at Work followers should give it a listen. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide
