Folk Pop
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday May 26, 2007
COLIN HAY
Are You Looking At Me? (Compass Records)The problem with being the lead singer with a hugely successful Aussie band and then trying to pursue a solo career is that this country is a graveyard for male singer-songwriters. It doesn't matter whether you're any good - there is just not an audience for old codgers. As Colin Hay has said, that early success counts for nothing. He was once told by a guy in a pub that he did a pretty good version of Down Under but not as good as the original singer. Hay continues to pen superb songs - Are You Looking At Me? (a wry look back on his career) - but then writes forgettable ones such as Lose to Win, No One Knows and Here Is My Hometown. That's the problem. There are good songs (This Time I Got You is a fine rumination on the transience of fame and Pure Love is delightful) but rarely brilliant ones. He can write an album reflecting on his life and the inevitability of death but is anyone listening? BE
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald
