Darren Hayes: This Delicate Thing We’ve Made by
Danny Mariano
I still remember the days when I was “truly, madly,
deeply” into the music of Savage Garden; drawn in
visually by the uber-hip and sexy look of the duo
and finding myself captured by the catchy pop-synth
melodies of their songs and then being completely
taken over with the urge to sing along. This urge
being encouraged by the easiness and sincerity of
Darren Hayes’ vocals.
Well, it’s been almost five years since the duo of
Savage Garden broke up. A lot has happened since
then for Darren Hayes. He started his own record
label, Powdered Sugar, came out as a gay man and
married his boyfriend Richard Cullen in 2006. Now
one year later, he has a new solo project due out
for release. The new album,
This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, is a 25 track
double cd which will be available worldwide on
August 20, [here].
The first single to gain some international air play
already is “On the Verge of Something Beautiful”,
released in July. At first, the song opens a bit
stilted and staccato, not quite what I would expect
from the mouth of Darren Hayes, but then he reaches
the bridge and the easily recognizable, beautifully
breathy and romantically insistent lilt of Darren
Hayes’ voice seduces you into listening to the rest
of the song. And you are hooked instantly. Not
needing to hear too much, you are caught up in the
hopeful lyrics of the bridge and the chorus. It is
reminiscent of many of the same nuances and emotive
qualities that made the sound of Savage Garden so
unique and a joy to listen to.
This album is also tempered with a self-realization
of the struggles Darren Hayes has overcome to get to
this point in his life. On “Who would Have
Thought”, he blends a moodier, dark sound which
represents the doubt and fears he used to feel as a
closeted gay man and then contrasts it in the chorus
with a lightness and sense of gratitude for having
found the strength to overcome the doubts and fears,
freed by the love of that someone special who
changed his life.
“Who would have thought, it could be amazing?
Who would have thought, the tiny courageous?
Who would have thought, that love so belated,
Could save me, and bring me back to you.”
I believe its underlying message also serves as a
dedication to his spouse, Richard Cullen- the sound
of what sounds like wedding bells providing
background to much of the song.
Currently, these are the only songs I found
available upon which to comment. But so far, This
Delicate Thing We’ve Made, seems to be truly
inspired by a new found sense of contentment and
self-acceptance on the part of Darren Hayes. I
believe many will find it easy to relate to. More,
importantly, I think it will also give meaning and
hope to an audience of people still unsure about
their own lives as gay men and women.
Darren Hayes, look out! You may be taking on a new
role as gay hero based on the merits of this new
album.
For more information on Darren Hayes, visit his
official website [here].
Danny Mariano
is a 38 year old contributor from the San Francisco
Bay Area. He is a fervent supporter of the queer
community, locally and globally. Currently he owns
a business with his life partner of 17 years in the
catering and restaurant industry but enjoys writing
and hopes to contribute frequently.
Contact Danny at
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