Comments for Hay, Colin James, Looking For Jack

Colin (James) Hay`s first solo album after the unfortunate demise of great Australian band, Men at Work. It`s very much a continuation of that feel, though with some experimentions in style (such as some World music style chanting). However, the songs seem basically simplistic in construction and oddly feel undeveloped when compared to the ensemble sound of early Men at Work, in spite of the fine musicians involved (including Jeremy Allsop on bass and Chad Wackerman on drums). Hay projects a warm, friendly persona throughout, wryly musing on relationships and loneliness. His later albums seem to have a greater sense of direction: much of this album sounds under-produced (even with the added musical textures). A nice collection of songs, but no masterpiece. (Ian Thomas)