The Tension & The Spark Review

***This is my full proper review after listening to it fully and properly tonite in the privacy of my own flat**

I have to say this album is THE best Darren has done in terms of vocals and lyrics here. For me being a writer too, reading the lyrics book as I was listening to the cd, more of songs have grown on me, and more I listen to them the more I will enjoy them.
At the Listening Party after one listen a few tracks really stood out to me: Dublin Sky, Darkness, Unlovable, I like the way and I forgive you. The rest were in the middle and would grow on me eventually.
Now that I have listened properly one time through (and have cd on repeat in my player), the following tracks in order of my favorites: Dublin Sky, I like the way, Darkness Popular, Unlovable, I Forgive You, and Hero.
The rest are growing on me slowly as I listen to them more: Light, Love & Attraction, Feel, Void, Ego, and Sense of Humor.
This is an album that is a must have for anyone who appreciates good music and lyrics. The electronic musical parts may not be all people's thing but its secondary and not important to me personally. Its an album that will really appeal to many because it has mature themes to it that most people can relate to for sure: heartbreak, darkness, betrayal, loss, and from the bad times, light and love will come your way for sure.
If I had to pick the next song as the next single, I'd pick Dublin Sky - its got an acoustic feel, and a slower tempo song that people except from Darren. But its not a typical love song either but a song about looking back and having some regrets & more but also looking back with fondness on the good times of a failed relationship.
Run don't walk to the nearest store or website, and get it this cd... its so worth it.
I'd also recommend the following cds that would be similar in terms of quality lyrics, music, and vocals:
Clay Aiken - Measure of A Man, Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Through This, U2 - The Best of 1980 to 1990, Goldfrapp - Black Cherry, Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes, and Depeche Mode - Violator.

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**This is what I had written about it just after the LP experience**
April 17, 2004
The album in several words how can I describe it - beautiful, deep, emotional, spiritual, and electronic. The lyrics are out of this world, realistic, and deep. A few songs made me very emotional for sure. The lyrics hit home with me - I've had similar experiences in the past. It was like Darren had been looking into my soul, and perhaps others as well who have experienced heartbreak of some kind in the past or going through it now.

April 24, 2004
I've had the chance to reflect and think about what I heard that day. I have to say the lyrics are the most personal, deep, and emotional that I have ever heard - those alone sold me on the cd. I know I am not big on some of the electronica on it but I can deal with that part.
Words move me the most and what I heard - the sheer emotion in the words and vocals - made me feel, and that whats important to me. I've been down the dark roads in my past too - I know that looking back they made me stronger inside and ready to face the future more. Many of the lyrics I heard are even more emotional than songs like "Santa Monica", "Crash and Burn", "The Lover After Me", "Like It or Not" and "Where You Want to Be" - songs that are guaranteed on a dark day to me to make the tears flow for me.
This cd definitely pulled at my heart strings for sure, and a few songs I felt as if he looked in my past and perhaps others as well. One song for sure - I was really ready to cry a bit cause i've felt that way as well too past and sometimes now as well.
I am proud of Darren for baring his heart and soul on alot of this cd, and I am ready to tell people that its an amazing cd, and to go out and get it and also get his stuff from the past too and to see the progression he has made as a singer and songwriter. I hope this cd (and a few others) means a return to the charts and radio of songs with meaningful lyrics and not all sugary pop or hip hop music that seems to be the rage now.