The Tension and the Spark

The Tension and the Spark
Studio album by Darren Hayes
Released	13 September 2004
Recorded	2004
Genre	Pop, Electronica
Length	58:52 (International Edition) 1:02:52 (Australian Edition)
Label	Columbia
Producer	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley
Professional reviews
The reviews parameter has been deprecated. Please move reviews into the “Reception” section of the article. See Moving reviews into article space. Stylus Magazine (Grade A) link Allmusic BBC (Positive) link Sputnikmusic
Darren Hayes chronology
Spin (2002) The Tension and The Spark (2004) This Delicate Thing We've Made (2007)
Singles from The Tension and the Spark
"Pop!ular" Released: 30 August 2004 "Darkness" Released: 6 November 2004

The Tension and the Spark is the second studio album by Darren Hayes, released in 2004. The album was a change for Hayes, taking a style more electronic and dark for this record. He also delves deeper into more personal matter. This dramatic change alienated some of his fan-base, who were expecting a result similar to his previous effort "Spin". The title of the album is derived from lyrics featured in the second track, "I Like the Way".

Reception

The album was received warmly by critics and fans, praising its personal matter. The Observer said "This album is no folly and succeeds, often to the point of all out triumph, on its own terms." Despite of high positive reviews, it was not a large hit, and Hayes split with Columbia Records in 2006.

Singles

• "Pop!ular" was released as the album's first single in July 2004 and becoming a hit, reaching #1 on the US Dance Chart, his first number one. NME praised the song, saying it was "A twistered masterclass in career reintervention...This guy is a genius."

• "Darkness" was released as the album's second single in November 2004, but it did not chart. The physical single has subsequently become a rarity, with copies selling for £100 plus on second-hand websites and collector's auctions.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Darkness"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	5:17
2.	"I Like the Way"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	5:04
3.	"Light"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:54
4.	"Pop!ular"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley, Mark 'Spike' Stent*	3:53
5.	"Dublin Sky"	Darren Hayes	Hayes, Conley	4:35
6.	"Hero"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:26
7.	"Unlovable"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	5:23
8.	"Void"	Darren Hayes	Hayes, Conley	3:19
9.	"I Forgive You"	Darren Hayes, Marius De Vries	Hayes, Marius De Vries	4:35
10.	"Feel"	Darren Hayes	Hayes, Conley	4:03
11.	"Love and Attraction"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:05
12.	"Sense of Humor"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:47
13.	"Ego"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:31

Regional Bonus Track
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
14.	"Boy"	Darren Hayes, Robert Conley	Hayes, Conley	4:00

Outtakes, B-Sides & Demos
No.	Title	Availability	Length
1.	"Touch"	B-side to the physical single of "Pop!ular" in Australia, and "Darkness" in the United Kingdom
2.	"Zero"	B-side to the physical single of "Pop!ular"
3.	"Random Blinking Light"	B-side to the physical single of "Darkness"
4.	"Strange Magic"	A track which appeared on the "Ella Enchanted O.S.T" in 2004, possibly an out-take from the album
5.	"Let's Go"	An out-take from the album, which later appeared as a B-side to the physical single of "Me Myself and (I)"
6.	"Boy"	A bonus track on the Australian, Japanese and British digital versions of the album