While Colin Hay’s voice and visage are familiar to millions as front-man, songwriter, and vocalist of pop sensation Men at Work (“Down Under”, “Overkill”, “Who Can it Be Now?”), the past ten years have found him re-introducing himself to a new generation of fans.The frequent use of his music in TV and film, including hit shows such as Scrubs (on which he has made several cameo appearances) and Army Wives, the hit sound track to the film Garden State and the recently released Morning Glory—has proven the timeless appeal of his songs: quizzical, curious, cynical yet open-hearted.
Colin Hay feels that his new album, Gathering Mercury, is the best thing he’s ever done. The songs on the album were inspired by the loss of his father and reveal Hay’s emotional depth and musical diversity with hints of Latin, country, folk and rock in the mix. The tunes are deeply affecting, but never maudlin. Despite the serious subject matter, they’re full of Hay’s usual optimism with arrangements feature his quizzical, instantly recognizable tenor supported by acoustic instruments and melodic electric guitar accents.