Track Listing

1. Beautiful World
2. Down Under
3. Overkill
4. Storm In My Heart
5. Looking For Jack
6. Don't Be Afraid
7. It's A Mistake
8. Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
9. To Have & To Hold
10. Who Can It Be Now
11. Be Good Johnny
12. Love Is Innocent
13. Down Under

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20652 in Music
• Released on: 2003-11-17
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com

The perfect reintroduction to former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay, Man @ Work combines radically reworked new versions of Men at Work classics with previously unreleased new songs and gems pulled from Hay's rare, self-released solo projects. Painting a portrait of a bittersweet, melodically ingenious songwriter with wit to spare and a gift for sparse, immediate arrangements, Man @ Work will be as refreshing to newcomers as it will be to longtime fans. The infectious rhythmic punch of the Men at Work era is intact, but draped in more subtle, mature trappings. The poignant sound of the Colin Hay of today, "Man @ Work" is a most welcomed rediscovery.

"In the best possible sense, 'Man @ Work' is like Colin Hay's cover version of his own greatest hits album." -- The Associated Press

Customer Reviews

Colin put a haze over my eyes!
This really is an A-class album. Every song is listenable, and, what's more, different from the last. His vocal range might not be as ranging as other artists, but the instrument arrangements more than compensate; as do the smashing, simple and touching lyrics. This is probably the onlt album that I'd rate 5/5 from my own collection. Listen to 'overkill', 'Beautiful World', 'don't be afraid' and 'waiting for my real life to begin' first, though!

'About To Wear Out This Album'
Since I came across this album I seem to have played it non stop. I just love the variety but the tracks where he sings unaccompanied are my favourites. Give it a try - you won't be disappoined!

Hay now, Hay now.... don't say it's over.
Like others here, I rediscovered Colin Hay through his cameo appearance in 'Scrubs', singing the stripped down version of 'Overkill'. As a Forty-Something, naturally I remember Men At Work, and liked the hits at the time they first appeared (Oh My God.... was it really twenty five years ago ?!) Colin still has talent to spare, an increasingly rare commodity as record companies seem to have abandoned talent and musicianship in favour of looks and popularity.
So, to this album. A refreshing mixture of revised and re-recorded tracks. Most are acoustic or near acoustic, allowing both the strength of the writing and the lasting quality of Colin's vocals to shine through. That said, the tracks featuring a more polished and production-heavy aproach sound a little cheap and somewhat cheesy. However, these are in a distinct minority, and don't drag the whole venture down too far.
I would recommend this album to anyone who knew the story from the beginning. But I am sure anyone who appreciates well crafted songs, simply served up with humour and honesty will lap this up.