Search - Hall & Oates :: Marigold Sky

STRONG SINGING STRONG SONGS STRONG SOUL

Crabby Apple Mick Lee | INDIANAPOLIS, IN USA | 05/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of only two albums Hall & Oates released in the 1990's, Marigold Sky is one unbelievably good record. It is a shame that more of those who bought Hall & Oates records in the seventies and eighties didn't pick up this one. Contemporary Adult radio did make "Promise Ain't Enough" a minor hit and it is a good song. But "War Of Words" is easily its equal. I remember hearing "War Of Words" a few times on the radio here is the Midwest; however, it did not draw the attention it deserves. What makes this an exceptional Hall & Oates record is that Marigold Sky is a return to the "blue-eyed soul" reminiscent of the style of Motown artists such as Smokey Robinson. Indeed, in listening to "Out Of The Blue" and "The Sky Is Falling" it is easy to believe these songs were directly lifted from Smokey's late sixties catalogue. "The Sky Is Falling" is the best song on the CD. A close second is the eponymous "Marigold Sky" itself. "Marigold Sky" meshes easily with the rest of the "soul" material but it is isn't a "soul" song itself. Driven at first by deftly picked acoustic guitar the chorus shifts into a breezy twelve string electric guitar strumming that rides like the wind all while Daryl Hall sings of a love long gone but still alive. With Marigold Sky Hall & Oates keep to eternal "soul" themes of love discovered, love troubled and love lost. This is a deeply satisfying CD and it is sad that while Hall & Oates had fallen off the popular hits radar they did not make more albums like it. Indeed, since their intensely hot career of the seventies and eighties Hall & Oates have issued only two other albums since 1990's Season Of Change. Of those one was a VH-1 "Behind The Music" collection. I don't fault those who stick mainly to the well-beaten path of popular music because a good deal of enjoyment of music is its communal aspect. There is something heartwarming about sharing music a whole lot of other people love and enjoy. You don't get that if you choose music that only a few thousand in the whole country know about. But maybe there should be a place in your collection for an eccentric but well made record you just like to listen to. I count Marigold Sky as one of my guilty pleasures."

This album has matured along with their fan base!!

AbeStreet | Mayfield Heights, OH United States | 01/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the fall of 1997 I went to see H&O in concert. I was going to hear their early and mid eighty hits and figured that that listening to their new stuff (at that time) was the price I had to pay to hear their earlier recordings. However, I was greatly surprised by how much I enjoyed the songs from this album and purchased it after the concert. These songs show a maturity & sophistication that many artist never quite grasp as they progress from their teen pop status to an adult contemporary status. My personal favorites are "Promise Ain't Enough", "Throw the Roses Away", "Marigold Sky" and "War of Words." Lastly, at the concert D.H. sang his version of "Me & Mrs. Jones" as an encore and it bought the audience to it's feet. I wish it were included here as a live bonus track. Oh well, maybe next time."

HALL & OATES SOUND BETTER THAN EVER

AbeStreet | 10/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""MARIGOLD SKY" is Daryl & John sounding excited and energetic and it shows from the first note on. "Romeo is Bleeding" was a hit worldwide but not released as a single here? It is powerful & catchy and features strong lead vocals by Daryl and great backup by both. This song is as hard edged as they will ever get, so enjoy it. The title track is fun and infectious. The 2 other standouts to me are "Want To" and "Love Out Loud" which have a more rocking sound which is great to hear from these guys. For some reason their record company here picked "The Promise Ain't Enough" and "Throw the Roses Away" as singles. "Promise" is a good H&O ballad, while I think "Roses" is one of the weakest tracks along with "War of Words" which ends the album. The album starts with a bang and kind of drags at the end. It is still enjoyable and hopefully more to come!"