Although the majority of our staff here at ROCKEYEZ has a fondness for melodic, hard rock or heavy metal, we have indulged our "guilty pleasures" from time to time by trying to interject other musical styles featuring artists such as Eddie Money, John Waite, Al Green and  even NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK! Well, one of my favorite "guilty pleasures" has always been one of the most prolific pop duos of all time... Hall & Oates.
Say what you want, but these guys have been cranking out hits for over 40 years now, the song writing has always been absolutely superb and to this day, Daryl Hall's voice remains one of the best and most recognizable voices in music history.

Now at the age of 65 ( YES I SAID 65!), Daryl Hall's 5th solo studio album entitled "Laughing Down Crying" is a collection of works inspired by a wide range of his musical influences ranging from rock, pop, soul, jazz, blues and even a little gospel thrown in for good measure. While definitely not as edgy as some of his earlier solo releases, "Laughing Down Crying" is a complex and even sometimes contradictory journey through all of life's ups and downs expressed through this potent combination of musical styles and influences.

Take the title track "Laughing Down Crying" for example. This begins the journey with its acoustic driven melody and almost folk-ish style and while somewhat cryptic in the title itself, as you listen deeper into the lyrics, you'll find and beautiful and spiritual tale which flows magnificently over Hall's musical landscape.

The follow up track "Talking To You (Is Like Talking To Myself)" again sends out a rather confusing message when you first look at it, but this pop masterpiece is full of all the precise hooks and irresistible harmonies you'd come to expect from Daryl Hall. "Lifetime Of Love" sounds like it could have easily been an outtake from just about any late 70's or early 80's Hall & Oates album... very nice track featuring those smooth underlying keyboards and a strong, melodic chorus and the next track "Eyes For You (Ain't No Doubt About It)," well... lets put it this way, if the 1981 Hall & Oates hit "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" were a movie, this would be its sequel.

"Save Me" is a very cool track allowing Hall to again explore his gospel side with an up-tempo melody and some awesome bass lines and keyboard fills. "Message To Ya" is another up-tempo number sporting a killer chorus driven by a Memphis-Blues style horn section.

The next three tracks are easily my favorites on the release. "Wrong Side Of History (So Cold" is simply brilliant in its arrangement, melody and impeccable production. This is just a killer track which needs to be heard as I truly believe it should be lighting up the pop charts all over the world. "Get Out Of The Way" has more of a contemporary-rock feel to it but easily holds its own in this position leading the way to the emotional and powerful ballad "Crash & Burn." This is just a gut-wrenching track in which Hall's vocals truly shine like never before and tell a story of both defeat and hope like no one else can. And finally rounding out the release is the blues-driven "Problem With You (Bone's Last Ride)" which contains the last recorded notes of Hall's long-time friend and guitarist T-Bone Wolk who literally passed away just three hours after recording the track. A fitting end to this incredible release and a proper tribute to this fine musician.

"Laughing Down Crying" is not only one of Daryl Hall's best solo releases to date but easily one of his most quality releases ever. It seems Hall turned it up a notch to produce and album that is saturated with brilliant song-writing, powerful lyrics, potent melodies and irreproachable production. Fans of the genre will be hard pressed to pry this one out of their CD players for a long time but for any true music aficionado, this is a MUST have for your collection.