Tal Bachman is just one step up from all other artists! I have not yet picked my favorite track because they are all so great! His sound is so unlike anyone around today! IT is so refreshing and unique. Because I could not wait until the US release date, I ordered it from Canada. I am now torn between my love for his original CD and Staring Down the Sun. This CD has something for everyone to love and relate to their personal life.

Tal Bachman sure has a knack for music! Tal's second album, "Staring Down the Sun", has a similar style to his 1999 debut album, without the songs being cookie-cutter copies.
Although the entire album tells a story, if you listen from beginning to end, with one song/story leading into the next topic, the song styles are very diverse - from the upbeat/pop-sound of "Tomorrow" and "Staring Down the Sun", to the countryish sound of "What You Won't Reveal" and "Somebody's Dreaming", the harder rock sound of "Danger by Design", and the 80's hair-band sound of "Divine".

The only complaint I have about the album is very minor, and not enough to warrant taking off a star from my rating:
The song, "What You Won't Reveal", sounds fine on the album, but earlier this year I had the pleasure of hearing Tal perform this song acoustically, and it is much more suited to that medium.

All in all, this is a great second album by an amazing singer/songwriter, and sure to stay on my list of favorite albums for a long time.

If all 80's hairbands, 70's rock bands, and the Beatles could have a baby, it would be Tal Bachman...
Tal Bachman is back with his second album, and it was defiantely worth the wait. The tracks flow together, almost as if they were telling a story, perhaps autobiographical? Most of the songs are very radio friendly, with a catchy beat, without being too "pop", and definately with a slightly rougher edge than his first album, that was overproduced by Bob Rock. The titular song, "Staring Down the Sun", is an upbeat story of a man meeting the woman of his dreams... he can't believe it's happening... he's surprised as her bright blue eyes stare right into his being... they share a smile, and look away... he can't deny his feelings for her... he's hooked... SHE IS THE ONE! I thoroughly enjoyed all the tracks on this album, but standing out to me the most is "What you won't reveal". Tal has a real talent for writing heartfelt, haunting love songs, making you feel that you are the object of his desire. The first single off the album, "Aeroplane", is the perfect apology song, with the potential to heal many ailing relationships. Its on-the-ground grovelling lyrics, such as, "I was wrong to try and change you like you did", "I won't make the same mistakes I used to make", and "I was a fool, I was to blame", show that he feels bad for what he did and wants to make up. The upbeat lyrics, like, "You gave me your devotion, and something in me changed" and "The truth is my religion, and I've seen the truth in you" show that he truly loves his special lady, she means the world to him, and he wants her to know it. Perfectly completing the album is the final original track. The lilting 80's hairband feel of "Divine" is amazing, I could almost feel the "high" of sniffing Aquanet hairspray! Not only has Tal managed to hit the ball this time at bat, but I'm certain that his homerun has gone out of the park!