Days in Avalon

Richard Marx | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Signal 21 Records/Ka
• ASIN: B00004Z3QY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,912 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Days in Avalon

2. Shine

3. Someone Special

4. Almost Everything

5. The Edge of Forever

6. Power of You and Me

7. One More Time

8. Waiting on Your Love

9. More Than a Mystery

10. Boy Next Door

11. Too Early to Be Over

12. Straight from My Heart

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The platinum-selling Richard Marx was a radio staple in the late '80s and early '90s; he's continued to keep his hand in as a songwriter for the likes of 'N Sync ("This I Promise You"). Days in Avalon, his first album since 1997, isn't likely to change anyone's mind about Marx. But anyone who has enjoyed him in the past will appreciate this disc, whose only real surprise is the closing duet with Alison Krauss, "Straight from My Heart." Elsewhere, Marx indulges his passion for melodramatic storytelling (remember "Hazard"?) on "Boy Next Door," the tale of a Midwestern teenager who goes on a shooting spree. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Asian exclusive edition of the 80s soft rock-star's 2000 album includes four bonus tracks not on the domestic version, 'This I Promise You' (his own version of the N SYNC hit), 'Until You Come Back To Me', 'High', & 'I Can't Help It'. Jive. 2003. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Effort From A Timeless Artist, October 24, 2000

By 

Edward Chien (Moscow, ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days in Avalon (Audio CD)

Richard Marx, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/producer and darling of MTV from the late 80s through the mid 90s, returns from behind the scenes with his most sophisticated album to date. After the music industry veered away from Marx's style of slick well-constructed songs, he became an adult contemporary chart-topper. His R&B oriented CD Flesh & Bone, his last real album, could have been capitalized upon by Capitol Records into huge commercial success in the re-remerging VH-1 scene, but instead the album was promoted lightly; Capitol Records wanted to limit Marx and market him as a one-dimensional ballad singer. This led to internal bickering that resulted in the music veteran bailing out of his contractual obligations with the record company by allowing Capitol to release a Greatest Hits CD.

Meanwhile, Marx started his own record company (Signal 21) and worked behind the scenes writing and producing for artists ranging from Sarah Brightman, N sync, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Streisand, 98 Degrees, SheDaisy, Shane Minor, Jamie O'Neal, The Tubes, Keith Urban, Chely Wright and many others. His contributions anchored their albums with skillfully constructed songs and furthered his growing reputation as an elite craftsman in the music industry. Now, he seeks to apply his talents once again with his own heralded singing ability to revive his own career in his newest release "Days in Avalon."

Richard Marx's early albums tended to have songs that were true gems mixed in with cuts that were comparatively mediocre. But Marx demonstrates his musical growth by putting up an entire solid album that takes listeners into a musical journey of rock, country, funk, and the occasional ballad or two. This album contains catchy hooks, memorable lyrics, and musical variety. Every single cut wafts sweetly around the earlobes and tickles the senses. In an album this well-balanced, fans of Marx will have difficulty picking a favorite track; expect the mysterious "Boy Next Door,", country influenced rocker "Power of You And Me,", haunting duet with Chely Wright "The Edge of Forever,", and the alluring vocals and pleasant melodies of "Straight From The Heart" to join the cool as autumn title track and masterpiece "Someone Special, " as favorites and ultra radio-friendly surefire hits. Marx surely gives the Capitol Records executives reason to feel silly.

Billboard Magazine asserts that "in an environment where few mature artists are still creating great musical moments..."Days In Avalon" could easily send this timeless artist back to No. 1 splendor." I concur.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One More Time!, October 24, 2000

By 

Jared I. Adler (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Days in Avalon (Audio CD)

Richard Marx' new CD is a breath of fresh air on todays pop-music landscape. Days of Avalon is a smooth journey of guitar laden rock songs, mixed in with signature Marx power balladry. After hearing Nsync perform Marx' "This I Promise You," it was only a matter of time until the real thing returned. Richard Marx's title track lead-off new single should do well at Adult Contemporary radio. Special highlight of the CD is "One More Time," a song originally covered by Italian diva Laura Pausini on the Message In A Bottle soundtrack (as well as a song Marx has been performing on the road for some time now). Marx delivers a spellbinding performance, with a haunting melody that will give you shivers by the time he uses his falsetto at the end. Few artists have the staying power that Marx possesses, and this new material shows that he has grown lyrically and musically as an artist. If you haven't done so already, pick up his Greatest Hits collection which is a musical journey through the sensational career of this artist, who has proven time and time again to be one of the greatest songwriters/performers around.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richard Marx Returns In Top Form, December 6, 2000

By 

NOEL GALLAGHER "topofthepops" (Clermont, FL, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days in Avalon (Audio CD)

I must admit that after hearing Richard Marx's greatly disappointing 1997 release, "Flesh and Bone", I was beginning to wonder whether this musical genius had somehow lost his touch. All of his albums leading up to "Flesh and Bone" were excellent, but the rather dull songs on "Flesh and Bone" made me question whether "Days In Avalon" would be similarly disappointing. I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Days In Avalon" shows that Richard Marx hasn't lost a thing since his 1987 self-titled debut. The songs on this album are filled with exceptional lyrics, catchy melodies, and vocal performances by Marx that rival his best. Unlike "Flesh and Bone", every song on this album is worth listening to over and over again. Standout tracks include "Someone Special", an inspiring yet uniquely humorous song about finding that "special someone". No Richard Marx album would be complete without a great ballad, and "One More Time" delivers nicely. Though slower than most of his previous ballads, it's no less effective. In fact, I don't think Richard Marx's voice has ever sounded better than it does on this song. "Boy Next Door" is Marx's "Hazard" for the new millennium. Like his former hit single, this song tells the tale of murder, this time in the form of a boy who goes on a shooting spree. Though the song's message is dark, the song itself isn't, as it has a catchy melody and a surprisingly lighthearted air about it. "Days In Avalon", the title track, is also a catchy tune with powerful lyrics. The song itself is kind of a "semi-ballad" about a man reflecting on his life as death approaches.

Although all of the songs on this album are great, one track stands out above all others. "Straight From My Heart", the album's final track, is the perfect song to close out this exceptional album. This song was written for Marx's deceased father, and anyone who's recently lost a loved one will find this song to be a real tear-jerker. I have never heard someone's feelings about the loss of someone close to them put into words as eloquently or as beautifully as Marx does in this song. While the lyrics are exceptional, the music surrounding them further enhances the deep feelings Marx is trying to convey. This song really is straight from his heart. This is the best track on the album, and I certainly hope Marx decides to release it as a single.

Overall, "Days In Avalon" is light years beyond "Flesh and Bone". Any fan of Richard Marx's previous work will not be disappointed by this album. For those of you that may have given up on him after "Flesh and Bone", give him a chance at redemption. "Days In Avalon" will deliver.