Days in Avalon

Richard Marx

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Signal 21
• ASIN: B00004Z3QY
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,872 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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

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

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.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Jared (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RM's best cd yet, October 25, 2000

By	Elizabeth Kendrick "marxychick1" (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had time to listen to Days In Avalon for about 2 months now. I recieved a promo copy, and I was blown away. For about a month I was unable to listen to anything else. As a matter of fact, I'm listening as I write this.

This album marks Richard Marx first effort since he parted ways with Capitol Records and it shows brilliantly. His voice seems to soar as it never has before. There is a cloud of saddness that seems to hang over this record, but that is obviously Marx' attempt to grieve for his father, who passed away in '98.

Every song on this album is of the utmost quality. There is not one song you have to skip by as you listen to the disc. Personal favorites of mine include "Boy Next Door", with it's rich "Hazard"-esque flavor, "Almost Everything", with it's powerful vocal performance, and "Someone Special", with it's brilliant story. All in all, a terriffic record that I reccomend with the essance of my being.