Customer Reviews

Fantastic Star

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4 star:		(1)
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Marc Almond's 'Fantastic Star' explores through the musical styles of 'Electro Cabaret' ('Out There'), 'Techno-Burlesque' ('Brilliant Creatures') and 'Glam Torch Rock 'N' Roll' ('The Idol'/'On The Prowl'etc.), a tightly structured album based on technology amd strong lyrical themes, the multi-faceted nature of the music & entertainment industry and the complex issues and pitfalls involved with fame, publicity and artistic creativity through the lives of Almond's idols 'all fallen':

'Elvis, Bolan, Joe Meek, Thunders, Fury, Johnny Ray, Morrison, Dietrich, Garland and De Sade.' 1

A 16 track production 'tour de force' form NYC to London, 'Fantastic Star' introduces Mike Throne, Martyn Ware (Heaven 17), Mike Hedges, The Beatmasters, Bizarre Inc. and UK Club DJ Mrs Wood to the remixing and production duties with lyrical collaborations from John Coxon, Neal Whitmore (Neal X formely of SS-Sputnik), Steve Nieve and Mrs Wood all working together to further Almond's:

'search for glamour and love through obsession, addictiom, betrayal and stardom.' 2

The opening track, the 'trance' inspired 'Caged' produced by Martyn Ware, starts with some exotic Middle Eastern synth patterns and atmospheric textures set to a pulsating electro-beat. Check out 'Dancing In A Golden Cage' the B-side to 'The Days Of Pearly Spencer' (YZ638CDX9031) released in 1991. 'Out There' recalls Soft Cell's minimalist 'Northern Soul' electro period (a 1990's 'Fun City'?) complete with female backing vocals by BETTY (a 1990's 'Viscous Pink Phenomena'?). Thorne supplies the remix duties and is best known for Soft Cell's production credentials from 1981-1983. 'The Idol Parts (1 & 2) All Gods Fall'is razor sharp both lyrically and musically, fusing clever sampling, (check out the inventive Soft Cell electro classic 'Tainted Love' manipulation), with additional backing vocals once again by BETTY. The cutting lyrics brutally revealing the duality of a teenage fans love/hate (wolf/lamb) relationship with their idol:

"We love you, we love you, We Love you, we love you, Nail up your hands to fulfill our demands"

"We hate you, we hate you, We hate you, we hate you, Watch them turn cold as you start to turn old"

'Baby Night Eyes' sees Bizarre Inc on remix duties, utilising subtle yet effective drum programming (drawing upon 'drum 'n' bass' influences) to create a totally synthetic and mesmerising effect. 'Addicted' starts with Neal X's trademark guitar style before the beat starts to kick in, to set the scene for a powerful pumping electro track this time with The Beatmasters on additional production duties. 'Brilliant Creatures' is an awesome slice of Euro-Techno. The emphasis for Almond has always been on songwriting craftsmanship and vocal delivery, check out Almond's outstanding performance and vocal execution on the superlative 'Child Star'.

'Fantastic Star' closes with the club euphoric 'Shining Brightly' an uplifting club track co-written and produced with UK Club DJ Mrs Wood and Kevin White, demonstrating Almond's allegiance with the European Club Circuit will no doubt continue to endure well into the next decade. Once again Almond delivers the goods with a thunderous mix of musical styles following the accomplished and disciplinarian 'Tenement Symphony - Grit and Glitter' concept LP of 1991. 'Fantastic Star' is not just an album about stardom, addiction and love but about those who perform it and those who consume it. It seem ultimately that in Almond's 'Fantastic Star':

'Wolves love lambs like lovers love their loves' 4

Listen and don't forget (your idols).

"Hail hail the idol." 5

Check out the essential limited edition double pack promos for intensive club work-outs that coincided with the 'Fantastic Star' album release: 'Adored & Explored' (MRX DJ 431), 'The Idol' (MRX DJ 437), 'Out There' (MRX DJ 444) and 'Child Star' (MERCD/D 450).

1. Almond, 'Fantastic Star', Some Bizarre, London, 1996 -Inlay booklet 2. Almond, Ibid, Some Bizarre, London, 1996 -Inlay booklet 3. Almond/Whitmore, 'The Idol (Parts 1 & 2) All Gods Fall', Some Bizarre, London, 1996 4. Socrates, 'Ibid', Some Bizarre, London, 1996 -Inlay booklet 5. Almond/Whitmore, Ibid, Some Bizarre, London, 1996

For all ye unbelievers who thought it could never get better than Soft Cell, (myself once included)this should well, teach thee proper worship! Its nothing but plain hard disliking this work for its all there; from the intoxicating arabian melody of Caged to the pure energied dance beats of Adored & Explored and Shining Brightly. Even after you take away the really slow, capturing numbers like Child Star and The Edge of Heartbreak, you're still left with the task of picking out your favourite song for in sooth, every mood you're in I feel theres a song to match on this album. And gosh, his fascination with the macabre in love never fails to creep up and choke you while you're enjoying it. His versatility & lyrical abilities bleed through on this album and that'll get you even if the music doesn't.

Marc Almond's Fantastic Star is the best glam,dance,torch rock cd since the seventies. Some of these songs could fit easily on Aladdin Sane,The Slider,VU,Roxy Music or the Dolls. There is even one that sounds like ZZtop(Addicted,I Just Can't Get Enough). Some of these songs are so seedy,'Love to Die For' exhalting the glories of pretended terminal naughtiness and,you can tango to it too. Phil's wall of sound is here on Child Star. The Idol prefigures M Jackson's death..."And who will be the next to be on the cross of fame,a white sequin glove with a famous last name", it gives me the willies. This cd has a story behind it concerning mob elements: Supposedly Marc was dating a notorious London gangster at the time who shall remain nameless. Wait! I'm not ready to be off'ed yet! "A gun in the mouth and one hell of a mess". Entertaining to say the least, It's like watching Film Noir, only you can dance to it. Things to listen for:David Johansen playing the best harmonica/mouth organ ever. John Cale(Velvet Underground)bass and piano. Chris Spedding guitar. Ken-X whirling dervish of dance programming.
Absolute joy to listen to.PS the other two reviews are excellent give them a look.Favorite Cuts;the Idol,Adored and Explored.Brillant Creatures and all the others.