My Own Best Enemy

Richard Marx

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 10, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Manhattan Records
• ASIN: B0002EX0TC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,075 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Never mind that Richard Marx's cool meter is hovering around the same level as Michael Bolton's just now. The man knows what he's good at--that would be syrupy, rock-tinged power ballads--and, as evidenced by My Own Best Enemy, he's sticking to it. Here he grinds his sandpapery voice forcefully into the groove of a dozen songs designed to stoke or soothe mushy-hearted sensibilities. Lyrics, accordingly, are Lifetime movie-ready: He's discovering all that he is on "Again"; wallowing over who will dry his tears, hold his hand, etc., on "When You're Gone"; and sharing secrets as "deep as the ocean," his "truth laid open," on "Falling." The disc, it should be argued, matches Marx's work on early '90s hits like "Should've Known Better," and he's bound to find an appreciative audience among the throngs of lady worshippers who have been waiting for him to re-emerge. But his crime is being unfashionable, and for it he'll serve a sentence: As friendly as Enemy is to the ear, it won't earn him a new--and much-needed--generation of fans. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description
Japanese pressing of the soft-rock singer/songwriter's 2004 album, includes one bonus track, 'Endless Summer Nights' (Live Version). 13 tracks. Toshiba-EMI. 2004. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "Comeback" from somebody who never really went away, August 29, 2004

By	Astrid Tryon (Garner, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The editorial review is a little bit skewed. While it is true that Richard is best at the heartbreaky, syrupy, ballady kind of stuff - he will be the first to admit that (and he actually did so in the CNN Larry King interview this month). But not all songs on this album fall under that category by far. I wish that "Colder" could have been the first single off this CD, as I feel it can very well hold his own amongst today's mainstream pop/rock. Nevertheless, despite it's "heartachy" lyrics "When You're Gone" is far from a syrupy ballad.

Furthermore Richard Marx is an amazing songwriter and producer who in recent years penned songs for NSYNC, Emerson Drive, and collaborated with Kenny Loggins to mention just a very few. Not to forget his Grammy win this year with Luther Vandross for "Dance with my Father". Maybe if the editorial reviewer had looked at the whole picture he would have seen that Richard does not desparately "need" this album to revive his career. It actually never "died".

My absolute favorites "Ready to Fly", which IS the obligatory power ballad and "Falling" the arrangement of which complements and showcases Richard's amazing voice perfectly.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The HITS just keep on coming!!!, August 12, 2004

By	Jason J. Lynch "gibson" (Bethlehem, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Richard Marx has shown the world again, that he belongs at the top of the songwriting industry. When it was announced months ago a record was in the works, I was anxious for its release. His announcement that the CD might alienate old fans with an edgier dark tone brought some worry. Well just goes to show, when someone knows what they're doing, we should all just trust them. There are no weaknesses or flaws on this album. From the heights of the hymn, "Ready to Fly", to the dark yet poignant tone of, "Fallen", Marx doesn't disappoint old fans and will most certainly gain new admirers. My only afterthought that may be critical was the inclusion of an 'oldie, "Someone Special", from his 2000-2001 release "Days in Avalon", Iwould have chosen almost any other song off that album. Nonetheless, Mr. Marx my hat is off to you, just do me one favor; Don't make me wait too long for the next group of lyrical masterpieces, Thanks!!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful sound and insightful lyrics, August 12, 2004

By	A Gibson "bluelikethat" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think the media has largely undervalued Richard Marx's talent over the past few years, classing him with artists whose days are numbered. This album is evidence that Marx has many more years and a great deal of talent left in him yet. After a break from his solo career, which he spent writing songs for artists from N'Sync to Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban to Vertical Horizon, and which won him a well-deserved Grammy for his song (performed by Luther Vandross) "Dance With My Father," Marx is back in style.

This album has something for his old fans in Marx's signature sultry vocals, but incorporates a new sound with some extremely insightful lyrics. From the up-beat hits, "When You're Gone" and "Nothing Left To Say" to the soulful "Falling" and the powerful "Ready to Fly," this album obviously came deep from the heart, and will appeal to a wide range of listeners.