Customer Reviews

Stars We Are

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album was released in 1988 and was a very big hit on MTV and college radio in the early years of "alternative radio" when the word alternative meant that what you were listening to was something not likely to be embraced by the masses. Of course that is not to say that Marc Almond is not embraceable. As a matter of fact, Marc Almond is a pure genius, and America, in particular, hasnt always been very supportive of Marc's ingenuity throughout the years. This album is his biggest in America as solo efforts go. "Tears Run Rings" and "Bittersweet" were big college radio hits and the album was very successful as well. The song writing is as effortless as always. you cant help but think that the words just flow from his majestic pen. Other singles such as "Only the Moment" and "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart" [Marc's Biggest Hit Ever] also made a large impact in England and Europe as well. This was Marc's most commercially successful period and ensured him of future releases w/EMI at the time. From the opening mind-blowing "The Stars We Are" to the Awesome "The Sensualist" (my personal favourite) the album takes you through hot & cold and every human emotion possible. Marc Almond's penchant for the surreal is also evident in "The Very Last Pearl" another catchy song which demands attention, There are a great deal of slower Marc Almondeey songs like "Kept Boy", "She Took My Soul In Istanbul", "The Frost Comes Tomorrow", etc which are some of Marc's most beautiful and riveting works. There isn't a bad song in the lot. This album doesn't ever get too dull or boring. It doesn't ever slow down too much that it becomes over-bearing. This album is a true gem and worthy of a top spot on anyone's fave list. Five Stars doesn't do this masterpiece justice..It Is pure exstasy..BRAVO!!

This is by far the best of Almond, simply sublime. No other Album compares to this. Almost every song is a master piece.

"These My Dreams Are Yours" is to my point of view the best song of Marc Almond, and I have heard all, everything he has written/recorded. Other sublime songs:
Only The Moment
Tears Run Rings
Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart
She Took My Soul In Istanbul

Man, this album is so great i can't believe this artist didn't make it as big as other similar bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Erasure, etc. The quality of the songs is superb, and the appearance of 60's icon Gene Pitney in one of the songs is a great gift for us all... I recommend this album to be listened and enjoyed!!!

This is Marc Almond's finest and most consistent album from start to finish. Contrary to what one of the other reviewers said, this collection of songs has aged VERY well. The compositions are timeless and exceedingly well-executed. It's a shame that you can only get this used or on import. I'm glad I got my CD back while they were still more widely available. I think that anyone expecting this record to sound just like "Tainted Love" obviously knows very little about Marc Almond and probably only became aware of him by hearing "Tainted" on the radio or in mainstream clubs. More interesting clubs would have been also playing other Marc Almond tracks.

Not sure why the page says that this is a remaster, the CD sounds exactly like the original CD from 1988, so as far as I can tell it is only a reissue. So if you have the 1988 CD, save yourself some money.

This is also why I gave it only 1 star, the music deserves more.

Yep, it's overdramatic. And over produced. But it's a pretty ravishing alternate take on 80s New Romanticism. As densely woven as a tapestry. The song "Frost comes Tomorrow" still sounds amazing. The visual themes in the videos and the leit-motifs in the songs conjure up Zanzibar. And along that line Almond's back up band (at least on this outing) was called La Magia.

Very glad to see it made the jump to mp3 format.

This album go out in the middle 80's and at last is available in CD. You can't let it go.

Something way different than Soft Cell but knocked me out. The duet with Gene Pitney "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" is worth the price of the album. With the sad passing of Mr. Pitney, this tune only sends shivers up my spine. The duet truly is a gift to those listeners who never experienced Gene Pitney in his hey day.

Marc Almond's latest is a joy to hear. You'll want to add this CD to your ipod playlist.

I bought this album because I love:
A) Soft Cell
B) Marc Almond's Lyrics
C) Marc Almond's Vocals/Quirkyness/Personality

Let met just say that this album does NOT live up to anything Marc did with Soft Cell. The songs are rather interesting and definately don't stagnate...but they're just not any good! This album is tainted by the late 80s sound (which we all have grown to hate).