- Music
- 17 Jul 01
The lavish cover art says it all. Almond casts himself as a 21st century troubadour adorned with diamonds and pearls. The tone is lavish and luxurious, but thankfully Marc resists the temptation of totally re-inventing himself in uncomfortable futuristic clothes.
The lavish cover art says it all. Almond casts himself as a 21st century troubadour adorned with diamonds and pearls. The tone is lavish and luxurious, but thankfully Marc resists the temptation of totally re-inventing himself in uncomfortable futuristic clothes.
Stranger Things has a lovely subtle techno sheen that updates the Soft Cell electronic pop template into new shapes and sounds. ‘Born To Cry’ pushes the melodrama to Scott Walker-like extremes but somehow manages not to sound totally ridiculous.
‘Come Out’ is pure Almond
cabaret – outlandish, entertaining and moving with a couple of killer lines (“An ugly duckling hiding in a peacock’s nest”).
Almond’s voice is always a joy to listen to. He always sounds as if he is amazed by everyday life, suffusing ‘Lights’ with a sense of wonder and love rarely found in mainstream music. Joy is counterbalanced by heartbreak (‘Tantalise Me’, End In Tears’) and gritty realism (‘Moonbathe Skin’).
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While Stranger Things occasionally overstays it welcome, it is a
surprisingly engaging and compelling listen from one of the truly great
vocalists of our times.