Enchanted [Expanded Edition] [Midnight Blue Vinyl]

A slightly fallow period for Almond's more high-profile releases began with Enchanted, an ultimately flawed attempt to build on his more mainstream success with The Stars We Are. Crucially, keyboardist and co-songwriter Annie Hogan, who had been Almond's longest musical partner ever, starting with the first solo record in 1982, had departed, while La Magia ceased to exist as a musical entity. Billy McGee remained to provide orchestral arrangements, which give the album some zest, while the subject matter is still Almond's own, tales of "Waifs and Strays," a "Toreador in the Rain," and "Orpheus in Red Velvet." This said, the album ends up as just too anonymous to truly succeed -- Bob Kraushaar's production this time out seems much more concerned at creating slick Euro-pop as opposed to the distinct blend of styles that Marc usually pursues. There are a couple of solid winners nonetheless, like the perversely jaunty "Death's Diary" and "A Lover Spurned," a dramatic tale of vengeance from the other woman. Regardless, this is possibly Marc's most disappointing release overall. ~ Ned Raggett