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RICHARD MARX - MY OWN BEST ENEMY - EMI
Record Rating: ****
For those too young to remember him – Richard Marx was a pop icon of the 80’s as much as Madonna; Michael Jackson and Prince were. For throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Richard Marx was a FM radio staple with number one hits like 'Right Here Waiting', 'Chains Around My Heart' and even 'Endless Summer Nights' breaking thousands of teenage hearts across the globe.
So naturally when this man releases a new album – it’s a big event. Titled My Own Best Enemy – the album arrives in the midst of Richard Marx's thriving career as a producer and songwriter, and in particular his Song of the Year Grammy with Luther Vandross for 'Dance With My Father'. And for all the N’Sync fans out there that enjoyed 'This I Promise You', well, Richard Marx wrote that one too. Long time Marx fans will be happy, since the twelve tracks on this new one doesn't deviate from his formula too much. Tracks like the first single 'When You're Gone' and the tender epic length ballad 'Again' remind you of Marx’s Rush Street days – and it’s a good thing. Marx seems to be also trying to make a name of him self with country fans. In the last few years he's co written numerous songs with country artists, including Vince Gill and Lonestar's Richie McDonald; and on this new album, he features country singers Keith Urban and Jessica Andrews. Thankfully he fails to go country on us – and churns out the pure radio friendly pop long time Richard Marx fans are used too. Tracks like 'Love Goes On' and the 'The Other Side' shows a more mature Marx and his music – and his turning 40 probably did have something to do with it.
And once you get past the fact that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago - this album seems to one of his most decent efforts in years. Of course he’s way past his prime – and it shows – but the man still has a lot of fire within him. My Own Best Enemy may not win over any of the current teeny bopper generation brought up on Britney Spears – but it’s good enough for us twenty something’s out there to groove on.
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