Meanwhile, Marx started his own record company (Signal 21) and worked behind the scenes writing and producing for artists ranging from Sarah Brightman, N sync, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Streisand, 98 Degrees, SheDaisy, Shane Minor, Jamie O'Neal, The Tubes, Keith Urban, Chely Wright and many others. His contributions anchored their albums with skillfully constructed songs and furthered his growing reputation as an elite craftsman in the music industry. Now, he seeks to apply his talents once again with his own heralded singing ability to revive his own career in his newest release "Days in Avalon."

Richard Marx's early albums tended to have songs that were true gems mixed in with cuts that were comparatively mediocre. But Marx demonstrates his musical growth by putting up an entire solid album that takes listeners into a musical journey of rock, country, funk, and the occasional ballad or two. This album contains catchy hooks, memorable lyrics, and musical variety. Every single cut wafts sweetly around the earlobes and tickles the senses. In an album this well-balanced, fans of Marx will have difficulty picking a favorite track; expect the mysterious "Boy Next Door,", country influenced rocker "Power of You And Me,", haunting duet with Chely Wright "The Edge of Forever,", and the alluring vocals and pleasant melodies of "Straight From The Heart" to join the cool as autumn title track and masterpiece "Someone Special, " as favorites and ultra radio-friendly surefire hits. Marx surely gives the Capitol Records executives reason to feel silly.

Billboard Magazine asserts that "in an environment where few mature artists are still creating great musical moments..."Days In Avalon" could easily send this timeless artist back to No. 1 splendor." I concur.


One More Time!   October 24, 2000
Jared (New York, NY United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

Richard Marx' new CD is a breath of fresh air on todays pop-music landscape. Days of Avalon is a smooth journey of guitar laden rock songs, mixed in with signature Marx power balladry. After hearing Nsync perform Marx' "This I Promise You," it was only a matter of time until the real thing returned. Richard Marx's title track lead-off new single should do well at Adult Contemporary radio. Special highlight of the CD is "One More Time," a song originally covered by Italian diva Laura Pausini on the Message In A Bottle soundtrack (as well as a song Marx has been performing on the road for some time now). Marx delivers a spellbinding performance, with a haunting melody that will give you shivers by the time he uses his falsetto at the end. Few artists have the staying power that Marx possesses, and this new material shows that he has grown lyrically and musically as an artist. If you haven't done so already, pick up his Greatest Hits collection which is a musical journey through the sensational career of this artist, who has proven time and time again to be one of the greatest songwriters/performers around.


RM's best cd yet   October 25, 2000
Elizabeth Kendrick (Kansas City, MO USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've had time to listen to Days In Avalon for about 2 months now. I recieved a promo copy, and I was blown away. For about a month I was unable to listen to anything else. As a matter of fact, I'm listening as I write this.

This album marks Richard Marx first effort since he parted ways with Capitol Records and it shows brilliantly. His voice seems to soar as it never has before. There is a cloud of saddness that seems to hang over this record, but that is obviously Marx' attempt to grieve for his father, who passed away in '98.

Every song on this album is of the utmost quality. There is not one song you have to skip by as you listen to the disc. Personal favorites of mine include "Boy Next Door", with it's rich "Hazard"-esque flavor, "Almost Everything", with it's powerful vocal performance, and "Someone Special", with it's brilliant story. All in all, a terriffic record that I reccomend with the essance of my being.


Richard Marx Returns In Top Form   December 7, 2000
NOEL GALLAGHER (Clermont, FL, United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I must admit that after hearing Richard Marx's greatly disappointing 1997 release, "Flesh and Bone", I was beginning to wonder whether this musical genius had somehow lost his touch. All of his albums leading up to "Flesh and Bone" were excellent, but the rather dull songs on "Flesh and Bone" made me question whether "Days In Avalon" would be similarly disappointing. I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Days In Avalon" shows that Richard Marx hasn't lost a thing since his 1987 self-titled debut. The songs on this album are filled with exceptional lyrics, catchy melodies, and vocal performances by Marx that rival his best. Unlike "Flesh and Bone", every song on this album is worth listening to over and over again. Standout tracks include "Someone Special", an inspiring yet uniquely humorous song about finding that "special someone". No Richard Marx album would be complete without a great ballad, and "One More Time" delivers nicely. Though slower than most of his previous ballads, it's no less effective. In fact, I don't think Richard Marx's voice has ever sounded better than it does on this song. "Boy Next Door" is Marx's "Hazard" for the new millennium. Like his former hit single, this song tells the tale of murder, this time in the form of a boy who goes on a shooting spree. Though the song's message is dark, the song itself isn't, as it has a catchy melody and a surprisingly lighthearted air about it. "Days In Avalon", the title track, is also a catchy tune with powerful lyrics. The song itself is kind of a "semi-ballad" about a man reflecting on his life as death approaches.

Although all of the songs on this album are great, one track stands out above all others. "Straight From My Heart", the album's final track, is the perfect song to close out this exceptional album. This song was written for Marx's deceased father, and anyone who's recently lost a loved one will find this song to be a real tear-jerker. I have never heard someone's feelings about the loss of someone close to them put into words as eloquently or as beautifully as Marx does in this song. While the lyrics are exceptional, the music surrounding them further enhances the deep feelings Marx is trying to convey. This song really is straight from his heart. This is the best track on the album, and I certainly hope Marx decides to release it as a single.

Overall, "Days In Avalon" is light years beyond "Flesh and Bone". Any fan of Richard Marx's previous work will not be disappointed by this album. For those of you that may have given up on him after "Flesh and Bone", give him a chance at redemption. "Days In Avalon" will deliver.


Richard's Still Got It!   December 4, 2003
Nicole (Steubenville, Ohio United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have to admit, I hadn't been listening to Richard Marx for awhile, until a friend of mine reintroduced me to his incredible sound by playing his music over and over when I was around. I had almost forgot how amazing a singer/songwriter this guy was! After I got reacquainted I had to get Days In Avalon. This album is just as wonderful, if not more so, than all of his earlier stuff. The songs range from the slow love ballads like "One More Time" to the more upbeat, positive songs like "Too Early to Be Over." The music is good, but the lyrics are even better. I have listened to it over and over since I got it and it just keeps getting better every time. My favorite songs are "Days In Avalon," "Almost Everything," "Someone Special," "Power of You and Me," "The Boy Next Door" (I always was a "Hazard" fan), "Too Early to Be Over," and "Straight from My Heart" (very country!) In conclusion, I recommend this album for anyone looking for good music written by a truly underrated and talented man.