ALBUM: Marc Almond 'The Velvet Trail'

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When songwriter and producer Chris Braide heard Marc Almond was considering never releasing another album again, he made it his personal mission to change the former Soft Cell frontman’s mind. After e-mailing instrumental demos from LA to Almond, project Velvet Trail was underway, and Braide’s strong pop songwriting influence is instantly evident.

Famous for tracks he’s written for acts including Beyonce, Britney and Sia, Braide brings unapologetic pop sensibilities to the theatrical craft Almond has explored in more recent releases. Split into three acts, each introduced with classical instrumentals, The Velvet Trail sees Almond’s lyrics covering personal matters, from childhood to heartbreak. “I don’t know who you are, but loving you my heart still bears the scar,” he declares on lead single ‘Scar’, delivered in his trademark tones, sometimes so light they deliver hurt in a major way, over minor chords and sweeping strings. ‘Winter Sun’ is equally bleak and beautifully so, and possibly the highlight lyrically: “Kiss me one last time before it dies, sun sinks with a golden shade and says goodbye.”

Unfortunately not all of the album can compete, with moments of filler during ‘Pleasure’s Wherever You Are’ and ‘The Pain Of Never’ (it seems you can judge a song by its title), yet the wordplay of ‘Minotaur’ showcases the collaboration at one of its stronger moments, with a repetitive rhythm from Braide and words that ride it rather than overrule it from Almond. While the drum intro to ‘Demon Lover’ teases at a ‘Tainted Love’ sample without paying off, a duet with Beth Ditto (‘When The Comet Comes’) delivers a mid-tempo disco ballad in the key of Scissor Sisters, which could only have been bettered with a splash of the “psychedelic technicolour” the duo sing of.

As the title track closes the vocals, Mssr. Almond is lead in with Twin Peaks-like effects – an aptly referenced sound for an artist with a cult following, yet clearly respected by todays leading acts. However, just as one might assume of David Lynch’s upcoming series, it’s almost impossible to recreate the magic of the original work entirely.

The Velvet Trail is out now via Cherry Red Records.

Dan Bull

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Dan Bull

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London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."