The 1996 studio album "Fantastic Star" saw Almond move towards a more orchestral and dramatic sound, drawing comparisons to Scott Walker and Jacques Brel. The album yielded the singles "The Idol" and "Darkness on the Water."
- "Fantastic Star" was released in February 1996 by EMI Records. The album was primarily recorded at Sarm West Studios in London. It reached number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
- The album was co-produced by Almond and Michael Peden. Peden had previously worked with Almond on the 1995 album "Tomorrow the Green Grass." The album featured a cover of the song "Greed" by P.J. Harvey.
- "Darkness on the Water" was the lead single from the album, released in January 1996. The single peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for "The Idol" was directed by Jamie Thraves.
Marc Almond is a British singer-songwriter, best known for being the frontman of the synth-pop duo Soft Cell. He has also had a prolific solo career, characterized by a highly theatrical style and a penchant for dramatic, often torch-inspired songs.
Tracklist
