"Brilliant Creatures" / "Out There" Released: February 1996
Fantastic Star is the ninth studio album by the British singer/songwriter Marc Almond. It was released in 1996 and reached number fifty-four on the UK Albums Chart.[1] It includes the singles "Adored and Explored", "The Idol", "Child Star" and the double A-side "Brilliant Creatures" / "Out There". The album was Almond's last on a major record label until 2007's Stardom Road.
Accompanied by studio musicians and collaborators - specifically guitarist Neal X and John Coxon - Almond recorded the songs for the album over several years. This was due to his changing record labels and professional and personal difficulties. It was recorded at Red Bus Studios, London, The Stereo Society, New York, Skyline, New York, and GCHQ, London. Receiving mixed to positive reviews, the album was originally released as a CD and cassette in February 1996. The album was not reissued until 2023. The artwork was designed by 950 Fahrenheit with a cover photograph by Mike Owen.
Background
Marc Almond records had sold very well during the initial years of the 1990s. It was expected in the business that his new album which would be Fantastic Star would sell very well. Therefore, the record companies involved were prepared to spend money on the project. Originally the album was intended to be released by WEA UK and initially the sole producer was to be Soft Cell producer Mike Thorne under the working title Urban Velvet reflecting the Glam meets Electronica fusion.[2] However, Marc Almond's manager Stevo Pearce had the project moved to Phonogram Records. Based on this the new record company decided to bring new producers and remixers and even add new songs to the original project. Beatmasters, Martyn Ware and others reworked or created new songs to varying degrees of satisfaction and displeasure for Almond.
Release
The first single from the album, "Adored and Explored" and remixed by the Beatmasters, reached No. 25 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] Despite a radio jingle version for the then top rated Chris EvansRadio 1 Breakfast Show, second single "The Idol" just missed the UK top 40, stalling at No. 44.[1] Christmas saw the third single release, "Child Star", which fared slightly better than "The Idol", but it just missed the top 40, halting at No. 41.[1] After the album was released, a further double A-side single "Brilliant Creatures"/"Out There" was released but missed the top 75, reaching No. 76.[3] Almond had addiction problems during the recording of this album and refers to it in his autobiography as 'Fading Star'.
The Artist's Cut re-release
The album was re-issued in the UK for Record Store Day on 22 April 2023. This was the first time the album had been available on vinyl and was released over two LPs. This was subtitled 'the Artist's Cut' as Almond had re-evaluated all of the tracks himself, including those that didn’t make the album at the time but later appeared as B-sides of singles. Two songs that featured on the original CD release were removed: "The Idol Part 2 All Gods Fall" and "Shining Brightly", which Almond felt 'never really belonged' on the album. They were replaced by "The User", "Christmas in Vegas" and "My Guardian Angel". Almond also chose the new artwork, selecting his favourite shot from 1995 sessions by fashion photographer Zanna. The release was newly mastered for 180 gm vinyl at Abbey Road Studios and came with two fully printed inner bags with lyrics and a new design by Philip Marshall.[4]
