Marc Almond and the Willing Sinners
Stories of Johnny & Mother Fist (Thirsty Ear)
by Chris Adams
Marc Almond will always be remembered, first and foremost, as one-half of Soft Cell, the synth duo who brought us the “new wave” classic “Tainted Love.” Since that song peaked on the airwaves in like ’81 or sumthin’, most people have assumed that Almond went the way of the many other one-hit wonders of the day. (Anyone remember ABC? Howsabout Wreckless Eric? Martha and the Muffins? The Marine Girls? Haircut 100? Anyone? Anyone?) Fact is, Almond went on to develop an illustrious solo career after the demise of Soft Cell, and, lucky for us, Thirsty Ear has taken it upon themselves to re-release two of his best albums. Stories of Johnny and Mother Fist feature The Divine Mr. Almond and his “Willing Sinners” melodramatically swooning in an orgy of perversion, luxuriating in decadence, wine spilled on stained silk bedsheets, camping it up in fake furs and costume jewelry, turning every tear into a tsunami of overblown emotion. Of course, Almond loves every minute of his tiny tragedies, the glory of fainting center-stage, a crumpled suicide note in his hand, knowing full well that the sleeping pills were merely placebo. (The soused catwalk burlesque of Mother Fist‘s Saint Judy – Garland, natch – is worth the price of the album.) We go along with Marc’s little melodramas partially ‘cos everyone loves the image of the dashed diva, the tortured torch-singer, shattered on the memory of golden-age Hollywood showbiz schmaltz. The other reason – Almond’s vocals, which are consistently gorgeous and glorious. They range from over-enunciated, stately Scott Walkerisms to lascivious whispers to dizzy, high camp falsettos, strutting and staggering over a red carpet of absinthe-sweet melodies. And the arrangements are always unique and engaging – a chiming blend of Euro-synth coupled with cellos, accordions, marimbas, and trumpets that keep it from sounding too antiseptic. If the idea of a tattooed Judy Garland, or perhaps a latex-clad Jacques Brel sounds even remotely appealing, ya don’t wanna miss these two excellent albums. Simply fabulous, daahling.
