Music review: Richard Marx – 鈥楲imitless鈥�
Richard Marx certainly proves he doesn鈥檛 place limits on his career with his latest album.
The Chicago native burst on the music scene in 1987 with his self-titled debut effort that produced delightful pop gems such as 鈥淪hould鈥檝e Known Better,鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 Mean Nothing,鈥� 鈥淗old On to the Nights鈥� and 鈥淓ndless Summer Nights.鈥�
Marx sealed his success two years later with the release of 鈥淩epeat Offender.鈥� The sophomore effort featured the smooth-voiced singer-songwriter delivering more sophisticated pop nuggets perfectly suited for radio and MTV.
After spending nearly four years writing and recording the new material for his 12th solo offering, the results are unquestionably rewarding.
Following 2014鈥檚 鈥淏eautiful Goodbye,鈥� 鈥淟imitless鈥� showcases 12 tracks penned by Marx that possess traces of pop, rock and country stylings, highlighted by the 56-year-old鈥檚 golden voice.
After selling more than 30 million albums worldwide, Marx continues to craft arrangements filled with plenty of heartfelt emotion, infectious energy and affectionate reflection.
The new album has its share of charming love songs like 鈥淟ove Affair That Lasts Forever,鈥� 鈥淎ll Along鈥� and 鈥淯p All Night鈥� that champion the notion that love conquers all.
鈥淔ront Row Seat鈥� is an endearing mid-tempo number that finds Marx surprisingly sounding like Keith Urban as he dishes the details about experiencing the perfect romantic evening by singing, 鈥淟et鈥檚 breathe it in, take it all slow.鈥�
The title track contains the same sweet sentiments of love heard earlier on 鈥淩ight Here Waiting,鈥� Marx鈥檚 huge 1989 hit and signature song that never leaves a dry eye in the crowd.
Jana Kramer joins Marx and adds a little country flair to the set with a strong performance on 鈥淪trong Enough.鈥� The two singers exhibit a sensual chemistry on this number about a flawed couple unable to let each other go.
The highlight of the album can be found on 鈥淣ot in Love.鈥� This tender piano ballad is reminiscent of 10cc鈥檚 1975 confessional 鈥淚鈥檓 Not in Love,鈥� as the declaration fails to match how the heart truly feels.
鈥淟imitless鈥� spotlights Marx鈥檚 strong songwriting and engaging vocals that remain unchanged after 33 years, proving time has been a good friend to him and that no matter what his fans do, he鈥檒l be right here waiting.