Almond Panders and Suggests Hedonism but Plays Fey, Theatrical Pop

Remember “Liza with a Z”? How about “Marc with a C”--as in Marc Almond, would-be heir apparent to Judy Garland, Jacques Brel and Frank Sinatra?

Opening a 2-night stand at the Pantages on Friday, the fey British popster unveiled a highly theatrical show of greatly arch intent, revealing his weaknesses for German cabaret-style balladry and old-style show-biz oversinging.

At the same time, Almond, who will play the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim tonight, did not forget the equally mannered modern techno-pop on which he made his name.

The chicks loved it. And the boys--well, some of them groaned in audible masculine dismay when Almond gave his bass player a little peck on the mouth (the bass player not being the woman in the group). But otherwise they too joined in silent complicity with the female screams that emanated from both decks of the Pantages all night.

Some listeners of both sexes were grumbling on the way out about Almond’s decision to ignore all material from the band that brought him to fame, Soft Cell. His solo material is richer, more varied and musically sophisticated, certainly, but less kinky and, to some tastes, less fun.

Not that Almond does not remain open to a little pandering. The low point of the show had Almond reclining on the throne that sat elevated at center stage and drawing out the phrases, leaving breathing room for shrieks from the crowd. “How good it must be in your . . . bed ,” he drawled repeatedly, putting a salacious spin on the phrase that was less Liza than it was Mae West--or Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter.

No, then again, the low point had to be Almond’s a cappella reading of “My Way,” with an expletive added that drew extra-loud cheers from the young crowd. Questionable song choice aside, vocal pitch is not the operatically inclined singer’s strongest suit, a point magnified when all the backing (from two keyboard players, plus drums and bass) disappears.

Almond’s appearance--short, slicked-back hair and a black tank top, revealing extravagantly tattooed arms doing gangly, jumping jack motions--does not exactly suggest serious aspirations, either.

Yet Almond can lay off the camp long enough to suggest hedonism-as-transcendence, a la (Depeche) Mode. An exciting, well-staged transition had him reciting the closing words of “The Sensualist”--”ecstasy, ecstasy, ecstasy”--and slumping back into his throne as lights began to spin round the auditorium, suggesting the very real ecstasy of an exhausted, dizzied, spinning head. Then the band launched immediately into the current radio favorite “Tears Run Rings,” a piece of sumptuous pop complete with “sighing angels.”

Also a highlight was “Ruby Red,” a simpler gem of a pop ditty than most of what Almond attempts nowadays. In moments such as these, Almond’s musical sins--which have mostly to do with an all-too-calculated naughtiness and an overweening haughtiness--seemed forgivable.

Marc Almond and LaMagia perform tonight at 8 at the Celebrity Theatre, 201 E. Broadway, Anaheim. Tickets: $19.50. Information: (714) 999-9536.