Jazz and Pop Reviews : Richard Marx Opts for Light Rockers at Greek

Richard Marx has apparently been listening to his critics. At the Greek Theatre on Wednesday, the pabulum-pop rocker had clearly taken measures to stem the disapproval of the elitists who scoff at his art and refuse to take him seriously. His infamous puffy coiffure was fully two inches lower than normal, and all six of his band members--the Hair Club, as he called them--had taller, longer tresses than their leader, doubtlessly to make Marx appear a moderate in the politics of hair.

With the mousse issue seemingly squelched, Marx might well win over some skeptics. Though ballads and love songs have provided most of his commercial bread and butter, the light, Bon Jovi-style rockers that formed the bulk of the Greek show are by far his more creative compositions, and they came across better live. “Don’t Mean Nothin’ ” and a somewhat reworked “Should’ve Known Better” proved particularly resilient, and Marx worked hard at injecting emotion into them.

Marx has a captivating rapport with his audience, somehow seeming to carry on a conversation with the crowd even as he remained the only one talking. He clearly has a genuine affection for his fans, and now that there’s less hair to distract from his solid if limited talents, he should make more of them.