Thursday, July 24, 1997

He already knew women liked him, but it came as a bit of a shock when the critics started to.

"Yeah, critics are saying it's very good -- for the first time," says Quebec heartthrob Roch Voisine about the reaction to his latest CD, Kissing Rain.

The CD, which was released last November, treads the same ballad-heavy path as his earlier releases and features songwriting by well-known singers such as Richard Marx and fellow Canadian Amy Sky.

"I think in terms of production it's better. I think I sing better.... I don't know why critics like this album. It was quite surprising for me to see these pretty good reviews," he says.

It comes as no surprise to his legions of (mostly female) fans across Canada and Europe, who have bought nearly eight million of his albums since 1986.

It was in this year that Voisine released his first hit Helene -- from his debut album of the same name -- in Europe and making him an instant sex-symbol.

Until now he has not been able to copy this success in the U.S. and had hoped to change his luck with Kissing Rain.

But in May, his dream was put on hold indefinitely when his manager and friend Paul Vincent died of a drug overdose, leaving to Voisine a reported $30 million.

Voisine -- who now resides in Los Angeles -- doesn't confirm the figure or explain why he was the beneficiary.

He does say he hopes to have new management by Christmas.

"A relationship that lasted 15 years is hard to replace."

Voisine's 20-date Canadian tour -- which stops at the Jack Singer Concert Hall tomorrow night -- was booked before Vincent died.

Although Voisine is an accomplished musician, his Adonis-status had critics quickly dismissing him as a pretty boy.

"Cute lasts about 15 minutes," argues Voisine. "People want to see the goods. At one point I won't be cute anymore, and if I'm still around making music than I've proved something."