Music
Store

The announcement of a Eurythmics reunion may have been received with trepidation: why stop the solo progression on either end now? Well, Lennox and Stewart both have said that working together after the 10-year hiatus turned out to be too much fun to forego. The result is a mix of melancholy and fun with sprinkles of environmentalism and love's agony. It's a lot to place into one album, but Peace pulls it off very well.

Critics have been lukewarm about Peace, lauding Lennox's vocal delivery but criticizing Stewart's production value and saying, over all, that this album lacks the drive that was in earlier classics like 1985's Be Yourself Tonight and 1986's Revenge. I can't be sure this is what Eurythmics were driving at with this effort. How, after 10 years off, can Lennox and Stewart expect to have grown and still come up with pure pop? Let's be honest. Their music was never "pure" pop. There were always dark shades of despair, paranoia, seclusion and antipathy in the music that emanated from Lennox and Stewart in the '80s. They may have packed it with soul and some rock and roll, but that doesn't disguise such feelings. So having some Beatles inspiration in songs like "Forever" on the new album I can only construe as diversifying one's sound. The lush strings and lack of "cheesy" synth riffs makes the entire production value incredible, in my opinion.

Some critics say this sounds like a brand new band as opposed to the reliable Eurythmics. But I contend that their spirit is still here. Songs like "I Want it All," "Power to the Meek" and "I Saved the World Today" definitely shine with what we fans would consider a traditional Eurythmics feel. "Peace is Just a Word" is emotional. "Beautiful Child" and "Anything But Strong" are powerful. "I've Tried Everything" and "Lifted" are haunting. The first U.S. single release from the album, "17 Again," is simply awe-inspiring. Lennox's voice seems more provocative and beautiful than ever. It makes you wonder if this woman ever ages.

And, for those of you who still think they've lost "it" over the years, you should've seen the show Dave and Annie did in New York in early November 1999. The revival was intense. And, after all those years growing up feeling isolated as a Eurythmics fan, knowing few people who knew anything of the group's music other than "Sweet Dreams," I felt true solidarity with a crowd that screamed at the slightest hint of an oldie that Annie was about to croon. This band really does live on, and it's better than feeling like I'm 17 again.


'Peace' at last   October 29, 1999
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

It is first interesting to note that although the popularity of 80s music has returned, Annie Lennox has increased her popularity throughout the 90s despite this hip trend. Hence the debut of this album as the top debut in the nation for the week. After the popularity of 'Diva' and 'Medusa', it seems everyone is curious to hear how Dave Stewart influences her on the latest project. Although a Eurythmics fan since 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)', it wasn't until Annie Lennox broke out on her own that I became an Annie devotee. With the brilliant writing in 'Diva' and personal adaptation of songs in 'Medusa', Annie seemed to grow gracefully with age, pouring her soul into intensely personal projects. Many consider both albums to be classics, and unlike most music this decade (98 degrees? That's a temperature, not music), we will find our children listening to these albums. So, What of 'Peace'? Most noticeable is its variety. What Annie comes back to is some of the hard edges of their music; songs such as 'Power to the Meek' and 'I Want It All' complement Annie the rock singer, and 'I've Tried Everything' is soulful yet letting Annie rage. Yet, I prefer the sheer beauty of songs such as 'I Saved the World Today', a haunting song that allows Annie's unique voice to complement it as a classic, far and above the best on the album. 'Forever' is Beatlesque, featuring horns and guitars reminiscent of 'Sgt. Peppers'. The ending, 'Lifted' makes me feel just that - inspired and lifted. I am hopeful that most people appreciate this album as I have - interesting, varied and inherently listenable. Looking forward to their success!


Not For Ingrates   February 20, 2000
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

The least fans can do for this band is put the work into actively listening to this album that the Eurythmics put into giving us all the joys of their 80's material. This album does indeed lean towards a more melancholy, ballad style than found on most any eurythmics album of the past. However, there are some rockers here, like the freak-out, "Power To The Meek' and "I Want it All," both superb rock performances by both Lenox's voice and Stewarts musicianship. "Beautiful Child" is, quite simply, the best ballad put to tape since "Here Comes The Rain Again," and almost every song is rich with a catchy chorus and stinging guitar work. Stewart shines on the title track, while Lennox's song writing proves its endurance on "17 Again," 'I Saved The World Today," and the remarkable piano extravaganza, "Forever," which sounds good enough to be on any Beatles album. No, this album is not likely to rip your ears off after the first listen like their early work, but this is an aged, mature band that is not out to rape the pop charts, but rather to deliver an honest set of music from the heart. Fans cannot rationally expect a band to remain stagnantly entrenched in the same sound they delivered when they were 25 years old. If veteran fans cannot attempt to tune their ears to the Eurythmics new sound, after all the glories of this band's past efforts-not to mention the sheer surprise of a reunion-perhaps they should not have bought a Eurythmics album in the first place.


Older, wiser and still as brilliant. THE comeback album.   May 21, 2000
 13 out of 14 found this review helpful

People tend to associate bands with the decades they were most successful in. The Beatles are usually remembered during they're 60's heyday. Fleetwood Mac will always be connected to 70's and Rumours. And the Eurythmics are forever linked to the 80's with their emotional electronic sound and brashly honest lyrics. Peace is unlikely to change this and yank them into the 90's but it gives it a bloody good go and they deserve full marks for effort.

Those expecting a rehash and retread of Sweet Dreams and Sex Crime will initially be disappointed. The music is reminiscent of Angel and Miracle of Love with its acoustic guitar work and spare backing. The meaning is obvious: Dave and Annie have grown up and are making grown up music. These are people in their 40's dealing with 40's problems - raising children, a slight cynicism with the world and looking back on younger days with a nostalgic glow. That doesn't mean they've lost any of their sense of humour. Try keeping a huge smile off your face as the the irrestibly chirpy lyrics of 17 Again suddenly and beautifully make way to the chorus of Sweet Dreams. It's a strikingly effective link to who they were and who they are now. If only all musicians could grow old as gracefully (Bowie and Jagger, I mean you).

The brilliance continues. Power To The Meek sees the return of 'Anxious' Annie in full shouty mode, I Saved The World Today's patient optimism smacks head on with Peace's downbeat futility and My True Love is one of the finest songs they've ever done. But ten years apart does do a little bit of damage and there are a couple of glitches. Beautiful Child misfires ever so slightly, I Want It All trys to be I Need A Man and fails and Forever is so Beatles sounding it hurts. It doesn't mean they're bad, just not good enough to get 5 stars.

Of course there will be those that will scoff at this fine collection and persecute it as nothing more than a cash-in on the anniversary of their split. These people need to do what Annie and Dave have done: grow up. The 80's died ten years ago, the 90's mere months. This album is not a reminder of how good they WERE but of how good they ARE. If you're lucky they'll do another one. Start hoping.


A little mellow (and melodramatic) - but it grows on you   November 20, 1999
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

When I first bought this album I found it a little depressing. It may have been my mood, or maybe it's the melodramatic lyrics. Anyway, I got over that pretty quickly when I realy listened to the the lovely "Saved The World Today", or the rocker "I Want It All". Then I noticed other standout tracks like the spare and beautiful "My True Love" which showcases Annie's vocals best on the album, and "Power To The Meek" reminded me a little of the duo around their "Missionary Man" days. And if the slower tracks leave you a little downtrodden, they do at least leave you on thier last cut with the subltle and pretty "Lifted" - a song about just hanging in there.

So, no, this is not my favorite album from Dave & Annie (I have all of them), but it is a satisfying update to some of their classic work, so I gave it four stars. My favorite albums are still "Touch" and "Sweet Dreams", but this is a nice addition to my collection.