 | Eurythmics
Peace
label:
bmg / arista
released: 10.19.99
our score: 1.5 out of 5.0
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| | Annie
Has It Her Way
by:
michael r. smith | The
Eurythmics must really be hard up for money these days. I couldn't
find their new release, Peace, anywhere for under $14.00!
After hearing nearly half of the album sampled on the Internet
(and being somewhat disappointed), I honestly questioned whether
buying this one would be worth it.
Let
me start out by saying that the Eurythmics are one of my ten all-time
favorite music acts. I attended what was to be their farewell
concert tour of 1989, just as Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart
were falling out of favor with the rest of America. Back then
it seemed a shame to see them go. But now, ten years have passed
and you know something...their new music is obviously aging right
along with them.
It is
as if the only way Annie could be convinced to return to the Eurythmics
fold was to change the formula altogether. In a sense, Peace
could be considered Annie's third solo album. Gone is the edginess
that made Eurithmics albums like 1987's Savage live up
to its title and then some. Instead, we are forced to once again
travel down the adult contemporary road that Annie has since paved
on her own.
Don't
get me wrong, I didn't mind Annie taking it down a notch in the
90's for her last two Grammy-nominated solo releases, Diva
and Medusa. They certainly brought her the credibility
and respect that she has long deserved. Songs like "Little Bird"
and "Don't Let it Bring You Down" are just two of several that
I hold in high regard.
But
this is not supposed to sound like Annie solo--this is Eurithmics
for God's sake!! Nowhere on this new album will you find Annie
scream like she did on "I Need a Man" or shake her tail feather
on the video for "Would I Lie to You". No, my friends, it seems
that Annie's dancing, menacing and master-of-disguise days are
over. Perhaps motherhood has mellowed her out, but she has opted
to act her age this time around. The air has finally been let
out of the big, fun Eurythmics balloon. Maybe now I can get up
enough strength to say goodbye.
The
duo's swan song has to be the grand, trumpeting "Forever". It
is one of the few shining moments of this otherwise sluggish affair.
The belabored trudging of "Lifted" and the empty poetry of "Beautiful
Child" are just two examples here of two great talents simply
wasting their time. Even the two upbeat semi-rockers, "Power to
the Meek" and "I Want it All" could have been better. Still, it
was a relief to hear those since I was bored to tears by the rest.
What
made the Eurythmics so striking in the 80's was their unpredictable,
chameleon-like flair. Their range was boundless and their creativity
was enviable. This was NOT the comeback I had been hoping for.
It is certainly not Annie and Dave at their best. I wouldn't be
surprised if there aren't any singles released here in the States.
Maybe this time their fans will let Eurythmics...once and for
all...rest in Peace.
If you
liked Peace...
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