Annie Lennox - Songs of Mass Destruction
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Free Music Notes for Songs of Mass Destruction
Free Music Review: Imcomparable...
Hit: 5 Stars
As a Eurythmics/Annnie fan from the early 80's, I learned a long time ago to never compare newest albums to previous works?
Why?
Because Annie is an artist who is always evolving. Eurythimics started out with synth pop/new wave and evolved into harder Rock. It would be hard to imagine a group or artist other than Eurythmics/Annie Lennox putting out the synth songs on "Touch" ("Regrets", etc) as being the same artists who then delivered the hard hitting rock of "Would I lie to you?" on their next major album, "Be yourself tonight".
I don't compare "Songs of Mass Destruction" to "Diva", "Medusa" or "Bare".
Each one of them showcases a uniquely gifted singer at different stages in her personal life. I've been impressed with every album. There are songs on each that are classics to me.
"Cold" and "Legend in my livingroom" and, of course, "Why", stood out for me on "Diva".
I loved "Medusa". Too many people dismiss it as a "cover" album. Well, Annie's "cover" album was far superior to the "new" music that most other artists were and still are making
Her rendition of "Train in Vain" still blows me away today.
Same with "Whiter Shade of Pale".
And of course,"No more I Love You's".
"Bare" was astounding in it's honesty.
When she hits that high note in "Wonderful", I get chills down my spine. And maybe some were turned off by the darkness of this album..but I was impressed by the songwriting. "Don't want to need you, but it's where I'm at". Genius, pure genius.
"Loneliness" was mesmerizing.
"1000 Beautiful Things". I dare any other artist to do a recording THAT complex.
And now this album...Wow!
There wasn't as much "production" on this album.
Gone are Annie's overlapping harmonies..singing with herself, which I admit I love. She does it better than anyone. This album is alot more raw in it's production. Her voice is as smooth, strong and beautiful as ever but more bare than it was on "Bare". I'm sure the irony didn't elude her.
She's in a different place in her life but she's still Annie.
"Fingernail Moon" is gorgeous.
I love "Dark Road". Can't get it out of my head.
Same with the chorus from "Sing".
"Coloured Bedspread" will be mixed and become a top dance hit. Trust me.
"Ghosts in my machine" evokes "Touch" era Eurythmics but more mature.
"Lost" is mesmerizing and then haunting and then almost surreal. I love that she takes chances. No one else would dare to sound almost crazed on a song..except maybe Kate Bush.
"Through the glass darkly"...a showcase for the undeniable strength of Lennox's contralto.
With all said, I love this album and don't judge it by her previous works. I wish everyone would acknowledge and respect that Lennox is one artist who isn't grinding out the same old "hooks" that sold previous records. She's an artist with integrity who is always willing to try something new.
The one thing you can always count on though is that magnificent voice.
And see her live, if you get the chance. Beg, borrow or steal to do it. If her album didn't impress you. Her live performance will. She's one of the best live performers of our lifetime!
Free Music Review: Very Powerful Material
Hit: 5 Stars
SOMD (Annie's 4th Solo Recording) is a very powerful album and definitely worth the wait. I've been a fan of Annie's singing since way back in the early 80s'. As all AL's songs have, SOMD strikes right where a song should, track-wise. Track 8 (Coloured Bedspreads) really stands out and caught my attention...and I truly believe it could/should be Annie's next single. The arrangements in this particular song are dramatic and edgy, which remind me very much of "How Long" from the Eurythmics CD "We too are one".
Over the years, Annie's styles have evolved and I simply adore all 4 solo albums. With Bare and SOMD, Annie uses more of her upper range, which is jsut as powerful, clear and edgy. Her voice still sends chills when I listen to SOMD, and her lyrics are chilling and clever. That's why the woman is a living legend. She makes being an music industry icon look so easy. SOMD has an edge which her previous albums lacked, and the album as a whole, continues where Bare left off. Obviously having Glen Ballard as an inspiring producer has helped.
Since "Dark Road" was available for download online, I've had it on my myspace page...and the song really set the soundscape of my mood and my page for the past few weeks. "DR" is the perfect opener for SOMD and I believe Annie will gain many new fans because of this beautiful song and video.
Package-wise, here's what you'll find:
The cd comes in a jewel case with a 12-page booklet. The inside (traycard) has no artwork, so the cd is resting on a dark brown, almost black background. The booklet is fully illustrated, featuring full lyrics & song credits. The recent photos we've seen of Annie on the net are NOT in the booklet. But the 3 photos you'll find in the booklet are all based upon the artwork/style of the front cover. I think these photos are beautiful and showcase Annie as she's rarely been seen before. Dressed in a large tulle gown with gold lamé halter top, she's looking splendid and fierce. Annie is unlike any other artist in the current music industry, to the point where you can't tell her age. Only Annie can play around with such clever imagry and such.
Photography: Mike Owen
Design: Allan Martin
Emotionally charged, song after song, SOMD pumps out nothing but pure brilliance. Filled with pain and the power to overcome it all, Annie knows how to use her singing/songwriting gift to its fullest potential. Since 2003, she's only proven to us that she's gotten better with time. None of the material on SOMD is transparent or commercial. Everything hits home right where it should. Each song tells its story and has a strong purpose and place on the album. SOMD goes to all four corners of the music spectrum and back, allowing us a fair taste of Annie's fierceness and softer, velvet-smooth side.
Fierce is the exact word to describe Annie at this point in her career. Just by looking at the photo of her in the middle of the booklet, you'll see what I mean. Spread the word and buy this album for your family and friends. It's not a forgettable album and is certainly one of those gems which will quickly grow on you. SOMD definitely deserves more than 5 stars.
Free Music Review: Annie Lennox's rebirth....
Hit: 5 Stars
Alright, first, it needs to be said that reviews on Amazon are supposed to be voted on by "WAS IT HELPFUL" in your decision to purchase. It isn't really meant to be "I already own it and loved/hated it--so this review is bad/good." Having said this--some of the reviews I have read herein are real stunners. We cannot usually listen to something ONCE in a store music cubicle and write a review or even make a decision.
I am a serious Annie Lennox fan and collector of 24 years(I have it ALL!)and am also in a place to be surrounded by extraordinary music (I am the personal assistant of vocal legend Yma Sumac) and know good from bad musically. And 'Songs of Mass Destruction' does NOT disappoint.
Many Lennox fans or passing admirers are addicted to her early 80's days of electro-pop (I adore it as well!) but we must understand that we all grow (or should!) and times change! And the artist changes! Lennox has NEVER made music for mass appeal or radio play or to be popular. She is less interested (based on my decades of research)in making you DANCE, than she is in making you FEEL or identify in some way.
SONGS OF MASS DESTRUCTION is one of those very rare albums where you can't only choose a few good songs as "the best". Each track has something considerably special about it. There are very upbeat tracks, some Delta blues kind of songs and some intensely sentimental slower tracks. Unlike many other singers (including opera singers) whose voices weaken by their 50's, Annie's has gone very much the other direction! That's amazing! Her voice is stronger and more clear than ever on this CD. Her vocals SOAR with great strength on 'Through the Glass Darkly' and it should be noted that on this album she experiemnts with higher registers than ever before (namely on 'Fingernail Moon' and the exceptional 'Big Sky'). Everyone I know, is INSANE over 'Ghosts in My Machine' and I have not yet heard feedback on the bumping-pumping 'Sing!' but I love it. The angry and fed-up "Love is Blind" (which is not really about love, as much as how damned hard life can be sometimes!) is not for the generally jovial! I could go on and on, but you get the idea. There is so much offered on this CD! I do recommend it.
Now this NOT recommended for the "Gimme, Gimme More" Britney Spears listener, who wants "a good beat so you can DANCE to it!" Dumbed-down lyrics are not Lennox's specialty! This is for people, perhaps a little over 25, who have had a little more time to really experience life's up and downs (not to say that all ages can't enjoy it or identify in some way). I cannot help but feel that women and gay men will somehow feel closer to this album.
Free Music Review: Beautifully Arranged, Exquisite Vocals, & Completely Mesmerizing!
Hit: 5 Stars
Elegant and heartfelt....no one, male or female has ever done an album more artistically than British songbird, Annie Lennox. With some songs sounding a bit familiar with shades of the "Diva" CD's "Cold" and the "Medussa" CD's "Something So Right," "Songs of Mass Destruction" is Annie Lennox's strongest and best arranged CD to date! From the very first track, "Dark Road," the listener is swept into one "story" after another, as each song foretells of desires, longings, and heartaches.
"Dark Road" begins the cd and brings to mind the sheer beauty of "No More I Love You's" from the "Diva" cd, and is then followed by a great rythmned "Love Is Blind," which I hope makes a fantastic DJ "mix" project. "Smithereens" is another incredibly beautiful mix of love ballad meets pop song- beautifully done. "Ghosts in the Machine" brings an inspired Gospel beat to the collection and is followed by "Womankind," which is a creative mix of Annie's vocals in various formations making it a fun listen! "Through The Glass Darkly" is another lovely ballad, however, Annie's continuous "Yeah-ah-ah, Yeah,ah,ah, Yeah,ah,ah" is almost overwrought making her voice sound more strained than melodious.
The soul searching on "Lost" is heartfelt and you can even imagine a flock of birds crying out "We're lost! We're lost! We're lost!" as the song drifts along and becomes quiet haunting. "Coloured Bedspread" will remind Eurythmics fans of Annie and Dave Stewart's "European synthesizer" days as it brings the most dynamic range of synthesizers and lush vocal sounds giving a more "Eurythmics" sound than anything the duo has released since, "Sweet Dreams," "Love Is A Stranger," or even "Here Comes The Rain Again."
An announcement proceeds the next track, "Sing" informing the listener of an African women's drug abuse prevention charity and is an encouraging track with lots of great vocals. A stirring and VERY beautifully vocal "Big Sky" sweeps your imagination with an array of thoughts, both sad and hopeful. "Fingernail Moon" brings the CD to it's grand finale and is a lovely close to an incredible collection of songs that are beautifully woven together by Annie's "storyteller" voice that beckons the listener to return again and again for another journey into a beautiful world of "Dark Roads," "Coloured Bedspreads," "Big Skies," and "Fingernail Moons..." Bravo! If this album doesn't sweep the Grammy's, then true musical taste and artistic talent is forever in serious trouble and probably dead. This is the best CD this pop/rock collector has heard in years! 10 stars!!
Free Music Review: The Best Yet
Hit: 5 Stars
I loved Eurythmics back in the day, especially for Annie Lennox' incomparable vocals, but lost contact later in the 80s, drifting more into other interests. Recently I decided to re-investigate Annie Lennox' solo work after seeing some youtube videos, especially her wonderful performance of "Into The West" at the Oscars, and "Many Rivers to Cross" from an AI benefit. I found some good and some great songs, and then found this recent album, "Songs of Mass Destruction". Being the artist's age, I kind of wondered where she could possibly be musically at age 52, especially when so many musical artists' work seems to fade with their years.
What a stunner! Simply brilliant. Annie Lennox does things vocally here I have never heard her do, and I couldn't imagine her voice to have become even better with age as it certainly has. More depth, more control, more subtlety, and more power (if you can believe it), and more creativity. And the songwriting is just breathtaking, entering new melodic places for this artist, and raising the blues/soul dimension I have always loved about her work to new heights. For me, this album as a whole is the best of her solo offerings (and transcends a good bit of Eurythmics' work as well).
I'm a very particular listener, and accustomed to picking and choosing just a few songs on any album, by anyone. Since getting used to ripping my CD tracks to my ipod, I never have to listen to album tracks I don't care for. But there's not a thing on this album I have left off, it's that good. For me it's difficult to choose a favorite between Big Sky, Coloured Bedspread, Through the Glass Darkly, Ghosts in My Machine, Smithereens....well you get the drift.
I've never written an album review, but I had to express my appreciation for this truly superb album by an artist who has apparently found that special alchemy to turn age and experience into beauty, and found her creative powers deepened, strengthened, and sharpened in the process. Quite a rare thing.
Edit: after 2 months more listening, this album just gets better and better, and is still my favorite...But I am also discovering the brilliance of both Diva and Bare, Annie's two other solo songwriting albums. The best way to listen is to mix tracks from all her solo albums, there is so much there to hear, which benefits from attentive listening and repetition. This is not background music, but soul-absorbing, timeless songwriting and exquisite performances.