Eurythmics - The Ultimate Collection
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Free Music Notes for The Ultimate Collection
Free Music Review: A Flawed but Solid Collection. Would I Lie to You?
Hit: 4 Stars
I remember hearing "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" for the first time in the summer of 1983 and mistaking it for a Grace Jones song. The icy synths and Annie Lennox's commanding voice made this track a single like no other I heard before. Little did I know that Lennox and Dave Stewart would stick together for a quarter of a century during which they would enjoy a string of hit singles, gold/platinum albums, and even enjoy the honor of recording with Aretha. "The Ultimate Collection" is the duo's second hits compilation (the first was the best-selling "Greatest Hits") which features two new songs: "I Got a Life" and "Was it Just Another Love Affair." Both are pleasant adult contemporary singles that are a far cry from their edgy material of the 1980s. The hits fare better: from chilly synths ("Here Comes the Rain Again" and the outstanding "Who's That Girl?"), legit soul ("Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves"), bittersweet pop ("Thorn in My Side"), and a couple attempts at rock ("Would I Lie to You" and "When Tomorrow Comes"). I'm also pleased to see that two cuts from the underrated "Savage" album appear: the urgent "I Need a Man" and "You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart." But I have to dock a star because "The Ultimate Collection" excludes the singles "Don't Ask Me Why" and "Beethoven (I Love to Listen To)." Including solo Annie or solo David material makes no sense as this is a EURYTHMICS album, and inclduing album tracks would be nice but unnecessary in this instance. However, had "Don't Ask Me Why" and "Beethoven" appeared, "The Ultimate Collection" would have truly been ultimate and worthy of five stars.Free Music Review: No filler, but not ultimate
Hit: 4 Stars
Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were the ultimate in New Wave 80's sound. Sleek and robotic, danceable and rocking, cold and soulful all mixed with an uncanny effortlessness. It was impossible to not be moved by Annie's voice and emotional range, and Dave's studio razzle-dazzle made their best singles just pop from the radio. (Or MTV, where "Sweet Dreams" made its initial impression.)
Their ongoing albums increased in scope and sophistication. Where "Be Yourself Tonight" was (imho) their best album, Eurythmics were also capable of making a slamming concept album ("Savage") and a good soundtrack for "1984." (Which is, once again, conspicuous in its absence.) Even the reunion of "Peace" gave us the terrific "17 Again" and "I Saved The World Today," used brilliantly on an episode of "The Sopranos."
The only reason I hold this from 5 stars is the inexcusable absence of any singles from "We Too Are One." At the very least, "Don't Ask Me Why," the group's last Top 40 single, should have been here. I guess we're just going to have to wait for the inevitable double disc best of to arrive for that to happen. But till then, "Ultimate Collection: Eurythmics" and the re-mastered and re-issued albums will fill in nicely. (Exception, "Peace" was remixed for god knows what reason.)
Free Music Review: Who Needs The Killers When You Have Annie Lennox?
Hit: 4 Stars
From Smother Magazine - www.smother.net
While some will dismiss this as the record company's or band's way of cashing in on the renewed interest in New Wave and `80's pop, I'd like to put my foot down and say it's about time that this album was released. Eurythmics always boasted some incredible hit singles but their albums sometimes dwindled into production wizardry so much that their other songs got boring and tired. Here on "Ultimate Collection" there's no fodder, no filler, nothing but the cream of the crop. "Love Is a Stranger" is just as powerful a ballad as it was back in the day. Of course what would a look at the Eurythmics be without "Sweet Dreams [Are Made of This]"? That song was so good even Marilyn Manson could sound cool covering it. The album also contains some new songs that show how progressive the outfit has become. Annie Lennox to this day is still just as powerful a singer as she ever was but now she's armed with the maturity to write a full album of great hits and not just have two to five bright spots.
Free Music Review: One reason it's not 5 stars
Hit: 4 Stars
The majority of items on this disc are the exact same as the
Eurythmics collection previously released and already a part of many Annie fan's collections.
The tracks are crisp and clear and the re-mastering is evident, Annie's voice front and centre, as it always was.
'I've got a life' - was new to me, I didn't find it as good as anything on the album 'Bare' and whilst powerfully sung I didn't feel it wasn't any new tack for the group.
'I saved the world today' - again, not as good as anything on 'Bare', you get the sense of a message perhaps lost, we know her music does have a lot of saving graces but the world?
Maybe I missed something there.
Some classic items here, 'Thorn in my side', 'Sweet dreams', 'Miracle of love' - to be fair though any fans already have these in their collections.
Only buy if you don't have the first collection or if you are a die hard fan.
I did and don't regret it, I just didn't feel as though I got anything really 'new'.
Free Music Review: Very close...4.5 stars
Hit: 4 Stars
Aside from SHAMEFULLY leaving off Sexcrime (from their 1984 soundtrack), this collection just about what you would expect a single-disc Eurythmics greatest hits collection to have. All the big and well-known songs are here. Beethoven (I Love To Listen To) is missing, but was not a chart burner for them.
The remastering sounds GREAT. The 2 new songs are good, especially I've Got A Life, which you may have heard on the radio. Was It Just Another Love Affair, which is also very good, is a relaxing mid-tempo song with soothing vocals.
All in all a very good release, and with the upcoming remastered catalog with bonus tracks, a very exciting time for Eurythmics fans! (Although it will not be complete until they decide to remaster the 1984 soundtrack as well.)