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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
experimental eurythmics, August 8, 2000
I bought this cd on a whim, as part of a Gift Certificate from a friend. I was intrigued by the many positive reviews which placed this album with early industrial music rather than the rest of the Eurythmics catalogue of electronica. (Ie: "Isle of Man" era Ministry, Voivoid, etc.) I agree that there are elements of industrial roots here, but I really think that the album is more akin to "Dark Side of the Moon." When I obtained the album, I realized that one track, "Julia" was one I'd been looking for for years, after seeing a video of several looped Annie Lennoxes singing a haunting song in an eerie acapella, on Asian MTV at around three in the morning. The Eurythmics abandon their normal format to venture into the realm of the concept album. They concentrate on the theme of Orwell's story, deviating only for an instant with "Sexcrime" which was clearly designed to grab airtime. A thread of constant paranoia invades the album, and it stays true to Orwell's claustrophobic portrayal of a society bent upon absolute totalitarian control. I especially felt that "DoublePlusGood" and "Room101" accomplished this very well. In fact, "DoublePlusGood's" rapid fire newscaster distillation of issues to simple "Goods, Bads, PlusGoods," etc, building to an almost orgasmicly cheerful ending of repeated "Good, Good DoublePlusGood," was delivered with the same cheer and artificiality as Seattle's "King 5 News", which made me wonder exactly how deep the connection ran. I really enjoyed the album, because I felt that the Eurythmics really pushed themselves with this. I think it is tragic that the most innovative work by the band is relegated to relative obscurity. More artists should be given the freedom to innovate, then we wouldn't have so many cookie cutter groups that all sound as if they were pressed in plastic on some sound stage in Burbank.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
George Orwell would approve., June 11, 2000
The most "recent" movie based on "1984," the 20th Century classic by George Orwell was very true to the book and likewise, so was this incredible piece of work by the Eurythmics. Penetrating lyrics, haunting sounds. If you're a big fan of the book like I am, you will definitely appreciate what the Eurythmics have accomplished... one song after another (including one creepy instrumental) that tells the scary, lonely story of Winston Smith, his love for Julia and the love everyone must have for Big Brother. If you're a new Eurythmics fan, this CD will hopefully inspire you to read the book. Annie Lennox's piercing voice and Dave's rocking guitar riffs will keep you thinking about this riveting story, the characters and how our society can easily turn into Orwell's horrific view of the future. Songs like "Room 101" will haunt you and songs like "Julia" will remind you of the brief glimpses of peace and happiness in Orwell's story.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible album, November 16, 2000
After many, many, many years of searching for this album, my search is over. God bless the Internet.This album is incredible ! It predates all of the techno/electronica (hate these terms) that came out in the 90's. A precursor to all of it. (ex. the repetitive DoublePlusGood, is similar to the repetition of lyrics we find in techno.) The Eurythmics were ahead of their times with this one. At times the album is meditative. At times its ... very energetically moving ... difficult to describe. I dont want to say that it is music that you would neccessarily dance to, but it would certainly trance your head. Another comment. If people say that this album is a precursor to Industrial, I dont see how. Its got way too much life. Industrial can be like cold steel at times.
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by Eurythmics 
