Customer Reviews

Bare (Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD)

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When Annie Lennox called her first solo album "Diva" she wasn't just whistling dixie. The term "Diva" has been degraded to the point of meaninglessness these days and packs all the punch of a cup of watery decaf. If you believe what VH1 has to say, then just about anyone with a vocorder, an army of male dancers, or a hand in the air is a "Diva". Well, I've always regarded Annie Lennox and Sinead O'Connor as the two greatest female voices in popular music today. "Bare" is a miracle of passion, talent and intelligence. Annie Lennox requires none of the smoke and mirrors employed by the cavalcade of semi-talents who litter the pop music landscape. "Bare" is pure, unmitigated rock/soul/pop that sets a new standard for female vocalists from all genres to meet. Eleven years is way, way way too long to wait for a new cd from Annie.

After listening to Diva (for 11 years now) I did not think any album could ever compare to it. And here we are again. 8 years after releasing Medusa (which in itself is a great album) we have finally been blessed with another timeless album.

To state the obvious, this woman has the mot incredible and unforgettable voice I've ever heard from a female vocalist and the extraordinary talent that flows from everything she does. This album is a great example of that talent and of her intelligence. With the very first song "A Thousand Beautiful Things" she will grab you and not let go till the end. You could actually feel her soul coming through them. And in a world where teen divas (with no talent and nothing valuable to say) are dominating airwaves, this is such a breath of fresh air. A look into reality of love, loss and life. Truly a masterpiece.

As far as the CD goes, it is worth paying extra to get this edition with the DVD. It contains acoustic versions of "A Thousand Beautiful Thinks", "Wonderful" and an interview with Annie.

Oh, and please read the back of the CD. It contains a note from Annie and it is worth reading.

It's no secret that Annie Lennox has a beautiful voice. It ought not to be a secret that she uses her voice to generate songs more powerful than any of the naifs on the Billboard Top Ten could manage. On this album, Ms. Lennox is at her peak, working emotional magic with every song.

Favourite tracks include:

"Pavement Cracks," a slightly maudlin tune with a good, driving beat accompanied by Annie's trademark vocals and poetic lyrics.

"The Hurting Time," a slow, jazzy ballad, with a soft undertone of Bob Marleyesque lyricism and even a touch of reggae. This is the most emotionally balanced song on the album, walking a fine line between sorrow and hopefulness. It's a gorgeous song of recovery, marred only slightly by an extended solo from what sounds like an electric harmonica.

"Loneliness," probably the most radio-friendly track. I don't go clubbing, but I'm guessing mixes of this song will be showing up around the country in no time. Far more hopeful than any of the other songs, despite it's title, this is a song to draw strength from, which works right into the next track -

"The Saddest Song I've Got." And it's pretty damned sad. Bluesy and maudlin, this song is probably the most heart-wrenching, a very human plea for help and mercy.

"Oh God(A Prayer)" is the most voice-driven, and therefore quietest, on the disc, but what it lacks in volume it makes up for in emotional punch. Again walking the line between sorrow and hope, Annie manages to sum up to feeling of every person who, upon looking back over their life, wishes they could cover over all those mistakes.

Singer Annie Lennox delivers one of the best albums of the year (2003); one that makes a direct connection to the listener's soul. In the opening song, Annie reiterates mysticism and the beauty of the world in the song, "A Thousand Beautiful Things." Personal and professional dissatisfaction in "Pavement Cracks" The brutal truthfulness in "Honesty." The rocking anger in "Bitter Pill." Aching and longing in "Loneliness."

It feels like Annie dropped into my life and summed it up through songs on this album. No other singer or album that I own has done that. Even though we are miles apart in a lot of ways the essence of out humanity remains, we all go through similar if not exact things. It is clear that this works reflects not only Annie's talent as a singer and performer but also reflects where she (and myself and many others) is (are) spiritually, mentally and physically.

Also as a nice bonus a DVD with Annie singing in rehearsals and talking about her work on this album. When will her tour begin in the States?

Deborah Harry may be my all time favorite female rock star, but I've always considered Annie Lennox to have the most exquisite and heavenly voice on the planet. Her powerful vocals can calm and soothe or chill and unnerve, whichever she commands. Lennox has proved her worth time and time again, from her fearless image shifting in dozens of classic music videos to her incredibly eclectic musical styles from her days in The Tourists to her most recent solo album "BARE". Like all her previous efforts it's her vocals that carry the album from beginning to end, but this time the songs are extremely personal (like Cyndi Lauper's incredible, but overlooked 1993 LP "Hat Full of Stars" and Sinead O'Connor's 1994 record "Universal Mother"). When an artist gets this personal and rips the lid off their celebrity to expose the sensitive and grieving human being inside, the work can not be ignored. In a world full of shallow teen pop true artists like Annie Lennox are often overlooked, but it is music like this that will stand the test of time. The most mesmerizing track for me is "The Hurting Time", but "A Thousand Beautiful Things", "Pavement Cracks", "Bitter Pill", and "Oh God (A Prayer)" are all just as glorious. I was lucky enough to see Annie on her recent solo tour and as she approaches 50 she is every bit as interesting as she was when she shocked the world with her orange crew cut in 1983. Sweet Dreams are made of music like this. Buy this record and be prepared to be hypnotized by this ultimate enchantress. "BARE" is everything an album should be and more.

8 years is a long wait for any singer. Like Sade, Annie Lennox took this long to return with an all-new LP, but as usual it's never disapoointing. While without a theme on Medusa, Bare showcases Lennox doing what she does best - singing about love (and loss).

Written during the painful breakup with her ex-lover, Lennox sings about love lost and found, a new life and better days among other things. These may all be banal, but Lennox never lets that happen. The gorgeous Pavement Cracks begins with a haunting intro and breaks into Lennox's trademark scrowl. Elsewhere on the album, there's also the beautiful ballad A Thousand Beautiful Things and Honestly. Lennox also sings with deep melanchony on Lonliness and The Saddest Song, of which the latter will move you to tears.

Annie Lennox is a very good example of low-tech, high style singers. Her music may not always sport the latest hi-tech production but instead features very stylish delivery.

This is indeed a very fulfilling soul trip and hopefully, we don't have to wait another 8 more years for the next.

Anyone who was expecting a repeat of Diva, Sweet Dreams, or Savage, will be surprised. Instead of taking the easy way out, Annie Lennox has put out a timeless album of soul / pop, which at first, is mighty depressing. But then the light shines through, and you realize that this music will still be played long after the Christina Aguileras have gone the way of Debbie Gibson. This music is classic, timeless, and at times, jawdropping. Don't expect any Shiny Happy People, but expect a dark look into the realities of life, love, and loss. And ultimately, being okay with all of that.

After listening to Diva (for 11 years now) I did not think any album could ever compare to it. And here we are again. 8 years after releasing Medusa (which in itself is a great album) we have finally been blessed with another timeless album.

To state the obvious, this woman has the most incredible and unforgettable voice I've ever heard from a female vocalist and the extraordinary talent that flows from everything she does. This album is a great example of that talent and of her intelligence. With the very first song "A Thousand Beautiful Things" she will grab you and not let go till the end. You could actually feel her soul coming through them. And in a world where teen idols (with no talent and nothing valuable to say) are dominating airwaves, this is such a breath of fresh air. A look into reality of love, loss and life. Truly a masterpiece.

As far as the CD goes, it is worth paying extra to get this edition with the DVD. It contains acoustic versions of "A Thousand Beautiful Thinks", "Wonderful" and an interview with Annie.

Oh, and please read the back of the CD. It contains a note from her and it is worth reading.

Crisp, chilling and honest. Excellent lyrics, she really shows her true self. The 8 year wait was worth it, and all the songs are original. "Bitter Pill" is excellent. Thanks for coming back Annie!

I orignally bought this CD for the song "Pavement Cracks", but found that I love ALL the songs on this CD. Her voice is so rich and full and incredible. I highly recommend this CD. So fresh, sophisticated and great at a time when all popular music seems to be directed towards the teen-aged-rap-pop-rock group. I love this CD more each time I listent to it.