Peace

Eurythmics

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00001T3GA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (187 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,064 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Peace, Eurythmics's first studio album in a decade, finds Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart proving the durability of their musical bond. Where their solo efforts were usually well crafted and unexciting, Peace makes clear how inspired the two can be when working together. The ballad (and first U.S. single) "17 Again" is nice if overly sentimental; the reprise of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" at the end treads Stinglike ground to little appreciable effect. But songs such as "I Saved the World Today" and "Beautiful Child" vividly return to the depth of Touch and Be Yourself Tonight while updating Eurythmics's chemistry for 1999. In short, Peace is a happy surprise that will find listeners hoping for more. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jewelry and Bleeding Hearts galore, December 6, 1999

By	R. Aldrich (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For 10 years, Eurythmics' fan base has eaten up individual efforts such as Dave Stewart's "Lily Was Here" with Candi Dulfer and Annie Lennox's albums Diva and Medusa. The idea of a Eurythmics reunion seemed far-fetched at best. Stewart had settled in nicely in the United Kingdom as a man behind the scenes, and Lennox was gaining respect among fellow singers and critics as a solo artist. Well enough, this year VH1's artist poll ranked Lennox ninth among the 100 greatest women in rock and roll, higher than such ancestors as Carole King, Patti Smith, Joan Armatrading, Diana Ross and Siouxsie Sioux. That's a lot to place on the shoulders of this Scotswoman. (Later in December, Eurythmics' landmark 1983 video "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" will be broadcast among the top 40 of MTV's Top 100 music videos of all time.)

The announcement of a Eurythmics reunion may have been received with trepidation: why stop the solo progression on either end now? Well, Lennox and Stewart both have said that working together after the 10-year hiatus turned out to be too much fun to forego. The result is a mix of melancholy and fun with sprinkles of environmentalism and love's agony. It's a lot to place into one album, but Peace pulls it off very well.

Critics have been lukewarm about Peace, lauding Lennox's vocal delivery but criticizing Stewart's production value and saying, over all, that this album lacks the drive that was in earlier classics like 1985's Be Yourself Tonight and 1986's Revenge. I can't be sure this is what Eurythmics were driving at with this effort. How, after 10 years off, can Lennox and Stewart expect to have grown and still come up with pure pop? Let's be honest. Their music was never "pure" pop. There were always dark shades of despair, paranoia, seclusion and antipathy in the music that emanated from Lennox and Stewart in the '80s. They may have packed it with soul and some rock and roll, but that doesn't disguise such feelings. So having some Beatles inspiration in songs like "Forever" on the new album I can only construe as diversifying one's sound. The lush strings and lack of "cheesy" synth riffs makes the entire production value incredible, in my opinion.

Some critics say this sounds like a brand new band as opposed to the reliable Eurythmics. But I contend that their spirit is still here. Songs like "I Want it All," "Power to the Meek" and "I Saved the World Today" definitely shine with what we fans would consider a traditional Eurythmics feel. "Peace is Just a Word" is emotional. "Beautiful Child" and "Anything But Strong" are powerful. "I've Tried Everything" and "Lifted" are haunting. The first U.S. single release from the album, "17 Again," is simply awe-inspiring. Lennox's voice seems more provocative and beautiful than ever. It makes you wonder if this woman ever ages.

And, for those of you who still think they've lost "it" over the years, you should've seen the show Dave and Annie did in New York in early November 1999. The revival was intense. And, after all those years growing up feeling isolated as a Eurythmics fan, knowing few people who knew anything of the group's music other than "Sweet Dreams," I felt true solidarity with a crowd that screamed at the slightest hint of an oldie that Annie was about to croon. This band really does live on, and it's better than feeling like I'm 17 again.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Peace' at last, October 28, 1999

By A Customer

It is first interesting to note that although the popularity of 80s music has returned, Annie Lennox has increased her popularity throughout the 90s despite this hip trend. Hence the debut of this album as the top debut in the nation for the week. After the popularity of 'Diva' and 'Medusa', it seems everyone is curious to hear how Dave Stewart influences her on the latest project. Although a Eurythmics fan since 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)', it wasn't until Annie Lennox broke out on her own that I became an Annie devotee. With the brilliant writing in 'Diva' and personal adaptation of songs in 'Medusa', Annie seemed to grow gracefully with age, pouring her soul into intensely personal projects. Many consider both albums to be classics, and unlike most music this decade (98 degrees? That's a temperature, not music), we will find our children listening to these albums. So, What of 'Peace'? Most noticeable is its variety. What Annie comes back to is some of the hard edges of their music; songs such as 'Power to the Meek' and 'I Want It All' complement Annie the rock singer, and 'I've Tried Everything' is soulful yet letting Annie rage. Yet, I prefer the sheer beauty of songs such as 'I Saved the World Today', a haunting song that allows Annie's unique voice to complement it as a classic, far and above the best on the album. 'Forever' is Beatlesque, featuring horns and guitars reminiscent of 'Sgt. Peppers'. The ending, 'Lifted' makes me feel just that - inspired and lifted. I am hopeful that most people appreciate this album as I have - interesting, varied and inherently listenable. Looking forward to their success!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little mellow (and melodramatic) - but it grows on you, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

When I first bought this album I found it a little depressing. It may have been my mood, or maybe it's the melodramatic lyrics. Anyway, I got over that pretty quickly when I realy listened to the the lovely "Saved The World Today", or the rocker "I Want It All". Then I noticed other standout tracks like the spare and beautiful "My True Love" which showcases Annie's vocals best on the album, and "Power To The Meek" reminded me a little of the duo around their "Missionary Man" days. And if the slower tracks leave you a little downtrodden, they do at least leave you on thier last cut with the subltle and pretty "Lifted" - a song about just hanging in there.

So, no, this is not my favorite album from Dave & Annie (I have all of them), but it is a satisfying update to some of their classic work, so I gave it four stars. My favorite albums are still "Touch" and "Sweet Dreams", but this is a nice addition to my collection.