Songs of Mass Destruction

Annie Lennox | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000UCEJEQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (150 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,736 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Menacing as they sound, the songs of mass destruction gathered on Annie Lennox's fifth solo disc don't manage to so much as nick the gorgeous instrument she's built her career on. Weaving artfully as ever around the contours of songs that suggest the worst--Lennox is world-wise and therefore maybe inevitably world-weary--she imparts gravity and grace in a voice as cloudless and surface-smooth as just-brewed mint tea; from the tentative beginnings of the mournful "Dark Road" to the gospel-bottomed gorgeousness of "Ghosts in My Machine," she's in full command of her considerable vocal powers. And it's possible she's never used them to such moving effect on a single record. Earlier Lennox or Eurythmics albums might have succumbed here and there to slight-seeming experiments in style, but Songs of Mass Destruction doesn't dilly-dally. All swerves, even playful ones (see "Love Is Blind" and "Coloured Bedspread," a synth-y song that wouldn't seem so out of place on a recent Madonna record), are on-message: "Womankind" busts wide open not only because it needs to (a voice this big can't be contained, it reminds us), but to demo empowerment, and the hopeful "Sing" signs off with a seconds-long African guest vocal. There's an upside to the destruction of cultural wellness that led Lennox to write this record, and it's artistic creation. Songs of Mass Destruction is a sterling, rock-solid, expert example. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

One of the most respected women in popular music, Annie Lennox’s career has spanned over 25 years and drawn numerous accolades and awards including Grammys®, Brits, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar® for her song "Into the West," from Lord of the Rings. VH1 describes her as "the Greatest living White Soul Singer." Ms. Lennox has consistently pushed boundaries and embraced excellence; her latest work, Songs of Mass Destruction is another example of her unforgettable vocal talents.

Annie Lennox Photos

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Top Notch October 2, 2007

By John Gentile

Format:Audio CD

I've been a fan of Annie Lennox since her first Eurythmics album. She's still at the top of her game. Her voice is strong, and each track is a pleasure to listen to (remarkable since she wrote every song). She is a major talent, sorely needed in today's sorry music industry.

This special edition contains an extra disc, which repeats the entire album, and has Lennox comment on each and every song (similar to a director providing commentary to a movie). I believe this is the first time an artist had done this. There is also a music video for Dark Road, but it can ONLY be accessed with a computer.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars My Mind Is Broken And Forlorn. October 12, 2007

By Jason Stein VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I confess, I have a special place for Annie Lennox in my music collection. I admit my bias. After all, I was drawn to her from the first note of "Sweet Dreams" in the summer of 1983 at the tender age of 10. From then on, no matter what my peers said, I stuck with the Eurythmics through thick and thin. I saw them in concert at age 11 in the summer of 1984 for the "Touch" tour, with Howard Jones opening for them. I saw them again, at age 13, in the summer of 1986 for the "Revenge" tour. I stuck with them as "Savage" failed in America, and "We Two Are One" barely made a dent. I was disappointed when Dave and Annie split, but happy when Annie released "Diva", a near perfect album. Happy again when the Eurythmics reunited in 1999 for "Peace". And so on and so forth.

"Songs Of Mass Destruction" is by far Annie's best solo work since "Diva". It's her most consistent, diverse and confident work since "Diva". "Bare" was somewhat depressing and slow, but Annie definitely bounces back here.

Where to start? There are five upbeat tracks and six ballads. I liked all five upbeat tracks "Love Is Blind", "Ghosts In My Machine", "Womankind", "Coloured Bedspread" and "Sing". My favorites being the defiant "Ghosts In My Machine" and "Love Is Blind". I haven't heard Annie rail against personal demons like this since "Savage". "Coloured Bedspread" harkens back to "Sweet Dreams".

The six ballads "Dark Road", "Smithereens", "Through The Glass Darkly", "Lost", "Big Sky" and "Fingernail Moon" are pretty solid. My favorites being the moving "Dark Road" and "Lost" (which is featured prominently during the end credits of the film "In The Valley Of Elah", which is also very good I might add). If I have any complaints it would be the weaker ballads "Through The Glass Darkly", "Big Sky" and "Fingernail Moon". All three tracks were okay, but didn't quite make the cut for me.

At 52, Annie has made a very good album. Better than 2003's "Bare" and 1995's "Medusa", but not quite "Sweet Dreams", "Touch", "Be Yourself Tonight" or "Savage". I give it four and a half stars. If you like Annie, or you like the Eurythmics, you should get "Songs Of Mass Destruction". I think some Grammys are in order here.

133 of 163 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Annie Lennox's rebirth.... October 7, 2007

By Damon Devine

Format:Audio CD

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.