Eurythmics
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
New wave synth altpop
Status:
Most recent release, Les Essentiels, 2002; most recent studio release, Peace, 1999
See also:
Eurythmics' siteWikipedia's entry on Eurythmics
The Ectophiles' Guide's entry for Annie Lennox's solo work
Comparisons:
Thomas Dolby
Covers/own material:
Own, very occasional covers
General comments:
The Eurythmics are probably the synthpop band, and they're one of the few bands from that era with much staying power. Who can ever forget the great song, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". It's a classic.
Comments about live performance:
I was lucky enough to see them several times in their heydey, and they always put on incredible shows. Annie is definitely one of the best performers around. (11/99, jjhanson@att.net)
Recommended first album:
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) is of course the classic Eurythmics album, though you might be best to start with one of the compilations.
Recordings:
- In the Garden (1981)
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983)
- Touch (1983)
- 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother) (1984)
- Be Yourself Tonight (1985)
- Revenge (1986)
- Savage (1987)
- We Too Are One (1989)
- Eurythmics: Greatest Hits (compilation, 1991)
- Remix Collection (compilation, 1992)
- Live 1983-1989 (live compilation, 1993)
- Touch Dance: Remix Collection (compilation, 1998)
- Peace (1999)
- Les Essentiels (compilation, 2002)
We Too Are One
Release info:
1989—Arista
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Annie Lennox—vocals
Dave Stewart—guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Chucho Merchán—programming
Olle Romo—drums
Charlie Wilson—backing vocals
Pat Seymour—keyboards
Produced by:
Jimmy Iovine and Dave Stewart
Comments:
This is the best album they ever put out, and, sadly, it turned out to be their last. My tape of it died many years ago and I just got round to replacing it on CD now. Some things just take a while, y'know? :) (meth@smoe.org)
Peace
Release info:
1999—Arista
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Annie Lennox—vocals
Dave Stewart—guitar
Guest artists:
Dave Catlin-Birch—bass
Peter Lewinson—drums
Steve Lewinson—drums
Chucho Merchán—bass
Chris Sharrock—drums
Andy Wright—percussion, programming
Pro Arte Orchestra of London
Produced by:
Eurythmics, Andy Wright
Comments:
I'm surprised at how little the new Eurythmics album has been discussed. I really love it—it's a really solid album—I don't think there's a dud track in the bunch—however, there aren't any real standout tracks either. Just a consistently good album. It definitely grows on me the more I hear it as well.
The only thing I miss is that it doesn't seem much of a departure for them. In the past, each of their albums seemed to be quite a departure from their previous. This one doesn't seem nearly as adventurous. Still, it's a great album. Always great to hear Annie Lennox's voice. However, the Peacetour DVD is great. Proves that Eurythmics can still put on amazing live performance. (jjhanson@att.net)I for one am very glad to see Eurythmics back. I've been a fan since 1983 and never thought they would reunite. Like you, I believe Annie is one of the greatest performers around. Few people have the stage presence she does.
As for the new album, it has a grown on me a lot. I'm a little disappointed at how mellow most of it is and I miss the synths. But "17 Again" and "I Saved the World Today" (especially the acoustic version of it they've been doing live) are quickly becoming Eurythmics classics. The middle section is probably my favorite part of the album, though. "Anything But Strong," "Peace is Just a Word," and "I've Tried Everything" are subtle, well-crafted songs which are carried by Annie's always wonderful vocals. Overall, it's a good album, just not at all what I had expected. It's more like an Annie solo album than a Eurythmics album.
The single is called "I Saved the World Today." At first, I thought it was a bit lifeless since it's very orchestrated and ballady. But after hearing the acoustic version that they performed at NetAid this weekend and that is also on part 1 of the single, I like it more. The chorus gets in your head and won't leave. "17 Again" is catchy and reminiscent of songs from Revenge. (stuart@sph.emory.edu)I just picked up the album last weekend. I've only had a chance to listen to it twice, but I like it well enough so far. I think I left my rabid Eurythmics-fan days behind in 1989, but I will always *love* Annie Lennox's voice. (meth@smoe.org)
I got it the other day and its really growing on me. I'm more relieved than anything. There's always a danger with a comeback that they're either a) crap b) a retread of the old material or c) both!! (Tim.Cook@Swift.Com)
I love this CD! Great new collection from one of my favorites. (wpm@value.net)
