Eurythmics Peace CD

After releasing 1989's WE TOO ARE ONE, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox took a break from Eurythmics in order to pursue outside projects. During their time apart in the '90s, Lennox released two solo albums while Stewart wrote songs and produced other people, composed scores, and fronted the Spiritual Cowboys. On their first record in a decade, Eurythmics return with a collection of lush pop tracks caressed by Annie Lennox's sultry vocals flowing over Dave Stewart's enthralling studio arrangements.

The mood struck on the Eurythmics' ninth studio album is one of warm, organic ambiance akin to William Orbit's work with Madonna. Songs such as the airy "17 Again" (which finds Lennox cleverly referencing their hit "Sweet Dreams") and the Burt Bacharach-flavored "I Saved the World Today" are sophisticated, unpretentious pop compositions light years beyond the band's early synth-pop work. Balancing out PEACE's sedate moments are such up-tempo tracks as the wah-wah guitar-driven "Power to the Meek" and the equally rocking "I Want It All," a track punctuated by Lennox's exuberant whoops. One of the most triumphant moments on PEACE is "Forever," a sweeping number wrapped in a George Martin-inspired orchestral arrangement straight off a late-period Beatles album.

Nearly a decade after Eurythmics went on an unannounced, virtually unnoticed hiatus in 1990, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart returned with the heavily publicized Peace. Both Lennox and Stewart had been silent since 1995, which means that reuniting really wasn't a sacrifice, since their solo careers had stalled. In fact, it was a wise idea to re-team, both commercially and artistically, since their best and most popular music was made together. What's odd is that Peace strongly resembles Lennox's Diva. True, Eurythmics were moving toward the melodramatic grandeur of Diva on their final '80s album, We Too Are One, yet they still had an innate sense of quirkiness and a desire to take risks. In 1999, they're more about craft, which only emphasizes the maturity of the music. That's not entirely a bad thing, even if it means that Peace needs a couple of spins before the songs begin to register. Lennox and Stewart know how to write gently insinuating melodies and how to layer their tracks with small sonic details, weaving lush tapestries of sound. Peace keeps its alluring mood throughout; even when they attempt to revisit their Stones-y tendencies, the songs play as sleekly and smoothly as the ballads that dominate the record. In one sense, that's good, because it means that Peace keeps a consistent tone from front to back, but it also means that most of the songs blend together. There are no standout singles here, and that's the hardest thing to accept about the record since Eurythmics were one of the best singles bands of the '80s. Even so, Peace is a successful debut for Eurythmics, Mark II -- it's classy adult pop, delivered with style and grace. [The 2005 reissue features remastered sound and four previously unreleased tracks: acoustic versions of "Beautiful Child," "17 Again" and "I Saved the World Today," as well as a cover of Joan Armatrading's "Something in the Air Tonight."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Additional personnel includes: Chris Sharrock (strings); Andy Wright (keyboards, percussion, programming); Chucho Merchan, Dave Catlin-Birch (bass); Pete Lewinson, Steve Lewinson (drums); Pro Arte Orchestra Of London.

Additional Tracks

Eurythmics: Dave Stewart , Annie Lennox.

Personnel: Dave Stewart (vocals, guitar); Annie Lennox (vocals); Chris Sharrock (drums); Andy Wright (programming).

Audio Mixer: Ash Howes.

Audio Remasterer: Ian Cooper .

Liner Note Author: Phill Savidge.

Recording information: The Church Studios, London, England.

Photographers: Anoushka Fisz; Richard Avedon.

Eurythmics: Annie Lennox (vocals); Dave Stewart (guitar).

Rolling Stone (11/25/99, p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Lyrical echoes of their failed romance and hugely successful partnership resonate throughout PEACE....[It] charms with repeated listenings..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/22/99, p.88) - "...delicate pop, guitar-fueled rock, waves of backing vocals, even horns and strings. These [are] dreamy, sophisticated songs..." - Rating: B+
Q (11/99, p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...all the drive and energy of a new band....a consistently strong set that can be bought with confidence."
CMJ (11/22/99, p.28) - "...Lennox's powerfully expressive voice and Stewart's production brilliance still carry the duo on PEACE....[their] ability to write interesting, uncommonly heartfelt songs is re-ignited..."
Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.109) - "...reveals subtle and canny tweaking; guitars...indicative of a smart appraisal of the marketplace that;s not only post Britpop/indie rock...but also post-Natalie Imbruglia....Best here is 'Seventeen Again'...it's the pathos of this...that cuts deepest."