Annie Lennox Songs Of Mass Destruction CD

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 The start of a pattern
This album feels like the continuing evolution of Annie Lennox. She is taking us, the public, and showing us elements that she wants us to see, slowly, and effectively. She's been in business for how many years, ten? fifteen? twenty? And yet she has made only four solo albums, and only three that have her own songs on them. Yet she has garnered massive attention and captivated fans past and present, yet again, with "Songs Of Mass Destruction". While "Diva" was loosely about the music industry, and "Bare" about herself and how she feels, "Songs of Mass Destruction" is about the plight of the world, and how she feels about it. And she feels that it is in quite a predicament, and it will take some other force that she cannot name or figure out as of yet that can fix all of it. And she makes out a good point: if society is messed up, it will mess up the individual, and if the individual is messed up, it will mess up society, in whatever way it will happen. That is why several of the songs do not seem political or about the abovementioned topic. They are about how society has, or can, mess up, and about how the individual has, or can, mess up. Very few artists have accomplished that (think Cat Stevens) for years in such an effective and personal way. Annie Lennox is simply taking her time, thinking hard about the stuff around her, and writing about it. While the pace of her writing is relatively slow, the quality in the end is just amazing. It may be another three, four, even five years before we see another solo Annie Lennox album, but that album may, once again, take a topic and show us how she sees it. I believe that future album will be well worth the wait, and this album now will definitely tide us over until then. Take a listen and see what SHE sees about the abovementioned topic.
Submitted by Galen (Anchorage, Alaska)
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 Annie raises the bar....
When the incredible Annie Lennox released her solo debut CD "Diva" she set the gold standard not only for herself, but for the entire music community. Her follow up CD of covers, "Medusa" was finely crafted and gave the listener many hours of pleasure. On her third CD, "Bare" she returned to original compositions and it was a joy to immerse yourself in it. But now, Annie, with "Songs of Mass Destruction" has raised the bar, and created a platinum standard that will stand unchallenged. It's a truly iconic CD, one of those "must haves" for your library, like Carole King's "Tapestry", Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time", David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" or any number of Beatles albums. She has surpassed herself, with the witty and, as always, intelligent lyrics and expertly honed melodies. "Dark Road" soars as a ballard as did "Why" off of "Diva" and "Ghosts In My Machine" is the raucus, rocking heir to "Walking On Broken Glass". "Womankind" is catchy with a hook that grabs you and refuses to let go. "Through the glass darkly" is a harrowing yet lifting ballad, and "Fingernail Moon" is a gentle, successful foray into whispery vocals and engaging lyrics. "Lost" has echoes of the moving and beautiful Beatles song "She's Leaving home", and "Love is Blind" just plain old kicks ass. "Coloured Bedspread" hearkens back to the electronic '80's, but sounds suprisingly fresh and new. There isn't a misstep or insignificant song in this collection. It's a treasure. With this CD, Annie has not only reconfirmed her composing skills, but she hasn't lost her chops vocally; if anything she's matured as a singer with nuanced phrasing. This CD is a real gift to music lovers of all persuasions, and I hope it doesn't get overlooked just because she's not 20, anorexic, and wearing a Victoria's Secret costume. This CD is for the discerning and mature listener, whatever their age. Bless you Annie, for this heavenly offering.
Submitted by ohirish (jax, florida)
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 Searingly emotional and unbelievably rich
Songs of mass destruction Has it been a dark road that has carried Annie Lennox all the way from the new wave pop of the 80s Eurythmics to a stellar solo career? Well there may have been some somber moments and dark corners but Songs of Mass Destruction (SOMD) in spite of its somewhat depressing and prophetic title, offers a lot of variety, the whole encapsulated in Lennox’s beautiful, soaring voice. Many commentators rightly state that this is the best instrument in the piece. SOMD opens with the single, Dark Road, which amply demonstrates Annie’s range. It is dark but at the same time rich in tonal quality and provides the listener with an indication of the quality still to come. If you love Annie’s voice, you will love Dark Road and Through the glass darkly. Next comes Love is Blind a joyous piece of pop that Annie belts out and which also includes a very enjoyable rap. Then, getting a little deeper into the tangled and powerful emotions that surround a breakup comes the slow burner “Smithereens.” At first it seems like a less interesting track but then begins to grow on the listener with repeated listens. It is now a favourite. Ghosts in my machine kicks the tempo back up again and has an infectious chorus that the listener wants to sing along to, addresses imperfect humanity, which is a general theme of the album overall and leads to Womankind which flies the feminist banner high, again offers a slice of rap and is something that you will want to or can’t help singing along to, whether man or woman! Through the glass darkly is a soaring ballad that underlines the pain of emotional despair and fully showcases Annie’s wonderful voice. Many have said that the album is worth its price for this track alone. Lost is also powerfully sung and has become one of my favourites on the disc. I love the layered vocals and the high notes that Annie reaches. Sing is OK and is similar to a chant with African accents and an announcement at its start that the song has been created to support a charity trying to prevent Mother-Child transmission of AIDS/HIV, a worthwhile cause to support. Annie’s voice outshines and outpowers the chorus of “equals.” Big Sky is a big interesting ballad and Fingernail Moon rounds the set off in a reflective frame of mind having a very relaxing feel to it and adventuresome lyrics. Annie has done a good job in SOMD and I am looking forward to her next.
Submitted by mmilner (East Windsor, NJ)
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 Songs of mass quality!!
This is just one of the best,no doubt. Real quality throughout the whole record.. Damn the lady can still SING!..and not just for the WOMANKIND.. ;-) Buy it! Annie won´t let you down and with a voice like a true angel,playing with your heart, she shows just how it´s done. ´07 delivered some good ones so far but this one is definately a 5 out of 5: GOOOOOOOD music :-)
Submitted by Thomas, t_ingemann (RDS, DK)
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 Great Rebound from "Bare"
Great effort from Annie this time around."Through the Glass Darkly" is worth the price of the disc!Her voice is in fine form."Fingernail Moon is a perfect closer.If "Diva" is where your taste lies,this album will wet your palate nicely.
Submitted by Terry (Las Vegas,NV)
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