1984 (For The Love Of Big Brother/Original Soundtrack) - Eurythmics

Advantages: Immensely powerful, haunting and sinister
Disadvantages: Heavy, heavy, heavy...

When I first bought this album as a kid, it was purely as a Eurythmics fan, rather than because I had watched the film or read the book "1984". Probably true of most people, I would think. Now, having read (and re-read several times!) the Orwell classic, the music here takes on deeper meanings and reveals itself in a new light. It follows the grim journey of Winston Smith, the protagonist of Orwell's dystopia. I've now also seen Michael Radford's ...
...instead on the classical compositions of Dominic Muldowney. With a new version of the film available featuring the Eurythmics soundtrack, this seems a good time to review the album. "I Did It Just The Same", sees Winston furtively approaching a prostitute. It's grinding rhythm, whooping demented vocals and disco rhythm evoke a picture of eroticism, sordidness, fear and guilt. "Sex Crime (1984)" will be recalled by fans of the band as one of their ... Read review

Advantages: Experimental, some good tracks
Disadvantages: Not enough of Annie's voice

Having owned this album for a few years now, I have to say that it's definitely one that grows on you! I bought it for the sole reason that a big eurythmcis fan, but I didn't know what to expect from it at all. "Sexcrime (1984)" was a top five hit, so I'd heard that, but is very different to the rest of the album. It's important to stress that this album was written as a soundtrack to the film of "1984", so it is not a traditional album. Most of ...
...part of the reason I love Eurythmics is their powerful lyrics. But nevertheless, I like this album. Songs like "Ministry of Love" and "Room 101" are very sinister and disturbing, which says a lot for Dave and Annie's experimental nature - these tracks are not typical of them! "Doublepusgood" is catchy - almost too much so - it could get annoying after a while. I think the way to sum up this album is that it would work better with the film than on ... Read review