After an 11 year break, Annie Lennox is back, with the release of her third solo album “Bare”.
Annie, now an amazing 48, started her career way back in 1976, when she was a member of The Catch, together with Dave Stewart, her partner. They then formed The Tourists, and had a hit with “I ... Read review
Bare, Annie Lennox's first album of original songs in 11 years, is a stylish tour de force ... more
that showcases the former Eurythmics chanteuse in all her chilly, shimmering splendour. Her formidable voice is still a supple and intriguing instrument, lithely...
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Bare, Annie Lennox's first album of original songs in 11 years, is a stylish tour de force ... more
that showcases the former Eurythmics chanteuse in all her chilly, shimmering splendour. Her formidable voice is still a supple and intriguing instrument, lithely...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Great tracks, good lyrics, amazing vocals Disadvantages: You may need to listen to it a couple of times before you love it
...different, and to shock? Bare is no exception. Annie photographed herself for the album, and she appears on the front, wearing no make up, with a strangely drawn, haunted look about her. She is ghostly white, apparently naked, wearing only a dog collar.
A thousand beautiful things starts with a harp, and is a slow song, with Annie’s voice at its best. Apart from keyboard and a slow drum, there is little else in the way of instruments ... ...to the album and points out that there are a lot of things to be happy about in the world.
"I thank you for the air to breathe
The heart to beat
The eyes to see again
(a thousand beautiful things)
And all the things that's been and done
The battle's won"
My rating: 10/10
The beginning of Pavement Cracks has an almost U2 or Simple Minds like quality with the echoing ... more
After an 11 year break, Annie Lennox is back, with the release of her third solo album “Bare”.
Annie, now an amazing 48, started her career way back in 1976, when she was a member of The Catch, together with Dave Stewart, her partner. They then formed The Tourists, and had a hit with “I only wanna be with you”.
Dave and Annie went on to form The Eurythmics, and after the release of “Sweet Dreams” they became one of the most successful bands of the Eighties.
In 1988, Annie married for the second time, but this marriage, as her first, was doomed to failure, despite giving Annie the joy of two daughters. Annie gave birth to a stillborn son before she had her two healthy children.
Annie released her first album Diva in 1992, followed by Medusa in 1995, but then took a career break, to concentrate on her daughters.
The cover of the album is pure Annie. Didn’t she always like to be different, and to shock? Bare is no exception. Annie photographed herself for the album, and she appears on the front, wearing no make up, with a strangely drawn, haunted look about her. She is ghostly white, apparently naked, wearing only a dog collar.
A thousand beautiful things starts with a harp, and is a slow song, with Annie’s voice at its best. Apart from keyboard and a slow drum, there is little else in the way of instruments to be heard. It’s an uplifting, although slow start to the album and points out that there are a lot of things to be happy about in the world. "I thank you for the air to breathe The heart to beat The eyes to see again (a thousand beautiful things) And all the things that's been and done The battle's won"
My rating: 10/10
The beginning of Pavement Cracks has an almost U2 or Simple Minds like quality with the echoing keyboards. Another ballad and it begs the question, does Annie even need any instrumental accompaniment due to the power of her voice. However, the song gains momentum, with the drums and guitars quickening until Annie’s voice is pure Eurythmics style, before slowing down once more. This has a great 80’s feel to it and although slow, is a catchy number.
My rating 8/10
The Hurting Time half has you half worried that Kylie Minogue is going to burst into song with the opening sounding very similar to “Can’t get you out of my head”, but it soon pans out into harmonicas, drums and a Spanish guitar, and all public decency is restored. A slow song about the bad times in our lives and how frightening they can be with a melancholy, yet relaxing feel. "Fears that you've been living with Come running down your face Running down your face When the hurting time begins ..."
My rating 8/10
Honestly begins with a softly strummed guitar and you can only imagine that this track refers to Annie’s broken down marriage with its references to manipulation and control. The beginning has you fooled that this going to be another ballad, but it increases in tempo and the guitars are played with near ferocity, yet with Annie’s lyrics, you are again transported into reality and realise that the pretence at a rock track was just that. "To make you notice me I turned myself into a person that I didn't like But please believe me when I say I know it wasn't right But talking to myself I never thought that things would get to be so complicated"
My rating 8/10
Wonderful again uses the softly strummed guitar and is a ballad about falling in love with the wrong person, although the song does speed up, before reverting back to a slow mournful song. Again, this has strong Eurythmics influences and Annie’s used to its full potential. My rating 9/10
Bitter Pill is a real change. It starts off with a great drum beat and guitar rhythm and although another song about anger and broken relationships, because the song is uptempo, it is really catchy. This is the most poppy styled track on the album and where I always think Annie comes into her own. The drum beat is constantly upbeat and the happy sounding backing vocals make this a top track. This must be a single release! "Bitter pill to swallow How can I abide The taste of rage and anger Burning me inside? How the hell Will it ever change? Slowly driving me insane Let me cover up this pain Yes... bitter"
My rating 10/10
Loneliness takes us back to mournful and ballad style again. It is patently obvious by this time that Annie has had a rough few years, judging by the lyrics of the songs. Again, the song changes mood completely after the first verse, with the music becoming progressively faster and louder, and becomes a song of hope rather than regret.
My rating 9/10
There is no gap between the last track and the next, The Saddest Song. A ballad, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is released as a single. The riff is very similar to The Power of Love by Jennifer Rush in places, but don’t let that put you off. Although this is another song about past relationships, it is obvious here that Annie is making an effort to snap out of the doldrums and forge ahead. "Darling are you healing From all the scars appearing Don't it hurt a lot Don't know how to stop Don't know hot it stops Now there's no sense in seeing The colours of the morning"
My rating 8/10
The tempo increases with Erased, which is the place on the album at which you know Annie has dealt with the demons and is becoming more positive about life. She is going to erase all the memories and start afresh. You can almost her the glee in her voice as realisation washes over her. Another great track with a great drum roll towards the end.
My rating 8/10
Twisted starts off similarly to Lucy in the sky with Diamonds by The Beatles. However, as soon as Annie’s voice comes in, the feeling changes. Another more mainstream track, and although the lyrics are quite negative in parts, this is a catchy track and about self belief.
My rating 8/10
It’s quite a surprise after the last few tracks, that the album finishes with the track Oh God. It is a prayer and half said, half sung, with Annie sounding at her emotional best and deals with all the troubles and tragedies she has suffered in her life. "Dear god... Oh how can I survive? Will I make this drop this dive? When it all comes to this I'm looking down at the abyss Where you don't exist You don't exist"
The album is an original, with Annie writing all of the tracks contained on it. A far cry from her last offering “Medusa”, which featured many covers.
However, the album is a predominantly sorrowful offering, with many of the lyrics relating the pain and anguish of broken relationships and suffering. All that apart, after listening the album a couple of times, I was hooked. There are some great tracks on the album and Annie is like Madonna, timeless.
Annie’s haunting voice is back in my CD player, where it belongs. All we need now is for The Eurythmics to reform and I'll be a happy bunny.
Advantages: honest , moving , thought provoking Disadvantages: too honest ?
Bare - Annie Lennox
Released 2003 : BMG records : Cat. No. 8287652247-2
Background - Annie
Born on Xmas Day 1954 , in Aberdeen , Scotland . At school her musical likes started to shine through , as she learnt piano and flute , and sung in the school choir.
At 17 , she gained a place at the reknowned Royal Accademy of Music , London , where she studied for three years , leaving just a few wekks before her final exams.
She remained in London finding ... ....
2003 Third solo album Bare released.
-~- The Album -~-
Given lifes ups and many downs , the breakdown of her second marriage being the major catapault , Annie decided to bear her soul , and hence wrote this album.
Initially is can be quite a difficult album to listen to and appreciate , but after several plays , you soon learn to appreciate the meaning and feeling of the album . Each track has meaning , and Annie delivers brilliantly , drawing ...
CaptainKidd 18.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bare - Annie Lennox
Advantages: Annie Lennox!!!! - excellent voice and use of it, beautiful songwriting Disadvantages: Not to everyones tastes, only 11 tracks
OK. This is the first album by Annie Lennox I have bought so far, though I plan on getting the rest of her albums.
Every song on the album is very different, and they are all written by her.
At an age of 48, she is doing pretty well releasing this now! Shes been around for quite a while. I think she's had a break of about eleven years since her last album, but she has clearly spent alot of time on the writing and fine-tuning of this beautiful collection ... ...Annie has had experience of many different ups and downs in her life and it shows in her writing.
GENRE: i think its sort of a rocky (but light) poppy (good) a bit classical (but still nice and hip), i cant really put my finger on it.
The album starts of with the beautiful song "A Thousand Beautiful Things". This song really grows on you - i think you have to listen to it once and then listen to something totally different, then listen to something ...
chazzero 14.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bare - Annie Lennox
Advantages: Annie's divine voice along with great songs Disadvantages: None
”…And love don't show up in the pavement cracks
I can't even cover up my tracks
I'm going nowhere and I'm light years back..”
I read the opinion of yummy87 on this album and convinced that it was a nice one, I took it. Great cd to listen to, when you feel down. I just realized that today as it’s not one of the best days for me. I really miss the lifestyle of Greece. That different approach in life that the Greeks have... Anyway…I am listening ... ...write an opinion on it.
The cover.
If you can cope seeing this goddess to throwing away the make-up from her image, coming out with open, uncared, wounds, then this album will touch you.(‘Its made to touch you because is hand made, builted with human materials that have been gathered after the demolition of an old house, with hard work and endless hours of loneliness…’)
Who to buy it
If you think that pain in non of your business and you don’t ...
vassilis73 23.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bare - Annie Lennox
Advantages: Honest, emotional - great to play at the end of a relationship Disadvantages: Can sound a bit self-pitying at times
I have to start off by saying that if you are an Annie fan you won't be disappointed by this album. It is pure Annie Lennox! She knows her formula and she sticks to it. That's not to say she hasn't experimented with new sounds though - for example on 'The Hurting Time' which has a very laid-back, jazzy feel to it, and 'Bitter Pill', which wouldn't sound out-of-place played next to younger artists such as Pink. I didn't like the cover, I felt Annie's ... ...explain it on the back ("I am a mature artist facing up to core issues") made me cringe, although I did agree with the sentiment.
Overall I was very impressed with this album and would definitely recommend that you buy it. Here's my track-by-track breakdown:
1000 Beautiful Things
This is such an uplifting start to the record. It is a beautiful account of light overcoming the darkness, of emerging from depression to see the positives of life again. ...
eurythmic 02.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bare - Annie Lennox
Advantages: A Thousand Beautiful Things Disadvantages: I’m Goin’ Nowhere And I’m Light Years Back
...used Stevie Wonder-esque toodlings. Bare unfortunately does draw from some of the same imperfections we saw on Medusa and Diva.
She needs to find some better musicians to back her in these forays. It’s fine to slow things down and to use more acoustic sounds but you can’t simply depend only on the vocals to get you through the song every dang time.
Dave Stewart did not help her learn that of course with his horrible casio inspired peckings during ... ...the mood, and here on Bare she maintains and rules with all the sophisticated majesty she has long fought for.
So be prepared to take a journey to the dark side of Annie Lennox’s soul with this one but in the end spending the time taking this voyage with THAT VOICE is worth every marvelous moment.
One of the lyrics of this album spoke way, way, too much to me "This Is Mine To Remember".
That coupled with the write up Annie Lennox put on the back ...
Randomkill 15.11.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Bare - Annie Lennox
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Bare - Annie Lennox"
Advantages: some classic pop songs Disadvantages: a couple of songs haven't dated brilliantly
a number of Brits. It also showed off her creative side once more to a whole new audience.
Despite the album's title, which is possibly a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that the songs on the album are on the whole remote and isolated rather than showy and flamboyant, Lennox has always had a shroud of mystery rather than going on every TV show going peddling her wares. This aura of mystery has enabled her to receive the respect of music fans who appreciate artists that refuse to sell out and pander to public tastes.
The album's opener was also Annie's first proper single, 'Why'. A bare and emotionally vulnerable song, it features the most minimalist backing to allow Lennox's unique vocals to take centre stage. Despite the song's melancholy one-note piano intro being the soundtrack of a thousand local radio phone-ins about unwanted ...
Personnel: Annie Lennox (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming); David Rainger, Tim Cansfield (guitar); Peter-John Vettesse (keyboards, drums); Steve Sidelnyk (programming); David Sinclair Whitaker; Pro Arte Orchestra. Recorded at The Aquarium, London, England. Includes liner notes by Annie Lennox. A true pop diva, Annie Lennox is a lady who doesn't like to be rushed. BARE is her third solo album in 11 years, and the first to contain new material since her first solo outing in 1992. Not to worry, though; she's still the same Annie you know and possibly love. Her songs are slowly, elegantly unfolding amalgams of pop and slow-jam R&B, and her strong, pliable voice fairly drips with emotional pain. As on her breakthrough record DIVA, Lennox is an expert in the area of the torch song, laying out her heartbreak on a gossamer bed of sound surrounded by feathery pillows of strings and synthesizers. Whether or not you take the strikingly solipsistic liner notes seriously, it's easy to empathize with the anguish Lennox so stylishly expresses throughout BARE. Even when she lays all her cards on the table with "The Saddest Song I've Got," you feel pretty certain that she's still got more tricks up her sleeve that she hasn't even used yet.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (6/26/03, p.72) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...She has claimed a brand of stylish, postmodern soul singing--pained but detached, theatrical yet spare--as uniquely her own..." Entertainment Weekly (6/13/03, pp.96) - "...Amply effective in communicating the isolation, loneliness, and dread that dominate the singer's first solo album of original material since 1992's DIVA..." - Rating: B- Mojo (7/03, p.110) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...It recollects emotion with a raging tranquility....BARE is an album of stirring, stoic elegance. It's Lennox simply giving everything she's got..." Uncut (6/03, p.118) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Songs like 'Loneliness', 'The Saddest Song' and 'The Hurting Time' are as potent as the titles suggest....She's still a class act..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
1000 Beautiful Things
2.
Pavement Cracks
3.
Hurting Time
4.
Honestly
5.
Wonderful
6.
Bitter Pill
7.
Loneliness
8.
Saddest Song I've Got
9.
Erased
10.
Twisted
11.
Oh God (Prayer)
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