Search - Eurythmics :: Touch

Synthetic Music

G. Newby | Memphis, TN United States | 01/10/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The jury is still out on the Eurythmics. They were either god-awful or bloody brilliant, I haven't decided which. I suspect it was the latter, but there is so much about their music that I object to that I can't whole-heartedly embrace them. The two of them were amazing songwriters and Annie Lennox's elegant and powerful vocals were the stuff of legend. But as much as they were artists they were also businessmen, and they seemed much more interested in generating record sales than they were in musical excellence. I know those words are heresy for some, but every note, hook and bass line seemed purposely placed to fit the mold of a radio-friendly pop song. Compositions that might have been really good come off sounding gimmicky and over-produced.



Take the duo's third album, "Touch," for instance. Best remembered for its gigantic hit single "Here Comes the Rain Again," "Touch" is a collection of solidly-structured songs that get buried beneath layers and layers of synthesized twerps, pings and boops. The songs themselves might have been exceptionally good if they had been recorded in a more straight-forward manner, but here the duo makes the grave mistake of not letting the music speak for itself. It is as though Dave Stewart poured on the sound effects to disguise the fact that, underneath, these are not really very good songs, and nothing could be further from the truth.



The worst thing about these synth-heavy performances is that they fail to muster the test of time. Not only do they sound dated but, worse, they sound cheesy, especially the bouncy riff keyed out on "The First Cut." However exotic "Who's that Girl?" may have sounded in 1984, it is downright laughable now. (Just thinking about all those pre-programmed loops and melodies makes me want to cringe.) Fortunately, Annie Lennox is just like the Calvary. She always rides in to save the day. Without her, this would just be an unlistenable mess. On the other hand, the album does have two really strong tracks, though neither of them were hit singles. "Regrets" is a good funk-laden number that shows Lennox warming up her soul chops, and "Paint a Rumour" is an underground-techno wannabe that is almost, though not quite, dark enough for the goth scene.



Rolling Stone magazine recently released its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, placing this one at #500. I'm not sure "Touch" actually belongs on the list at all, but if it has to be there then last place is the most appropriate. The Eurythmics did better stuff both before and after "Touch," and I suspect that this album suffered by the fact that it was released just after the duo had become superstars. The pressure was on to generate more hit singles and record sales. Still, one can hear the duo struggling to find its wings, which it later did. But, here, I get the feeling that the Eurythmics themselves were not exactly comfortable with the album, which is why they kept it mercifully short."

Maybe it was just the sight of Annie in that Dominatrix mask

Azurestrangelove | Upstate NY, USA | 10/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...but I always knew that I had to have this 'Touch', However it was my absolute obsession with the little known "1984: For the Love of Big Brother" that always kept me from purchasing it. While I am no expert on the Eurythmics catalog I knew enough to know that the afforementioned album was indeed a singularly unique effort whose sound was not going to be replicated on any other Eurythmics album. With that being said, I was afraid that I would hold myself to the standards of that album and thus find myself disappointed, despite the fact that I have always loved their classic "Here comes the rain again".



But in the end I guess I just couldn't help myself. Maybe I would indeed find Annie's haunting voice drowning in a sea of light-weight minimal early 80's fluff instead of the dark brooding menace of "1984..." but the amazon reviews were quite positive, and at least if all else failed I could still have claim to owning the Eurythmics album with the really cool looking cover. SHAME ON ME for ever second guessing the substance and dazzle of a woman whose music I have worshipped all my life.



Indeed I was right about one thing, This is no "1984..." and I was ALMOST disappointed after hearing the happy-go-lucky calypso love song, "Right by your side", which was excessively sweet and over the top for my taste. But the slick electronics and addicting chorus of "Cool Blue" quickly rekindled my hopes. Then the melancholy sadness of "Who's that girl" made me pay closer attention to the superb lyrics { "The language of love slips from my lovers toungue, cooler than ice cream and warmer than the sun..." } and by the time I got to "Aqua" with it's thoughtful cynicism about the numbing pain of drug addiction( though I think there are other pains that could fit the song ) and dark chants of vocals, quite reminiscent to several songs from the beloved album I refuse to compare this to, I knew that I was going to thoroughly like this album. Then came the zinger that only Annie Lennox's voice could do justice to(though I too am trying to belt it out lol), the absolutely stunning "No Fear, No hate, No pain(No broken hearts)" The only thing that comes to mind when listening to it at full blasting volume is "HOLY $@^&*$###!!!!" So THAT'S why she dons that black leather mask and strikes such a powerful domineering pose. Just listen to the jarring "HA!'s" and "AHHHH's" that Annie croaks so naturally in this song as well as in the teasing nature of "Regrets" and see if you can't feel the subtle dark erotic undertones of dominatricism as Annie seductively sings: "I'm an electric wire and I'm stuck inside your head". These songs, as well as the faster "The first cut" all contain an energy that makes me want to sing along and dance seductively like a pole dancer and crack a leather whip( If I owned one ) in sync with every "Ahhhh" that is belted out. "Paint a rumour" is a quaint unassuming electronic disco song that is quite likeable though overwhelmed by all the power and forceful emotions expressed by the other tracks.



So would I consider this Dark? Light? Happy? Sad? Really there is no answer because this album is both all and none all at once. Annie's voice will bring you to tears and enthrall you in the throngs of bliss and yet when it's all said and done you will find yourself not quite sure of what you just listened to but only that it was wonderful. Dated? Heck no! And just wait until the remaster comes out in 11/05, I can't wait!"

Eurythmics: Touch (1983)

Chad DeFeo | Philadelphia, PA USA | 10/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In November of 1983, Eurythmics released their third album entitled, TOUCH. This album is definitely one of their best albums. This album seems to be chosen as the favorite with most fans. I favor this album heavily, an album that is on the money.



HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN

The third single from the album. This is definitely an amazing song, with a great melody. I really enjoy hearing Annie sing the chorus of this song. I had recently saw the video on VH1 Classics' Tuesday Two-Play. The video does not quite fit the song, but the video is amazing. Just so you know, VH1 Classics is a channel that is only available when you have the DIRECTV Satellite Dish.



REGRETS

Great.



RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE

The second single from the album. Incredible.



COOL BLUE

This is another amazing song that talks about frustration. I could easily relate to this song because I am always easily frustrated with just about everything.



WHO'S THAT GIRL?

The first single from the album. This is another great song that sparks jealousy. No, Madonna did not cover this song in 1987. Madonna starred in the 1987 comedy, 'Who's That Girl', and recorded the theme song of the same name. This song and Madonna's song are two completely different songs, but with the same title.



THE FIRST CUT

The fourth & final single from the album.



AQUA

From what I have read from one Amazon.com reviewer, this song is about isolation. By the sound of the lyrics, that Amazon.com reviewer is right. The song is, indeed, about isolation, and it is an amazing song.



NO FEAR, NO HATE, NO PAIN (NO BROKEN HEARTS)

Another amazing song. It seems as though that Eurythmics seem to have a habit of recording songs where half of the title, whether the first half or the second half, is enclosed in paranthesis. And when they record those songs, the songs are always amazing, just as "No Fear, No Hate, No Pain (No Broken Hearts)".



PAINT A RUMOR

Again, an Amazon.com reviewer pointed out a fact about this song that is more than true. He pointed out that this song is about paranoia. The Amazon.com reviewer is the same one, who pointed out the isolation concept on "Aqua". This song is about paranoia and you most certainly should know that, just by reading the title, "Paint A Rumor". Rumors are always causing people to become paranoid, because rumors stir up controversery, especially when they are not true.



This is one hell of on album and it should be owned by every Euryhtmics fan around the world. When Eurythmics released SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS) & TOUCH, Annie Lennox had a great image: the stylishly boyish crew-cut, sprayed over orange. Annie Lennox is a natuarl blonde, but for the release of SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS) & TOUCH, she went with the sprayed-on orange look."