Disco de Annie Lennox: “Medusa”

I'm yet another person who was absolutely mesmerized by the song "Don't Let It Bring You Down" from the movie "American Beauty," and I wasn't a particular Eurythmics or Lennox fan in the past. I wasn't able to stay for the credits at the end of the movie, so I had to rely on the Net to learn who performed the song. Thank goodness I did NOT buy the movie soundtrack. "Don't Let It Bring You Down" isn't even on the soundtrack, and that makes absolutely NO sense!

I'm not the sentimental type, but that song nearly brought tears to my eyes w. its sheer beauty.

No matter what your listening pleasures may be, I defy anyone with a love of music not to be thoroughly intoxicated by this fabulous collection of covers. While we have all been seduced by NO MORE I LOVE YOUS in every bar, restaurant and even dentist's lounge since the album's release, there are so many more treats on this perfectly produced pop album. The arrangements reflect each original yet glimmer with their own distinctive sound, led, of course, by the supremely satisfying vocals by Annie Lennox. She truly bridges the gap between rock, pop and adult contemporary in her own niche, one that surely appeals to all. My personal favorite is WAITING IN VAIN, which has gotten me back in Bob Marley in a big way. Since I bought this CD three years ago, I rarely take it off my 5-CD carousel. It has brought me immeasurable joy and pleasure, and provides a perfect soundtrack to virtually anything you may choose to do with your time -- but every once in awhile, just sit and listen. The pleasures keep revealing themselves every time this CD spins.

Annie Lenox could sing pretty much anything and make it beautiful. In Medusa, she takes some of her favorite songs and sings fresh life into them.

I really love the first song, "No More I Love You's" - the soaring vocals are just gorgeous, and easily draw you into singing along. You move on to "Take Me To the River" which has a great techno-pop underlying to it, perfect for dancing to.

Probably everybody knows the classic original of "Whiter Shade of Pale" - but with the tinkling background and smooth vocals, this is pretty much an equal in its own way.

That's true with every song here. They all have her own interpretation on a much-loved classic. Take one of my favorites - Something so Right by Paul Simon. You'd think that Annie Lenox couldn't really improve on that - but it's not that she's "improving" here. She's telling her own story, using the same words. You get a whole new look on what is being said, and really appreciate it.

Highly recommended.

There are not many cover albums that have the constant quality as Medusa, Annie Lennox second solo album. In the liner notes she explains that she didn't choose the songs as a concept but just because she loves them. Annie's best feature, her voice, really shines on this album. I think she is still on of the most underrated vocalists of our time, even after her recent win at the oscars for her song from the LOTR3 soundtrack. Her voice is versatile and has loads of soul in it.

The first track will sound familiar to your ears. No More "I Love You's" was the first single and a pretty big hit. It even earned her a grammy for best pop vocal. It's quite theatrical but has a beautiful melody that fits her voice perfectly.

Take Me To The River is a quick and uptempo song with strong R&B and gospel roots.

A Whiter Shade Of Pale is the weakest selection on this album but not bad by any means. It's just a bit to lightweight in my opinion.

I remember when I watched American Beauty for the first time and in the part where Lester is seducing his daughter's friend Don't Let It Bring You Down quietly starts and gives that scene an incredible atmosphere. Neil Young's original is really good and this version comes close.

Train In Vain pours over with Annie's soulfull voice. The brass section compliments this song even more.

I Can't Get Next To You is another uptempo track and has some nice Spanish guitars in it.

Downtown Lights reminds me of a nice roadtrip I had a couple of years back with a friend when I bought this album for the first time on cassette. Driving on the freeway around dusk passing all the streetlights is a sight I will not forget.

Thin Line Between Love And Hate is my personal favourite on this album. It starts a bit quiet with Annie's soft spoken voice telling a story about a couple that doesn't have a perfect relationship and the woman isn't taking it anymore. It's amazing to listen to Annie belting out the lines "come on baby baby/you don't give a damn about me/come on baby baby/you don't really care about me"

Waiting In Vain is another favourite of mine. Bob Marley's classic gets a beautiful makeover. This song contains the best lyrics on this album.

Paul Simon's Something So Right is the quiet closer on Medusa. Another lyrical highlight that sounds amazing reworked by Lennox.

Most of the time I don't like cover albums but Medusa is one of the exceptions. I even knew some of the originals before buying this record but they all got a beautiful makeover by one of the most talented voices of our time.

I received this CD as a birthday gift in June of 1995 and fell in love instantly. I can still remember lying on the roof of my family's vacation home in North Carolina, looking out toward the mountains with Medusa on a loop. Needless to say, it was the sountrack to that summer and much of the remaining year.

Now, (can it truly be) seven years later, I still place this CD amongst my favorites. Of course I am 21 now and sensibilities change, but none have been for the worse. It seems Medusa has ripened with age.

"No More I Love You's" for the longest time was my favorite song "of all time." It has since been replaced (though by what I can no longer decide), but is still brilliant and most likely the best on the album. But that is not to say that others such as "Something so Right," "Waiting in Vain," "Whiter Shade of Pale," and "Don't Let it Bring you Down" are anything short of fantastic.

For me, there is no flawed song on the album. Sure, some may seem out of place ("Thin Line Between Love and Hate" and "Downtown Lights") but they are still great songs, perhaps deserving of a different album. Unlike "Take Me to the River" which I feel was deserving of single status. I don't know why, but I always get the chills when Annie croons "till I can't, till I can't, till I can't...."

If you haven't already, purchase this CD. And while you're at it get Diva... it's just as good if not better!