Annie Lennox - Medusa

Post-Beatles, the virtues of deft song interpretation have been consistently devalued in favor of self-contained composer-performers, seldom more so than in the initial response to this sequel to Annie Lennox's triumphant solo debut, Diva. That album's gripping originals deserve acclaim, but the lush Scottish alto remains one of the most riveting pop singers of the past two decades, and this smartly chosen, meticulously arranged collection of cover versions boasts its own abundant charms in her selection of obscure gems and bona fide classics from Al Green, Procol Harum, Neil Young, the Clash, the Temptations, Paul Simon, Bob Marley, and the Blue Nile. The songs are the rightful stars here, and Lennox brings passion and nuance to a set that plays beautifully. From the cinematic heartbreak of "No More I Love Yous" to the faithful recreation of the Blue Nile's "Downtown Lights," this is ravishing pop. --Sam Sutherland

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Medusa has seduced me

I was 15 when this album came out and not even on this Earth when the originals were recorded and released. I remember hearing No More I Love You's on the radio a lot and the song became so magical to me. What I loved most about the album is that the songs take you to somewhere else, especially Don't Let It Bring You Down, you actually envision castles burning. I loved how Annie was the main vocalist and did her own backing vocals. It is so much work (we who are not SINGERS) don't know this, to provide ones own background vocals. So these songs became her records because her "voices" are all over the songs. My favorite song off the album is Waiting in Vain. I couldn't ever imagine Bob Marley singing the song but I can imagine him writing it. The song seems suited to a womans voice like Annie's. I always wondered why the album was titled MEDUSA. It does not matter, maybe I would have completely abhorred this album if I heard and grew up with the original songs by the original artists. But for now I am glad I did not. January 5, 2008

Medusa Review

This album is one of few where all the songs are good unlike most albums that have a lot of filler. January 2, 2008

A good piece for a connoisseur

Annie Lenox and the Eurythmics made a name for themselves in the 1980s with their pop, soul and light rock.
In this album of covers, including covers by Bob Marley, The Clash and Paul Simon, Annie shows her rich and versatile voice once again with such richly reworked hits as the melodic No More 'I Love You's', the light rock Take Me To The River, the exquisite A Whiter Shade Of Pale and the bluesy I Can't Get Next To You.
This really shows off Annie's voice and is a good piece for a connoisseur
of light rock/soul to enjoy. August 18, 2007

Annie Lennox Conjures Magic With MEDUSA

Few artists have pushed the boundaries of pop music more than Annie Lennox, so when I heard she was doing an album of "covers", I must admit I was disappointed. Why would such a creative force choose to rehash hits from other performers? Then, with great trepidation, I listened to MEDUSA, and all my fears we allayed. This is not your average cover album. On the contrary, MEDUSA is pure magic! The opening cut, "No More I Love You's" sets the tone, with a carnival-like atmosphere that is so unlike anything this reviewer had ever before heard, that I was forced to play this cut over and over, even before I advanced to the next song. It was pure rapture, and I was not disappointed as the remainder of the album played on. The classic "Take Me To The River" had an entirely new feel to it, as did the sometimes tired "Whiter Shade of Pale" into which Ms. Lennox breathes new life and soul. With so many strong cuts, it is hard to choose a stand-out, yet in addition to "No More I Love You's", the other favorite is "Downtown Lights". More dramatic that simple pop, these songs act as pure theatre, with Annie Lennox as the Ring Master....and Annie Lennox is one of the few current artists brilliant enough to carry it off. When you listen to MEDUSA, you will recognize the songs, but you will also hear them in a new and exciting way that transforms them into an entirely new work, filled with excitement and a fresh new spirit. This is the perfect cover album...adding new life and dimension to old classics.
March 28, 2007

A brilliant collection of covers...

I love what Annie Lennox did with the classics on this album. She reinvented these songs (as she often does with her image) as though they were her own compositions...just magical.

I love how she rearranged Bob Marley's "Waiting In Vain" from a heavy-based reggae tune to a more acoustic arrangement with a soft horn section playing in the background. The two versions could co-exist side by side and most would think they were two different songs altogether. That is the consistent theme of Medusa - most songs on this album barely sound identical to their original version, with the exception of "Whiter Shade of Pale", which is such a beautiful song in its original form that Annie decided not to mess with a good thing and her take on it is just as lush and warm as the original.

Annie's rendition of Paul Simon's "Something So Right" is beautiful and adds a slightly melancholy finish to the album. Other winners include the grammy-winning hit "No More I Love You's", "Train In Vain" (this will get you dancing) and Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down". This collection of masterpieces belongs in every Annie fan's musical catalogue. March 26, 2007

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