Eurythmics Album: “Revenge (Special Edition)”

I don't have to add much from the other superb reviews but I would like to truly reiterate how EXCELLENT the remastering is on this CD!!! This is the first remaster I have (but just ordered all the others). I can honestly say that this is the BEST REMASTERING I HAVE EVER HEARD on the many, many "remastered" CDs that artists have been reissueing over the years! BRAVO DAVE STEWART! It is so crisp and elegant! My God they made GREAT music! ADD TO CART!

According to the liner notes, "Revenge" released in July 1986, is apparently the duo's best selling album. In my memory, they were at the zenith of their popularity. Yet, I found the second half of the album always lacking for some reason. I went to see them on this tour in August 1986 at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado, just as I had seen them there in 1984 for the "Touch" tour with Howard Jones opening for them. "Revenge" is certainly the closest they came to stadium rock, and it worked very well in concert. They had more hits of course with "Missionary Man", "Thorn In My Side", "When Tomorrow Comes" and "The Miracle Of Love" (which they ended their concert with). However, only "Missionary Man" charted in the top 40 in America.

Yes, the Eurythmics were experiencing a decline in popularity in the States. This album starts off strong with the first five tracks being incredibly solid followed by the next five tracks hobbling to keep things steady. I don't know if Dave and Annie had temporarily run out of creative energy or what happend, but this is their most produced, pop/rock sounding album as a result.

The remastering job by Dave is pristine. The b-sides finally excel in terms of the remixes as well. The remixes for "When Tomorrow Comes", "Thorn In My Side" and "Missionary Man" all re-think the originals in a workable fashion. I enjoyed them all. The live version of "When Tomorrow Comes" is great, and it showcases Annie's vocals perfectly when you strip away all the instruments down to piano and acoustic guitar. "Revenge 2" is a reimagined version of "Revenge" from their 1981 album "In The Garden". This version is much better than the original. Oddly, "My Guy" closes the disc with an amusing take on The Temptations' "My Girl". It had to be heard to be believed. I liked it, and I think it was far ahead of its time.

Once again, no lyrics to the songs. Dave added extra photos taken around the time of the album which was nice. The liner notes cover the making of the album. Overall, "Revenge" faltered a tad compared to their previous three albums, "Be Yourself Tonight", "Touch" and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)". This was to be corrected upon their next release "Savage".

The Eurythmics fifth album entitled "Revenge" finds the Lennox/Stewert duo completing their journey from the New Wave of their early days and the more R&B/Soul of their previous album "Be Yourself Tonight" into a near total rock/pop sound. It was unfortunately where the Eurythmics commercial run started to wind down. That's not to say that this is a decline. Not at all. Even though a good majority of the songs fall into the category of typical mid-1980s rock and pop, there are many standout songs that make this a wonderful illustrious release from this duo. The famous hit song "Missionary Man" is my favorite Eurythmics song ever. The lyrics are among my favorite that Annie has ever written. Other great songs include "The First Time" with it's excellent and bizarre guitar effects as well as the fifth track.

The bonus tracks are very good but the remix of "Missionary Man" is a bit overstretched.

After great synth albums like

and

and 1985's Soul/R&B excursion

, Eurythmics created this riveting rock album with its melodic masterpieces. I don't like the meandering Missionary Man, but besides that it's genius all the way!

Thorn In My Side is a dramatic ballad with a great sense of finality, When Tomorrow Comes is a soaring number where Annie's voice soars full throttle, The Last Time is an eerie, brooding ballad with strange voice effects, and The Miracle Of Love is another lovely tuneful pop song.

These rank amongst the best compositions of Eurythmics, on a par with classics like Love Is A Stranger, Sweet Dreams, Right By Your Side and There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart). I also love the full rock sound they use here - it makes an interesting change from the earlier synth-based sound.

Other favorites include Take Your Pain Away and the gentle, wistful I Remember You with its torch-song vocal and textured instrumentation. Perhaps some Eurythmics fans didn't like the rock textures of this album, but to me it remains one of their best.

The bonus tracks here are amongst the best of all the Eurythmics reissues. The extended versions of When Tomorrow Comes and Thorn In My Side are my favorites and substantially different from the originals. I also love the live acoustic version of Tomorrow, and My Guy concludes the album on a playful note.

I first bought this album in the 90's and it blew me away. Years later the music is still fresh and unique. This album has many songs about the woes of love and is a great break up "soundtrack" to process through bad relationships. The music is more main stream than earlier albums. Annie's voice is lovely and croons with vibrant energy. A great album to remember the good old days, soothe an injured heart and gather strength or just enjoy Annie Lennox's voice and Dave Stewart's music.