Songs Of Mass Destruction
by Annie Lennox
  • Record Label: Arista
  • Release Date: Oct 2, 2007
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. munchkins
    Feb 1, 2017
    9
    Bought this when released. listened approximately a hundred times. Listened to every song, and each time I find/feel a new layer of this pearl onion. I pray and hope she lives a very very long healthy life, writing and recording as long as she wants to. Genius.
  2. RandolphO.
    Oct 27, 2007
    10
    When God wrote down the word soul and the word singer, Annie Lennox name was right next to it. There is no other singer with this much emotional power in their singing and songwriting.
  3. rogerm.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    When the incredible Annie Lennox released her solo debut CD "Diva" she set the gold standard not only for herself, but for the entire music community. Her follow up CD of covers, "Medusa" was finely crafted and gave the listener many hours of pleasure. On her third CD, "Bare" she returned to original compositions and it was a joy to immerse yourself in it. But now, Annie, with "Songs of When the incredible Annie Lennox released her solo debut CD "Diva" she set the gold standard not only for herself, but for the entire music community. Her follow up CD of covers, "Medusa" was finely crafted and gave the listener many hours of pleasure. On her third CD, "Bare" she returned to original compositions and it was a joy to immerse yourself in it. But now, Annie, with "Songs of Mass Destruction" has raised the bar, and created a platinum standard that will stand unchallenged. It's a truly iconic CD, one of those "must haves" for your library, like Carole King's "Tapestry", Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time", David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" or any number of Beatles albums. She has surpassed herself, with the witty and, as always, intelligent lyrics and expertly honed melodies. "Dark Road" soars as a ballard as did "Why" off of "Diva" and "Ghosts In My Machine" is the raucus, rocking heir to "Walking On Broken Glass". "Womankind" is catchy with a hook that grabs you and refuses to let go. "Through the glass darkly" is a harrowing yet lifting ballad, and "Fingernail Moon" is a gentle, successful foray into whispery vocals and engaging lyrics. "Lost" has echoes of the moving and beautiful Beatles song "She's Leaving home", and "Love is Blind" just plain old kicks ass. "Coloured Bedspread" hearkens back to the electronic '80's, but sounds suprisingly fresh and new. There isn't a misstep or insignificant song in this collection. It's a treasure. With this CD, Annie has not only reconfirmed her composing skills, but she hasn't lost her chops vocally; if anything she's matured as a singer with nuanced phrasing. This CD is a real gift to music lovers of all persuasions, and I hope it doesn't get overlooked just because she's not 20, anorexic, and wearing a Victoria's Secret costume. This CD is for the discerning and mature listener, whatever their age. Bless you Annie, for this heavenly offering.… Expand
  4. JyotirmayaD
    Oct 23, 2007
    8
    I love this album... Some of the melodies, themes and beats I have heard on "Diva" and "Bare", but she makes them ever-fresh on "Songs..." It is so fun to hear Madonna doing backing vocals on "Sing" too! A great achievement for Annie, and she should be winning some awards for this one.
  5. EricP.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    An album from Annie is always worth the wait, and "Coloured Bedspread" sounds just like the Eurythmics did in the 80s ... love it!
  6. KatieF.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    One of Annie's best. Moving, uplifting . . . a joy for your ears.
  7. DenisB.
    Oct 14, 2007
    9
    I have been listening to this album, for about ten days in a row ( while driving ), and I truly enjoy it. Better than ' BARE ', and if you like Lennox' style, you will be taken by this wonderful effort. Very, very good album. On my top ten list of this year.
  8. GilW.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Most of the songs are dark and emotionally depressings. But Lennox's tremendous vocal delivery manages to bring beauty to the pain. I love this album in it's entirety.
  9. ScottS.
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    Annie nails it again. She has never sounded better, and the lyrics often bitter and biting with anger and irony, cut the listener to the core and make us understand that it is always worth the wait when Annie comes to town!
  10. Robertv.
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    So glad she's back. Musically the best album of 2007. Love her voice, lyrics and music, it's balanced out so well.
  11. LukeS.
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    Loved Diva, hated Medusa and Bare, loving again Songs Of Mass Destruction.
  12. iieee
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    This album is as strong as previous efforts if not stronger. Annie Lennox has such a strong vocal range, it's exciting to listen to all of the notes she can hit! Stand out tracks Dark Road (single) Love Is Blind, Through The Glass Darkly, Coloured Bedspread. The only song I really don't like is Sing, it sounds horribly dated!? Other then that song it's 4 stars!
  13. EricF.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    Never anything less than exceptional - and always a new sound to her voice.
  14. MarkS.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    Fantastic album. Enjoyable from beginning to end.
  15. BrandonS.
    Oct 5, 2007
    7
    Another solid album from a master. (The best album title of the past ten years, for sure.) I love that she makes beautiful music, regardless of the trends - this could have been released in the mid-90s and fit right in. Lennox is still into her pain, and I do wish she'd have a little more Eurythmics-style fun, but this is a good outing nevertheless. She still has that voice and Another solid album from a master. (The best album title of the past ten years, for sure.) I love that she makes beautiful music, regardless of the trends - this could have been released in the mid-90s and fit right in. Lennox is still into her pain, and I do wish she'd have a little more Eurythmics-style fun, but this is a good outing nevertheless. She still has that voice and sounds terrific.… Expand
  16. GregoryA.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    The whole album is brilliant, distinct and powerful.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Slant Magazine
    60
    Mass Destruction is Lennox's first album largely recorded in the U.S. (Los Angeles and Miami, as opposed to just London), giving the songs a slightly less chilly quality and a bigger, more expansive sound, but it's still a disappointment in the same way the Eurythmics' rock-leaning "Be Yourself Tonight" likely was to fans of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Touch."
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    It's as gorgeous a collection as "Bare," and pop music should be so lucky as to have more of this kind of thing out in the world.
    Read full review
  3. Stylus Magazine
    25
    The only song worth a second listen is 'Smithereens.'
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »