Older, wiser and still as brilliant. THE comeback album.

Review Score:

(8/10)
People tend to associate bands with the decades they were most successful in. The Beatles are usually remembered during they're 60's heyday. Fleetwood Mac will always be connected to 70's and Rumours. And the Eurythmics are forever linked to the 80's with their emotional electronic sound and brashly honest lyrics. Peace is unlikely to change this and yank them into the 90's but it gives it a bloody good go and they deserve full marks for effort.

Those expecting a rehash and retread of Sweet Dreams and Sex Crime will initially be disappointed. The music is reminiscent of Angel and Miracle of Love with its acoustic guitar work and spare backing. The meaning is obvious: Dave and Annie have grown up and are making grown up music. These are people in their 40's dealing with 40's problems - raising children, a slight cynicism with the world and looking back on younger days with a nostalgic glow. That doesn't mean they've lost any of their sense of humour. Try keeping a huge smile off your face as the the irrestibly chirpy lyrics of 17 Again suddenly and beautifully make way to the chorus of Sweet Dreams. It's a strikingly effective link to who they were and who they are now. If only all musicians could grow old as gracefully (Bowie and Jagger, I mean you).

The brilliance continues. Power To The Meek sees the return of 'Anxious' Annie in full shouty mode, I Saved The World Today's patient optimism smacks head on with Peace's downbeat futility and My True Love is one of the finest songs they've ever done. But ten years apart does do a little bit of damage and there are a couple of glitches. Beautiful Child misfires ever so slightly, I Want It All trys to be I Need A Man and fails and Forever is so Beatles sounding it hurts. It doesn't mean they're bad, just not good enough to get 5 stars.

Of course there will be those that will scoff at this fine collection and persecute it as nothing more than a cash-in on the anniversary of their split. These people need to do what Annie and Dave have done: grow up. The 80's died ten years ago, the 90's mere months. This album is not a reminder of how good they WERE but of how good they ARE. If you're lucky they'll do another one. Start hoping.

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