This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
In today’s teen-centric pop universe, a 48-year-old veteran like Annie Lennox oughta have about as much chance of crashing the pop charts as … well, your mama. So it was heartening to see the former Eurythmics singer’s latest solo album shoot into the Top 10 across North America.
Sure, that’s probably because most of her fans are too old to know how to download it. But whatever the reason, there’s no disputing the quality of the 49-minute Bare. Over the course of an 11-song set dominated by smouldering electro-soul and dream-pop gems whose introspective and reflective tones more than justify the disc’s title, Lennox applies her siren-like voice to lyrics that frankly examine the disappointments, regrets and sorrows of middle age.
If it sounds like a downer, it often is, though song titles like The Hurting Time, Bitter Pill, Loneliness and The Saddest Song I’ve Got let you know that up front. But the sincerity and depth of all that darkness and ache are part of Bare’s appeal. And Annie’s quietly powerful voice of experience is a welcome antidote to the empty-headed warblings of naive contest winners who think their sweet dreams will always come true.
