Happy 40th Anniversary to Eurythmics’ third studio album Touch, originally released November 14, 1983.
With their third studio LP Touch, Eurythmics established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Four years prior, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were members of The Tourists, whose biggest hit was a cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be with You” in 1979. When the group disbanded the following year, Lennox and Stewart's romantic relationship also came to an end. Fortunately, their professional bond remained unharmed, resulting in creating Eurythmics.
In the Garden, their first studio album released in 1981, received minimal attention. However, their second album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983) catapulted them to worldwide acclaim, with the title track reaching number one in both the US and Canada.
Eurythmics emerged at the same time as MTV, and it is important to acknowledge that the network played a role in their subsequent success. Not only was Lennox's crew cut with its vibrant orange color perfectly suited for television, but it is also crucial to recognize that it was not solely a creation of the emerging music video era. It was common for the songs within the synth pop genre during that period to bear such resemblance to each other that distinguishing one from another proved to be quite difficult. The unique factor that made Eurythmics different was Stewart's masterful implementation of synthesizers and electronic elements, which flawlessly matched Lennox's soulful singing.
With the triumph of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), the band now had to push themselves to new creative heights. Touch is a subtle evolution of the group's sound, highlighting their willingness to explore new territories. It’s a prime example of their innovative sound and features some of Eurythmics’ most iconic tracks in their catalog, including “Here Comes the Rain Again,” “Right By Your Side,” and “Who’s That Girl?”
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The album's cohesive sound ties together each track, creating a satisfying listening experience from start to finish. The songs flow well into each other, and there’s a sense of continuity that adds to the album’s appeal. Touch showcases Eurythmics' ability to blend emotional depth with catchy pop melodies, resulting in both commercial success and critical acclaim. In his AllMusic review, Jose F. Promis writes, “Touch is a testament to what Eurythmics were at the height of their electronic-techno phase and, without doubt, is a milestone in 1980s pop music.”
In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked Touch #492 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” calling the album “divine synth pop”. It remains timeless, blending elements of its era with a forward-thinking sound that transcends generations. What makes this listening experience truly remarkable is the combination of excellent songwriting, innovative production, and Annie Lennox's powerful vocals. If you are someone who enjoys ‘80s music or synth-pop, this LP is an absolute must-listen and continues to be regarded as a timeless classic that has withstood the test of time.
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