Erasure - Erasure

“Erasure” - Erasure 1995

Love them or loathe them , Erasure have it has to be admitted certainly left there mark on the British pop scene .

Never bowing to the fastidious demands of the pop world and its various fads , Erasure have striven to perfect their particular field of speciality - electro-synth pop , along the way leading where others would eventually follow , that of the cover song ( most studio cd albums have ...
...guitar based based , and Erasure turned in a new direction , this time into the experimental , almost dark , variation of synth music , yet done with the presence of soul and feeling , to what culminated in the eponymously titled “Erasure” Album .

~ The Tracks ~

1) Intro ; Guess I’m Into Feeling ( 3 mins. 14 sec )

Squeaks and bleeps cascade into euphoric celebration , it’s party time......” I guess I’m ... more

“Erasure” - Erasure 1995

Love them or loathe them , Erasure have it has to be admitted certainly left there mark on the British pop scene .

Never bowing to the fastidious demands of the pop world and its various fads , Erasure have striven to perfect their particular field of speciality - electro-synth pop , along the way leading where others would eventually follow , that of the cover song ( most studio cd albums have included a cover of some sort ) , who will ever forget the Abba-esque EP .

1995 was the year dominated by guitar based based , and Erasure turned in a new direction , this time into the experimental , almost dark , variation of synth music , yet done with the presence of soul and feeling , to what culminated in the eponymously titled “Erasure” Album .

~ The Tracks ~

1) Intro ; Guess I’m Into Feeling ( 3 mins. 14 sec )

Squeaks and bleeps cascade into euphoric celebration , it’s party time......” I guess I’m into feeling higher lately, higher than I’ve ever been this thing called love “.....

2) Rescue me ( 6’ 12 )

Seamlessly blending in from the Intro , the toe tapping synth back beat and Andy’s evocative vocals , form this song of the lonely hearted...”We shall blur the lines of definition , waves of love out only ammunition , tear my head out from the soul , throw myself upon the ground , take me to the burning tree , it has this strange effect on me”.

3) Solo Luminus ( 7’ 53 )

“I never thought that I would reach you , though I’ve been searching for oh so many years , this place I am seems unfamiliar , but there’s a light to break through all my fears , still time & time again , I’m looking for the love , the one that can inspire” .
the lyrics say it , the search for that magical feeling that only love can give.

4) Fingers and Thumbs ( cold summer’s day ) ( 6’ 42 )

A retrospective look at what was once had , but let slip away....”Once when my hands were full , we were double or quits then some , nothing’ at all to show for a love so precious , Gone & blown it all , how can you say , “It doesn’t matter much to me “, a dumb mistake too much too pay , a shattered heart in love’s debris”.

5) Rock Me Gently ( 10’ 01 )

For me the highlight of the album , from the spine tingling opening chords and vocals about what could be , spliced by a five minute 20 second musical interlude solo by guest musician Diamanda Galas , that can only be described as pure brilliance , and ends with euphoric operatic style chorus. Buy the album just for this track !...”and I dream I’m with you , you hold me sweetly , and rock me gently to sleep in your arms , woah woah woah “.

6) Grace ( 5’ 54 )

“Looking in the papers makes me sorry to be human , a little ray of hope wouldn’t hurt at all , a price on every head & it’s cheaper when you’re dead , quality of life may have to fall , muffled voices world in action , stir the peaceful , need for longing “. Soul searching in the extreme .

7) Stay With Me ( 4’ 42 )

“Tempered by greed tall buildings breathe , give a sigh of relief when its night , stirring from sleep we night owls creep , is there any sign of life under this stone , star chime hallow & true , love child , weep for me & I will cast your wheels in motion , walk with me the inner reaches of emotion” .
Probably the best vocal performance on the album . A song of remorse . Another classic track .

8) Love The Way You Do So ( 6’ 45 )

From crashing waves a joyous happy musical feast , with Andy really enjoying himself in verse ..... “We shall lie warm inside , quite at ease watch me glide , love the way you do so , we shall lie side by side , here & now talk in turn , love the way you do so”.

9) Angel ( 5’ 31 )

“See how much you mean to me , you’re my electric symphony in blue , just one look in your eyes maybe I was hypnotised by you , you told me on the telephone of a picture so serene , and the beat goes on feels like a fever burning & I say , yes to your love & there’s no secrets , high & ascending delving deeper , fly like an angel wings unfurling , fanning the flames of love eternal”.
Diamanda Garas leads with a thought provoking solo , which leads immediately to an upbeat catchy backing and Andy’s emotionally charged ecstatic vocal . Brilliant .

10) I Love You ( 6’ 29 )

Changing tempo to the more tradition Erasure , yet still subtlety different from the norm , perhaps a song about Andy ?....”You made your bed now lie in it , you masochist of mayhem , this mortal coil is up for grabs in danger forever , I would swear that there must be a thousand personalities inside your head , now I would swear that there must be a thousand possibilities to mend your heart”.

11) A Long Goodbye (5’ 30 )

Romantic parting , mixed emotions , oh what the mind is put through...”You’re so ordinary , your
‘re my sanctuary in the morning darling , new sensation love vibration heart to heart & a long goodbye , you go your way I’ll go my way , life is truer than fiction in this crazy land of milk & honey life is just an illusion”.

~ Conclusion ~

Approximately 75 minutes of slightly unusual Erasure , with no one song being a weak link . For me though tracks 5 , 7 and 9 being the true highlights . Worth a listen and worth a bet to buy blind , you won’t be disappointed. 

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