Nightbird - Erasure

Introduction Ever since the 2000 millennium, some fans would have said that Erasure were on a downward slide. In 2000, the band released the experimental album Loveboat which proved the duo’s versatility but regardless, the album was a commercial failure as well as being hit and miss within the fan base. By 2003, the band showed signs of a return to their classic sound with the covers album Other People’s Songs. Despite being a commercial success, some fans were still disappointed in the album whilst longing for new material to be written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell themselves. In 2004, the ... more

I've left it far too long to review this excellent Erasure album, so without further ado... this disc dates from 2005, and frankly its highest chart position of no. 27 was an absolute travesty. Okay, so synthpop - and, let's face it, Erasure themselves - had rather gone out of favour since the heady days of the late 1980s and early 1990s, when four successive albums hit the top spot. Even so, it seems rather ridiculous that Nightbird did so poorly, especially considering that its best known song, "Breathe", reached number four as a single. Coincidentally, "Breathe" is also track four on the CD ... more

I was brought up on Erasure, being an 80's child and having a young mum, she clubbed to them (and now I do - eurgh, weird.) Anyways, I was brought up knowing classics like 'Oh L'Amour', 'A Little Respect' and 'Love To Hate You' plus their ABBA covers. However, I never would have classified myself as a major fan. The last song I liked was there cover of 'Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)' but I didn't buy it. In the last few years they did a covers album and another greatest hits, so 'Nightbird' is there first new material in a while. I probably wouldn't have got this is if a) it hadnt been ... more

Backdrop Finally in February 2005 and after many a months delay ( it was due to be launched in October '04 ) , 'Nightbird' , Erasures 1st studio album in 4 years was finally unleashed upon an eager crowd .Also unleased at the same time was Andy's HIV status and news that Vince had finally wed ( in a registry office followed by fish & chip reception - who says all pop stars are pretentious ) . Erasure's pop career can be likened to a hot air ballon , after a slow take off ( it took two years for 'Wonderland' to become a hit ) , a steady rise to reach the ( regular ) heady heights of No. 1 ... more

Erasure’s career is like a hot air balloon ride. There was the slow take off, heights of early promise, the ups and downs, but there’s pop helium to spare for some time yet. Andy may soon need some to get his ageing vocal cords to hit those high notes! Despite the pop plateau they reached in the 90s, the colourful synth-pop duo never fail to surprise. When everyone was name-checking the band a couple of years ago and the time was ripe for a come-back, they released an album of bland covers. This time around they seem to be more commercially canny. Carefully timed press coverage and ... more