Pop - The First 20 Hits - Erasure

...remembered for their uplifting, catchy pop songs that lit up the charts on many occaisions. This album was released in 1992 and went straight to no.1 where it spent the next 5 weeks. Thanks to Wheatus covering their hit 'a little respect' the album has been re-released and given a new lease of life and looks set to gallop up the charts once again.

Tracks:

1. who needs love like that - Their first release flopped at no.55. ...
...in perfectly with the electro pop era.
2. Heavenly action - Also flopped at no. 100 (that's what i can a good flop). Very much in the same vein as the first track.
3. Oh l'amour - Again it flopped at no.85. A great ballad but lacks the power of the previous 2.

4. Sometimes - There first big hit stormed in at no.2. Very lively and up-tempo with good strong vocals from Andy.
5. It doesn't have to be like that - ... more

Erasure do seem to be experiencing difficult times recently (their latest album flopped sensationally at no.45) but they will always be remembered for their uplifting, catchy pop songs that lit up the charts on many occaisions. This album was released in 1992 and went straight to no.1 where it spent the next 5 weeks. Thanks to Wheatus covering their hit 'a little respect' the album has been re-released and given a new lease of life and looks set to gallop up the charts once again.

Tracks:

1. who needs love like that - Their first release flopped at no.55. An ultra camp beat along with Andy Bells' great voice fitted in perfectly with the electro pop era.
2. Heavenly action - Also flopped at no. 100 (that's what i can a good flop). Very much in the same vein as the first track.
3. Oh l'amour - Again it flopped at no.85. A great ballad but lacks the power of the previous 2.

4. Sometimes - There first big hit stormed in at no.2. Very lively and up-tempo with good strong vocals from Andy.
5. It doesn't have to be like that - Another up-tempo track but really did lack the 'umpf' of 'sometimes'. It was nice and energetic and reached no.12.
6. Victim of love - Carrying on with up-tempo songs (hey if it ain't broke then don't fix it) this is a camp classic. Reached no.7.

7. Circus - Slowing right down for this one, Andy's vocals are perfect. Great lyrics and impeccable music makes this one of my faves.
8. Ship of fools - Another powerful ballad that doesn't sound too dissimilar to the previous one. And the similarities don't stop there - they both reached no.6!
9. Chains of love - Ditching the ballads the duo once again move to disco for this one. Andy's vocals along with the music are so uplifting and this is a great feel good song which got to no.11.

10. A little respect - A good disoc classic. Again uplifting vocals set against a pleasant mid-tempo beat that always brings a smile to my face. Wheatus currently have a cover version in the charts which sounds quite awful compared.
11. Stop - No disco/club/wedding 'do' was complete without this classic being belted out alleast 4 or 5 times. Very up-tempo, an ultra catchy chorus and again Andy's strong vocals makes this quite possably my favourite track.
12. Drama - This is one of only a couple of tracks that, to me, just doesn't stand upto the quality of the others. However loads of peopleliked it and it soared to no.4.

13. You surround me - A much darker, moody song than they had ever released previously. Doesn't know whether it wants to be played in a club or or be classed as a ballad.
14. Blue Savannah - This one got loads of people dancing around their handbags (i don't know what the women danced around though). A gentle disco beat with even more gentle vocals. A grower.
15. Star - Wow, back to the faster tracks and raise-the-roof style vocals. Very fast and extremely catchy. Went to no.11.

16. Chorus - A lot of people would say that this was Erasure on the finest form. Lively and cheerful but i didn't like the vocals arrangments much. Reached no.3
17. I love to hate you - One of the stand out tracks from the whole album. A great dance beat complimented by Andys soaring vocals made this a huge smash.No.4.
18.Am i right? - Hmmm...this was the other i'm not sure about. It sounds too drippy and depressing for Erasure and would be more suited to U2. Not there finest moment.Reached no.15.

19. Breath of life - This is such a weird song to descibe as it's neither up-tempo or a ballad so the best way to describe it would be electro ballad. But i'm sure that went a few years before.
20. Take a chance on me - Ahhh...abba esque. This e.p gave Erasure their only no.1 to date. This, along with the other 3 tracks on the e.p (lay all your love on me, voulex-vous, s.o.s) sound almost europop but just are not quite fast enough. They certainly did the original justice and features an excellent rap by M.C Kinky.
21. Who needs love like that (hamburg mix) - They didn't really alter the original at all except for making it a little faster with a bit more of a disco kick. Worked well as it reached no.10.

So there you have a brief low down on all the tracks. Which were your favourites? You've got to have one! My personal favourites are 'stop', 'a little respect' and 'I love to hate you'. All 3 of which are up-tempo and up-lifting and everytime i hear them it brings a smile to my face.

Erasures' mixture of electro pop, great lyrics and excellent vocals must make them one of the greatest british pop acts of all time by now.
Erasure certainly have contributed there fair share of fantastic pop songs to the charts and are still producing hit worthy songs, although obviously not everyone feels the same. This album should be on the new release shelves in your local music retailer now, so if you like the sound of it then go and purchase straight away.
 

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