Some say I have a strange taste in music, some say its diverse. Others say I have a shite taste in music but I prefer the term eclectic. Anyone who has read my other music reviews will know that I am rather partial to a bit of rock. However there is another side to me.....ooooh yes, I am a huge Erasure fan. I just love their electro pop stuff and no-one can pull off PVC cowboy suits quite like Andy Bell.
A BIT ABOUT THE GROUP
Well, I say group, its more of a duo as there are only 2 members; the wonderfully flambouyant Andy Bell and the keyboard maestro Vince Clarke (formerly of Yazoo and Depeche Mode and most other 80's bands that featured synths).
The group was formed by Clarke in 1985 with Bell being one of the last people to respond to an advert placed by Clarke in a magazine. After hearing countless demos Bell was finally picked as 'the chosen one' and Erasure was born.
DISCOGRAPHY
1986 Wonderland
1987 The Circus
1988 The Innocents
1989 Wild!
1991 Chorus
1992 Pop! The first 20 hits
1994 I Say I Say I Say
1995 Erasure
1997 Cowboy
2000 Loveboat
2003 Other People's Songs
2005 Nightbird
THE ALBUM
Original release date: 24/10/1989
Label: Warner Brothers
TRACK LIST
1. Piano Song [Instrumental]
The album begins with a nice bit of tinkling on the old piano with the syths accompanying. The album also ends with the same track but on the latter one Andy bell sings for the 'Grand Finalle'.
It reminds me a bit on the theme tune to 'Twin peaks'. Short but sweet.
2. Blue Savannah
This was one of the singles off the album. I haven't a clue what is singing about. What is a 'Blue Savannah'? Bell's voice has a strange haunting quality about it on this track. This is set against a funky disco beat. A great pop tune guaranteed to get you singing along and dancing.
'Racing 'cross the desert/ At a hundred miles an hour/ To the orange side/ Through the clouds and thunder.'
3. Drama
This one starts off quite slow before it builds up to the chorus. Its a great dance-a-long tune with strange dirge like backing vocals. Very camp, extremely theatrical - great stuff!
'Your shame is never.....ending/ Just one psychological drama after another.'
4. How Many Times?
A gorgeous little ballad. Bell's voice is simply amazing on this track. It starts with the synths and drum machine before Bell's whispery/ haunting vocals break in. The whole track is quite gentle and quite different to the more disco-like tracks that surround it. Its so sweet that I think that I'm going to cry now.....kinda gets you all emotional......sniff....
'How many times/ Will I regret the chances taken? Why do I end up always the one who is mistaken?'
5. Star
Hooray! Something more upbeat to get me dancing again. Yeee Haaa! Thats more like it!!! Another big hit from the album and a dance floor winner. Energetic synths, big lively vocals and a sing-a-long chorus.
'We go waiting for the stars/ To come showering down? From Moscow to Mars/ Universe falling down.'
6. Gloria
This track is a bit dodgy. It has latino rhythms but to me it sounds like Madness(the group) on Tequila! Still its a fun song that ends with some flamenco guitars. Bell is on form again with the vocals, shame its a bit of a naff song but at least it doesn't take itself too seriously. Ole......Ariba!!!!!
'Oh Suzi you're shaking your red hair/ Disco diva y flamenco chico/ You know the eyes'll all be fixing on you tonight/ La bonita a la vista de un marinero'
7. You Surround Me
This is quite a slow song with more of Bell's soft haunting vocals. The synths are quite muted on this one compared to some of the other tracks. Its a nice little tune though but I find the backing vocals a bit much towards the end.
'Don't ever let me take you for granted/ You've got your finger on the pulse of my soul.'
8. Brother and Sister
Hmmmm, I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one when I first heard it. A great funky intro but it doesn't sound like Andy Bell in places. There are OTT opera/theatrical bits mixed with the funky disco beat. It works well and it grows on you after a few listens.
'Brother& sister & father of mine/ Keep us together & keep us in line, A lot we depend on, a lot we can do/ Send love to mother, I'll be good to you.'
9. 2,000 Miles
Another track thats a bit on the naff side. I think the biggest downfall of this one are the duff uninspired lyrics. There is also some slightly robotic sounding music at the beginning that continues throughout the track as well as some over powering backing vocals.
'Don't go beating me like that/ I'm glad you won't be coming back/ I need to be at least 2,000 miles away from you.'
10. Crown of Thorns
This sounds like it is being sung by a medievel minstral accompanied by synths of course).
Its a very dramatic song thats fantastically sung. Great fun.
'And here we stand/ In old England's land/Shattered glass on the ground/ There are no words/ To console this earth/ To restore old England's pride.'
11. Piano Song
The track that started the album ends it, only this time its a bit longer and has lyrics. Bless him, he sings his little socks off on this track. A slow, understated melody that just allows the vocals to do all the work.
'Never get angry at the stupid people/ Though I go crazy at the dullness of my life/ Sit and I stare into a dusty window? An empty face stares back at me and cries.'
THE VERDICT
I know Erasure aren't to everyones taste and I have generally found a bit of snobbery towards them but I think that they are a great, fun band. They add a bit of sparkle to everything that they do. My kids would disagree though. They have been brought up on a strict diet of rock music so when I played this they looked horrified (even more so when I felt the urge to dance around the kitchen to it). They will learn though! Oh the joys of Erasure!
I would recommend this album as the good far outweighs the bad on it. The weaker tracks such as 2000 miles and La Gloria are such fun that you can't help but enjoy them and sing-a-long. The stand out tracks for me are 'Blue Savannah', 'Drama!', 'How many times?' and 'Star'. Andy Bell's voice is worth the cost of the album alone - boy can that guy belt out a tune.
However, if I have inspired you to go out and buy just one Erasure album I would suggest that you bought 'Pop! The first 20 hits' as it is excellent (it features most of the best tracks off this album). It doesn't have a bad track on it and you'll probably recognise most of them.
So go on, get your dancing pants on and enjoy yourself!
AVAILABILITY
Amazon £6.97
Tesco.com £7.74 delivered
HMV £8.99 delivered
Thanks for reading, Vicki xxxxxxx
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12.06.2006 10:48
Great review. i love these songs im gona have to buy this ?? x
05.06.2006 14:19
A good review, but not my favourite group.
05.06.2006 11:48
Not a band I have ever really liked but it was a good review