Kudos to vocalist Andy Bell, for following his partner in rhyme Vince Clarke’s brief but successful forays with Depeche Mode, Yazoo and The Assembly he’s actually managed to get a commitment from the synth boffin that’s now lasted almost 20 years. And The Assembly involved guest vocalists for their few releases!
Set 'em up, bartender!
Making their name via insanely catchy three-minute pop tunes tied to dancefloor beats, Erasure have clocked up an amazing legacy over their elongated chart tenure. All the single mixes (well, except for their limited-as take on disco classic Supernature, although it shows up on the bonus disc in live form) show up here including all the ABBA covers, enough to send any fan of Clarke’s wonderful Fisher Price toy-styled plinky-plonk pop tunes absolutely gaga.
From the wonderfully cheesy Who Needs Love (Like That) through, well, pretty much every other delightfully cheesy clip they’ve ever pumped out, Clarke’s knack for a killer pop hook can never be questioned, whilst Bell’s often opera-esque voice adds the gravitas required from such light (but did we mention catchy?) melodies.
Track listing…
Who Needs Love (Like That)
Heavenly Action
Oh L’Amour
Sometimes
It Doesn't Have to Be
Victim of Love
The Circus
Ship of Fools
Chains of Love
A Little Respect
Stop!
Drama!
You Surround Me
Blue Savannah
Star
Chorus
Love to Hate You
Am I Right?
Breath of Life
Lay All Your Love on Me
S.O.S.
Take a Chance on Me
Voulez Vous
Always
Run to the Sun
I Love Saturday
Stay With Me
Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day)
Rock Me Gently
In My Arms
Don’t Say Your Love is Killing Me
Rain Freedom
Solsbury Hill
Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)
Video
Audio
Extras
Contract
The video - unsurprisingly presented in a 4:3 ratio throughout - is a typical mixed bag of quality, with a trail of grain dwindling as the clips get newer.
Sound is stock standard Dolby Digital stereo, true to the original releases, but not the wowiest you’ll ever hear. A PCM mix would have been desirable to lend things that extra punch, but it didn’t happen so this sentence is basically a waste of everybody’s time.
A rare glimpse of Vince Clarke's audition for the lead in Shrek - the Musical.
A second disc is stuffed with interviews via six EPKs varying in length from four and a half minutes to over half an hour. Ranging from 1991’s ChorusHits!, many a juicy factoid is thrown up, while a selection of TV appearances, alternative clips and five live tracks from through the years (’87-’96) add excellent value. A few bonus clips are hidden away as eggies, too – check our Easter eggs section for more info.
Amazon Women on the Moon "...worth a look if you’ve never before had the pleasure. Bullshit, or not?"
Jack & Sarah "Proving that simplicity is no obstruction to brilliance, this is an ultimately sweet (but not sickeningly so) tale that gives all those bigger English films out there a more than respectable run for their money... "