Erasure
Nightbird
(Sony)
Those old masters of bubblegum electropop, Erasure, are at it again with their latest release, Nightbird.
Nineteen years after first album, Wonderland, and years after some of their finest hits, such as Victim of Love, Chains of Love, Oh l'Amour and Little Respect, Vince Clarke and Andy Bell are back with more of their syrupy, synth magic.
Nightbird is, curiously for such an archetypal 80s outfit, a performance typical of an album band. While there are a number of obvious hits on the album, there is a consistency of sound and quality in the songs that runs throughout the album.
Obvious hit candidates are All This Time Still, Let's Take One More Rocket to the Moon and I'll be There. The only track that lets the album down for me is the rather forced Because Our Love is Real.
The electronic recording skills of Vince Clarke ensure Erasure's trademark sound on the album, with electric bass and drums laying the foundation for Andy Bell's keening vocals. In and around this the various plinks, plonks and swirling keyboards fill in the gaps perfectly.
You'd expect top quality from such veterans of the pop scene. Vince Clarke, remember, was part of Yazoo with Alison Moyet in the early 80s after helping found pop giants Depeche Mode.
Andy Bell has been a standout figure on the pop scene since the band's formation in 1985, with his easily identifiable voice and being one of the first openly gay pop stars.
Break out the glitter and get ready to dance, Erasure fans. This is a high quality recording from a high quality pop band.