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Review: Evelyn O'Connell
NIGHTBIRD is Erasure's first album of new and original
material since 2000’s Loveboat, with a huge serving
of Vince’s lovely synths and Andy’s amazing strong
vocals, trampling any rumours that the duo are no longer the purveyors
of fine pop they once were.
Nightbird is the first Erasure album to be solely produced
by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke. Listening to the lyrics, the realisation
is that this album is about love, the ups and downs that affect
us all, and Erasure are at their best when they write about love.
The 11 songs are a fantastic mix of slow and faster paced tracks.
Trademark synths from Vince are as they have always been, making
up the catchy tunes which wouldn’t be out of place on any
of Erasure’s early ‘90’s hits, but don’t
take that as criticism.
Synths are what Erasure are good at and they’ve learned
this from the amount of time they’ve been together. It is
demonstrated in the hits they’ve had; so why change something
that works so well?
The album opens with No Doubt, an amazing song that
is almost ethereal, and sets the scene for the magical environment
Vince and Andy have cast together.
Stand out tracks for me include their last release Breathe,
which reached number 6 in the charts, Let's Take One More
Rocket To The Moon, I’ll Be There and I
Bet You’re Mad At Me.
All This Time Still Falling Out Of Love is a body moving
dance anthem that is right up there with Love To Hate You
and Breathe, which heralded the return to Erasure’s
classically heartfelt best, is secretly infectious.
This album is without any doubt Erasure’s most relaxed
and also upbeat.
Nightbird is one of their best pieces of work to date
and while it doesn’t quite reach the standard of The
Circus or The Innocents, it is certainly catchy
and clever, and I really cannot emphasise enough just how strong
and outstanding Andy’s vocals are - they really blow you
away.
A perfect balance of classic pop tunes and dance love songs.
Every track is distinct from the last with its added dash of Erasure
magic installed within.
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