Erasure - Nightbird

Genre pop Publisher Mute Records External Links Erasure Mute Records

Despite his quiet, unassuming manner, Vince Clarke was an important figure in the British new wave scene. He was a founding member of Depeche Mode, before leaving to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet. After a string of hits as a duo, he decided once again to leave, and, while scouting out singers for a concept album, met the flamboyant figure of Andy Bell. They formed Erasure, lighting up the charts with irrepressible synth-based pop songs, their career reaching its zenith with their collection of Abba covers, Abba-esque, which gave them their only UK Number One Hit, "Take A Chance on Me." It would be easy to see this new album as yet example of the 1980s revival. But it's unfair to label Erasure as the latest to jump on the nostalgia-fueled bandwagon, as their last record, Other People's Songs was released in 2003. Still, it does feel as if they haven't done very much in the past ten years, but Nightbird sees them heading towards the charts again, with first single "Breathe" already a UK Top 5 hit.

Before I go on, I have a confession to make. I hated Erasure in the 1980s. I was nine years old, I was more of a Pet Shop Boys fan. As time has passed, I've realized that they made some great pop songs, so I was eager to hear this new record, and hopefully atone for the sins of my younger self.

Cheekily, "No Doubt," the first track, starts with very retro-sounding synth and drum beats, a knowing nod to their early days. You then expect the song to launch off from that, spiralling into a hi-NRG dance number. But it doesn't. Instead, we get a drab ballad, with Andy Bell sounding very subdued. The high camp of yesteryear seems to have gone, almost as if he can't reach the high notes anymore. "Here I Go Impossible Again" is very similar; slow and tired vocals over outdated synthesisers. And after "Let's Take One More Rocket To The Moon," which is more of the same, it's a real struggle to gather any enthusiasm for the rest of the album.

Which is a shame, because "Breathe" harkens back to past glories. It's not perfect, as Bell still seems to be a little too slow, but it is upbeat and poppy in all the classic Erasure ways. This is followed up by "I'll Be There," a great dance track, forming a one-two punch that reminds you just how good they were, and how good they can be still.

Sadly, though, of the six songs remaining on the album, only "Don't Say You Love Me" stands out. Starting with vocoded vocals, and a strong dance beat, it has everything you want from an Erasure track. Even Bell's singing seems to pick up a notch doing the transcendent chorus of "Dance 'till we're high you're shy / Don't say you'll cry." It's the highlight of the album, but unfortunately, there's still fifteen minutes to go, all of which are forgettable.

I'm extremely disappointed in Erasure, and in Nightbird. I wanted to like it, I really did, but sadly most of the album is little more than bland aural wallpaper. I will have to atone for my former sins by buying the Greatest Hits instead.