Erasure: Storm Chaser EP
Erasure's Storm Chaser EP is out on September 24th
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Friday, 21, Sep 2007 02:14
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In a nutshell...
Classic synth for 80s fans.
What's it all about?
Erasure continue to prove themselves capable of innovation with a collection of nine tracks - including remixes and new songs - plus a collaboration with Cyndi Lauper to round off the nostalgia trip.
Long-term fans of the band will no doubt welcome the return of some thumping beats and a decent synth track, although there's enough variety to keep most people entertained - this collection is far from being nine reworks of A Little Respect.
In fact, if anything, an LP would have pleased the group's die-hard followers more, as the playlist is something of a brief interlude - but, of course, good things come in small packages and this is no exception.
With three remixes of Storm in a Teacup and two of Sucker For Love, there are actually only six distinct songs on the EP, lengthened by the inclusion of extended versions of both the duplicated tracks.
Who's it by?
Erasure's Who Needs Love (Like That) hit the UK charts in 1985, appearing on the Wonderland album alongside classics such as Oh L'Amour and Heavenly Action.
Hitting the top five four times by the end of the 1980s - including Sometimes and A Little Respect - the band had to wait until 1992 for their first UK number one, a version of Abba's Take a Chance on Me.
Still, they remain ever-present on the music scene and are among the most highly respected groups of their generation.
As an example…
"Sail away / I will go it alone now / Leave my past behind / To seek fortune and fame" - Storm in a Teacup
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
With a big-name group such as Erasure, there's no telling what the critics will do. The nostalgic element suggests half a chance of a lifetime achievement award, but other than that the 80s pop style probably doesn't lend itself to any prizes as being groundbreaking.
What the others say
"The nine-track EP features new, extended and remix versions of tracks taken from their recent album Light at the End of the World. The package also includes the song Early Bird - which features Cyndi Lauper and Andy Bell on vocals" - Side-Line.com
Erasure's Andy Bell on the production of Early Bird: "[Cyndi Lauper] put down the vocals in New York and sent the track back to us. We were quite happy with the result and quite happy to have gotten to know her."
So is it any good?
I like it. But then, I was born in the 80s, grew up in the 80s and still live most of my life in an 80s dreamworld. So anything which involves collaboration between Erasure and Cyndi Lauper is bound to get my vote.
More objectively, the playlist is upbeat and varied, with modern features as well as the classic - and frankly inescapable - technosynth pop sound which made Erasure famous in the first place.
Lauper's vocals are to the standard which will be anticipated by anyone familiar with her less well-known work - the songs produced not purely for a chart position.
And perhaps that's the point here - Early Bird gained Lauper as a vocalist by chance, when she toured with Erasure, an indication that this is a collection put together not purely for commercial gain.
Time to dig out the pop socks and reminisce, I'd say.
8/10
Bob Bardsley
Your comments
"Cyndi Lauper is brilliant! I saw her live.. she blew me away! Absulutely amazing, Erasure is a great 80s band... Andy Bell is great! Ms Lauper is one of the most under-rated female vocalists of this generation!" - Ann Leisering