Customer Reviews

Phantom Bride EP [IMPORT]

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, here is the tracklisting:

1. Phantom Bride - 2009 Re-master
2. Hallowed Ground - Vincent Clarke's Big-Mix
3. Chains Of Love - Almighty 12" Essential Mix
4. Phantom Bride - Ghostly Groom Dub by FrankMusik
5. A Little Respect - Wayne G & Alan Allder Hurdy Gurdy Club Mix
6. Heart Of Stone - Joebot's `Ounce Of Bounce' Remix
7. Phantom Bride - Dogmatix's 12" Tearless Mix
8. Chains Of Love - Plastic Operator Remix

It's hard to believe, but it has been 21 years since Erasure released their venerable album, The Innocents. It charted in the top 50 in the US, finally bringing the duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke into the consciousness of American radio waves. It also happened to be my first Erasure album. I immediately fell in love with Andy's voice and Vince's one-man synth explosion. I rushed out to buy their first two albums, Wonderland and Circus and every Erasure album since. However, no other album brings me back to those happy days as a young Erasure listener than The Innocents. Phantom Bride was one of my favorite songs on the album and I am ecstatic that they released it as an EP for their re-mastered 21st anniversary release of The Innocents.

Phantom Bride (2009 Re-master)
The re-mastered version of Phantom Bride has NEVER sounded better. This classic should have been released as a single the first time around. Better late than never!

Hallowed Ground (Vincent Clarke's Big-Mix)
Vince's mix doesn't stray too far from the original and retains much of what made Hallowed Ground so easy to sing along to.

Chains of Love (Almighty 12" Essential Mix)
This might be my favorite mix on the EP. The beat is definitely danceable and you'll be shouting the chorus with glee :) If a club were playing this right now, I'd pay the cover and run onto the dance floor stat!

Phantom Bride (Ghostly Groom Dub by FrankMusik)
This mix has grown on me a little but I was annoyed with it at first. I typically do not like remixes that nearly strip away all of the original song. I like Erasure because I like listening to Andy's voice but this mix just throws in annoying samples that make Andy sound like he's singing in a cave.

A Little Respect (Wayne G & Alan Allder Hurdy Gurdy Club Mix)
The original Extended Mix of A Little Respect is better. This version is still good as the Andy's vocals are still ever present and the beat is more up-tempo, hence the "club mix."

Heart of Stone (Joebot's `Ounce of Bounce' Remix)
Joebot should have left out the bounce in this mix. I don't think Heart of Stone needed to be remixed, just re-mastered. Parts of this mix sound like an electronic whoopee cushion. This is my least favorite mix on the EP.

Phantom Bride (Dogmatix's 12" Tearless Mix)
Thing is with this mix, the music is pretty good, but it just doesn't go with the song. Again, a lot of use of samples from the original integrated into music that just does not blend in a cohesive way.

Chains of Love (Plastic Operator Mix)
Ouch. It sounds like one of those Happy Hardcore mixes, which are not my favorites. At least it's really Andy singing, not a chipmunk.

FINAL THOUGHTS
If you're considering buying this EP, you are probably a hardcore fan and nothing I say will keep you from buying it. Nothing would stop me either. There are enough fun mixes to get you in the mood for the re-mastered The Innocents. I hope they release more EP's from the re-master and I am giddy in anticipation for their next studio album, due out in late 2010. Twenty-three years and counting boys. Keep it up!

This is an awesome follow up to their Senior Album "The Innocents", I had always hoped that remixes for this album exsisted and would eventually come out. The songs are all fantastic and I feel any Erasure fan will love them. The Remixes are for the Most part very Well composed. I Love the Fact that more than just the titled was Remixed. I Thoroughly enjoy each song for it's own value. Great Job Andy and Vince, You's Guy's still Got it!!!!

I was expecting this EP a little better than it was,,,not a total loss,,, the mixes of "A Little Respect and Hallowed Ground" are not too bad but the rest of the CD seems a little too "PoP-" for me,,,,But if you love Erasure it is a must have,,,,