Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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98 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't call it a comeback...., January 26, 2005
After reading all the pre-release hype surrounding Erasure's "return to form" on their new cd Nightbird, I was torn. The cynic in me thought the finished product would amount to just that - hype. The optimist ( and Erasure lover ) in me was filled with a mixture of excitement and just a little bit of resentment, because I never thought Erasure "went away". Sure, they experimented with their trademark sound and their songwriting, to mostly negative reception from critics and fans alike. But there were MANY sterling moments on their Nineties albums, especially on I Say I Say I Say, Erasure ( my personal favourite ) and Cowboy. They haven't had a Top Forty hit in well over a decade here, and I doubt that will ever change, seeing our radio charts clogged with teen pop, rap, and mindless novelty dance hits. I am happy to say this album is a keeper, despite ( or perhaps because of ) the fact that most of the songs are ballads or have a nice bouncey mid-tempo. One or two songs step up to a bit of a dance beat, but the minor key melodies and somber lyrics keep them from falling squarely into the Hi NRG camp. Although Nightbird is lacking anything as Hi-NRG as STOP! or DRAMA!, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I personally thought those two songs were a bit over the top, the vocals verging on hysterics. This CD sounds great, in regard to the instrumentation, the production and mixing. Nicely layered but subtle. And it thankfully doesn't have that "LO-FI" indie sound that very nearly - literally - sank Loveboat, their last album of original material, which was full of great songs but sounded awful ( I STILL blame producer Flood for that mess ) . The vocals are warm, rich and considerd. Very adult, and not over the top or showy. Lyrically Erasure have never strayed too far from love songs, and Nightbird is no exception. Sentimental, but not sappy. Very well done, gentlemen. And congratulations on your return to the British Top 5 with the first single "Breathe." I'd go over my list of what I consider highlights, but you know how that goes. What I might like or dislike is not necessarily what someone else would like or dislike. But I can say this: If you were a fan of Erasure in the early days but were turned off by their forays into ambient experiments, or their try at simplistic, lo-fi synth and acoustic guitar songs, or the mixed-results covers album, please do yourself a favour and give Nightbird a listen. Borrow a friend's copy. Or just go out and buy it. I think you'll like it.
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42 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Erasure is simply the best!, February 6, 2005
I have loved Erasure since the 80's and they have always been my favorite group. I adored their 80's pop songs in my 20's, then in my 30's I adored their slower more soulful albums: Chorus, I Say I Say I Say and Erasure. Now I am turning 40 and just got Nightbird last week and I love it too. It took a week to grow on me. My first impression was it was too upbeat and full of too many love songs, but after listening to it for a full week, I really love this album! My favorite songs are song #3 and #5.
There is something inspiring about Erasure's music. I am not religious, and do not know if they are, but their songs touch my soul like no other songs can. Erasure's music is healing, loving, relaxing and moving. This album is very upbeat and will have you dancing. Still it is also deeply moving and touching.
Buy Nightbird, Erasure fans will not be dissapointed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the maturity of Erasure, February 16, 2005
I'd like to start by addressing the fans out there that have trashed this album by saying that it isn't as good as (insert your favorite Erasure album here). Tell me, can you identify ONE group from the synth-pop era who is making albums as good as 15 or 20 years ago??? Give Vince and Andy a break!
Not only that, they are OLDER now, I mean do you want to see Andy staggering on as a high-camp queen, kicking up his heels and singing falsetto? They are on a different plane now. Don't tell me that you are the same person you were two decades ago! Everyone grows and matures.
Now, about the album. If you are into comparisons, this fits the Chorus mold, meaning an album that is solid from start to finish, as opposed to a pastiche of different styles, like Wild! In that vein, you could also compare it to I Say, I Say, I Say, I suppose.
Perhaps Erasure could have dared more. It is called Nightbird; maybe they could have played more with the concept of a nightbird. But it is nonetheless a very listenable album.
I cannot believe that there hasn't been more adulation for All This Time Still Falling Out of Love. Everyone seems to be raving about Here I Go Impossible Again, which sounded very OMD the first time I heard it. Not to say that that's a bad thing. But All This Time is very uplifting, and heart-rendering at the same time. Lines like "I want it all" and "God help me" really speak to my heart. Besides, it's a high-NRG, turbo track that you want to crank the volume up for!
Let's Take One More Rocket To the Moon should appeal to I Say fans. I Bet You're Mad at Me sounds almost like something from Chorus, a somber, wintry track. I'll Be There is better than what the critics would have you believe. Sweet Surrender has baffling lyrics, but is another uptempo keeper. I Broke It All in Two is an experience we've all lived. And yes, No Doubt is shades of Sarah Brightman.
All in all, despite the occasional track that sounds a bit generic, this is worth buying. You will like it, as long as you accept that it's no longer the mid-eighties or early nineties!
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