Erasure - Light at the End of the World
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Free Music Notes for Light at the End of the World
Free Music Review: "Light..." lights up the CD player.
Hit: 4 Stars
For exquisite Euro-pop, you can't go wrong with ERASURE. Sunday Girl [the lead track] is stuck in my brain forever. Very ABBA-esque - and that's a great thing.Free Music Review: Don't expect a solid follow up to Nightbird...
Hit: 3 Stars
I literally just had dinner with a close friend of mine I haven't seen in months... and we have always been Erasure fans going back to 1986. What was one of the topics we chose to talk about? The new Erasure album "Light At The End Of The World". And he pretty much reinforced my thoughts about this new Erasure album. It's a bit of a let down.
We both very much enjoyed "Nightbird". It was a strong collection of songs... and a very welcome return to the music, melodies, lyrics and performances Erasure is known for. Their new album picks up a bit where the last album left off. However... we both agreed. The collection of songs are much weaker and do not stand up to further listens.
Case in point... the melody line for "Sunday Girl" sounds like a song from a children's PBS program. It has this light and airy child like giddyness that doesn't seem Erasure-ish at all to me. The same goes for "Sucker For Love". Listen to a sample of the verses... and we're in some kind of fairy tale Barney program. There's no weight to "Light At The End Of The World" compaired to past Erasure albums. There are only two tracks that we both feel are worth even mentioning... at that would be "I Could Fall In Love With You" (which has that Erasure vibe going) and "Storm In A Teacup" (which is the only song that carries any weight to it).
Like the title of the album states... these tracks are "light" and un-memorable. In addition... for an album that is hailed as a dance oriented project... it sure feels weak in that department. Light on the snares/percussion/kicks - this doesn't much help in the area of strong dance tracks. If you want an example of a recent album that does this much better... look no further than Andy Bell's solo effort "Electric Blue". A far superior album to "Light At The End Of The World" IMO. Or if you don't have "Nightbird"... get that one before taking a chance on this new one.
Just an objective review from a long time fan.
Free Music Review: Blinded By The Vision.
Hit: 3 Stars
Let's be honest, "Light At The End Of The World" is typical Erasure. Last year's "Union" was atypical. Both seem to lack that special Erasure something that grabs you and moves you. "Light At The End Of The World" is functional, well decorated, elaborate in places, but ultimately it lacks what "Chorus", "I Say I Say I Say", "Erasure" and even "Cowboy" or "Nightbird" had--strong, memorable and exciting songs. "Light" just feels tired to me. I mean it's good, but after several listens I can't recite or hum any particular track here. I don't hear a single at all, but I do hear a bunch of pleasant dance tracks that hold together well as a whole album.
Since so many of the songs blur together I can't pinpoint any particular tracks that stand out. The one song I didn't really like was "Glass Angel"--definitely the weakest of the lot. The rest are likeable enough such as "Sunday Girl", "I Could Fall In Love With You", "Storm In A Teacup", "Darlene", "When A Lover Leaves You" and "I Don't Know Why".
Again, to be honest, I didn't think the two bonus tracks added anything special, nor did they detract from the rest of the cd. The sound Erasure is going for on "Light" sure does sound like them, but yet it's not exactly like what they've done before. There are almost no ballads here, which gives this cd a sort of repetitive and monotonous tone. I didn't thoroughly enjoy "Nightbird", but I think that cd was better than this one. Andy Bell's "Electric Blue" might also be better than "Light". It had more memorable songs, and it also seemed more modern sounding.
I suppose if you are an Erasure fan like me, you will pick this up, and it's not that bad, hence the three stars equals average.
Free Music Review: Not their best and certainly not their worst.
Hit: 3 Stars
This is not a bad album, but it is not their best. I agree that this returns to the dancier pop sounds of Chorus and prior albums. Still, it is missing that that depth and originality that will make these songs classics similar to A Little Respect, Blue Savannah, I Love To Hate You or Always.
What you have here is a polished, enjoyable but somewhat samey sounding album. I love this band, and I really want to love this, but it just seems like an average album to me. I guess all fans will have their favorites. I lean more towards the synthy sweetness of I Say X 3 and the ambient explorations of the Erasure album. Regardless of my thoughts on this album, I am thrilled that Vince and Andy continue to make music and tour the US.
Highlights of this release for me are Storm In A Teacup, Fly Away and When A Lover Leaves You.
Free Music Review: Ok, but there have been better
Hit: 3 Stars
I don't usually like CDs the first time I hear them unless exceptionally good. this was no exception. The music is good but the vocals are often drowned out by too loud music. The music is mostly good and the vocals are good but most of the songs I believe aren't up to their caliber. Feels rushed to prove a point they are still relevant. Nightbird was good and well done and only a couple of years ago. I don't see why it had to be rushed. I do like the album better now after a few times but still lyrics are not the greatest. If a fan of course you must have. If new to Erasure try Erasure, Cowboy, or Nightbird first.