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If there was any justice in this cruel cold world then "Light at the end of the world" - erasure's new studio album - would change all that. Despite constant digs, laughs and sneers from a world that likes their electro pop a little bit more grown-up, erasure don't last this long by being a one trick pony. It's not difficult to see why erasure remain together. Still on the same independant label at Mute, Erasure have stubbornly refused to become yet another "80's act" doing Butlins or living too strongly on their past glories. They continue to make music because they like each other. They cover Abba because they like Abba. They do great live shows because they like to be entertaining. They are or should be a national treasure. A British pop act from a working class background with one of the most fan-friendly reputations in the music scene. So why are there so many doubters? People will always pigeonhole pop music and wonder how relevant erasure are in 2007. But it's a question erasure constantly answer on every album they ever make. They aren't competing for coolness. They are writing pop songs and pop music is always relevant. Just a few seconds into opening track "Sunday Girl", You are expectant. Opening like the old Smash advert, Vince's eastern-sounding keyboards kick in and we're away on an epic three minute pop journey. And what pop it is. This is wet-your-pants Cristiano Ronaldo in glitterpants dazzling all-comers premiership champions pop. It's the sort of song pop stars used to write - Abba would've had a number one for 12 weeks with this and it would have packed every dancefloor from North to South. Vince Clarke said he could imagine Ray Davies singing this and he's absolutely spot on. It's melodic to the core. A Simple singalong joyous chorus with Clarke's still stunning ability to instinctively know what will work. It might just be the greatest song they've ever recorded. "Sucker for love" raises the temperature still further. This is a song full of crazed energy, full on camp and with a real gospel-ish feel to it throughout despite the unrelenting pace. "You got to rise, rise, rise" sings Bell almost 3 minutes in and you can see him there in the studio with a little smile on his face. He's having a right ball. This surely should be the third single from the album. Recent single "I Could Fall in love with you" released Clarke from his "mid tempo crisis" and put Erasure firmly on the dancefloor again. But when the pace drops, something unexpected happens. "Storm in a teacup" is one of the most beautiful songs you'll hear this year - and certainly one of the most personal. Bell who lyrically sometimes shies away from getting too personal about himself opens up his heart in dramatic style. A song about his family and in particular his mother's addiction to booze has him soulfully singing his heart out. "I'm just saying, I want my mummy back, lost her to the drink but her soul's in-tact" he opens and there wont be too many dry eyes left in the house. The song sounds as if it wouldn't be out of place on Madonna's "Ray of Light" album with an infectious chorus that glides beautifully - music and vocals in total harmony. Everything else on the album requires time and effort. One or two plays wont convince you. This is ultimately what makes "Light at the end of the world" erasure's best ever in their career. But slowly and surely, every single track on this album leaves its mark. What's remarkable about this is that Erasure dont sound particularly fresh in sound - Vince is sounding more yazoo than even yazoo were on occasions here! but unlike some previous albums, he is also more refreshed - and Bell's lyrics still develop the joys and woes of love. What is becoming apparant though is the layers of warmth that erasure absolutely ooze. "When a lover leaves you" is an example - it opens up threatening to spill into some old rave tune but settles instead to concentrate on melody. Classic and delicious sounding Clarke synths mix well with a total comfort in Bell's voice. And not only comfort but a cry too. He does push himself a bit on this record but even in the understated moments, Bell has a real bite in his vocals that gradually reveal him as a very fine singer even if some of his high range has been lost. "Darlene" is another example. Tunes you'll be humming and singing in the shower, on washing the dishes, on walking around the supermarket, on waking up of a morning. Such subtlety on offer here that you really need some decent headphones to fully take in what's happening..Andy's gorgeous backing vocals, Vince's clever chord changes. It's like old friends singing to you and sending shivers up and down your body. They are one of very few bands who have that effortless ability to touch the listener. Maybe too it's because they have both reached their comfort zone in their fourties as there's a real spiritual aspect to this record. Songs like "Golden Heart", "Fly Away" and "How My Eyes Adore You" are nothing like erasure of old. The feel to some of these songs is so huge, so warm, so comfortable and so solid that they sound like the band is undergoing some sort of religious experience. During the end of "How My Eyes Adore You" - you are almost waiting for the gospel choir to lift the song to heaven and beyond. My headphones were almost bursting to the sounds of angels. A total celebration. Of what though? Pop music? Love? Survival? life itself with all of its flaws. Closer "Glass Angel" is one of the darkest things they've done in years but yet despite the icy ambient sounds, Bell injects more spiritual tones to end the album in such a swirling, electro-opera style that it is simply dazzling. "Talk with me, walk with me, bury me, stay with me" he sings and you hear it there and then. The man who looked at times as if he could kill for his freedom to be himself live on stage all those years ago is very much back in the frontline again..The vocal sounds so commanding that there isn't much room to absorb Clarke's theatrical like background. It's over far too quickly but that's always been their motto: give them just enough to make them wanting more. Only this time, I think they are totally convincing. No if's, but's or maybe's. Erasure have released an album that should be loved and admired by anyone who loves pop music.
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