Erasure Pop 20 Hits CD

singles band if ever there was one, the hits on Pop make the duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke of Erasure sound like the Rodgers & Hammerstein of synth-pop disco. With the exception of The Circus and The Innocents albums, most of Erasure's full lengths house only a few brief moments of brilliance, the rest of the songs being limp and uninspired. But putting songs like "Blue Savannah" with its sweeping loveliness, the haunting "Ship of Fools," and the campy, raucous "Love to Hate You" all on the same disc shows that when Erasure is on, they shine like a thousand-carat tiara. The energetic and electronic disco is front and center here with "Oh L'Amour" and the audience participation number "Stop!," but the beautifully crafted "Sometimes" shows the band's true potential. The irrepressible melody line is punctuated by an acoustic riff and a melancholy trumpet solo that actually has to do its best to keep up with Bell's warm lament. An indispensable collection. -- Steve Gdula Track Listings 1Who Needs Love Like That2Heavenly Action3Oh L'amour4Sometimes5It Doesn't Have To Be6Victim Of Love7The Circus8Ship Of Fools9Chains Of Love10A Little Respect11Stop!12Drama!13You Surround Me14Blue Savannah15Star16Chorus17Love To Hate You18Am I Right?19Breath Of Life20Take A Chance On Me - M.C. Kinky