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Erasure - The Innocents [Album]

Mute Records

by Cristina M, January 15th, 2010 and has been Read 4626 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire January 15th, 2010.

Pop. A label often misused in music. This may be because of the low quality on offer nowadays and is no thanks to all the reality show rejects recording an album of forgettable tracks with the help of some top notch software. But ‘pop’ seems to be slowly becoming synonymous of some kind of bland, disposable music meant to meet everyone’s taste without impressing anyone for longer than two weeks. Something for eleven years old kids, identifying themselves with footballer’s wives and buying some pretty lasses single because of her marital status.

Once upon a time though, things were different... Twenty-one years ago, Erasure, aka Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, also known for his work in Depeche Mode and Yazoo gave birth to a collection of pop gems that Westlife couldn’t think of even in their wildest dreams. An album that with a couple of good listens will make Peter Andre go wet and tearful and realize it’s time to hit the Job Centre and find a normal job. That album was called “The Innocents,” and Mute Records decided to celebrate its twenty-first birthday with an excellent re-mastered version, for which we’re all extremely grateful.

Synth Pop is not generally such a multicoloured display of emotions, but Ivor Novello Prize Winner Vince Clarke is the exception to the rule. His songwriting and keyboard work, coupled with Andy Bell’s vibrant touchy vocal chords reaches the listener in depth from the first note of hit single ‘A little respect.’ Unsure if it’s a rollercoaster or a giant bouncy castle you’ve ended up on, you won’t be able to keep your feet still or hold yourself from singing along. “I’m so in love with youuuuuuu, I’ll be forever bluuuuuuuueeeee...”

Opening with a single of this pop grandness is something you can only do if you have enough goods to back it up and fill the rest of the album to a close standard. ‘Ship of Fools,’ although indeed beautiful, is a bit darker, ‘Phantom Bride’ is another uplifting ride on a colourful rainbow and Andy Bell is probably the only human being that can sing “Don’t you cry, let me wipe away the tears from your eyes” and actually make you stop rather than run for more tissues. ‘Chains of love’ is such a sweet happy feel good song. More bouncing and shaking to come with ‘Yahoo’ with its gospel style backing vocals. ‘Imagination’ follows which may be not as good as the rest of this album, but still would make John McElderry cry in Simon Cowell’s arms.

The re-master subtly gives this album a slightly more updated feel, without changing the substance or spoiling that vintage atmosphere. Listen to this in the morning to face the day with a smile, and in the evening for some sweet dreams. Have it on for a dancing party or for a chilled night in with your favourite book. Play it on your bad days to make the world look pink again, and on the good ones to make that pink turn neon fuchsia. This is pop the way it is meant to be.