Much like The Magic Numbers (see below), Erasure are trying to bolster flagging album sales with an EP of new and remixed materials that allows their die hard fans to get some additional tunes that would normally just end up as an mp3 file on Vince Clark’s casio keyboard. Which is a shame, because again, like The Magic Numbers (and Sophie Ellis Bextor), Erasure can be relied upon to put out solid, well crafted pop tunes. The standout tracks from the good but not great Light At The End Of The World album are reswizzled for this release (the title track and Sucker for Love) and it’s one of those that is the highlight here. When A Lover Leaves You should have definitely been a single in it’s own right with its tender lyrics and gentle percussion (reminiscent of Scissor Sisters Just Might Tell You Tonight). Still it gets a decent airing for fans here, and as a bonus the duet with Cyndi Lauper is featured – Early Bird, which is about as perky and poppy as either of the acts get.
The Magic Numbers ~ Undecided EP:
Less tracks than Erasure’s EP, but rather more expensive. The trade off is that this features more original songs that one can’t help but feel were leftovers from their disappointingly received sophomore set. Title track is an edited version of one of the more powerful tracks from their Those The Brokes album, and the concise version tightens up the appeal of the song, while still awash in the trademark harmonies the group are now famous for. It’s a beautiful vehicle for Michelle’s lovely vocal style and has the most melancholy melody I’ve heard for a while. An alternate take of album track Let Somebody In does nothing to alter my opinion that it is a solid album track ~ perfectly Magic Numbers but rather uninspiring compared to some of their greater material. The remainder of the new tracks are a mixed bag ~ none of them particularly bad, are more reminders that the group are a slightly more lyrically accomplished Wilson Phillips for the new millennium. One new track ~ Tonight ~ does show, however, that when they are at their best, the Numbers can eschew unadulterated pop goodness for something far more complex and indepth, showcasing their nuanced understanding of the intricate workings of the romantic heart. A patchy yet fine addition to their overlooked sophomore set...
