Erasure: Hits

By: Erik Swift

December 2003

DVD Features Video: 1.33:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Bonus disc with alternate performances from TV appearances, live concerts, and short films Easter egg hidden videos of the original “Oh L’Amour/Who Needs Love” and “Wooden Heart” Six Promotional Documentaries 1991- Chours 1992- Pop! 1994- I Say I Say I Say 1995- Erasure 1997- Cowboy 2003- Hits DVD released on 11/18/2003 by Rhino Disc One Who Needs Love Like That Heavenly Action Oh L’Armour Sometimes It Doesn’t Have To Be Victim Of Love The Circus Ship Of Fools Chains Of Love A Little Respect Stop! Drama! You Surround Me Blue Savannah Star Chorus Love To Hate You Am I Right? Breath Of Life Lay All Your Love On Me S.O.S Take A Chance On Me Voulez Vous Always Run To The Sun I Love Saturday Stay With Me Fingers And Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day) Rock Me Gently In My Arms Don’t Say Your Love Is Killing Me Rain Freedom Solsbury Hill Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) Disc Two Sometimes: Top Of The Pops Debut November 1986 Sono Luminus Acoustic Version 1995 In My Arms U.S Version 1997 Too Darn Hott Taken From Red Hot + Blue 1990 Live! Leave Me To Bleed The Circus Tour 1987 A Little Respect The Innocents Tour 1988 Supernature Wild! Tour 1989 Waiting For The Day Phantasmagorical Entertainment 1992 Fingers And Thumbs (Cold Summers Day) The Tiny Tour 1996

Erasure was the brainchild of former Depeche Mode and Yazoo member Vince Clarke. Never the person to remain with one collaborator for long, his legendary synth-pop creations laid the groundwork for electronica. Exasperated by Alison Moyet during their tenure in Yazoo and unable to create music with anyone long-term, he hit the point where he couldn’t lose anything by placing a classified ad in Melody Maker seeking a singer. 21-year-old Andy Bell was selected from 40 applicants, and together they teamed up to make some of the more infectious grooves of the era. They were the British Penn & Teller – the towering Bell’s flamboyant persona coupled with the shorter moody-looking Clarke produced a cult of fans known as Erasureheads. They despised making videos, and even admit to it twice on the very thorough “Hits! The Videos,” courtesy of Rhino Records.

Their early films are dark in style and lighting. Brightness arrives suddenly in “Ship Of Fools,” but the pair would soon become more visually adventuresome. Guru Kevin Godley directed “Blue Savannah,” which uses color to an incredible extreme. The best video here, it’s clear that the director had improved since “Girls On Film” a decade earlier. David Mallet directed a pair of nifty contributions (“Chorus” and “Love To Hate You”) that feature great camerawork. The minimalist look of “Am I Right?” contrasts sharply with the truly original “Don’t Say Your Love Is Killing Me,” a clip that sees Bell dragged around various settings. When an EP of Abba covers appeared during the grunge years, their record sales inevitably slipped. The second disc of live cuts and bonus videos will satisfy any fan, especially the Cole Porter cover “Too Darn Hot.” Released in 1990 on the benefit disc “Red Hot + Blue,” a VHS was the only copy available as a master source. Regardless, it’s a blast to watch because Bell and Clarke actually look like they’re having fun during the mock newscast. The six documentaries also included made me seek out “Liberty” in relief. For any Erasurehead, this is nearly five hours of heaven.

With a host of extras, alternate clips and informational featurettes,  Erasure provides the basics and beyond for die-hards and novices alike.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!