Erasure
Chorus

THE REVIEW

The beginning of a new decade, a new page, an album connecting the present and past, and, above all, the last great commercial success for Erasure, "Chorus", dated 1991. Thanks to the formidable sense of melody of an electronic wizard like Vince Clarke and the fresh and lively vocals as well as the undeniable charisma of frontman Andy Bell, this duo established themselves as one of the most interesting and remarkable realities of pop in the second half of the '80s, and this album certainly represents one of their most complete and characteristic expressions. It is indeed with "Chorus" that the transition occurs from the light and sparkling synth pop that had brought them success to the more refined and reflective sounds of their mid-'90s works.

"Chorus" can be considered the last chapter of a trilogy including the previous "The Innocents" and "Wild!" in terms of commercial response, but de facto represents the beginning of an evolutionary journey that will reach its completion with "I Say I Say I Say" and especially "Erasure". There is no lack of a good dose of liveliness and lightness expressed in episodes like the title track, which honors its illustrative title, the fun "Love To Hate You" that cites the epic evergreen "I Will Survive" and especially "Breath Of Life", fantastic with its hypnotic and compelling pace, but already in these tracks, the stylistic change is perfectly noticeable, a more sober approach, more inclined towards a mature electronic pop, in Andy's singing as well as in the sounds, which now focus decidedly more on elegance than on the bright colors of the past, and this is luminously demonstrated with episodes like "Waiting For The Day" and "Joan", characterized by splendid warm and enveloping melodies. "Chorus" also indicates the new stylistic direction that will be undertaken by Erasure with "I Say I Say I Say", namely electronic ballads of great depth and sophistication in which Andy Bell manages to give his best not only as a singer but also as a lyricist, just think of the evocative, sweet, and melancholic "Am I Right", the ecstatic and contemplative atmosphere of "Siren Song", the subtle and reflective charm of "Turns The Love To Anger" and "Perfect Stranger", visionary new-age echoes in the splendid closure "Home", in my opinion, the qualitative peak of the work.

"Chorus" is an album simply splendid, impeccable and flawless: ten songs, no dead points, no inconsistencies; perfect melodies, excellent lyrics, and truly remarkable sonic fluidity; from the beginning of their career, Erasure, in their being pop songwriters, have always been so with competence and class to spare, and with this album a positive and proactive evolution is observed; the definitive quality leap. Inspired, convincing, and perfectly balanced, "Chorus" definitively consecrates Andy Bell and Vince Clarke among the greatest names in pop history, deservedly so.