Nightbird [Extra tracks, Import]

This is a highly personal project for both Vince and Andy, both in terms of the songs and the production: Nightbird is the first Erasure album to be solely produced by Erasure themselves. Listen to the lyrics and you'll soon realise that this is ultimately about love; both the good and bad sides of it. The 11 tracks represent a nice mix of slow and up-tempo numbers. Ever present are Vince's trademark synths that make up the catchy riffs and simple bass lines, some of which wouldn't sound out of place on some of Erasure's earlier 90s releases, and Andy's vocals sound as strong as ever. Standout tracks on this solid album include "Here I Go Impossible Again", "Because Our Love Is Real" and "I Broke It All In Two".

If one criticism can be made, it's the lack of Digimpro: anyone who's tinkered with remixing Breathe, the first single taken from the album, with the free Digimpro software that's on the second CD single will be itching to mix some more. Nightbird, however, is without doubt one of Erasure's best pieces of work to date and, while it doesn't quite match the magic of listening to The Circus or The Innocents, its catchy riffs and clever lyrics will become lodged in your brain for some time. Ultimately, Nightbird has the perfect balance of classic pop tunes and sombre love songs. --Martin S

Dance-pop darling Andy Bell and technical innovator Vince Clarke are convinced that this is their best work yet, and are understandably excited. The album is a heartwarming torrent of electro-pop sweetness, making the listener smile (as opposed to puke, a delicate balance).

Nightbird is thus named because of Bell's insomnia, and it's magical listening to it at night. The album sweeps from one glowing, moonlit track to another. Nothing jolts you out of the dreamy, nocturnal trance that is invoked from the opening track. And Clarke has definitely got a bit of a Yazoo thing going on...never a bad thing.

"Here I Go Impossible Again" boasts that trademark Erasure sound, but it's been upped a few notches, making it even more twinkling and all-encompassing than before. Emotive lyrics run throughout the album, and snuggled up next to the hypnotic melodiesthey're sure to have you thinking of someone...

Shining idealism presides over the lyrically heartfelt, romance drenched"Let's Take A Rocket To The Moon". If this doesn't lift you up, nothing will. Who needs self-help books with tracks like this?

"Breathe" is a sweetly sexy, upbeat melody that would turn pop tart Kylie green with envy. This is music to fall in love to. But wait! Before you rush off for a bucket, there's no schmaltz here. The lovestruck lyrics throughout the album are hoisted aloft by clean, shimmering electronica. Beautiful. Likewise "Don't Say You Love Me", released as a single in March, is an OMD inspired stomp that's sure to reawaken the world to whatmadethe pop twosome so special in the first place.

Nightbird is romantic, yes, but it's buoyant with that sense of fun that Erasure have always been known for. Bell and Clarke have clearly settled at a point where they feel comfortable in their skin, and they are at their theatrical best on this album. --Zoe Street

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