Critical Quote "The song interpretations coexist nicely with the originals
rather than make anyone forget them, but there’s a more important
breakthrough here: Erasure hasn’t been this fun in years."
- Advocate.com
Onge Review Other People's Songs
is an eclectic collection of cover version that have been given the
Erasure treatment.
Initially an Andy Bell side project, this album was recorded in close
attendance with producer Gareth Jones (who had previously co-produced
the Wild!, Erasure and Cowboy albums),
so much so that the proceeds of the album are split three ways between
the Andy and Vince and their producer. The album opens with Solsbury
Hill, which boasts a rich and lush arrangement. This mix,
which is infinitely better than the diluted Mike Spencer Radio Mix,
is impeccably produced which goes some way to laying to ghosts of
Loveboat's amateur sounding production to rest. The song
progresses at a good rate and climaxes well, but the sad fact is this
is not a great piece of music. What Erasure
have done is taken a very mediocre song and made is a good song, but
not even Andy and Vince can make this a classic song. The poor lyrics,
the lack of a rhyming structure and the absence of a decent chorus
seriously hinder this track and although this is nothing to do with
the band, it raises the question why cover such a song in the first
place. Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime is a track
which at first seems very fragmented. The verses and chorus don't
seem to fit together, but this actually adds to the song's appeal.
It is a wonderfully contagious song, which is complemented by a very
appropriate and understated musical backdrop. The production once
again is of a high standard and Andy is on top form, even though this
song is vocally restricting. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See
Me) is a classic piece of songwriting and Andy, Vince and
Gareth have collaborated to create a sensational version of this track.
The song has Erasure's
distinct presence, is superbly polished and is another quality song
the band can add to their untouchable repertoire. Everyday
is quite the opposite however, and is another poor song which the
band really shouldn't have chosen to cover. This is another lyrically
weak song, and Erasure
help to degrade this track further by the overuse of unnecessary synthesized
noises, which seem resemble a cross between a mouse and a whale. Thankfully
this is the shortest track on the album at only two minute. This temporary
blip is over as soon as When Will I See You Again
starts to play. This time Vince and Gareth's arrangement compliments
the song, and Andy is once more sounding excellent. The middle eight
is perhaps again blighted by an overuse of synthesized noises, but
with this track this does not detract from the listener's enjoyment.
Walking In The Rain is a pseudo-R'n'B number which
the band almost manage to pull off. The openly homosexual lyrics are
not all that common in Erasure
songs but are evident here, and although the lyrics and backing are
of a decent standard, once more it is the song which isn't all that
special. At least this album goes some way in demonstrating the diverse
taste the band has.
True Love Ways is another obscure and weedy song, which has
a fairground waltz feel to it. It is extremely unspectacular and Andy
even seems to whisper one of the lyrics, which just sounds bizarre.
It is by no means an awful Erasure
track, but it is not one that lives long in the memory. The album
picks up again as soon as the storming dancy number Ebb Tide
bursts into life. The musical backdrop is reminiscent of Moon
& The Sky and marvellously supports Andy through a masterful
vocal performance. The song keeps building up and reaches a terrific
crescendo of a climax, which ultimately leaves the listener impressed,
if a little disappointed the song is too short at just over three
minutes long. Can't Help Falling In Love follows
and is a decent cover, but seems to lack a cutting edge. Andy sounds
as gorgeous as always and Vince and Gareth's arrangement works well,
but the song never really gets the pulse racing. You've Lost
That Lovin' Feelin' is a superb track and another top-class
cover version. Vince and Gareth have created a fine and subtle arrangement
that acts as the springboard for Andy to excel vocally. Andy does
the job of two vocalists once again proving why he has the best voice
in the business, and despite my girlfriend Kerry's protestations the
track sounds like a "sea merchant's song" (due to what she
perceives to be bubbling noises in the music) this is still a brilliant
cover version. The tempo next slows for the equally superb Goodnight.
This song is beautiful and is produced to near perfection. Andy shines
again over Vince and Gareth's subtle musical construct. Musically
this track brings back memories of Yazoo's Winter Kills,
but is a far more uplifting track. Unfortunately the album comes to
a very disappointing conclusion with Video Killed The Radio
Star. Sung by Vince's Mac computer, it is a soulless, contrived,
laughable mess which is hideously misplaced on this album. It has
b-side written all over it, and a not very good one at that.
Summary
There's always an air of familiarity about this record, which is not
only through the fact the songs are cover versions. The audio motif
of the album reminds of I Say I Say I Say in places and yet
manages to sound fresh and original at the same time. I've deliberately
not mentioned the original artists or versions of the songs as I didn't
want to dissect this album's tracks in terms of the song origins,
but rather judge them on their own merits. Put any prejudices over
the original songs you might have to one side when listening to this
album and you'll find a very worthwhile, if somewhat flawed, album.
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