Erasure - Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD Review

Clarke plays keyboard throughout, except for a few minutes when he picks up and strums an acoustic guitar. This duo is backed by three singers, The Gazelles, who color the performance with tight vocal harmonies and appropriate hand motions. They're much like The Supremes in that respect. There are no other musicians besides Clarke and his live/programmed music, except for a trumpeter who makes a brief entry and exit. But most the time, it's a pair plus a trio.

With Yaz, and earlier with the initial Depeche Mode incarnation, Clarke gained fame for being a synthesizer innovator. But with Erasure, it is his firm grasp on pop song creation that earns our respect. Even anti-technology, anti-geeks can fully appreciate melodic gems, such as the hits "A Little Respect" and "Chains of Love". None of these songs will make Bob Dylan jealous of their lyrics, mind you. But the words to Erasure songs are simple and straight to the point, which is all that is required for a good pop tune. Save the deep thoughts for college radio kids.

Most of all, it is Bell's strong singing that sells Erasure's performance. He invests plenty of emotion into each and every line. And it's all there: love ("I Could Fall in Love with You"), hate ("Love to Hate You"), and betrayal ("Victim of Love"). And it doesn't take a gay pride parade participant to relate to these emotions. They're universal. Ultimately, Erasure makes an indelible mark with this excellent concert work.

Erasure - Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD
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