Stars: Erasure

Summary: The tracklist features 'Who Needs Love Like That?', 'Heavenly Action', 'Oh L'Amour', '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', 'Take A Chance On Me', 'Lay All Your Love', 'SOS', 'Voulez Vous', 'Always', 'Run To The Sun', 'I Love Saturday', 'Stay With Me', 'Fingers And Thums', 'Rock Me Gently', 'In My Arms', 'Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me', 'Rain', 'Freedom',' 'Solsbury Hill' and 'Come Up And See Me'.

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Featuring 35 videos and an additional disc full of bonus material, Hits: The Videosis the definitive Erasure collection. Disliked by many for their formulaic synth-pop tunes, Clarke and Bell are nevertheless adored by loyal fans across the globe and are still viewed as "alternative" in the US. These conflicting feelings towards the duo have existed since day one, with many put off by their initial high-energy sound and flamboyant image. It was only through adopting a more "macho" white T-shirt and blue jean look in the video for "Sometimes" that the guys eventually managed to obtain UK chart success. However, the videos (all included on Disc 1) for debut singles "Who Needs Love (Like That)" and "Heavenly Action" shouldn't be ignored, as the former features Bell dragged up as a damsel in distress and the later is a kitsch Barbarellaspoof, complete with toddlers dressed as cherubs. Ever since their promos have alternated between the more light-hearted, ostentatious videos ("Love To Hate You", "Take a Chance On Me", and "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)") and the serious melodramatic epics ("The Circus", "Am I Right", "S.O.S." and "Stay with Me").

Other highlights of this collection include "Chains of Love", which features Andy and Vince flying around the studio holstered on chains. Taking its inspiration from the video of the Pet Shop Boys' "Go West" from the previous year, Erasure's 1994 single "Run to the Sun" is an ambitious homo-erotic, computer-generated affair seemingly located somewhere in Eastern Europe. In fact, all of the I Say, I Say, I Sayvideos are shot in foreign locales--the Far East for "Always" and the Mediterranean for "I Love Saturday"). Another classic is the later video "Don't Say Your Love is Killing Me", which features Bell being hauled through various locations on his lounge rug. Despite being renowned for their glitzy live shows, only three of the videos feature material shot on tour ("Oh L'Amour", "In My Arms" and "Rain"). All in all this is an excellent value-for-money compilation for those not too tired by the tried-and-tested Erasure formula.

On the DVD:Erasure--Hits: The Videosplays in Dolby stereo, with some of the later videos being 16:9 format. Disc 2 includes exclusive performance footage, rare videos and tracks performed live on all of Erasure's major tours. Six lengthy promotional documentaries from 2001 to 2003 are included, which feature interviews with the pair. Hidden bonus footage has also been crammed on to the disc. The only downside is the clumsy menus, which are difficult to navigate and are not all that pleasing to the eye. --John Galilee

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 0
Special Features:	Bonus Tracks, Promotional Documentaries, Hidden Easter Eggs
Release Date:	October 20, 2003
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	D V D M U T E L 10
Keywords:	Music, Rock, Very, Two, Pop, Erasure, Hits, Best, Performing, Discs, Arts, Popular
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts