The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

Here we have the promotional film for the new single from Andy Bell, the always extraordinary singer from all time faves, Erasure. The song is called Call On Me and is a track that eagerly directs you to find your way to the dance floor. As is the case with anything the man lends his vocals to, Andy simply can’t help but give off the vibe of total euphoria and unabashed joy. It’s that attribute that has set him apart from many of his peers through the years.

Remember to show Andy the love and purchase his forthcoming solo record on the 7th of June called Non-Stop. Hopefully not too long after that we’ll have further word on the progress on a new Erasure record!

“Call On Me” by Andy Bell, taken from the forthcoming Mute release, “Non-Stop”

“You say that you’re really sorry
But sorry don’t work when you’ve heard it
For the fifty-second time
You should be ready to say goodbye”

Keeping with the Erasure vibe, here’s one of my favourite b-sides from the band called Paradise. This song can be found on the Drama! single which was the leadoff single from Erasure’s fourth record, 1989’s Wild.  Following the massive success of their previous release, 1988’s The Innocents, it appeared that Andy and Vince decided to branch out a bit with their sound. The results were well..wild indeed. The singles introduced audiences to a more confident and daring band who realised they had been handed the baton of success and were not afraid to run with it. The b-sides, especially in the case of Paradise, showed us a more playful side of the band as well.

Paradise is simply a mini kitchen-sink drama in which blue-eyed soul and Motown collide. Vince’s melodic genius drives the car while Andy rails against a lover who takes him for granted every way possible and he’s frankly had it. What makes this song so perfect is how joyous it sounds. You can tell Vince and Andy had a ton of fun in the studio, writing and recording. So much so, the song itself sounds effortless. No muss, no fuss. Just pure unadulterated pop music. Thank heavens for Erasure. Bless their hearts.

“Paradise” by Erasure, taken from the Mute/Sire release, “Drama!”

The name Andy Bell is one that should ring a bell to anyone who loves good old-fashioned pop music and the angelic voices that sing them. As the singer and frontman of Erasure, Bell helped made the concept of a compelling and entertaining live electronic musical performance a reality. His voice would go on to influence many of the new breed of singers coming out of the woodwork in recent years. Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters, to name one. Vincent Frank would be another example.

It’s been almost three years since the release of the last Erasure record, 2007’s Light At The End Of The World. Personally I’d gotten tired of waiting for new material to appear but at last it has arrived. Andy’s new solo single called Will You Be There is out now and is begging to blasted at a club. Produced by Pascal Gabriel who helped make Ladyhawke a household name, Will You Be There has everything you want in an unapologetic club banger. The hard beat, the ear-splitting bass and to top it off, you’ve got Andy’s angelic vocals to seal the deal.

A quick note: This single, which is out now, was released under the name of MiMo. According to the Erasure Information Service, there is already an artist using that name who presented a legal challenge to Bell so any future releases will feature Andy’s real name. Confusing, to be sure, but there you have it.

Andy Bell on MySpace
Erasre/Andy Bell on Facebook
Andy Bell on Twitter

“Will You Be There” by MiMo (Andy Bell)

Leak! Leak! High five goes to Adem for spilling the beans! It’s another song from Head First, the highly anticipated new record from Goldfrapp. This one is called Believer. If official first single Rocket left you frothing in a hot mess of swoon, think of Believer as a bit of a subtle comedown piece. This track could have very easily been found on an Erasure record from Wonderland or The Circus but instead of Andy Bell’s soaring tenor,we have a cool, collected and cheery Alison Goldfrapp relieved as her lover has returned home and into her arms.

Personally I don’t know that this would be “up” enough to be a single release but it’s definitely something to keep us in stitches until the record is released.

“Believer” by Goldfrapp, taken from the forthcoming Mute release, “Head First”

Living legends. That’s all that needs to be said. It’s Erasure, friends. A stellar career that defines the concept of pop music. I could go down the list of classic tunes that resonated with me since I was but a wee lad but I won’t bore you. Needless to say, this duo made of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke hold a special place in my heart. That said, it makes me quite pleased to know on the 24th of February a comprehensive compilation of the band’s hits simply titled Total Pop! The First Forty Hits. 

Okay, okay…I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t they release a singles compilation just a few short years ago? The answer? Yes. In defense of Total Pop, the Hits compilation was pointless and did the band a serious disservice. Total Pop will consist of a remaster of the original 1992 Pop: The First Twenty Hits on disc one while on disc two, we’ll have the singles 1992 to a special 2009 Jeremy Wheatley remix of Always. Definitely worth the money, I must say. Preorder it now! 

Here’s the tracklisting!

Disc: 1
1. Who Needs Love (Like That) (2009 Digital Remaster)
2. Heavenly Action (2009 Digital Remaster)
3. Oh L’Amour (2009 Digital Remaster)
4. Sometimes (2009 Digital Remaster)
5. It Doesn’t Have To Be (2009 Digital Remaster)
6. Victim Of Love (2009 Digital Remaster)
7. The Circus (2009 Digital Remaster)
8. Ship Of Fools (2009 Digital Remaster)
9. Chains Of Love (2009 Digital Remaster)
10. A Little Respect (2009 Digital Remaster)
11. Stop! (2009 Digital Remaster)
12. Drama! (2009 Digital Remaster)
13. You Surround Me (2009 Digital Remaster)
14. Blue Savannah (2009 Digital Remaster)
15. Star (2009 Digital Remaster)
16. Chorus (2009 Digital Remaster)
17. Love To Hate You (2009 Digital Remaster)
18. Am I Right? (2009 Digital Remaster)
19. Breath Of Life (2009 Digital Remaster)
20. Take A Chance On Me (2009 Digital Remaster)
21. Who Needs Love (Like That) (Hamburg Mix) (2009 Digital Remaster)
Disc: 2
1. Always (2009 Digital Remaster)
2. Run To The Sun (2009 Digital Remaster)
3. I Love Saturday (2009 Digital Remaster)
4. Stay With Me (2009 Digital Remaster)
5. Fingers And Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day) (2009 Digital Remaster)
6. Rock Me Gently (2009 Digital Remaster)
7. In My Arms (2009 Digital Remaster)
8. Don’t Say Your Love Is Killing Me (2009 Digital Remaster)
9. Rain (Al Stone Mix) (2009 Digital Remaster)
10. Freedom (2009 Digital Remaster)
11. Moon And The Sky (JC’s Heaven Scent Radio Re-Work) (2009 Digital Remaster)
12. Solsbury Hill (2009 Digital Remaster)
13. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) (2009 Digital Remaster)
14. Breathe (2009 Digital Remaster)
15. Don’t Say You Love Me (2009 Digital Remaster)
16. Here I Go Impossible Again (2009 Digital Remaster)
17. I Could Fall In Love With You (2009 Digital Remaster)
18. Sunday Girl (2009 Digital Remaster)
19. Storm In A Teacup (2009 Digital Remaster)
20. Always (2009 Jeremy Wheatley Mix)

Here are a couple of tracks to tide you over until the 24th. Aren’t you excited?!

“Glass Angel”, taken from the Mute release, “Light At The End of The World”

“The Hardest Part”, taken from the Sire release, “Crackers International”