Erasure - Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD Review
by Dan MacIntosh
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There is a scene during this concert DVD's documentary extra where Erasure vocalist Andy Bell is doing his pre-show vocal exercises. This is significant because it highlights the fact that Bell is a serious vocalist. In the past, Erasure concert DVDs have been a little uneasy on the eyes, especially for those with particularly sensitive gay-dar. Not that there's anything wrong with that, as the Seinfeld folks once said, but if flamboyant homosexuality is a turn-off, chances are it's also difficult to appreciate Erasure's music – specifically Bell's fine singing. Although Bell uses an, er, flimsy speaking voice between songs, he sings like a real man most of the time during this 2007 Royal Albert Hall show.
Unless you want to call a Marilyn Monroe t-shirt extravagant, Bell keeps his wardrobe simple throughout this 20-song live set. This eyesore absence, if you will, allows the viewer/listener to fully appreciate such memorable pop songs as the relatively new "I Could Fall in Love with You", which is off Light at the End of the World CD. In fact, six of the ten songs on this disc were taken from that recent studio release. Although somewhat subdued this time out, Bell still comes off far more active than keyboardist/musical brainiac, Vince Clarke, who mainly stands behind his keyboard and sometimes flashes a quick smile if we're lucky. It's almost as though Clarke is Bell's straight man – no pun intended. With the group Sparks, however, these roles are reversed. But that's another story, for another review. But look up that band, if you like, for further reference.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.
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Erasure - Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD
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