Hey Wait... Is That Yazoo?

That's what I first thought when I heard "Who Needs Love Like That" on KISS FM in Los Angeles back in 1985. Well I was half right. Vince Clarke (half of Yazoo) was now making music with a certain Mr. Andy Bell, and I liked it. The album wasn't out yet so I bought the 12" and wore out my record player. When the album finally came out, I listened to it over and over again. There's no doubt that this album was a bleed over from Yazoo to Erasure (I'm sure this was more of Clarke's baby since he was the one who hired Bell). Erasure hadn't quite found their true sound yet 'til "The Circus". That's why I give the album four stars. All of the songs are great. But they do sound like Yazoo, and although that's not a bad thing, it's not really who or what Erasure really were. If you can find the U.K. version, get that one! It includes "Push Me Shove Me" and "Pistol" which are great songs.

The One That Started it All...

This is the debut album from a British duo called Erasure. Synth guru Vince Clarke, having just left Yaz and Depeche Mode, teamed up with vocalist Andy Bell for what would be a long and enduring partnership. A friend of mine heard for the first time a few samples of Erasure's work, which he flippantly described as "Eurotrash." However snide that comment appeared to be, there is a grain of truth in that description. "Wonderland" won't win points for depth, nor is it even their best, but it's a good collection of above average neo-disco, synth heavy pop tunes. Their debut single "Who Needs Love (Like That)" was a bust on the UK charts, but since then, this infectious ditty would slowly grow to become a favorite among fans. "Oh L'Amour" is also another great slice of 1980's pop bliss with its killer chorus and cheesy-cute synths, and "Heavenly Action" stands out as well. But a personal favorite of mine is the catchy "March on Down the Line." On the first listen, Erasure's work may seem bubblegum and simple compared to their sophisticated peers Pet Shop Boys. But their music is original and can't be mistaken for anyone else, and this fine debut would be the beginning of a career that would spawn several UK Top 10 hits, a few platinum albums, and recognition in the States. Though it's far from a masterpiece, "Wonderland" is a solid debut.

This is a must have for Erasure fans!!!

There is too much to talk about when we want to talk about "Wonderland". This album has it all up beat songs ("oh l'amour", "Who needs love like that", "Heavenly action") and great tear jerkers ("cry so easy", "reunion", and my all-time-fav "My heart...So blue"). For a true Erasure fan, this is the must have. This is where it all began (if you count out Yaz). It's amazing that a group like this started out with such a great album and only two songs cracked into the US top 100 ("Oh L'Amour" and "who needs love like that"). But they were big in Europe before many people in the states even heard of them. Then came "The Innocents" and then they blew up. A girlfriend of mine back in high school turned me onto this group in the summer of '88 and I have every album since. They are great and I have many great memories from all of their songs. It's amazing how you can become so attached to a group (Depeche Mode, Yas, R.E.M., U2, etc.). But they came out before "Pop" was really cool.

I do believe that this is the best effort. Too many times in the albums that followed, they tried to obtain a following when they already had a devote fan club.

They produced some great albums over the years, but this is where it all began and this is why you should own it. Especially if you like any of they newer albums.

Songs you must have on your computer:

1. Oh L'Amour (great dance tune)
2. My Hear...So blue (Wave goodbye...)

3. March on Down the line (great up beat song right before "My Heart...So blue")
4. Reunion ("togehter we stand")
5. Who needs love like that (A big dance hit in the clubs)
6. Heavenly action (a great song that's uplifting).

ERASURE fans, if you don't have the original, then you are not true fans!