- Sweet sixteen is hoary old cliché, however judging from this release it’s not so hoary for English synth-pop legends Erasure with their sweet 16th album release The Violet Flame. Vince Clarke (he of Depeche Mode and Yazoo fame) teamed up with a young, unknown vocalist Andy Bell back in 1985 and this partnership has nearly trebled the longevity of Clarke’s work with the aforementioned outfits.

Along with the Pet Shop Boys, Erasure have kept the buzz of ‘80’s, keyboard based electro-pop humming well into the 21st century and neither of these duos have really released a dud album in the past decade or so, emerging relatively unscathed from the battles with a raft of younger competitors, all of whom have been inspired by these ‘80’s masters.

The Violet Flame does deviate from the successful formula that is the “Erasure sound” and this is not a bad thing. Produced by Richard X, he has worked his synthesized pop/grunge magic on several of the tracks, sticking to a “singles” formula that he likes to use, making sure each song that he produces can stand on its own.

The album opens with Dead of Night and the full-on dance beat, twisted in with some house and trance styling sets the tone for the album, hence the observation that this format is a deviation from the “Erasure norm”. The lead single, Elevation, follows and it is a breathtaking, high energy dance anthem with lyrics all about the value of self-worth, being open about who you are and with a synth hook that is impossible to get out of your head. It’s not until the fifth track, the smooth but dark ballad, Be The One, that you get anything like classic Erasure: Bell’s vocals allowed to be both urgent and seductive. The rest of the album swings between the throbbing dance beat with synth runs from the golden fingers of Vince Clarke to some complex lyrical forays, such as Smoke and Mirrors, where Andy Bell’s unique voice really shines in a song that has more than just a touch of personal experience in it.

Like all Erasure albums, there is a bittersweet combination of happy lyrics and moody beats, euphoric synth lines and some deep, personal reflection which will grab you by surprise when you stop using the record as dance-party-filler, sit down and take a listen.

- Blair Martin.