Florists

Overall Album Score: 9.0 out of 10

It's amazing how out of place this album seems. The year was 1991, and synth-pop was going out of the public eye. And, bands like Erasure were going by the wayside ...

Of course, you would think that, but looking up the Billboard chart awards, this one peaked higher (though only at #29) than any Erasure album ever released (and ... uh ... their next album peaked even higher)! ... I cannot nor will attempt to explain that. Nevertheless, Chorus deserved attention, because this is a very good album! It's worlds better than Wild! ... and it even surpasses The Innocents in nearly every facet, from songwriting to song production! (Although, I can't say that I like a song on Chorus better than "A Little Respect" ... I'm pretty sure that's gonna be my favorite Erasure song for all time ...)

It might be a reaction to the fact that synth-pop was going out of style, but they're quite a bit more "art conscious" here. When they started out in Wonderland and Circus their songs were typically minimalist. Not that I can't enjoy minimalism in rock music, but that ushered in the feeling that Vince Clarke didn't care much about those songs. ... As good melodies as Clarke is able to create, they weren't quite good enough to stand on their own feet. The Innocents fixed that problem. Not only were the melodies good, but the production was good, too. With Chorus the production is even better ... more interesting synths are used, and there's more of 'em! All this is done without ever overburdening the songs with synths.

So surprisingly wonderful this album is ... It's easy to see that the band worked really hard on this album and the effort really paid off. I guess I can consider this a classic.

Overall Album Score: 9.0 out of 10 (A surprisingly strong 1991 addition to Erasure's discography! ... Right when synth-pop was becoming uncool ...)

Average Song Score: 9.0 (Absolutely, mindbogglingly excellent songs ... I just sort of figured the band was washed up after Wild!.)

Album Tilt: 9.0 (Very pleasant to listen to, and the album flows well. No real weak spots in here; every moment has something nice for me.)

Artist Rating: 9.0 (They're sounding less like themselves and more like ... Depeche Mode. ... The production of this album was Grade-A, providing the most aesthetically interesting songs of Erasures career so far.)

Track Reviews

Chorus 9.5/10

Quite a strong song for Erasure! The beat it fun, the melody is catchy, and all those electronic bleeps are all put in the right place. There's some nice coral-esque harmony work toward the end of this song ... In fact, you might want to consider this among Erasure's most visionary songs ... This isn't modest and simple like this band was with Wonderland, that's for sure.

Waiting For the Day 10/10

Another mightily enjoyable synth-pop song. They seem to be choosing much more interesting synths here, making these songs principally enjoyable it seems based on the synths! Of course, this was a very well-written song, employing some creative melody and nice vocal harmonies.

Joan 8/10

The melody nor the synth-groove is particularly infectious, therefore this song is kinda forgettable, but ... the song's still pretty enjoyable. Such is the nature of synth-pop, I guess! Even if they're throwaway, they're still kinda fun to listen to.

Breath of Life 9.5/10

Awesome! This song sounds more like Kraftwerk than anything, which is just a testament to that old German band's influence. A neat electronic groove that doesn't draw too much attention to itself, and a melody that's as catchy as anything. Really, a very very nice song.

Am I Right? 8.5/10

An entirely pleasant little mid-tempoed song that relies quite heavy on atmopsherics! ... Erasure relying on atmopsherics??!! NO FREAKING WAY!!!! But it's true! Certainly, this isn't the most perfect song I've ever had the pleasure of listening to, but ... this is really quite nice. Glad that Erasure tried it.

Love to Hate You 10/10

CRAPPPPPP!!!! IS THIS THE CATCHIEST SONG YOU'VE EVER HEARD OR WHAT???? ... What's with the fake audience applause, though? Isn't that being a little bit overpre-OH!!!! NO!!!! IT SOUNDS AWESOME HERE!!!!! YOU FREAKING DORKS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turns the Love to Anger 8/10

Stars out rather minimalist (like old Erasure) and then it starts picking up steam. ... Maybe this sounds more like a Eurythmics song than an actual Erasure song, but ... what does this song in is the lack of catchy melody. It's fine other than that. Perfectly listenable.

Siren Song 8.5/10

The song doesn't really take off, but this is another one that relies more on the general mood and atmosphere of the song rather than just having a dumb/catchy melody and a synth-groove. ... Really, I appreciate this type of thing more than the stuff that was on Wonderland, but ... this could have used a catchier melody! The atmosphere stuff here is VERY lovely, though. Nicely done!!

Perfect Stranger 9.5/10

This Vince Clarke guy must be one of the most natural songwriters of his era ... Can anyone really top so many great little tunes in an album? ... This just seems like it was tossed off ... kind of like a Paul McCartney song! ... They did a pretty good job producing this, too. The synth groove is awesome, and those synth bleeps injected throughout this are just awesome. ... Another suuuuuper song.

Home 8/10

Eh ... the melody's not catchy enough. But it was still well-written and stuff. The atmospherics in the album are very nice, but ... they can't totally make this song take off! I really do like the production ... all those bleeps, again, are NAHCE.

Ever wanna send me a comment here, or send your comments here. Or send your comments here, here?