Erasure - Chorus

Lyrically and musically, Chorus is less campy and more evangelical than other Erasure creations. It's certainly just as grandiose and danceable as previous albums, but it seems as if songwriter Vince Clarke decided to stop composing smiley-face songs for a while and make a slightly more introspective, more socially observant album. For this reason, Chorus is Erasure's most enduring, most powerful recording. Crowd-cheering samples resound in "Love to Hate You," lending it an almost epic feel. The uplifting "Chorus" hopes for a time when we all treat each other a little better. It may not be the favorite Erasure album among dance-pop enthusiasts, but it's definitely the Erasure album that is meant to be taken seriously. --Beth Bessmer