The Only Debate That Matters

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#1 Post by **Drico One** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 7:37 pm

I happened upon this on my travels... The things that bother some people:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/sho ... p?t=353966

Drico.

#2 Post by **StevePSB** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 7:55 pm

The same old debate, but it's interesting to see what people are saying.

StevePSB

Janet Street-Porter · Wed 05 Apr 2006, 7:58 pm

I see psb-freak is registered there as dd68.

Lush · #4 Post by **Lush** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:24 pm

This comment made me laugh:
"The difference between them is simple. Erasure have kept up with the times as the PSB haven't..."

Oh yeah. Erasure really constitute the epitome of modern popular music. Right at the cutting edge, that's where they are.

lucienchardon · #5 Post by **lucienchardon** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:35 pm

They are constantly being compared, as in this not so nice review of Erasure's new album.

The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)
April 1, 2006 Saturday
Tom Horan
Erasure

Union Street

Mute, pounds 12.99

Next month Erasure tour the UK. The synth-pop duo, a sort of Pet Shop Boys for the less bright, have already sold out many venues. This is thanks to fans acquired in their late-'80s heyday, which reached its artistic zenith when singer Andy Bell appeared on Top of the Pops in a one-piece rubber bathing costume.

Prolonging the careers of countless mediocre talents, the loyal fan base is the scourge of pop. Union Street is aimed squarely at Erasure's, being a reworking of 11 of their old tracks in - titanic yawn - an unplugged style. This despite the fact that even when his vocals were propped up by a huge high-energy backing track, as on the old hits, Bell clearly had a voice like Chewbacca from Star Wars.

But on he yelps, through earnest re-readings of songs that were cobblers the first time round and cannot be salvaged just by adding some pedal-steel guitar or a bit of novelty banjo. In a previous life, Bell worked as a butcher. From his treatment of these poor, dumb compositions he has clearly kept his eye in.

boyjohn · #6 Post by **boyjohn** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:40 pm

Next month Erasure tour the UK. The synth-pop duo, a sort of Pet Shop Boys for the less bright, have already sold out many venues. This is thanks to fans acquired in their late-'80s heyday, which reached its artistic zenith when singer Andy Bell appeared on Top of the Pops in a one-piece rubber bathing costume.

Prolonging the careers of countless mediocre talents, the loyal fan base is the scourge of pop. Union Street is aimed squarely at Erasure's, being a reworking of 11 of their old tracks in - titanic yawn - an unplugged style. This despite the fact that even when his vocals were propped up by a huge high-energy backing track, as on the old hits, Bell clearly had a voice like Chewbacca from Star Wars.

But on he yelps, through earnest re-readings of songs that were cobblers the first time round and cannot be salvaged just by adding some pedal-steel guitar or a bit of novelty banjo. In a previous life, Bell worked as a butcher. From his treatment of these poor, dumb compositions he has clearly kept his eye in.

Oh my, that is hilarious

fluffmoln · #7 Post by **fluffmoln** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:43 pm

It's funny cause it's true.

AlfonsoPSB · #8 Post by **AlfonsoPSB** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:43 pm

lucienchardon wrote:They are constantly being compared, as in this not so nice review of Erasure's new album.

Indeed.

lucienchardon wrote:Bell clearly had a voice like Chewbacca from Star Wars.

! · #9 Post by ! » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:53 pm

I don't like Erasure

I'm not a fan of their music, it's (and them) too camp for my liking...Andy Bell for some reason really gets on my nerves

DazzerUKUK · #10 Post by **DazzerUKUK** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 8:57 pm

I've never forgotten seeing Andy Bell at The Bell in Kings X way back when........

Everytime the dj put on an Erasure track he would go to the call box on the wall at the back of the pub and phone his friends....

Sweet!

Jareth · #11 Post by **Jareth** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 9:01 pm

Pet Shop Boys for the less bright

Jareth · #12 Post by **Jareth** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 9:09 pm

This is a strange one!

I prefer the Pet shop boys first four albums then went off them, due to the sound of their music changing.

They were back on form with their release of 'Release' though. Great album.

Ghost within this house · Wed 05 Apr 2006, 9:14 pm

lucienchardon wrote:They are constantly being compared, as in this not so nice review of Erasure's new album.

The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)
April 1, 2006 Saturday
Tom Horan
Erasure

Union Street

Mute, pounds 12.99

Next month Erasure tour the UK. The synth-pop duo, a sort of Pet Shop Boys for the less bright, have already sold out many venues. This is thanks to fans acquired in their late-'80s heyday, which reached its artistic zenith when singer Andy Bell appeared on Top of the Pops in a one-piece rubber bathing costume.

Prolonging the careers of countless mediocre talents, the loyal fan base is the scourge of pop. Union Street is aimed squarely at Erasure's, being a reworking of 11 of their old tracks in - titanic yawn - an unplugged style. This despite the fact that even when his vocals were propped up by a huge high-energy backing track, as on the old hits, Bell clearly had a voice like Chewbacca from Star Wars.

But on he yelps, through earnest re-readings of songs that were cobblers the first time round and cannot be salvaged just by adding some pedal-steel guitar or a bit of novelty banjo. In a previous life, Bell worked as a butcher. From his treatment of these poor, dumb compositions he has clearly kept his eye in.

a review to cherish! Thanks for posting. Sweet

Ghost within this house · Wed 05 Apr 2006, 9:21 pm

they're all so polite over there, aren't they?

pulse · #15 Post by **pulse** » Wed 05 Apr 2006, 10:41 pm

Strangely enough, I've tried very hard to put aside all of this nasty rivalry, and instead, have focussed on the fact theat I've been a PSB fan since 1985. I love Erasure - they are my favourite by far. But I also *do* love PSB. However, reading various stinging remarks makes it very difficult for me and other Erasure fans to bring themselves to buy or get excited about new Pet Shop Boys material, let alone put aside an old and seriously nonsensical rivalry between apples and oranges. Yes, I used to get caught up in the arguments but I feel that we are all fans of synthpop in a world full of naff pop music. I think we need each other and we can find merits in both groups.

Seriously, look at how different the two groups are. The fact that Erasure release a complilation of old songs in country/acoustic style (Union Street), and PSB release old songs in electronic, remixed style (Disco comps), speaks volumes. And this comparison isn't meant to make one group sound better than the other, just different. It's a good thing! I think there are more similarities between Erasure and Goldfrapp, personally, but that's neither here nor there. I just wish we could move on from this dated, old, uneccessary banter and focus on both sets of fans enjoying each other's great music. I am extremely excited to hear Fundamental (although I think the first single lacks a melodic chorus). There should be some real gems on there.

By the way, this year, Erasure are beginning work on a 100% electronic, uptempo dance album - perhaps the first of their career, not to mention the forthcoming Fractured Fairytales album and B-sides compilation (Erasure's B-sides are often better than their A-sides)... plus there was talk of re-releasing all the past albums remastered.

Peace y'all!