ERASURE SINGLES BOX 4 BOX MUTE, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: DECEMBER 3, 2001 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 5, 2002

If you're looking to get your money's worth when buying music, look no further than the new Erasure singles box sets. For a reasonable price you get single versions, numerous remixes, more than a fair share of B-sides and even a few tracks that have previously only appeared on limited editions.
Like many other big names, Erasure have released countless editions of their singles, in various countries and in different degrees of availability. It's nice to them follow up the two first box sets, which held material ranging from their debut album "Wonderland" to the 1988 release "The Innocents".
I will focus on the fourth singles box as I continue this review, but I'll go so far as to mention that the third one is also a vibrant pot of material, with lots and lots of extras from the singles off "Drama!" as well as the "Crackers International" EP. This fourth box includes the singles "Chorus", "Love to Hate You", "Am I Right?", "Breath of Life" and "Abba Esque" as well as their accompanying stuff.
There are examples of B-sides that are strong enough to challenge the actual single tracks, namely "Over the Rainbow" from "Chorus", "Let it Flow" and "Waiting for Sex" off "Am I Right?" and "La La La" from "Love to Hate You". Add to this some brilliant remixes, like he Grid remix of "Am I Right?" and impressive instrumental outbursts from Vince Clarke, a great example is "Carry on Clangers". Not to mention the beautiful packaging. The grade is lowered because of some filler remixes that don't add anything, but overall these Erasure singles box sets are true gems. You can't go wrong with either number three or number four.

NIKLAS FORSBERG