Erasure had never hidden its love for
ABBA, with one of its earliest B-sides being an enthusiastic remake of "Gimme Gimme Gimme," a version of which later popped up on The Two-Ring Circus. Come 1992 and
Clarke and
Bell decided to take the full plunge on a tribute EP with great results, including getting to the top of the charts in England. All four songs are indeed
ABBA covers, including some of that supergroup's best: "Lay All Your Love on Me," "S.O.S.," "Take a Chance on Me," and "Voulez-Vous." Overall arrangements and pace differ little if at all from the original, so those expecting or desiring more variety or creative intrigue in remakes will find this underwhelming. As an energetic salute to a past influence, though, Abba-esque is a freewheeling blast.
Bell's in wonderful voice throughout, and if nobody could truly match
Agnetha and
Frida in full effect,
Bell's usual way with vocal overdubs makes for an adequate substitute.
Clarke's revamping of the
Ulvaeus/
Andersson team's killer melodies, meanwhile, keeps all of the sprightly, addictive punch while more modern dancefloor rhythms step up here and there. About the only out-of-nowhere touch is the ragga break from
MC Kinky halfway through "Take a Chance on Me," but it's not too intrusive or strange. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
