Light at the End of the World is the thirteenth studio album by English synth-pop duo Erasure, released on 14 May 2007 by Mute Records. The album's release was announced on the band's website on 26 January 2007 in a video message from members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell.[4] It reached the UK top 30 upon its release.
Light at the End of the World | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 14 May 2007 | |||
Recorded | 2006–2007 | |||
Genre | Synth-pop | |||
Length | 39:23 | |||
Label | Mute | |||
Producer | Gareth Jones | |||
Erasure chronology | ||||
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Singles from Light at the End of the World | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 70/100[1] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [2] |
Digital Spy | [3] |
Background
editThe album was first released in Japan on 14 May 2007, released by Mute Records in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2007 and in North America on the following day, 22 May. The Japanese release included bonus tracks and a music video. The album's first single, "I Could Fall in Love with You", was released in the UK on 2 April 2007, and in North America the following day. "Sunday Girl" is the second single, released in the UK on 11 June 2007 and in North America on 18 July.[5][6] "Storm in a Teacup" and "Sucker for Love" were slightly remixed and released as promo singles.
"When a Lover Leaves You" was originally intended to be the album's third (and final) single[7] although it was cancelled. Instead there was a remix competition made, where several parts of the song were available to download for fans to make their own remixes, the best remix would appear on their upcoming third single later that year. However, later announcements stated that the winner remix would appear on their new EP, Storm Chaser. The competition was won by Oscar Salguero.
The album touches upon themes of love and the ups and downs of relationships (which are familiar lyrical Erasure territory), while "Storm in a Teacup" references singer Bell's mother's alcoholism.
The album is available as two different editions: a standard 10-track CD album (CDSTUMM285) and a special 12-track deluxe limited edition CD album (LCDSTUMM285). As with its predecessor, 2005's Nightbird, Light at the End of the World was not released on vinyl, although its singles were all given commercial seven-inch releases.
The album was supported by the Light at the End of the World Live tour.
Track listing
editAll tracks written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke.
Standard version (CDSTUMM285)
edit- "Sunday Girl" - 4:35
- "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:15
- "Sucker for Love" - 3:58
- "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04
- "Fly Away" - 3:21
- "Golden Heart" - 3:12
- "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:20
- "Darlene" - 3:38
- "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:51
- "Glass Angel" - 5:03
Limited edition (LCDSTUMM285)
edit- "Sunday Girl" - 4:35
- "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:15
- "Sucker for Love" - 3:58
- "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04
- "Fly Away" - 3:21
- "Golden Heart" - 3:12
- "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:20
- "Darlene" - 3:38
- "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:51
- "Glass Angel" - 5:03
- "Be My Baby" - 3:30
- "I Don't Know Why" - 4:02
Japanese edition (TOCP-66677)
edit- "Sunday Girl" - 4:35
- "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:16
- "Sucker for Love" - 3:59
- "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04
- "Fly Away" - 3:22
- "Golden Heart" - 3:13
- "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:21
- "Darlene" - 3:38
- "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:52
- "Glass Angel" - 5:03
- "I Could Fall in Love with You (Monteverde Extended Mix)" - 6:26
- "I Like It" - 4:25
- "I Could Fall in Love with You" (music video) - 4:05
2016 "Erasure 30" 30th anniversary BMG reissue LP
editSubsequent to their acquisition of Erasure's back catalog, and in anticipation of the band's 30th anniversary, BMG commissioned reissues of all previously released UK editions of Erasure albums up to and including 2007's Light at the End of the World. All titles were pressed and distributed by Play It Again Sam on 180-gram vinyl and shrinkwrapped with a custom anniversary sticker.
This marked the first release of this album on vinyl.
Charts
editChart (2007) | Peak position |
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German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[8] | 42 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 35 |
UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 29 |
US Billboard 200[11] | 127 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[12] | 13 |
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[13] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ "Light at the End of the World by Erasure". Metacritic. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Digital Spy review Archived 13 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Erasure • News • Latest News Archived 15 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Erasure • Releases • Albums • Light At The End Of The World Archived 16 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "HMV - Music, Films, & Games - hmv.com". Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ^ Erasure official website news section, June 2007
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Erasure – Light at the End of the World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Erasure Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Erasure Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Erasure Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2022.