Although most Erasure fans might consider THE INNOCENTS their favorite CD, I have to chose this one. Why? Mostly because I believe this 1994 release not only captures the duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clark at their artistic/creative peak, but it also is incredibly easy to listen too, even though it navigates through many different styles of music.

From the opening track "Take Me Back" all the way to the soft ending of "Because You're So Sweet", Andy Bell's vocals are superb-full of nuance, sensitivity and energy. I don't think he's ever delivered a better complete vocal performance on one CD (although he has delivered better individual performances on some tracks of other Erasure CDs).

But what makes Andy's vocals shine so, is the intricate, amazing setting that Vince Clark has created for them. Not since his early work with Yaz and Alison Moyet, has Clark found a better match for his style.

Of course, the track "Always" was a top 40 success, but in my view, it's one of the weakest tracks on the CD. My favorites are "So The Story Goes", "Blues Away", "Run To The Sun" and "I Love Saturday".

Never has this duo sounded more free, more engaged and more adventuresome, and the only other Erasure CD that comes close to achieving what this CD does, in my view, is COWBOY.

So, if you are a new Erasure fan, and haven't heard this CD, I highly recommend it. If you are a longtime fan and have never placed this one at the top of your list, I suggest you give it another shot!

Since my last review (in which I gave this album 4 stars and referred to it as a "middling" as far as Erasure goes), I have come to like this album more and more, and at this point would call it one of my top 4 Erasure albums (it's just so hard to choose a favorite) along with Chorus, Erasure, and The Circus. I love the album cover and how it seems to fit the mood of nearly every song. My favorite song from the album is still probably "So the Story Goes", but "Miracle", "Run to the Sun" and "Always" are close behind. I especially love the choir on the first two I mentioned. It fits in so well with the synth sound and was one of the things I think was missing from "Cowboy" that would have made that a better album. Vince Clark has always written great melodies, and Bell's range is fantastic as well. Try playing "Take Me Back" or "Blues Away" from this album right after listening to "How Many Times" from "Wild!" and you'll see what I mean. In short, this is one of the best albums from the greatest synth-pop group ever. Buy it today.

Synth pop, as a genre, oftentimes fails to get the recognition it deserves amongst music circles. However, throughout the 80s, bands such as the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, and New Order churned out some of the most listenable and handsomly-crafted songs of that decade. Also at the top of that list would be Erasure, comprised of former Depeche Moder Vince Clark, and former choirboy Andy Bell. Ironic, then, that a group whose fame and noteriety often is synonymous with the 80s released their best album in the 1990s.

I Say I Say I Say is, simply, one of the finest pop records ever constructed. With a strictly synthetic backdrop of vintage keyboards and synths, and fronted by Bell's soaring and soothing tenor, Erasure deliver an album filled with hooks, memorable melodies, and warm abiance. Taken individually, each track stands alone as a pop gem. Taken collectively, the album presents a warm, reflective mood which matches the serene, nighttime sketch on the album's cover.

Opening track "Take Me Back" is as fine an opener as you are likely to find, featuring a bouncy synth backdrop and Bell's gliding falsetto during the chorus. "Always", the album's standout single, will rank as among the best of their career. "All Through the Years" and "Miracle" set a quiet, reflective moode, while tracks such as "I Love Saturday" show that the group has not lost their touch for creating bouncy dance pop.

Elsewhere, the use of the choir on two tracks adds a depth and somewhat ethereal touch not found in previous recordings. All the while, synth-wizard Vince Clark adds an assortment of synth burps and noises on top of his typical layered orchestrations. Nary an "acoustic" instrument is to be found on this album...which speaks to the remarkable talents of Clark and Bell that they are able to create such a warm, inviting album.

Everytime I listen to this album I am taken back to the first time I listened to it...on Christmas Eve night, with a fire in the fireplace and looking outside at the snow. Somehow, the album seemed to fit that mood perfectly. Any lover of well-crafted pop music should include I Say...in their collection, as they certainly won't be disappointed.

Simply put, this is Erasure's best album to date. The music is not too simple, neither is it too complex. Andy's vocals are at their most melodic, sweeping the listener with styles from pop to falsetto to almost operatic. This album begins with the tender "Take Me Back" and doesn't disappoint from there. There's not one bad song on this record. For the hardcore Erasure fans who want dance music, two of their best dance tracks are on this album: "I Love Saturday" and "Run to the Sun". Also, their most under-rated album cut is on here, "All Through The Years".

While people may say to never judge a book by its cover, it doesn't apply to this record. Even the brilliant album art complements the music on this record. If you like synth pop or if you're interested in checking out Erasure's music, don't pass this one up. It's one of the best albums I've heard.

In my opinion, this is Erasure's finest album. I can't put my finger on exactly what makes it better, as I love each of their other album's, but there is something magical in this one. There is something inspirational and cosmic about the music contained in this little CD.

I pop this in and sit down to write, because this is just the type of music that inspires a person to dream of far off places. From the music box tinkling of "Always" to the softly stirring "Blues Away," the mood permeates the room, and I never have to skip a song -- they are all so good. When I'm not writing, I stare at the CD cover, which somehow is the perfect reflection of the tone of this album.

If you like Erasure, you will love this one. "There's no release when destiny is calling."