Augustus Caesar, Ph.D. | Eugene, Oregon United States | 08/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After 1995's expansive, experimental "Erasure" album, and its subsequent poor sales and decidedly mixed reception (even among fans), Erasure returned to their roots on 1997's "Cowboy." The emphasis here is on hooks, melodies and catchy arrangements (Andy Bell said "Cowboy" is "ultrapop")--nothing deep, nothing innovative. And it works perfectly. With Vince Clarke's melodic gifts still in fine form and Andy Bell's voice as clear and pristine as ever (in addition to his romantic, occasionally awkward lyrics), "Cowboy" is the fourth straight near-perfect pop album from Erasure. Some bands fade creatively as the years go by--Erasure continues to improve. From the crashing, shimmering opening chords of "Rain" to the last emotive note of "Love Affair," this is one of music's finest songwriting collaborations doing what they do best: writing classic pop songs without angst or apologies. If you're new to Erasure, "Cowboy" is the perfect place to start. If you're an Erasure fan already, it will remind you of why you fell in love with their music in the first place. Either way, buy "Cowboy"--you won't regret it."
THE GREATEST ERASURE TO DATE!
Augustus Caesar, Ph.D. | 06/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've owned COWBOY since it hit the stores back in 1997. It's a CD that continues to make me smile even two years later. WORLDS ON FIRE, HOW CAN I SAY, SAVE ME DARLING, AND LOVE AFFAIR are some of the best sounds and melodies from this super duo! After reading some of the reviews, I decided to pop the CD in my player and listen. I'm enjoying it again. This would be one of the CD's I'd consider taking to that deserted island we all talk about...If you own older Erasure CD's...do your self a favor and buy COWBOY. You will be pleased with the purchase! I saw Erasure on the COWBOY tour and it was fantastic. It's nice to see so many devoted fans in one venue!"
One of the best Erasure CDs in my humble opinion.
S. Kim | Phoenix, AZ | 01/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, so many different reviews here from bad to really good. Here's my scoop: I have every Erasure CDs except their very first one. Erasure is famous for their melancholy, upbeat, searching-for-love songs. Personally, I like their more happier upbeat songs than their "sad" stuff. Cowboy CD is one of their most upbeat CDs that I know. That's why I love it so much! To me, it sounds like a "greatest hits" CD. Another good one is I Say, I Say, I Say. My least favorite in their 90's release is their no name titled CD in 1995. It's rather slow, more sad, melancholy stuff that it sounds too dragging and monotonous to me."
Still Erasure's Strongest Album to Date
Damion J. Rowan | Montreal, QC | 11/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Erasure's "Cowboy" is, by far, one of the most brilliant albums to emerge from the 90's. As the decade was coming to a close, two of the most talented men in music dipped back to instruments popular in the 80's and put together a collection of songs that captured everything that was good in the 80's on an album released in 1997. Not an easy task...and they did it seamlessly and made the 80's sound contemporary all over again.
Absolutely brilliant.
This album features, by far, some of the best work this exceptional duo has recorded. After the mediocre "I Say I Say I Say" album and the highly disappointing eponymous 1995 release, Erasure released an album that saved their name and revived a style they helped mastermind so many years prior.
With the ultra-catchy and melododic dance tunes "Rain", "Reach Out" and "In My Arms," they proved that they found their groove again at making exceptional three-minute pop songs with heart that you couldn't get out of your head, while keeping with their tongue-in-cheek brilliance with the infectious "Don't Say Your Love is Killing Me."
Having been an Erasure fan for eighteen years, and living with the moments of perfection and the moments of disappointment, I can easily say that, thus far, this is their best album, and a must for any fan and anyone curious as to why this duo have been around for so long.
Check out their new album, "Nightbird" and single, "Breathe," in stores in January 2005 around the world.
I know I will be waiting with baited breath."
If you like dance pop or Erasure, than this album is for you
mike | Seattle, WA USA | 11/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cowboy (in my opinion) is Erasure's most pleasing album to date. Every tune is catchy and the lyrics will stick in your head hours after. There is no filler tunes on this album - Every song is good, you wont skip any. I absolutely love "Rain", "Worlds on Fire", "In My Arms", "Treasure", "Save Me Darling" and the closing cut "Love Affair" made me cry the first couple of times I heard it (I was in a relationship similar to the one described in the song and boy did it hit home).If you liked The Innocents, Chorus or I Say, I Say, I Say you definately want to check out Cowboy. It lives in my CD Player."