Featuring 35 videos and an additional disc full of bonus material, Hits: The Videos is the definitive Erasure collection. Disliked by many for their formulaic synth-pop tunes, Vince Clarke and Andy Bell are nevertheless adored by loyal fans across the globe and are still viewed as "alternative" in the U.S. These conflicting feelings toward the British duo have existed since day one, with many put off by their initial high-energy sound and flamboyant image. It was only through adopting a more "macho" white T-shirt and blue jean look in the video for "Sometimes" that the guys eventually managed to obtain chart success in their native U.K. However, the videos (all included on disc 1) for debut singles "Who Needs Love (Like That)" and "Heavenly Action" shouldn't be ignored, as the former features Bell dragged up as a damsel in distress and the later is a kitsch Barbarella spoof, complete with toddlers dressed as cherubs. Ever since their promos have alternated between the more light-hearted, ostentatious videos ("Love to Hate You," "Take a Chance on Me," and "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)") and the serious melodramatic epics ("The Circus," "Am I Right?", "S.O.S.," and "Stay with Me"). Other highlights of this collection include "Chains of Love," which features Clarke and Bell flying around the studio holstered on chains. Taking its inspiration from the video of the Pet Shop Boys' "Go West" from the previous year, Erasure's 1994 single "Run to the Sun" is an ambitious homo-erotic, computer-generated affair seemingly located somewhere in Eastern Europe. (In fact, all of the I Say, I Say, I Say videos are shot in foreign locales--the Far East for "Always" and the Mediterranean for "I Love Saturday"). Another classic is the later video "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me," which features Bell being hauled through various locations on his lounge rug. Despite being renowned for their glitzy live shows, only three of the videos feature material shot on tour ("Oh L'Amour," "In My Arms," and "Rain").
The DVD plays in Dolby stereo, with some of the later videos being 16:9 widescreen format. Disc 2 includes exclusive performance footage, rare videos, and tracks performed live on all of Erasure's major tours. Six lengthy promotional documentaries from 2001 to 2003 are included, which feature interviews with the pair. Hidden bonus footage has also been crammed on to the disc. The only downside is the clumsy menus, which are difficult to navigate and are not all that pleasing to the eye. All in all this is an excellent-value compilation for those not too tired by the tried-and-tested Erasure formula. --John Galilee
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