No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: YAZ
Title: UPSTAIRS AT ERIC'S
Street Release Date: 07/07/1987
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

Yaz (Yazoo in England) released only two albums during their short but influential existence, so a "best-of" album seems rather farfetched. Still, Depeche Mode ex-patriot Vince Clarke's music was a major influence preceding synthpop's dominance in the '80s, and their deepening obscurity makes them a prime candidate for a well-done retrospective. If only this one qualified. There are a few happy inclusions, like the lovelorn "Midnight," with Alison Moyet's soulful croon waxing over Clarke's omnipresent, light-as-air keyboard programs. The sweetly wistful "Mr. Blue" will provoke whiplash nostalgia in many a twentysomething, its melancholic chorus reflecting the awkward yet hopeful qualities of adolescence. Overall, though, curious choices abound. "Goodbye Seventies" is so forced it's almost camp, a song that the talented Moyet would likely rather forget, given her undisciplined yelping during the chorus. It's a mystery why the inoffensive but uneventful "Tuesday" was included here, while the excellent "In My Room," a Yaz staple for good reason, was not. Even the remixes included here are less than stellar. While Todd Terry's interpretation of "Don't Go" rips out a decent groove, the latest version of the dance-floor staple "Situation" starts strong but runs out of steam as the source material gets sacrificed in favor of overtly cute DJ permutations. While it's to Yaz's credit that enough good material can be found in their two-album catalog to make a best-of album at all, sadly, this collection fails at the attempt. --Matthew Cooke

RECONNECTED LIVE documents one of pop's most anticipated tours: Vince Clarke (also of Depeche Mode and Erasure fame) & Alison Moyet reunited as Yaz for the first time in over 25 years. RECONNECTED LIVE from summer 2008, features classic tracks from Yaz albums Upstairs At Eric's and You And Me Both, including "Only You", "Don't Go" and "Situation" plus tracks from You And Me Both, such as "Nobody's Diary", performed live for the first time ever. The joyous, unlikely coming together of Vince Clarke, who had just left Depeche Mode, and Alison Moyet lasted for only 2 albums, saw them originally only performing only 24 concerts worldwide, but they left an indelible mark on pop. Yazoo released Upstairs At Eric's in July 1982 then parted company just 12 months later on release of the second album You And Me Both.

2008 four disc (three CDs + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) anthology of the '80s Synthpop duo's recorded works on three CDs plus a bonus DVD that features classic Yazoo television performances from the BBC, promotional videos and a new short film containing exclusive new interviews with Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet. The box set features remastered and 5.1 mixes of both Yazoo's classic albums Upstairs At Eric's (Disc One) and You And Me Both (Disc Two) plus a third disc of B-sides and remixes. In short, this is an excellent set for Synthpop, Vince Clarke/Erasure/Depeche Mode and New Wave enthusiasts! NOTE: For legal reasons, Yazoo had to change their name to Yaz for all U.S. releases. This box contains the original albums under the duo's original name. Tracks, CD1: Upstairs At Eric's (Remastered); CD2: Nobody's Diary (Remastered); CD3: B-Sides And Remixes: Situation; Situation (Extended Version); Don't Go (Re-mix); Don't Go (Re-Remix); Situation (US 12" Mix); Situation (US 12" Dub); The Other Side Of Love; The Other Side Of Love (12" Remix); State Farm; Nobody's Diary (Extended); State Farm (Extended); Situation (Re-Recorded) +DVD. Mute. 2008.

actual photo