11 tracks · 43 min
Nightbird proved to be both critically and commercially successful despite charting no higher than number 27 in UK, thanks to positive reviews by music critics who dubbed it both a "mature masterpiece" and "return to form" - meaning meticulously produced, shimmering three-minute pop songs. Many longtime fans of the band hailed it as a return to the sound and feel of classic Erasure albums like Wonderland and Chorus. Singer Andy Bell's revelation that he was HIV-positive just prior to the album's release shed new meaning on the songs' introspective and sometimes melancholy lyrics. The album's first single "Breathe" entered the UK Singles Chart at number four - Erasure's highest peak since "Always" hit number four in 1994. Although no singles from the album charted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, two of them hit the top ten on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. "Breathe" became Erasure's second number-one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart - their first being "Victim of Love" in 1987. A massive concert tour accompanied this album which travelled across Europe and the UK as well as North America. The tour, dubbed The Erasure Show, featured the extravagant set designs and costume chan…
