''Light at the End of the World'' is the thirteenth studio album by English

synth-pop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s ...

duo

Erasure Erasure () is an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1985, consisting of lead vocalist and songwriter Andy Bell with songwriter, producer and keyboardist Vince Clarke, previously known as co-founder of the band Depeche Mode and a membe ...

, released on 14 May 2007 by

Mute Records Mute Records is a British independent record label owned and founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller. It has featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Einstürzende Neubauten, Fad Gadget, Goldfrapp, Grinderm ...

. The album's release was announced on the band's website on 26 January 2007 in a video message from members

Vince Clarke Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously ...

and Andy Bell. It reached the UK top 30 upon its release.

Background

The album was first released in Japan on 14 May 2007, released by

in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2007 and in North America on the following day, 22 May. The Japanese release included bonus tracks and a music video. The album's first single, " I Could Fall in Love with You", was released in the UK on 2 April 2007, and in North America the following day. "

Sunday Girl "Sunday Girl" is a song recorded by the American new wave band Blondie, from the band's 1978 album ''Parallel Lines''. Written by guitarist Chris Stein, the song was inspired by Debbie Harry's cat, who was named Sunday Man—the cat had recentl ...

" is the second single, released in the UK on 11 June 2007 and in North America on 18 July. "Storm in a Teacup" and "Sucker for Love" were slightly remixed and released as promo singles. "When a Lover Leaves You" was originally intended to be the album's third (and final) singleErasure official website news section, June 2007
/ref> although it was cancelled. Instead there was a remix competition made, where several parts of the song were available to download for fans to make their own remixes, the best remix would appear on their upcoming third single later that year. However later announcements stated that the winner remix would appear on their new EP, '' Storm Chaser''. The competition was won by Oscar Salguero. The album touches upon themes of love and the ups and downs of relationships (which are familiar lyrical Erasure territory), while "Storm in a Teacup" references singer Bell's mother's

alcoholism Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol (drug), alcohol that results in significant Mental health, mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognize ...

. The album is available as two different editions: a standard 10-track CD album (CDSTUMM285) and a special 12-track deluxe limited edition CD album (LCDSTUMM285). As with its predecessor, 2005's '' Nightbird'', ''Light at the End of the World'' was not released on

vinyl Vinyl may refer to: Chemistry * Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer * Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation * Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry * Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl m ...

, although its singles were all given commercial

seven-inch In music, a single is a type of release, typically a song recording of fewer tracks than an LP record or an album. One can be released for sale to the public in a variety of formats. In most cases, a single is a song that is released separate ...

releases. The album was supported by the Light at the End of the World Live tour.

Track listing

All tracks written by Andy Bell and

Standard version (CDSTUMM285)

# "Sunday Girl" - 4:35 # "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:15 # "Sucker For Love" - 3:58 # "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04 # "Fly Away" - 3:21 # "Golden Heart" - 3:12 # "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:20 # "Darlene" - 3:38 # "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:51 # "Glass Angel" - 5:03

Limited edition (LCDSTUMM285)

# "Sunday Girl" - 4:35 # "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:15 # "Sucker for Love" - 3:58 # "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04 # "Fly Away" - 3:21 # "Golden Heart" - 3:12 # "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:20 # "Darlene" - 3:38 # "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:51 # "Glass Angel" - 5:03 # "Be My Baby" - 3:30 # "I Don't Know Why" - 4:02

Japanese edition (TOCP-66677)

# "Sunday Girl" - 4:35 # "I Could Fall in Love with You" - 4:16 # "Sucker for Love" - 3:59 # "Storm in a Teacup" - 4:04 # "Fly Away" - 3:22 # "Golden Heart" - 3:13 # "How My Eyes Adore You" - 3:21 # "Darlene" - 3:38 # "When a Lover Leaves You" - 3:52 # "Glass Angel" - 5:03 # "I Could Fall in Love with You (Monteverde Extended Mix)" - 6:26 # "I Like It" - 4:25 # "I Could Fall in Love with You" (music video) - 4:05

2016 "Erasure 30" 30th anniversary BMG reissue LP

Subsequent to their acquisition of Erasure's back catalog, and in anticipation of the band's 30th anniversary, BMG commissioned reissues of all previously released UK editions of Erasure albums up to and including 2007's ''Light at the End of the World''. All titles were pressed and distributed by Play It Again Sam on 180-gram vinyl and shrinkwrapped with a custom anniversary sticker. This marked the first release of this album on vinyl.

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2007 albums Albums produced by Gareth Jones (music producer) Erasure albums Mute Records albums