Erasure

Erasure could be excused for phoning in their thirteenth album, such is their legacy of hits, and yet this 2007 effort is comparable with any of their best. Andy Bell's plaintive torch-song voice is sounding splendid, and Vince Clarke's pop sensibilities are as finely tuned as ever. "When A Lover Leaves You" is vintage Erasure -- catchy pop beautifully sung over noodling layered synths -- it's what Clarke has been doing his whole career, from Depeche Mode to Yaz (aka Yazoo) to Erasure. He deserves to go down as one of England's best pop songwriters, and this album only adds to the accolades.