Additional personnel: M.C. Kinky (rap vocals); Maurice Michael (guitar); Guy Barker (trumpet).

Producers includes: Stephen Hague, Erasure, Gareth Jones, Mark Saunders, Martyn Phillips.

Engineers include: Dave Bascombe, Bob Kraushaar, Dave Jacob.

A handy 20-track singles compilation covering Erasure's first five albums plus the EPs CRACKERS INTERNATIONAL and ABBA-ESQUE and the remix album THE TWO RING CIRCUS, this is a near-perfect way to get acquainted with the duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. Running in basically chronological order from 1986's "Who Needs Love Like That?" to 1992's "Take a Chance on Me," the collection includes such classic Erasure hits as "Stop!" "Chains of Love," and "Oh L'Amour," in their original single mixes, which are occasionally somewhat different from the album or extended club versions.

While this collection is essential for neophytes, it contains no new songs or mixes, and hardcore Erasure fans may find it most useful as a failsafe party album or mix-tape substitute. Later Erasure albums are more melancholy in tone; in retrospect, POP! feels like the closing of a chapter.