If there's one spot where this album isn't up to the bar set by "Upstairs," it is that there is no song to quite compete with "Only You," perhaps the most wistful, enchanting, haunted song of the decade. There are echoes in two songs: "Softly Over" and especially "Mr. Blue," but no song captures the essence of "Only You." "Mr. Blue" comes closest, in the verse beginning: "I come to you at night/When all the world is sleeping tight..."

There are however, one or two energetic songs which compete favorably with "Upstairs"'s other big hit, "Don't Go." The underrated "Sweet Thing" and fast-paced "Walk Away from Love" have engaging synth backings to match Moyet's impassioned singing.

Beyond the aforementioned "Mr. Blue" and "Softly Over," the ballads are solid, but not spectacular. "Nobody's Diary" is the best of the rest of the lot, although "Ode to Boy" comes close, with its half-spoken lyrics, and "Anyone" features two throaty wails from Moyet which can make the teeth chatter.

One small complaint: some backing synth arrangements begin to sound similar, to themselves and to ones used on "Upstairs at Eric's." Clarke would go on to more highly creative synth arranging with Erasure, and "Alf" Moyet started a solo career -- but Yaz and "You and Me Both" claim an important spot in the history of synth-pop, and should not be overshadowed by later solo work.

Infectious pop melodies and beautiful vocals
The second and final Yaz album isn't as well-known as their first, but it's actually a stronger, more consistent album. On "Walk Away From Love," Vince Clarke expanded upon the sound of his Depeche Mode hit "Just Can't Get Enough" to create a great sing-a-long track. Other highlights include the funky "State Farm," the hypnotic "Ode to Boy," "Mr. Blue" which recalls "Only You" from their first album, and my favorite "Nobody's Diary," a brilliant showcase for Alison Moyet's beautiful voice. All fans of 80's synth pop should add this to their collection.

A Secret Treasure !!!
This album is every bit as good as Upstairs at Erics. In fact I like it better. Alison Moyet really shines as a vocalist. The songs are accessible and really turn into favorites very quickly. These songs have a bit more social depth to them, if you truely listen to the lyrics, you can see it. Mr Blue is an absolute gem, and Ode to Boy is so special, it's almost erotic! Buy this album if you liked Upstairs at Erics... you will like this one too!

This album is just as good as
I find it hard to beleive people knocking this album. I do not see any weakness any of the songs written by Alison Moyet. Songs like "Sweet Thing" and "And On" are awesome. This album I'd say is a bit more moody and deep that Upstairs At Erics. I guess that spoils the mood for people who just want a dance album. The political and social messages of this album are strong and brillant... Examples are "Mr. Blue", "Unmarked", and "State Farm." A moody, poetic, brillant and charming synth album. The strenght of both their albums has made Yaz one of my favorite bands.
I've been familiar with Yaz's debut -"Upstairs At Eric's"- for quite some time now. I only recently purchased "You And Me Both" and in my understanding it wasn't nearly as successful or popular as Yaz's debut, which is too bad because it's very good in every regard.

As with Upstairs At Eric's, Clarke and Moyet each wrote about half of the songs. Once again the song-writing of both is very good. The mood of You And Me Both somewhat contrasts Upstairs At Eric's. While the latter is more upbeat and optimistic, the melodies and direction of the former are more melancholic and tranquil. The album cover art of You And Me Both represents the general mood very well: Wintery gray and blue. Notwithstanding it's contrast to Yaz's debut, You And Me Both doesn't have more ballads; it's every bit as danceable as Upstairs At Eric's. The synth tones that Clarke employs also seems a little different -though they're very similar to the first album- but I like them better in this album and think they're awesome. I love the synth tones so much that if I had my own band I would probably use the same synthesizer(s) that Clarke did even though they're over 20 years old. To me they don't sound even quasi-obsolete and probably never will.

My favorite tracks are "Nobody's Diary," "Sweet Thing," "Unmarked," and "Walk Away From Love." "Ode To Boy" and "Mister Blue" are very good slow songs that are reminiscent of "Winter Kills" (from Upstairs At Eric's). Like the debut, there are a few fillers but most of the album is great.

If you are familiar with Upstairs At Eric's and liked it, you shouldn't hesitate to purchase You And Me Both which is every bit as good. All fans of '80s new wave/synth pop should have both albums in their collection as Yaz is one of the first and, in my opinion, the best of the genre. They're my favorite group, in fact.