Actually, they're not spells, but parts of the Mage class' spell list. For example, I can cast burning hands at levels through 0 to 9. This is part of the Evoke Area [Element] (Fire) list that also includes effects to mimic cone of cold, fireball and flame strike with the chosen element.
The mage can duplicate quite a few of the spells from the PHB, but is lacking when other spellcasters have access to spells from other sources.
Altho, the mage can create some interesting effects on his own. Like I could create a temporary (or even Instantaneous) shield made of darkwood with Create [Element] Object (Biomatter), and then enchant it to +5 with Infuse Object with [Element] (any). Creating the shield would of course require a Craft check.
As I said, I recommend Elements of Magic to anybody who is interested in a variant spellcaster.