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Post by Russg on May 13, 2018 18:53:49 GMT
That entire album Nightlife is mostly sublime! I love the way that album sounds, a sort of cinematic quality to it. In Denial was written for their musical Closer To Heaven but the album Nightlife is not a soundtrack for the musical. They eventually released a separate soundtrack and rightly so as Nightlife stands on its own merits. Quality album. The Further Listening version is perfection. Nightlife will always hold a special place in my heart as this was the album that first turned me into a fan. There was just something so effortlessly cool and stylish about PSB, which drew me to them back then and still does today. To me, Nightlife is one of my all time favourite albums by anyone. I know many fans consider Bilingual to be their best album, but for me I will always hold a candle for Nightlife.
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Post by aazzaabb on May 13, 2018 19:09:37 GMT
That entire album Nightlife is mostly sublime! I love the way that album sounds, a sort of cinematic quality to it. In Denial was written for their musical Closer To Heaven but the album Nightlife is not a soundtrack for the musical. They eventually released a separate soundtrack and rightly so as Nightlife stands on its own merits. Quality album. The Further Listening version is perfection. Nightlife will always hold a special place in my heart as this was the album that first turned me into a fan. There was just something so effortlessly cool and stylish about PSB, which drew me to them back then and still does today. To me, Nightlife is one of my all time favourite albums by anyone. I know many fans consider Bilingual to be their best album, but for me I will always hold a candle for Nightlife. It's a stunning album! It really captures the night and It's one of their best album sleeves also. The Further Listening edition comes with 2 extra cds. I actually gave it a spin yesterday whilst we were talking about it. With PSB's their albums are so consistently good I can't ever really choose one fave album. Their like MJ to me in terms of album quality.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 12, 2019 2:10:15 GMT
Russg have you checked out PSB’s new EP ‘Agenda? 4 tracks; Agenda EP 1) Give stupidity a chance 2) On social media 3) What are we going to do about the rich? 4) The forgotten child I’m loving it! On social media and The forgotten child are my two favourites from it and What are we going to do about the rich? has grown on me quite a bit. The EP comes as a physical CD with this years edition of Annually which can be pre-ordered through their official site and should arrive on April 12th, and the EP is also getting a 12inch vinyl release for Record Store Day this year. And, also on April 12th the Innner Sanctum Tour gets a physical release as a 2 cd/dvd/blu ray 4 disc set. So shaping up to be quite a year for the boys.
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Post by Russg on Feb 12, 2019 9:15:41 GMT
Russg have you checked out PSB’s new EP ‘Agenda? 4 tracks; Agenda EP 1) Give stupidity a chance 2) On social media 3) What are we going to do about the rich? 4) The forgotten child I’m loving it! On social media and The forgotten child are my two favourites from it and What are we going to do about the rich? has grown on me quite a bit. The EP comes as a physical CD with this years edition of Annually which can be pre-ordered through their official site and should arrive on April 12th, and the EP is also getting a 12inch vinyl release for Record Store Day this year. And, also on April 12th the Innner Sanctum Tour gets a physical release as a 2 cd/dvd/blu ray 4 disc set. So shaping up to be quite a year for the boys. The Forgotten Child is my favorite. It feels to me like it’s about the tragedy of the refugee children being lost in the US border and being separated from their parents and given up for adoption. At least that’s what first came to mind. On Social Media is also a highlight. Love their commentary on modern life. Still creating vital work in their fourrh decade of making music. Incredible.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 12, 2019 12:33:32 GMT
Russg have you checked out PSB’s new EP ‘Agenda? 4 tracks; Agenda EP 1) Give stupidity a chance 2) On social media 3) What are we going to do about the rich? 4) The forgotten child I’m loving it! On social media and The forgotten child are my two favourites from it and What are we going to do about the rich? has grown on me quite a bit. The EP comes as a physical CD with this years edition of Annually which can be pre-ordered through their official site and should arrive on April 12th, and the EP is also getting a 12inch vinyl release for Record Store Day this year. And, also on April 12th the Innner Sanctum Tour gets a physical release as a 2 cd/dvd/blu ray 4 disc set. So shaping up to be quite a year for the boys. The Forgotten Child is my favorite. It feels to me like it’s about the tragedy of the refugee children being lost in the US border and being separated from their parents and given up for adoption. At least that’s what first came to mind. On Social Media is also a highlight. Love their commentary on modern life. Still creating vital work in their fourrh decade of making music. Incredible. Couldn't agree more with everything you say here. Spot on about The forgotten child! On social media! That's one of the many things I love about them; their commentary on modern life set to the backdrop of a dance beat. Just when I think they've run out of steam they come back with a few gems. I love how they remain intrinsically Pet Shop Boys as they've always been; not attempting to be anything or anyone else. Nobody does Pet Shop Boys as good as Pet Shop Boys themselves.
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Post by Cloudbuster on Feb 12, 2019 15:22:53 GMT
Pretty much everything on the first four albums. Really fond of Yes, too, which is perhaps their last great work. It Always Comes As A Surprise from Bilingual was stuck in my head recently, one I'd never paid much attention to before.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 13, 2019 12:30:09 GMT
Pretty much everything on the first four albums. Really fond of Yes, too, which is perhaps their last great work. It Always Comes As A Surprise from Bilingual was stuck in my head recently, one I'd never paid much attention to before. If I’m being completely honest I would have to say that Yes is definitely their last truly great album. Incredible that their next album after Yes was Elysium. For me Elysium is their weakest, although within their catalog it offers something different and works as a late night chill out album. I suppose it’s nice to have it in the overall catalog at this point. And between Yes and Elysium we did get Pandemonium (Live album and dvd) Ultimate (Hits album and performances dvd) The Most Incredible Thing Format (B-sides and rarities) And Party (Hits package) was released in Brazil. We’ve been spoilt as fans.
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Post by Cloudbuster on Feb 13, 2019 13:35:20 GMT
If I’m being completely honest I would have to say that Yes is definitely their last truly great album. Incredible that their next album after Yes was Elysium. For me Elysium is their weakest, although within their catalog it offers something different and works as a late night chill out album. I suppose it’s nice to have it in the overall catalog at this point. And between Yes and Elysium we did get Pandemonium (Live album and dvd) Ultimate (Hits album and performances dvd) The Most Incredible Thing Format (B-sides and rarities) And Party (Hits package) was released in Brazil. We’ve been spoilt as fans. Aye, Elysium is a bit of a mess. It just doesn't seem to hold together very well. Probably the first time I could say that about a PSB album. Still, some good tracks though. Leaving, Invisible, Breathing Space and Requiem In Denim And Leopardskin stand out. Format was a welcome release as I never bought their singles. It's not a patch on Alternative but the first disc is pretty strong.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 13, 2019 20:10:16 GMT
If I’m being completely honest I would have to say that Yes is definitely their last truly great album. Incredible that their next album after Yes was Elysium. For me Elysium is their weakest, although within their catalog it offers something different and works as a late night chill out album. I suppose it’s nice to have it in the overall catalog at this point. And between Yes and Elysium we did get Pandemonium (Live album and dvd) Ultimate (Hits album and performances dvd) The Most Incredible Thing Format (B-sides and rarities) And Party (Hits package) was released in Brazil. We’ve been spoilt as fans. Aye, Elysium is a bit of a mess. It just doesn't seem to hold together very well. Probably the first time I could say that about a PSB album. Still, some good tracks though. Leaving, Invisible, Breathing Space and Requiem In Denim And Leopardskin stand out. Format was a welcome release as I never bought their singles. It's not a patch on Alternative but the first disc is pretty strong. Ha! Spot on about the good tracks on Elysium and that Format wasn’t a patch on the superb Alternative! You know your stuff mate!😎
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Post by Russg on Feb 20, 2019 21:25:57 GMT
If I’m being completely honest I would have to say that Yes is definitely their last truly great album. Incredible that their next album after Yes was Elysium. For me Elysium is their weakest, although within their catalog it offers something different and works as a late night chill out album. I suppose it’s nice to have it in the overall catalog at this point. And between Yes and Elysium we did get Pandemonium (Live album and dvd) Ultimate (Hits album and performances dvd) The Most Incredible Thing Format (B-sides and rarities) And Party (Hits package) was released in Brazil. We’ve been spoilt as fans. Aye, Elysium is a bit of a mess. It just doesn't seem to hold together very well. Probably the first time I could say that about a PSB album. Still, some good tracks though. Leaving, Invisible, Breathing Space and Requiem In Denim And Leopardskin stand out. Format was a welcome release as I never bought their singles. It's not a patch on Alternative but the first disc is pretty strong. When Elysium first came out, I quickly chalked it up to mostly fillers and gave it only a few listens. But since it's rerelease, I've changed my mind for the most part. Some of it are, technically, bad songs with embarrassing lyrics, but the songs that work, really work. Leaving is melodic and instantly draws you in with its dark lyrics and heavenly background vocals. Easily one of their best songs since the 90's. Invisible and Winner are also good songs. Breathing Space, which rounds out side one of the vinyl edition, is a beautiful song with nice, poignant lyrics. Then, sadly, after a mostly spectacular side one, we get into side two, which fails on many levels. Ego Music could possibly be the worst song the Pet Shop Boys have recorded. I had it on once while making dinner and my boyfriend, who's only a fan when I force him to listen to them, but appreciates most of their music, craned his neck around and, with disgust and a curled lip, muttered "What the &$*@ Is This?" Give It a Go is not much better, and Everything Means Something is typical drivel that you expect from some of the boys more recent releases.
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Post by Cloudbuster on Feb 21, 2019 23:56:06 GMT
When Elysium first came out, I quickly chalked it up to mostly fillers and gave it only a few listens. But since it's rerelease, I've changed my mind for the most part. Some of it are, technically, bad songs with embarrassing lyrics, but the songs that work, really work. Leaving is melodic and instantly draws you in with its dark lyrics and heavenly background vocals. Easily one of their best songs since the 90's. Invisible and Winner are also good songs. Breathing Space, which rounds out side one of the vinyl edition, is a beautiful song with nice, poignant lyrics. Then, sadly, after a mostly spectacular side one, we get into side two, which fails on many levels. Ego Music could possibly be the worst song the Pet Shop Boys have recorded. I had it on once while making dinner and my boyfriend, who's only a fan when I force him to listen to them, but appreciates most of their music, craned his neck around and, with disgust and a curled lip, muttered "What the &$*@ Is This?" Give It a Go is not much better, and Everything Means Something is typical drivel that you expect from some of the boys more recent releases. Tennant seems to have run out of things to say, not to single him out as it happens to most of us eventually. Yet for a lyricist who used to be laser sharp about the world and all the madness and wonder that it contains he's alarmingly bereft of ideas. Maybe he's finally happy - in which case fair play to him. He's given enough already. Electric was enjoyable on some levels but the beats hit harder than the songwriting. One or two more albums? Yeah, I'll take that. Not Take That.
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Post by Russg on Feb 24, 2019 12:20:33 GMT
When Elysium first came out, I quickly chalked it up to mostly fillers and gave it only a few listens. But since it's rerelease, I've changed my mind for the most part. Some of it are, technically, bad songs with embarrassing lyrics, but the songs that work, really work. Leaving is melodic and instantly draws you in with its dark lyrics and heavenly background vocals. Easily one of their best songs since the 90's. Invisible and Winner are also good songs. Breathing Space, which rounds out side one of the vinyl edition, is a beautiful song with nice, poignant lyrics. Then, sadly, after a mostly spectacular side one, we get into side two, which fails on many levels. Ego Music could possibly be the worst song the Pet Shop Boys have recorded. I had it on once while making dinner and my boyfriend, who's only a fan when I force him to listen to them, but appreciates most of their music, craned his neck around and, with disgust and a curled lip, muttered "What the &$*@ Is This?" Give It a Go is not much better, and Everything Means Something is typical drivel that you expect from some of the boys more recent releases. Tennant seems to have run out of things to say, not to single him out as it happens to most of us eventually. Yet for a lyricist who used to be laser sharp about the world and all the madness and wonder that it contains he's alarmingly bereft of ideas. Maybe he's finally happy - in which case fair play to him. He's given enough already. Electric was enjoyable on some levels but the beats hit harder than the songwriting. One or two more albums? Yeah, I'll take that. Not Take That. Pretty much agree with everything you said. Electric was too overproduced and so musically thin. What I love about the PSB's, the wit, the intelligence, the arch humour, the subversive TWIST are all totally missing from Electric, as, indeed, is any sense of commitment. "Axis" is a throw-together the boys can do in their sleep, "Bolshy" sound just like it is, or, at least, a thin retread of Royskopff's "Poor Nemo". "Love is a Bourgeois Concept" should be the witty track of the album, but somehow falls flat on its face. "Fluorescent" is yet another retread of the kind of anti-popstar track that has already been amply covered by "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously", "How I Learned To Hate Rock and Roll" and "Enfant Terrible" (the latter two from the AWESOME "Format" album!). The rest of the album? Well "Ho hum" sums it up, I'm afraid. The Agenda EP is like a breath of fresh air to me, and marks a return to form for the boys and I just hope they can keep the momentum going for a fully-fledged new album of this quality.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 26, 2019 2:11:33 GMT
I've been revisiting Actually over the past few days and to quote Russg above "the wit, the intelligence, the arch humour, the subversive TWIST" are all there. I love your description of Neil's masterful lyrics and commentary Russg.
It's all present on Actually; One more chance What have I done to deserve this? Shopping Rent Hit music It couldn't happen here It's a sin I want to wake up Heart Kings cross
And Behaviour is arguably even better. I will have to give "the AWESOME Format" a bit of my attention. For me it never reached the greatness of Alternative which is an incredible piece of work. That has to be one of the greatest collection of b-sides ever.
I agree about Agenda also. It's reminiscent of classic PSB's. Electric and Super have some great moments but overall not as good as the 80's and 90's. Yes was their last truly great album.
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Post by Russg on Feb 26, 2019 15:40:22 GMT
I've been revisiting Actually over the past few days and to quote Russg above "the wit, the intelligence, the arch humour, the subversive TWIST" are all there. I love your description of Neil's masterful lyrics and commentary Russg. It's all present on Actually; One more chance What have I done to deserve this? Shopping Rent Hit music It couldn't happen here It's a sin I want to wake up Heart Kings cross And Behaviour is arguably even better. I will have to give "the AWESOME Format" a bit of my attention. For me it never reached the greatness of Alternative which is an incredible piece of work. That has to be one of the greatest collection of b-sides ever. I agree about Agenda also. It's reminiscent of classic PSB's. Electric and Super have some great moments but overall not as good as the 80's and 90's. Yes was their last truly great album. Actually is one classy, catchy, dancey, trippy (oh yes) and poignant album, yet nobody seems to know it. For me, there is nothing the Beatles did that is as as sad and moving as It Couldn't Happen Here. This album is like a musical disco opera, starting with a dramatic 12 inch song that invokes the City of London and a debonair and suave young man looking for his lover on a cold and wet evening. It pushes on into the yuppiedom theme, overturning convention with a man singing about how he is grateful that a lover pays his rent and much more subtle and clever social comment in "Shopping" than they manage with their clumsy rants in their sad latter day works. Savour no nonsense catchyness song after song on this effort. Hit Music has been dismissed as being too 80s. Presumably such dismissers didn't listen to the last one minute and four seconds of the song. What is that? The Pet Shop Boys have invented Lounge Music ten years early. This is dreamy, lie on the floor and bliss-out stuff. It is probably true that you have to be in touch with your feminine side, or have one, to really appreciate it. Everytime I hear it I hear myself mouthing the words, moving my body and I seem to be leaving my chair and dancing. And I'm doing this years after I first heard it. Perhaps most of the journos responsible for those tedious top 100 album lists are still struggling with feelings because this album never seems to get on their lists. And I'm really not impressed by that ultra dull cliche about the Pet Shop Boys being miserablists or singing in a deadpan and emotionally detached manner, as if they are basically an affected band being very droll. That is an insult to the depth this album has. Probably this album's weakest moment is its most successful, It's A Sin, which is pretty fine, but for me sinks below this album's overall genius. And much of that genius probably extends a bit beyond the Pets themselves. The drums beats and production on this album are simply unmatched elsewhere in their canon. They actually seem to think about the drum patterns whereas later on in their career they just stick some generic one on and let it plod away. Actually, Very, Bilingual and Nightlife are four albums that defined me as a young gay man in the 80s and 90s and will always have a special place in my heart.
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Post by aazzaabb on Feb 26, 2019 19:34:14 GMT
I've been revisiting Actually over the past few days and to quote Russg above "the wit, the intelligence, the arch humour, the subversive TWIST" are all there. I love your description of Neil's masterful lyrics and commentary Russg. It's all present on Actually; One more chance What have I done to deserve this? Shopping Rent Hit music It couldn't happen here It's a sin I want to wake up Heart Kings cross And Behaviour is arguably even better. I will have to give "the AWESOME Format" a bit of my attention. For me it never reached the greatness of Alternative which is an incredible piece of work. That has to be one of the greatest collection of b-sides ever. I agree about Agenda also. It's reminiscent of classic PSB's. Electric and Super have some great moments but overall not as good as the 80's and 90's. Yes was their last truly great album. Actually is one classy, catchy, dancey, trippy (oh yes) and poignant album, yet nobody seems to know it. For me, there is nothing the Beatles did that is as as sad and moving as It Couldn't Happen Here. This album is like a musical disco opera, starting with a dramatic 12 inch song that invokes the City of London and a debonair and suave young man looking for his lover on a cold and wet evening. It pushes on into the yuppiedom theme, overturning convention with a man singing about how he is grateful that a lover pays his rent and much more subtle and clever social comment in "Shopping" than they manage with their clumsy rants in their sad latter day works. Savour no nonsense catchyness song after song on this effort. Hit Music has been dismissed as being too 80s. Presumably such dismissers didn't listen to the last one minute and four seconds of the song. What is that? The Pet Shop Boys have invented Lounge Music ten years early. This is dreamy, lie on the floor and bliss-out stuff. It is probably true that you have to be in touch with your feminine side, or have one, to really appreciate it. Everytime I hear it I hear myself mouthing the words, moving my body and I seem to be leaving my chair and dancing. And I'm doing this years after I first heard it. Perhaps most of the journos responsible for those tedious top 100 album lists are still struggling with feelings because this album never seems to get on their lists. And I'm really not impressed by that ultra dull cliche about the Pet Shop Boys being miserablists or singing in a deadpan and emotionally detached manner, as if they are basically an affected band being very droll. That is an insult to the depth this album has. Probably this album's weakest moment is its most successful, It's A Sin, which is pretty fine, but for me sinks below this album's overall genius. And much of that genius probably extends a bit beyond the Pets themselves. The drums beats and production on this album are simply unmatched elsewhere in their canon. They actually seem to think about the drum patterns whereas later on in their career they just stick some generic one on and let it plod away. Actually, Very, Bilingual and Nightlife are four albums that defined me as a young gay man in the 80s and 90s and will always have a special place in my heart. This is one of the best reviews of Actually I’ve ever read! I feel everything you say when I listen to this album. It’s such a majestic listen start to finish. Regarding It’s A Sin you’re probably right. From what I remember reading Tennent & Lowe threw the kitchen sink on the production because they wanted a big radio single and they got it with It’s A Sin hitting #1. I think it’s great at what it does but yes, amazingly it’s only the tip of the iceberg in comparison to the actual album. There’s 2 sides to PSB’s; the singles that casual listeners know and then the albums where they were absolute masters of the pop album as an art form. For me; Please, Actually, Introspective, Very, Bilingual, Nightlife, Fundamental and Yes are the ones that make them arguably my favourite group of all time. I suppose you could argue that Introspective is just a bunch of 12” mixes but I love it. I really love I Want a Dog and It’s Alright. I have to say thank gawd for Pet Shop Boys right now! I think I’ll dig out the Further Listenings over the next few rocky weeks ahead and focus on their incredible catalog.
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