Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Bem… Pet Shop Boys claramente são um grupo de singles. Seus álbuns são só veículos para entregar os singles, que são de fato fantásticos, mas o resto das canções dos discos não são nada demais. 3/5
it's an okay album, not bad, but I bet there are tons of better pop albums from that era
Never listened. Expectations: Low - Verdict: Good _ One More Chance is pretty good as an opener. Shopping is quite good. A lot of this feels a bit generic for me though. I found parts of the album quite boring to sit through. It's A Sin and I Want To Wake Up are also quite good. Overall this is a pretty decent record and the good tracks more than make up for the less strong ones.
This is a really good album. While listening I felt elegant, playful, and full of energy. It’s rhythmic, witty, and has that perfect Pet Shop Boys balance of smart lyrics and catchy pop hooks. The album feels sophisticated and interesting without losing its sense of humour. There’s a sharp, slightly sarcastic edge to the themes — love, fame, loneliness, and everyday life in the big city — but it’s wrapped in fun, danceable rhythms and glossy 80s production. The whole record has great energy and flows really well. Tracks hit that sweet spot between emotional depth and pure entertainment. It’s elegant, funny, and strangely uplifting at the same time. Actually is easily one of their strongest and most consistent albums. If you like clever, stylish synth-pop with real personality, this one delivers.
I went back and forth with this record. The first few songs made me think that the 1980s me had closed ears as usual with synth based music. The opening track,”One More Chance”, delivered danceable electronic sounds and my soft spot for Dusty Springfield turned “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” into a winner. As I proceeded, the album seemed dated. Rather than use the electronics to conjure up interesting new sounds as electronic music did in the 1990s, the group used synths to duplicate actual instruments. I found the drums monotonous. They used synths to sound like percussion and strings in an uninteresting fashion. However, a third listen was more of a winner. “Rent” was an effective uptempo ballad and “Hit Music” stood out with its more driving beat. Maybe a fourth listen would yield another opinion.
A solid synth pop album. 3.3/5.
They're not an album band, but they're not a singles band either. And I wasn't old enough to be in the clubs to experience what they really were. What Have I Done to Deserve This is incredible. There's some other fund stuff too. As an album? Pretty good, I guess?
I've never really understood the hype around The Pet Shop Boys. All of there music is just fine... I think it's his voice that puts me off, it's too whispery or something. It feels like he isn't projecting enough. The music here is fine, doesn't really do anything for me one way or another. Mid 3.
Took a few re-listens, but not too bad.
moy bueno re musica ochentosa y con un temon como its a sin 3/5
Sort of convinced this is only here because of Its a Sin but ok yeah its not bad. Very of its era but nothing I hated.
It's just not a genre I love and while it was fine in the background, I would never put this on
I like some pet shop boys. Even when their lyrics don't catch me often times the beats are still really good anyway. This album started true to that
not what I was expecting, but pretty decent
Funny this came after Depeche Mode's Violator, this seems more dated and neutered by comparison while still being a fun 80s album
I think I only recognize one or two tracks on this album by name, but otherwise I've never listened to this album. As with the other two Pet Shop Boys albums I've listened to as part of this project, I don't hate this, and I am glad I gave it an honest listen. It's not bad, but it's also just not my cup of tea.
What shines the most about this album is the singing. Neil Tennant's delicate and smooth voice feels incredibly nice to the ears, and adds a sophisticated layer to the record. I wish I could say such positive things about the instrumentation, but for a Synth Pop album, I though that it was just decent at best. It is fancy and can pair well with the vocals, but there isn't any moment I though was fascinating, impactful or memorable. What I can say nicely about it is that the production is super clear. But that's about it, I can't really say much more than the album being a pleasant to hear.
Although it seems dated today, it was pretty good for its time. I never heard this album all the way through before, but I get it. It's not the PSB album I would have expected, but sure. Unfortunately it just does little to excite me in 2026
3.5 stars
I tried with this a few times but it didn't hit much. There are three songs I enjoyed but the rest were quite bland or quick skips.
A mixed bag. Some great songs, It's a Sin and Heart, some proper duffers, One More Chance, It Couldn't Happen Here are some middling stuff. At their best, Pet Shop Boys are great, but over a whole album, not so much. I'll stick with a best of in the future.
Sounds cool! I dig it
Not the PSB I would reach for
I think I'm just a singles fan.
An iconic 80's sound - good, not incredible to my ears, but it's fine to be on if it's already on.
Very 80’s
bissl zu melancholisch
I like a Pet Shop Boys single on the radio now and again, but a full album is too much.
ehh
3.5
Alltid härliga vibes från Pet Shop Boys men kanske inte bandet jag typiskt lyssnar på ett helt album back to back
Songs to challenge a rival to a fierce dance battle to. Not sure about any regular listening though. Standouts: One More Chance • Rent • It's Sin • I Want To Wake Up
I’m very much a fan, but this is not one of their best albums in my opinion.
Sonido muy caracteristico de los 80
Shames me as I never thought I’d say this but I’m getting a bit bored of 80s sythny pop that keeps popping up. I think it’s that same fake drum beat they all have. I’ll go ask my own personal Jesus for my penance. 2.5 rounded up
Better than I was expecting. More interesting musically than "Very" which was over-wrought 80's synth pop. This is tamped down a little more and a bit more introspective. Standout was simple but catchy "Hit Music".
Good. ★★★
I dislike the Pet Shop Boys because i can't stand the 80s 'cheap synth' production sound I grew up with. But the songs here are good, I just wish I could hear this album made in a different era.
Pa nije mi čak ni toliko loš album, ali to je zato što volim taj 80s sound, pogotovo kljavice. Prvi dio albuma mi je općenito zanimljiviji, drugi dio mi je malo meh. 3/5, 5/10
I am not a big fan of the 80s, 80s music or dance music. Yet, this was pretty fun. The lyrics were vicious and often undercut the peppiness of the music. Given my predilections, I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Good 80s vibes but the tracks just blend together. Nothing especially pops out.
I find that there’s something lackluster in all their songs, like a certain punchiness is missing. Still quality, but never above a 3 star.
Bueno
Fun
There are a few very good songs on this album. But it’s not my favorite from the band. Heart and What Have I Done still really hold up.
Fun, and holds up well. Had me dancing in my car.
I liked this one more than Introspective, but a lot of the tracks become repetitive.
WHIDTDT and It’s a Sin are great, but they can’t carry this album past a 3 for me. PSB’s best songs are really good, but many just bore me.
No es de mi estilo, no me gustó mucho
Actually ok good
Decent
Vrien denne. Noen meget gode. Andre ganske svake. Melder 3,5.
Pet Shop Boysin Actually on aikas hyvä syntikkapop-levy, itseasiassa. Tällainen sliipattu ja "ylituotettu" kasarisoundi ei kuitenkaan aina omia korvia miellytä. Kappaleista It's a Sin kohoaa ylitse muiden.
Usually these 80's albums get to me but not this one. Must have caught me on the right day or something because if i relistened to this I bet the score would be a lot lower. 6/10
Peak 80s Pop.
This was better than the previous album we had from Pet Shop Boys. There is a lot more depth to the music than just a Casio sampler; you can tell the production has help this time. It’s still early ish synth pop but the maturity and layers of instrumentation are there. Perfectly reasonable for the time.
I love ‘It’s a Sin’, and ‘Rent’ was a fun discovery, but overall I didn’t love the record.
Good
2.5
Großbritannien · Synth-Pop · Sarm West Studios & Advision Studios, London Parlophone / EMI Manhattan Das zweite Studioalbum des englischen Duos Neil Tennant und Chris Lowe ist kein Album, das laut um Aufmerksamkeit wirbt – es bekommt sie trotzdem. actually. erschien am 7. September 1987 und etablierte die Pet Shop Boys als etwas, das die Popwelt selten hervorbringt: ein Duo mit Haltung und Hitquote zugleich. Die Produktion – maßgeblich von Julian Mendelsohn verantwortet – klingt kühl, präzise, fast klinisch; und genau das macht den Reiz aus. „It's a Sin" setzt den Ton: ein gregorianisches Schuldgefühl auf Discobasis, das Tennant mit seiner charakteristischen Beiläufigkeit vorträgt, als wäre Verdammnis eine mäßig unangenehme Angelegenheit. „What Have I Done to Deserve This?" mit Dusty Springfield zeigt das Duo auf dem Höhepunkt seiner Kollaborationsfähigkeit – Springfield bringt emotionales Gewicht, das Tennants bewusste Distanz erst sichtbar macht. „Rent" ist stiller, aber böser: Liebe als Transaktion, ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken formuliert. „Heart" schließlich schließt den Kreis mit einem der effizientesten Synthpop-Hooks der Dekade. Was das Album trägt, ist die Spannung zwischen Form und Inhalt. Die Texte verhandeln Schuld, Konsum, Einsamkeit und die Thatcher-Ära – nie anklagend, immer schräg. Wer genau hinhört, merkt, dass actually. kein Tanzalbum ist, das sich als eines tarnt, sondern umgekehrt. Ein Schlüsselwerk des britischen Synthpop, das seine Cleverness nicht ausstellt, sondern einfach lebt.
It’s a sin saved this from a 2
80s doing 80s
Did we need three albums by these two? Well, actually, not really. One is enough as they're all the same monotonously vocal synth-pop. All their albums could blend into one. They're a singles act through and through as the quality of of the songs is perfect pop, but it just isn't consistent. Best Tracks: What Have I Done To Deserve This?; Shopping; It's a Sin
Okay, not Neil's voice. It's gotta be the production and it's sparser feel because I didn't hate his voice here. It seemed to blend more with the instrumentation instead of sitting on top of it. I was dreading a second PSB album in 3 days but it helped me realize why I liked this album but not Very. 3.5/5
6/10 - honestly not bad, late 80s synth pop/rock
3/5
Mixed. Some songs I really liked, some songs I didn’t. The opening track is weak.
Not my sound at all.
Even after several plays I mainly like the singles and find the rest pretty forgettable, and I am not a mainstream radio guy. The music is alright and so are the lyrics, but it all seems a bit cold and sterile lacking the emotional depth of Depeche Mode, for example.
This was okay. It sounded very dated in a way that the other Pet Shop Boys record I got from this list didn’t, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing in general, but I think it was a detriment to the album. Definitely less compelling and not as good as Very, but overall I can’t hate. It’s a 2.5 that is being rounded up.
Good time to be fair
Mediana
Clearly this album shows the value of listening more than once. First time I listened, I dismissed it as a type of British synth pop I ignored in high, which I did. Listening to it the second time, the album is actually quite fun with bleak lyrical undertones, a type of style I always enjoy. Went from two to three and a half stars, rounding down to three as I am not sure if I would listen to this again. A thousand and one albums is a lot of albums.
I didn't hate this, and some of it I actually liked a bit. I remembered the big hits with a touch of nostalgia. There's a "big room" sound here and the vocals stand out in particular as being very well delivered. This is 80s pop music, but done well, so I feel three stars is fair.
Felt fine about this - almost too much eighties for me
237/1001 Pet Shop Boys - Actually Heard before? ❎️ Revisit? ❓ It's all perfectly pleasant synth pop, but it all sounds pretty similar to me tbh. It's A Sin is a real tune and I Want to Wake Up grabbed my attention. I just don't know if it warrants going back to...
I hate the word "actually." My fellow Ashleys get it. This, I rather like, though. So '80s, so catchy. The unexpected Dusty Springfield.
Second Pet Shop Boys I've had, and definitely better than 1993's 'Very', this contains some of their finest singles, particularly the excellent 'It's a Sin' and the fabulous Dusty Springfield duet. Away from the big hits though, this is again a little bit hit and miss.
- For them being a political band, not having heard them say anything about the genocide, especially in combination with them claiming that Israel is not an apartheid state in 2013, but using their platform to speak against Putin today tells you everything... obviously Zionists. Yet another band I used to listen to that I'm boycotting. - This album is very hit or miss to me. The hits are bangers - I mean, "What Have I Done To Deserve This", "It's a Sin", "Heart", and "Rent" are great. But I always skipped the rest of the songs. And why open with "One More Chance" of all the songs? - The keys and lyrics are great, and the production is clean. - The instrumentation sometimes feels dated, though.
Fine album, but there are other ones in the genre that are better
Материал хороший, но звук безбожно состарился
Just good background music
my dad's playlist.
This was slightly worse than the last pet shop boys we had, not quite as interesting, bit poppier. It's a sin is basically an abba track, well written but would grate on me with repeat listens. There were bits I liked, started well I thought. Realised how much the singing sounds like the guy from Placebo. I think I just prefer the darker Depeche modey stuff from this era, or the ones which are a bit more beat driven. Still okay.
This more like what I expect from the pet shop boys than in "behavior" that we've had previously. Money issues seem to be a common theme here, guess they weren't big yet. Very clean, synth pop. I can't help but think of that flight of the conchords song when I hear pet shop boys. "Inner, inner city, inner city pressure". I totally get why people would like this, it's just not quite for me, although some of it is pretty good. It's a sin is the clear highlight. 3, mostly because I preferred this to their previous album we had
Very 80s, didn't mind it, nice lyrics and production
Solid album, It's a Sin a banger.
The Pet Shop Boys are never unpleasant but not their best in my opinion. Good to hear some Dusty Springfield in there.
Not as good as their others
Ensin tuo konemusiikki kuulostaa niin teolliselta ja vanhalta, no niinhän tämä onkin. Kyllä sieltä tulee sitten kunnon tunnetta kuitenkin tästä huolimatta että kyllä tätä kuunteli.
Ante ikke at Ennio Morricone har vært med å skrive en av låtene. Utrolig nok kanskje den dårligste låta på plata?
"It's a Sin" is an absolute super hit; the rest doesn't quite measure up.
nostalgic
This was fine. I didn’t find it particularly remarkable, but this isn’t really my genre. It was fun to listen to during a workout. I did really enjoy hearing the radio friendly hit “What Have I Done To Deserve This” again after so many years.
The boys the beat
Nice. A solid three stars.
Meh
dusty collab is superior
Ok a few decent times it's a sin is a banger
Eh
Hørt litt ila hele dagen. Noe er helt trash, også skjønner jeg veldig godt hvorfor noen låter har blitt megahits. Kommer nok aldri til å høre igjennom denne plata ever igjen.
More like on the 3,5 spectrum. I like it but it can get repetitive at some points
Pleasantly surprised Saved: Rent, It Couldn't Happen, Its a Sin
It's the 80s. Everyone's bleak, and probably messed up from their recent road trips through 70s rock and cocaine, and suddenly music goes the way of "we will use synth and existential dread." Thus, Actually. But hey, if you were watching your cash plummet in stock markets and coming off a 10 year cocaine binge, you'd probably feel this album more.
I only really knew west end girls by these guys. But I've always been curious in getting into more new wave and synth pop. All in all pretty good It's a Sin is a banger 3.5
Actually decent
This one started very well, then tailed off substantially in the middle, before rebounding somewhat towards the end. The internet describes Pet Shop Boys as synth-pop. Somehow they managed to get 1960s superstar Dusty Springfield to do one track on the album. Overall the music is clear and acceptable.
Quite a fun album. It’s a Sin was my favourite track
I'm glad it's been several hundred albums (over 600 in fact) since my last Pet Shop Boys exposure, but I'm still baffled that there are three largely interchangeable albums in this collection. But interesting that "Actually" is their best-selling album, given how early it was in their career; maybe all those early fans got a bit disappointed that later albums didn't have much else to offer. I liked it that they enlisted Dusty Springfield for "What have I done to deserve this?" (although the video makes *no* sense and was surprisingly boring). I also kind of enjoyed the Gary Numan-esque refrain in "Shopping", the quintessential PSP sound in "It's a sin" (plus an equally over-the-top video), and I continue to appreciate that they put more effort into their lyrics than most pop-oriented bands of the time. But overall, this didn't move my needle much on my dislike of Pet Shop Boys; sorry, guys!
Album 16 Top 3 favorites off the album: Rent, Heart, What Have I Done to Deserve This? SaLTbuRn ReFerEnCE???!??!?!?! (I initially hesitated to see it, but the number of times I've seen it now is... many. And I'll do it again.) It was pop. It was danceable. I'd probably be a lot more likely to hit the club if this were what they were playing. If you know of a club that is playing this, please find a way to let me know. We can go together. It'll be great. I'm neutral leaning enjoying. I was bopping at my desk. Lyrically pretty simple, but it still slaps. Cheers!
I dismissed Pet Shop Boys as an 80s band with little to say. Listening to an entire album, I was especially taken by the direct and sincere songs about isolation, boredom, money, and loneliness. The beats also exceeded expectations having more in common with New Order than the one hit wonders I had incorrectly lumped them with.
Have yet to listen to an album of theirs after only listening to West End Girls but to no surprise it's pretty good. Lots of great feels and feels very 80s. Great vocals and love those basslines. 6/10. Favorite Song: One More Chance
Favorite Track: I Want To Wake Up
I loved electronic music in the 80's, but something about the PSBs just felt like just BritPop, not electronica. So it was fun to revisit 1987 and really listen past the lyrics and voice to the quality of the music underpinning it. I do say I appreciate it more now, than then. That said, still not top shelf, but quite well done.
3/5, one song I know, generally good vibes
I think I liked it
Wenn Disco dann Pet Shop Boys
It’s a sin is great, 80s vibe is lovely on this album
Very good album. I don’t think I totally appreciated the Pet Shop Boys’ talent before listening to this entire album. Nice experience.
Overall Rating - 3.40/5 (6.80/10). Not my usual preferred style, but still well done and fun music. Enjoyable album.
It was a bad time for music
pretty nice
Not bad, but not great. Decent pop EDM.
Pet shop boys are no doubt catchy.
Feels kind of cold. Like it’s deliberately keeping you at a distance. But as a defence mechanism. Because it’s also fragile.
I know some songs from them but none on this album. It was okay.
Funny that the last album I've listened to was soft cell, but hinestly Pet Shop Boys do a way better job in doing 80's music than them. Actually is a good album, kinda dated bc of the 80's synths but the songs are enjoyable, and only at the last songs it starts getting boring. 3/5 I understand how influential and important this album is and it shows well the sound of the decade.
Eu gostei bué dos beats, e posso dizer que o album têm alguns banggers, "its a sin" e "heart" are fucking fun. Mas peço desculpa que cena absurda foi aquela primeira musica, tipo representa mal o album e resulta numa má impressão logo. Nem é como se não gosta-se da produção, prince tem uma produção parcida e eu gosto dele. É uma coisa que não é constante no album mas logo de seguida deixa um sabor um pouco amargo, did like it but from the one song i did know i expected more.
Muito 80s core
Quintessential 80s…What Have I Done to Deserve This is a classic.
Great pop album, though the second half lacks a bit of memorable tracks.
Surprisingly mid excluding it’s a sin.
Driving to the mall blasting shopping on repeat. This is what the lord wanted for humans but instead we’ve decided to drink prime energy and vape blueberry flavored gas to morgan wallen
Strong 4 in relation to other 80s music, but still a 3 overall.
Dość przeciętne jak dla mnie. Męcząca maniera i chociaż ma to ten urok lat 80. to jednak jest dość płytkie. Nawet te największe hity z albumu nie trafiają jakoś mocno, nie porywają do tańca, nie zmuszają do nucenia. 6/10.
This is a genuinely good time, even if it feels a little one-note. The production is sharp and catchy, delivering exactly what you want from this era of pop. There are two or three tracks here that are absolute gold and justify the price of admission. But the formula becomes pretty obvious halfway through. Definitely worth a spin if you need some reliable retro energy. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions - What Have I Done to Deserve This? - It's a Sin - Heart
Good album
I mean why not? New wave~britpop from the 80s? Sure?
Really enjoyed will listen again.
Best Song: What Have I Done to Deserve This? Synth-pop. Just when I needed another genre of music to be meh about. The gentleman yawning on the cover wasn't as much an artistic decision as it was foreshadowing. 3/5.
Worth a listen, couple toons, same old
Good album. But not amazing. I do hope these fine young gentlemen continue to improve and pursue their musical careers.
Decent dance-y music, one of the few pop albums I’ve gotten on here that was actually okay. Didn’t really care for the vocals, the singer doesn't have much range in his voice, but the music was good.
I always found Neil Tennants voice a bit annoying, it’s like he’s a bit bored with it all! Like an electro pop Mark Knopffler. Still they did some catchy tunes as I with all the tedious stuff.
дерьмо
𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 is sleek, polished synth-pop with plenty of hooks and a cool emotional distance that only the Pet Shop Boys can pull off. When it lands, it really lands — 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘚𝘪𝘯 and 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘵 are undeniable highlights. And the duet with Dusty Springfield on 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴? is easily the album’s peak: her warmth cutting beautifully through Neil Tennant’s detached delivery. Still, the album doesn’t sustain that level throughout. Some tracks feel more like exercises in mood than fully engaging songs, and the precision of the production can work against it over a full runtime. A solid, clever record — just not quite the masterpiece its best singles suggest.
A pretty good album, I liked What Have I Done To Deserve This the most.
I liked Pet Shop Boys as a kid in the 1990s because of his voice, catchy tunes and great production. This late 80s album is not entirely to my liking, though especially some of the production and a few songs - I prefer their hit singles more.
I've seen Pet Shop Boys and it was amazing. This does not reach the same highs
Decent 80s record. This group has their notoriety and for good reason. It's easy-swinging era sound, with all the synths and digital drums one would expect, but it's easy on the ears, so no real complaints from me. Casual and nice to have on in the background.
Idk maybe at the time it was cool and interesting, but in hindsight to me it just sounds like bad MIDI music. I think it does take a turn for the better during the second half, as the best songs are the last 6. The 90s dreamy pad sound is a much better synthesised direction to go in. Singing is okay, everything sounds the same though and if I had a quid for everytime he sings about rent. Can't really remember how good the last Pet Shop Boys album was but pretty sure its relatively equal in quality to this. Not too much else to say I just feel like it is very restricted in the robotic world of MIDI 1/16th notes. Favourite songs: last 6. Overall around 5/10
I liked this more than expected. it grew on me as the album went along
Really catchy songs, great sound, and some lyrical depth. I enjoyed this album, especially "Rent," and the bassline for "Shopping." Really catchy, strong melodies in this album and a great technopop sound. 7/10, 3/5
I liked it.
Like the other Pet Shop Boys album, I liked this, but didn’t love it. Pretty decent 80s synthpop that I wouldn’t mind listening to again.
Solid pop music and fun to listen to but not really super memorable. Very 80s sounding in a good way.
80's synth-pop that belies its political depth. Started out feeling cheesy but as the album went on it revealed itself as a solid collection of tracks. It's not necessarily something I'll come back to, but I appreciate it for what it is.
Pleasant, but inconsistent
Some fun stuff in here, just not for me
The compiler of this list seems to line Pet Shop Boys.
Sounds like another album from the band that did West End Girls.
Fun! Very 80s
Clean precise synth dance--smart and poppy, but never really hit home for me.
Eighties in the best way possible. High production value, cynical lyrics, great beats. The only issue I have is that nothing really stands out. I’d probably need to listen to it a lot more to rend out the personality, and frankly, I’m probably never going to do that.
The music does nothing for me personally but the writing is nice with a sharp edge to it. 3/ 5
"Man, I also love Actually: Further Listening 1987-1988 (Deluxe) [2018 Remaster], what a coincidence!” Pretty catchy and pleasant-sounding synthpop album but nothing outstanding. I liked the ”airy” production, but it was a bit too relaxed for me. 7/10
later
Good album
Lyrically odd. Sonically very cool and very 80s. I'm really wishing I liked this record a bit more, but I just don't. It sounds good, it's fun. I just don't know what it is, but I don't really have a want to listen to it again.
6,21
i listened to this at 6 am after my bachelor party. i don't remember much
94 albums in and I think this is the least challenging one I have encountered. Very sanitized and there is a song about shopping. How could I possibly give this more than 3 stars? But there are so many bangers, how could I possibly give this less than 3 stars?
more of the same Pet Shop Boys boring britpop. If their entries were different enough I could see justifying putting all their albums here, but its just more and more of the same. Again, not terrible but does nothing to seperate from their other music here.
More sad boy British pop slop. Can’t believe we’ve had several albums by The Pet Shop Boys
Странный альбом. Очень восьмидесяточный, синтипоповый. Атмосферно - поначалу веселый, ироничный, к концу - нежный и сказочный, очень задумчивый. Не знаю как оценить. С одной стороны, звучит он классно, но с другой - эта синтипоповая тема так приелась, уже невозможно слушать её! Мода на 80е реально задолбала.
This has been 80s percussion week on this 1001 albums journey. I'm not sure if it's the exposure therapy or there really is a more human element here. The album can be enjoyable, but difficult for me to listen to seriously all the way through. Definitely sounds classic, though. I could tell three songs in why this would be on the list. I wanna listen to 1999 again because it doesn't seem right in my head that I could connect with this better than Prince. Even though I don't see myself ever hoping to listen to this again. 2.6/5
It’s fine. Not my thing. But good for what it is. 2.75
Meh. Not my cup of tea
2.5 rounded up
Not a huge 80s synth pop fan. It I can see how this was huge and fun at the time. A couple of songs I enjoyed.
Ok
2.5, some solid tracks, maybe needs more listens but nothing grabbed me
A few great songs I think Please is better than this.
This is definitely the Pet Shop Boys sound I expected. I always thought of them being more of an early 80s thing but this was 1987. I think it's pretty cool that this album was surrounded by GnR-Appetite for Destruction, U2-Joshua Tree, Michael Jackson-Bad. The 80s were just so great and musically diverse. I like Pet Shop Boys in small doses but I respect them for doing what they wanted to do and not just following everything else.
Always enjoyed this one. Glad I was able to take a listen again
I wasn't mad at it, I wouldn't turn it off, but I wouldn't willingly seek it out.
For such a well known act I know surprisingly few of their songs. First three tracks I wasn’t enjoying this at all. From Rent onwards it picked up and was pretty good without having any songs I would rush to go back to. Top Track - It’s A Sin
I heard it before, but I didn't remember much of it. I remembered them as dance music. Most of this album isn't. It's quite dark in an awkward understated way. Favorite song: King's Cross.
There are a couple of great songs here, but mostly they just sound like Flight Of The Conchords to me now.
Here is some more British synth pop for your (my, actually) ear holes. I enjoyed it, some good tracks, especially Its A Sin and What Have I Done To Deserve This. Bonus points for the commentary on Thatcher’s 80s England
Low 3, it was fine
Good
liked it better than I thought ! Some great pop songs.
These guys seemed like the one hit wonder type band - but they’ve been consistently making music. Sounds like more accessible Brit synth pop. Some catchy stuff…but still pretty niche and thin for my liking.
It's A Sin is an all time banger. Unfortunately the rest of the album pales on comparison.
Fun
Good.
I liked "It's a Sin", but everything else just goes on and on, and it's so similar and high paced...
Some nice tunes like What Have I Done to Deserve This?, It's a sin. Other Tracks are alright
It wasnt great, but it has a cool vibe
Pretty good. It’s a sin is the standout.
This is the stuff Robert Drake plays on Land of the Lost and I don’t care.
I never really got the appeal of Pet Shop Boys, it always sounded very generic to me,
Second album. 80s UK New Wave. About Thatcher. Really good electronic pop.
I liked that one. Synths, horns, all that jazz. I really loved "What Have I Done to Deserve This" with Dusty Springfield who I just gave a 4 a couple days ago. No complaints besides being a bit bland at times.
You could give this One More Chance if you wanted.
It's a sin is a tune, saved the rest of the album.
3.2 2x
This was a really strange experience. At first I was doing some work and the sound was annoying / distracting. But the album didn't care. Obstinately so. It persisted in its synth-poppiness, even though I turned it down. And when I turned it off, it still played in my head. This was around the song "Rent". I then put it back on and found myself somewhat enjoying/appreciating "Hit Music". By the time the album ran to "It's a Sin" I was basically dancing around and wanting to place it on repeat. Funny.
I wrote a great review but it didn’t save
Some catchy songs, but just a bit too synth-poppy for my taste.
This is usually exactly the kind of music I don’t like, but I found this album surprisingly charming.
Not my fav Pet Shop Boys album but solid throughout with a few major highlights but nothing quite reaches the heights of Being Boring or Domino Dancing for me. Close to 4! Fav song: It's a Sin
For some reason, I suddenly need to do a little twirl on the catwalk. Yeah, this album is dated, a little cheesy, and every rock fan's worst nightmare; but it's cute. I feel the same way about this that I do most modern Top 40 music; is it for me? Na, but it's pretty inoffensive and somewhat catchy.
I don’t know if it IS dated or FEELS dated because my sister listened to so much PSB when I was in elementary and middle school, but one of them is accurate. If I was picking a PSB album for the 1001 it would have been Please, their first album, however, I like PopArt: The double disc best of. It’s a Sin is still a great track with both nostalgia and relevance. This is a good album that I would listen to if it came on, but wouldn’t necessarily seek it out without a purpose like an artist marathon (which could be fun with them) or it came up on list list of 1001 Albums I needed to listen to. I didn’t know that they put out anything after 1994, and I didn’t realize that Send Me An Angel wasn’t their song either. What else do I not know?! What Have I Done to Deserve This? It’s a Sin. Apparently, I need to give them One More Chance ….
Random thoughts: * The first 2 tracks really grabbed me and sounded great and ahead of the time for late 80s. But the 3rd song Shopping almost lost me entirely. * It's a Sin is so 80s and I can see why it was the hit song but it wasn't really the best song on this album. * Hit Music was a fun track too but my favorite was "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" I'm pretty sure I remember hearing this song on top 40 radio when I was a kid. I don't recall a video for it on MTV. * This is another play for 1001, is to have an English band whose top hit is on an entirely different album than the one chosen for this exercise. See Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. * Pet Shop Boys were ahead of their time and get some just recognition here. This was a fun listen and most of the album I would enjoy listening to again.
#105 - Good album, not my style really
3,25
Definitely by far the best one so far, good vibes, good lyrics, good instrumentals
Would have expected more or better based on the two hit songs I know from the album. Kind of disappointed because of the higher expectations
It's certainly well made, and they're confident in their style, which is great to observe, but it's thoroughly anchored in the late 80s sounds. -1 for handclap samples.
not my thing really
i liked the more dark and moody ones
I appreciate this more than I enjoy it. I've tried to talk myself into 4 stars.
Pas pire fun. 3.49 étoiles
Okay
Early synthpop influential but not very moving for me
First impression hurt this album a bit but improved quickly enough. Kinda cheesy so depending on the day might rate higher or lower. Going 3/5 today
I kept expecting West End Girls but none ever showed up. 5/10
I guess I’m not a huge Pet Shop Boys kind of gal. There is a couple of bangers on here but overall it’s not my thing.
Album is from 1987 - it's cool to hear all the sampled sounds be recognizable instead of electronic. "Shopping" is a vibe. All the songs are much longer than I expected and they become repetitive after the first chorus.
It’s a sin!
Good intellectual synth-pop.
smooth at times, didn’t find anything that i’d love relistening
In my opinion this doesn’t rise to the meteoric levels of their debut album, but still a great example of 80s synth-pop with a political satire edge. Love the Dusty Springfield duet. Favorite tracks: "I Want to Wake Up", "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", "It's a Sin" 3⭐️
тоже часть хитов знаю, но в целом это эмо не для меня)
Fusste sangen hørres ud som SKKÅVM demo🥸 Forsåvidt kan eg fatta dette va kult på 80-tallet, men midi instrumentalen e isje heilt for mg. Like konseptene og teksten men blir litt "upolert" lyd relativt te dagens lyd åg då komme eg isje te å hørra på dt
Pretty good, upbeat and dancey album.
Pop music, but good pop musi
A couple of catchy songs
Pretty fun, danceable record. I love me some synth pop, mate. Simple as. Standout tracks are: “Hit Music” and “It’s a Sin”.
Not my favorite Pet Shop Boys album but still a good listen. Standouts were “It's a Sin", "Heart", and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?"
Not bad
Yeh, maybe. Just maybe.
it's a sin is such a banger.
Mediocre
There's something very comforting about this album. It doesn't challenge you, but it's not pop fluff either. Rent in particular is a reasurring moment, both in lyrics and tone.
A bit of nostalgia for the time, though not really for the music. I don't think I've ever heard a Pet Shop Boys album all the way through. I certainly know their hits here in the U.S., but it doesn't seem like any of those were one this, their second, album. Maybe I've heard "It's A Sin" before? S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G was a frolic. "Hit Music" was a bit too self-referential for me. Solid fun all around.
It's a Sin is a jam and puts a floor on this album of a three. It didn't go a ton of better places for me but I enjoyed listening and it's a good example of a sound of the time.
pop sound from 80s
Got a little bored midway through the album. Good sounds and songs, but not the best album to listen to over coffee on a quiet morning. Put it on for 18 year old me at the alternative bar chasing goth girls, I’m in!
Fun little bit of synth-pop. Had a few catchy tunes but it lost me pretty quickly.
Enjoyed this much more than I expected. Actually just a ton of fun throughout and stayed fresh which usually doesn't happen for me with electronic albums in this vein. Good time
I wouldn't choose to listen to this album, but it wasn't bad. Not like some of the offerings which can be head-banging nonsense.
Fine album, not something I would usually listen to, but on the second listen I enjoyed it. What I liked the most about the album are the synth melodies and drum beats. They are interesting, powerfull and rhythmic. They set a great tone for the album. The vocals set a sort of melancholic and robotic atmosphere. In this sense, the album feels pretty modern, with a lot of introspective, and generally complex, lyrical ideas. The album sounds kind of like floating in space and going to a concert of machines which became self aware. Would give it 3.5 if I could.
Mér hefur fundist röddin í söngvaranum Neil vera einhverskonar einsmellungur. Töff í fyrsta skipti og svo veldur hún því að allt verður eins. Ég fílaði samt útsetningarnar á þessum lögum og undir lokin var ég kominn af einsmellungsvagninum. Ég mun reyna að hlusta oftar á Pet Shop Boys
This was solid. First listen didn't really impress me much but it grew on me more on my second listen. Some of the synth work is pretty great and even gives off some vaporware vibes at times. Enjoyed Hit Music and It's a Sin quite a bit. Don't think lyrics really landed for me but I usually barely register the lyrics for most music. Probably not gonna make it into any of my playlists.
Fun synthy bop to work music that I’d not heard before. I wish we had 1/2 stars to dish out because I feel like this one is right between a 3 and 4 for me
Not what I was expecting. There were some dancey synth parts and some fun lyrical content but I kind of forgot what it sounded like as soon as I stopped listening
There's a strong emphasis on the lyrics, possibly due to Tennant's vocal style, which is enjoyable, but they're noticeably simple. The electronics are often sparse, not in a bad way, but they do sound distinctly 80s. I prefer Depeche Mode and Erasure. Favorite track: I Want to Wake Up
I'd love someone who paid my rent too. The tongue in cheek lyrics are fun and the beats are good. His voice is soooort of annoying? But it also works?
Eat. Randy.
Another example of some tracks that might be on a list called "1001 Singles You Must Hear..." but the album as a whole cannot be considered essential as much of this is fairly mediocre.
Ikonischer Klang der PetShop Boys, aber ist das ein legendäres Album in den Top50? Da finde ich haben wir bislang schon besseres gehört, aber die Songs "It's a Sin" und "What Have I Done To Deserve This" sind natürlich einfach klasse.
Ich mag den Sound der Pet Shop Boys, allerdings hat mir das andere Album mehr gefallen. Hier reicht es heute leider nur für 3 Sterne.
Ok 3/5
I liked some of it, but not enough. 2.5.
This was fine, but I dislike synth pop. Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
3.5
Just a touch better than being standard British 80’s synth pop. Favorite Track: It’s a Sin
This album is so beautifully 80s. The synth, the drums, the sound effects, vocal styles, everything. Is it my favorite kind of sound? Eh. But it hits the spot sometimes. I really likes the transition from upbeat pop to the slower, dreamlike ending of "Hit Music." In a different vein, "It's A Sin" felt really grand and stadium-rock like. So lots of good variation and depth to this album. There is a lot of gloom under the pop and synthetic music which is an interesting juxtaposition. Standouts on this one were: "One More Chance, " and "Its a Sin" While I liked my listen I'd put this album as an average 3 for me. I liked the vibe in the moment but wouldn't come back to this over and over.
I find the Pet Shop Boys music rather sterile, despite the content of the lyrics. Very 1980s, and not really to my taste. Nice sleeve photo despite Chris Lowe's dislike of it!
Actually is the second album from British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. It was their breakout work, and the first of a string of four albums that found remarkable international success. Through their career, Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 100 million albums. Actually includes "It's a Sin" and "What have I Done to Deserve This," two of the pair's first hits. They make danceable, upbeat pop songs with great hooks.
Just an ordinary 80s album, nothing special
Who are Pet Shop Boys fans? Like, I'm happy to hear West End Girls or It's or Sin, or some of their other hits as they come on in an 80s playlist, but listening to their music at nauseum seems like self-torture. It's way overdone, cliche, 80s British synthe pop, and the singer really isn't that good if I'm being honest. I think they spearheaded this genre, so I can respect the Pet Shop Boys and their albums. But I prefer them one song at a time.
I reckon I’d love a Pet Shop Boys greatest hits. As I live the singles but not really the rest. It’s a Sin is immense though. Simpsons: No
I both hate this and can’t bring myself to hate this. It’s odd.
Enjoyed this album. It sounds very of the 80s but not in a bad way. The electronic sounds actually seem pretty fresh for being as old as they are.
I surprisingly enjoyed this album. I'm usually pretty tough on electronic music, but this has some solid songwriting behind it. I think it would take more listens, but I'm at a 3.5 and pushing down as I can only really remember a couple of tracks.
You know what? This really grew on me the more I listened to it. Once again, not exactly something I would want to listen to daily, but there's nothing bad here. The entire album is catchy from top to bottom, and I think it's more than deserving of a 3 star. This is perfectly acceptable club music that I would be ok with if it came on again. Can't say I'm familiar with the band in any way but name, but this was pretty good and I'm interested in hearing more. My favorite songs on this album are "Shopping" and "It's a Sin". Also, the second track features Dusty Springfield, who was my featured artist 2 days ago. The odds of that happening have to be pretty low. Nice little album you got here, Pet Shop Boys. It's definitely catchy and ear wormy.
Cheesy! Pretty solid listen that was broken up by various calls during my work day so I might have unfairly lost some flow, but I still enjoyed it enough. High 3.
This is the pop I remember on the radio from when I was a kid. Fairly catchy for background foot tapping.
dit is niet mijn kopje thee... en toch kan ik er weinig slechts over zeggen...3.5 sterren waard
Okaish Synth Pop.
3 3/4 stars out of 5
I saw Pet Shop Boys live a few months ago at the EMAs and thought they were boring oops I only knew like 3 songs of theirs beforehand. This album wasn't bad though! Much better and livelier than I was expecting. Quite catchy but not my sort of thing 3 ⭐️
Decent. 3/5
Snappy
Okay album. Nothing crazy going on here. "It's a sin" is on here.
Funny how I really like the Pet Shop Boys but I can see how it is in some ways dated. They were right there with the alternative high council for a while there, and I still like them overall, it is just that they wind up being a little niche, a little specific. I was excited when this album came up because I really enjoyed it back in the day and it IS still worth a listen and it is OK. Maybe just somewhere along the way it lost a bit of its luster. Sometimes we get reunited with an old album and are delighted and refreshed, sometimes we think "Oh, OK, well, I am glad I heard this or that song again but... " It is kind of OK that they were a thing for me for a while. And sure, if one is trying to fill in the blanks of music history, yeah, give it a listen. After all, there isn't anything wrong or bad with it. OR... it is all because with the world in its current state, I could use something a bit more upbeat overall! And there IS that!
Synth pop vibes. Fun but I won't come back to it.
Not a big fan of this one. It has a few hits, and I appreciate the collaboration with Dusty Springfield more since we had her album a while back. Rounding up for general impact and influence. 2.5/5
Wasn’t a huge fan of these guys back then, and not really one now. But I can appreciate their sound and influence within the 80s dance/pop world. Enough hits on this to keep it in the 3-star rating, and “It’s a Sin” still stands out this many years later.
I liked this more than I anticipated but English synth pop is prolly gonna hit a mid level ceiling for me so likely won’t see it over a 3. This just sounded like the 80s so some solid nostalgia there. It’s a sin is enjoyable. A nice collection of consistently good songs but nothing stands out to me as great.
Pretty enjoyable little dance pop album. Some heavy topics wrapped in bubblegum. Didn’t hate it. Didn’t love it. Totally fine. 3/5
It was just okay.
Einige tolle Hits. Sehr gut produziert und arrangiert. Aber nicht alles hat mich überzeugt. Das war dann mehr Plastik
I like the hits, and this is a band I want to like more than I do. C'est la vie.
It was fine.
This is dated trash with the least insightful lyrics I’ve ever heard. It’s like listening to a nine year old describe emotions and also what is literally happening in the room in front of them. Yet, it’s somehow better than Behaviour which Makes rated a two.