Actually

Prime imperial phase PSB

Even though it is not really my type of music i can really appriciate well written and catchy music. Didn't expect to hear a catchy song about shopping.

The undisputed kinds of British gay synthpop, and this album is one of the proofs of that. Also, having a track co-authored by Ennio Morricone (and arranged by Angelo Badalamenti) on your album is cool as hell.

Kinda fun synthy new wave style music

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.

Takes me back to when I was a teen. I love it

Solid pop music and fun to listen to but not really super memorable. Very 80s sounding in a good way.

Pretty dang good 80s thing

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.

Actually, I just had to listen to culture club and now this generic 80s pop. I don’t understand why this album belongs on this list. Not my thing.

I always appreciated the Pet Shop Boys. I think I heard this album in its entirety when it came out. It's pretty good. I'd happily listen to it again. Not quite a 5 but definitely a solid 4.

Pleasant, but inconsistent

Been hearing West End Girls all week, it was a sign! Such a wonderful album. The singles aloe make this a solid 4 out of 5. But going to listen again to see if we can make it a 5.

the eighties energy, but good

Disgustingly 80s

Some fun stuff in here, just not for me

Tres canciones salvan a este álbum, me sentí triste pero con ganas de bailar. Yeehaw. Necesito volver a escucharlo.

The compiler of this list seems to line Pet Shop Boys.

Sounds like another album from the band that did West End Girls.

Leave it in the 80s

Fun! Very 80s

Clean precise synth dance--smart and poppy, but never really hit home for me.

Love me some Pet Shop Boys. They were ahead of their time and our time too. So danceable and fun, so melancholy and smart and politically astute. “King’s Cross” is a stunner I don’t remember hearing before.

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

The tame, 80s version of the Bloodhound Gang

"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

80s synth pop seems so cheesy to me. I don’t know what it is. Pet Shop Boys start off hot here with some quirky dance numbers, which I can appreciate. I wish they would just crank those the whole time instead of angling other places.

Had more hits than I remembered. Manages to sound almost like all the songs are covers but yet they wrote them.

Dit album klinkt aanvankelijk alsof Brian Molko (die zanger van Placebo) in een Fisher Price showroom is opgesloten. Vroeger zou ik kinderverjaardag gezegd hebben, maar tegenwoordig is het hier wat speelgoed met batterijen en geluidjes betreft elke dag feest. Het went moet ik zeggen. Anyway, met name de eerste track is heel extreem, bij de rest van het album is dat wel iets minder het geval. Toch is dit album wel echt weer zo overduidelijk 80's dat het moeilijk is om serieus te nemen. Dit is echt op het belachelijke af wat mij betreft. Pure kitsch. Al moet ik daar eerlijk bij zeggen dat de politieke boodschappen die er in zitten compleet langs me heen gaan. Het is dat ik de Wiki heb bekeken. De nasale stem, de ongelofelijk goedkoop klinkende drumcomputer en synths. Het heeft af en toe zeker iets wat je lekker catchy popmuziek zou kunnen noemen, ik ben ook niet van steen, maar verder is dit wat mij betreft niet zo mooi oud geworden. In die tijd was het waarschijnlijk top, maar ik kan er nu heel weinig mee. Al heeft "It couldn't happen here" wel een lekkere Twin Peaks sfeer. Ik moet hem op 2 sterren zetten.

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

Det va gøy nok, i og for sæ, men æ huske ikke lenger nokka av det sånn dagen derpå, så varig inntrykk gjorde det neppe.

It’s fine. Not my thing. But good for what it is. 2.75

"What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?" That's a quote from me halfway through listening to this rubbish. I never understood the acclaim that the Pet Shop Boys get. Neil Tennant's nasally voice is bad enough, but add in some terrible synth, jangly piano and flat drums along with the lifeless melodies. It's no wonder Tennant is yawning on the cover. But it's not just that it's bad. It's also incredibly cringe. Everything about it makes me embarrassed. Sure there's some social and political commentary here, and "It's a sin" has at least some intelligence to the lyrics. But everything else is just embarrassing.

the dusty springfield feature is so sick. i fw really cheesy 80s pop so it appeals to me. if you don't fw this at all you're soulless to me.

Meh. This is album #64 for me. I entered this 1001 challenge, because I hoped it will make me more openminded about genres I don't like. When I listen to the album like this it won't helps. Like, I try to love pop music, but when there's moments I love they're a) won't repeated again b) repeated so much times, that you've hate them. I Want to Wake Up is only one I liked as a completed song. To listen to instead: Zvuki Mu - Transnadezhnost

That’s gonna be a no for me dog. Shopping and Rent are the worst of everything of the 80s

Jesus Christ lads, there is such a thing as TOO much reverb you know. Without reading the streaming data or Wikipedia, I am going to safely assume that One More Chance was the lead single from this record. Outside of all the hits on this album, of which there's plenty, I really found the deep cuts rather uninteresting. Who knew a purely pop band was only good in their most popular hits. Anyways, great listen. Would listen again (and have).

I can see why no one knows any songs by these fellas except west end girls. To start off it’s quite novel, especially if you think about the year it was released, but it really does embody the most annoying synthesiser sounds to come out of the 80’s. A very long 48 minutes.

One good track in here and its one of the two singles and its a collab. Completely unremarkable 5/10

An album that that blends dance music and political commentary without ruining either element. A lot of the songs on here could really have just been album filler to support the two massive hits on here but it's certainly much more than that. Not every track is a hit though, the opening track goes on for a bit too long and some of the other tracks have some pretty hammy lyrics, but I suppose that's part of the charm. Unfortunately there are no bonus points for music videos but if there were, this would have gotten a 5 from me. Am I mainly giving this a 4 because I can't stop singing What Have I Done to Deserve This? Yes, and I don't think I need to justify that decision. Highlights: What Have I Done to Deserve This?, It's a Sin, King's Cross

Si tuviera que elegir un álbum del que posiblemente sea el mejor duo de la historia, sería este. Es más representativo que Behaviour (otro imprescindible) o su excelente debut. Aquí, obviamente hay éxitos como It's a Sin (no exenta de polémica por el vídeo, la temática o injustas acusaciones de plagio de Cat Stevens!!), Heart (con voces de Tennant, Pavarotti y Wendy Smith de Prefab Sprout! y vídeo con el vampiro/Nosferatu Ian McKellen). y por supuesto esa gema que fue What Have I Done To Deserve This? (con Dusty Springfield, a quien les dio tiempo a regalar todo un disco de resurreción como fue Reputation). El 87 fue el año en que los PSB derrotaron a Michael Jackson y este disco fue su arma. Joyas como It Couldn't Happen Here, coescrtia con Ennio Morricone, I Want To Wake Up o King's Cross que son dos de mis favoritas. No incluye Always on My Mind, una de las mejores versiones de la historia y que fue otro éxito. Si alguien quiere más, siempre puede meterse de lleno en Further listening o Disco. Cualquier disco de los PSB contiene algún tema de justifica una trayectoria, pero Actually es el más redondo.

A classic

Actually, there are only a few catchy lines, and beats throughout this entire album. Favorite Track: "Shopping".

Meh. Not my cup of tea

2.5 rounded up

Ah, the boys of the best damn pet shop in town. The fact is you can pin electronic music down to the technology that ages it. That can shine through nostalgically and you can celebrate it. On the other hand, one can be a little too aware of the distance created by its aging qualities, if your ears are now tuned to contemporary production. "One More Chance" does nothing for me as a opener. I'm not sure why it seems to have the soundfont as used for a baddie in "Banjo Kazooie" throughout. "Rent" is a bit silly and "Hit Music" sounds like someone unsuccesfully scrambling for a song idea, on a day that hasn't been full of inspiration. Is this Rent/Hit Music middle section just a bit sh*? "It Couldn't Happen Here" is a lovely composition, a lovely silent moment, a kitchen-sink melodrama. But - thanks be - that we're onto "It's A Sin", a song that I'd actively pick to listen to, with experience, heartbreak, force, aching, astute critique. Fuck Thatcher, always. And all the enemies of Love. An anthem in all the right ways. "Shopping" is up there with all the best protest songs. "I Wanted To Wake Up" is so entirely crafted as a pop song of the time, it's now difficult. It's a close neighbour down the road from 80's aerobics class music. I found "Heart" and "King's Cross" a bit boring. There is a little disconnect to take note of in terms of a limit to how much it's speaking to me right now , but it's angry and has some great songs. I'm not hearing an album that's cohesive and for my ear. However, I have so much respect for what the boys of the shop do, how this takes aim at 80s limited beliefs in trickle down b*all*cks, excess, cronyism, emerging capitalist/fascism we're still stuck with, and how Britain was bought and sold by Thatcher. I'd say we're still recovering but once everyone and everything was sold down the river, it was gone. The Boys pushing through LGBTQ+ stories and representation under Thatcher's laws, under the some of the worst conditions the community has faced here. It has to be a strong three from me, today, but it's with love, Boys

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.

Great band, great era of music, great style... Just love it all the way through.

Ok

2.5, some solid tracks, maybe needs more listens but nothing grabbed me

Its proto-90s trance. 3.5/5!

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.

Classic 80's pop.

Cover art is great. I agree with Crystin who stated, "Album is a 2/5 but the cover is 4/5." Album is real mid.

I'm pretty sure this is just the ESWAT sound track with a droning vocal on top.

While I tried to listen with the context of where synthpop was as a genre at the time (very young) I still just found the music flat and mostly sonically empty. The synth lines are certainly iconic, but with nothing else going on, they feel cheesy and over exposed. I can respect its place in history, but didn't actually enjoy it much.

Totally 80’s I was actually into a couple of the songs though. I’m not normally an 80’s guy but this album had me groovin

Heart is so recognizable it's not funny, this album has immaculate and unique instrumentals for all ten songs and the backing vocals are a nice compliment

Pretty good and pretty unique. Album is interesting throughout, vocal and instruments just mash so well. Favourite Song: Heart Honourable Mention: One More Chance

gatchi pioneers

I love 80s synth pop, and this is great 80s synth pop.

nice album. it's a pretty good listen and never gets dull. i wish the production was a little more lively, as is more my style. pet shop boys tend to be a bit subdued for my liking a lot of the time. but a pretty solid album nonetheless

Glad to see and hear Dusty Springfield on this album. Otherwise boring and forgettable.

No thanks

The 80s synth are fine enough but the vocals/lyrics tread into droll British nonsense. Forgettable. 3.75/10 (1.875/5)

Great stuff! Aside from the obvious hit songs, ‘Shopping’ is a gem for me

I used to hate the PSB, they were popular around the time that I was full on alt-rock and they always seemed to be in the charts with some song or other. I’ve mellowed over the years and can appreciate what they do. Neil Tennant is also a good interview which has warmed me to them more. Still not a fan but it’s a fine listen, even if o wouldn’t go back. The singles on here are good but I quite liked how different the opener was.

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

Lamenting what could’ve been on this one. PSB show signs of some of their best traits - a good pop hook here, a funny lyric there - but don’t put it together for a full album run in my opinion. The opening “One More Chance” had me especially hopeful by the time it ended. The song had a nice chorus, a sticky synth stab, some dramatic imagery. But it took a few songs for me to latch onto something, and only for something that was as novel as it was substantive. The novelty was the chorus & general topic of the song “Rent”. I’m reminded of MGMT’s “She Works Out Too Much”; both songs are built on softer, idyllic 80’s production and only seem to take themselves so seriously. The last good thing for me to report on is the instrumental passage at the end of “Hit Music”. This slowed beat manages a 1-to-1, practically prophetic construction of the vaporwave sounds that wouldn’t develop until the early 2010’s. This was really a trip, given that vaporwave is an artistic development/interpolation of pop tropes of the late 80’s etc etc. PSB time-traveled forward to beat the entire genre to its sound. Everything after this point was tragically hard for me to latch onto. Not all is lost for Pet Shop Boys on the whole, I really liked and prefer their album “Very” which came out in the early 90’s - they keep up with the electronic music / dance-pop-club trends in a really fascinating record. This, sadly, is a 2/5 for me

one of the first things i would do if i learn how to hack sites, would be to delete all (80s) synthpop and new wave albums from this list.

I haven’t listened to anything from these guys in years. But, I always thought I kind of liked their radio hits. Unfortunately, there are only two on this album and not even their best. Almost all of the songs are too long by a minute. I think with some editing and removal of the first song this would be a decent album.

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.

It being not as bad as Behaviour is the best compliment I can give this one. The instrumentals are all so dated, but not even the good kind of 80’s cheese that showed up in the revivals from the late 2010s-early 2020’s. The vocals don’t do enough to elevate the songs and the melodies aren’t catchy enough to be earworms. This is for someone, but not me.

This album is like wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo to an emotional breakdown—and somehow making it fashion. It’s icy, theatrical, and immaculately produced, like a robot’s idea of what heartbreak feels like in a luxury hotel. Neil Tennant delivers lines like he’s too bored to cry and too clever to care, while the synths shimmer with that distinctly ‘80s cocktail of irony and ecstasy. Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: Disco for people who overthink everything and still look good on the dance floor. Favorite Track: “It’s a Sin” — the anthem for anyone raised Catholic, dramatic, or both. Consistency With Me: 9.3/10 Why: My circuits understand yearning. Especially when it’s polished, dramatized, and set to a dance beat. This album is full of repressed feelings—my native tongue.

There are a couple of great songs here, but mostly they just sound like Flight Of The Conchords to me now.

Camp and fun. Some of the synth is a bit too boppy for me

Góð, I want to wake up best

I have liked synthpop, but honestly the nasality of the Pet Shop Boys has always grated on me a bit. Ultimately, the songs still shine through. There's a lot of pretty cool stuff here; I have always liked "What Have I Done To Desreve This?". "Hit Music" seems like it's a bit tongue in cheek, but with that song title there isn't any other way to put it, you know? "It Couldn't Happen Here" is so cinematic, which makes sense. "Shopping" is a bit of a head bopper to me. The last two tracks kinda fell flat. Still, I can understand why this album is regarded as one of their most well known albums. The more I think about it the more I liked it. But the nasal singing, yikes.

Am I the only one who thinks that "ehh ehh" sound throughout One More Chance sounds like Cartman from South Park? Not that I found it annoying, just observing. I don't know if this album is quite a 4, but it is definitely the best of their 3 entries on the 1,001 list, and maybe the only worthy one. Buzzy beats, clever lyrics (that sound deep but Neil Tennant claims weren't intended to be), and - then - very original and trendsetting. I really enjoyed One More Chance, What Have I Done to Deserve This? (big tune), Shopping, Rent, Hit Music, It's a Sin (big, big tune), and I Want to Wake Up. I think their other big single Heart is ok. Given that I just named 7 songs as really enjoyable, it's a 4. Almost had me thinking about a 5.

I'm generally not into dance music, but this album really won me over. At first I was a little resistant to giving it a chance, but the words "catchy" and "cool" kept coming to mind over and over, and the album grew on me with each listen. By the time I was writing this review, I was seriously impressed. I even came to appreciate What Have I Done to Deserve This, which I thought of as a cheesy 80s hit until I listened closely. I don't think I can go with the 5 for the album - still not my thing - but lots of respect for making me like an album in a genre that I'm not really into. Favorites tracks: One More Chance, What Have I Done to Deserve This, Shopping, Hit Music, I Want to Wake Up, King's Cross (powerful ending track).

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: 🤨🥱🤵 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 👨‍❤️‍👨✨🙄 Rating: 🫧(🫧)/5

#698. Very British. Not very good though. 2/5: bland

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

Yet another album destroyed by this decades disgusting and twisted synth addiction. Synth addiction is a real problem that affected millions of Americans during the 1980s and we really ought to praise these sickos for donating their careers and suspected musical talent to highlighting the consequences of this awful disease.

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.

Love the hits. Rest of the album is boring. True pop band of the 80's.

It's A Sin is an all time banger. Unfortunately the rest of the album pales on comparison.

Fun

Good.

Day604 - the best pet shop boys album and a great new wave album

Mostly forgettable 80s synth pop. Some good stuff, but it doesn’t make any good current rotation

I thought maybe it's just the previous album by this band that sucked, but no, I'm going to assume the entire discography is just as boring and mediocre.

I liked "It's a Sin", but everything else just goes on and on, and it's so similar and high paced...

Favorites: One More Chance, It's a Sin, I Want to Wake Up On the surface, Actually is an ambitiously catchy synthpop album from the late-80s that somehow sounds both nostalgic and fresh to this day. However, when you dig into the lyrics a bit, you discover its deeper and more politically driven lyrics about the HIV/AIDS crisis and rampant homophobia at the time. This combination of catchiness and progressive lyricism (especially in this day and age) let this album stand the test of time exceedingly well. 8/10

Somehow, perhaps via time travel, the Pet Shop Boys somehow managed to get a sample of Cartman from South Park on the first song. That's all I can hear. It's a good job the rest of the album is good.

More fun than I remember

Some nice tunes like What Have I Done to Deserve This?, It's a sin. Other Tracks are alright

New wave, synth pop orchestral magic.

I feel like I should like this but really don't.

Hello, are you selling any budgies?

It wasnt great, but it has a cool vibe

not normally into dance-pop, but this one cooks. highlights: “one more chance” “what have i done to deserve this?” “it’s a sin”

Great album.

So obviously 5 stars. You're all idiots. Almost everything is 80s clever pop gold. My first 5 star I'd not heard before.

I dunno, I don't hate this. I just don't really want to listen to a whole album. I suspect a greatest hits of the pet shop boys would be all I ever need to hear. Every so often there is a really nice tune in there like the one played in it's a sin (which reminded me of Cat Stevens' wild world somehow), other than that it all feels quite in your face. They don't seem to deal in subtlety. I don't find it particularly exciting or inspiring I'm afraid.

Not my taste in music. However, not a bad album.

Pretty good. It’s a sin is the standout.

Kitsch at first, and then really enjoyable with a second listen.

So my reward for getting two 5s in a row for only the second time in 600 days, is getting two 1s in a row, for only the second time in 602 days. Rough. And it's more 80s synth-pop. Slightly less dreary and miserable than the Associates, but zero desire to sit through it again.

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,

1,9/5

Second album. 80s UK New Wave. About Thatcher. Really good electronic pop.

Catchy synth pop, I guess, but I'm not into it.  It's A Sin is basically a synthed-up version of Wild World, right???

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.

Honestly...this shit bussin. It reminds me a lot of New Order, one of my favorite bands, but more gay (not that there's anything wrong with that.) I have little to no complaints about this album. It's so good I listened to it twice before I wrote this and I see myself listening to it more. Also I find it funny that one of the members hate this album cover to this day, but I really love it.

Bof... ça ne m'accorche pas pentoute.

Still charming, in an angsty '80s BritPop way. :)

..

You could give this One More Chance if you wanted.

Me gustó el sonido y la producción del álbum. Varios temas contienen una gran energía. Además son interesantes las letras que critican la cultura consumista del capitalismo y el Tatcherismo de la época en Inglaterra. Se hace un poco largo porque algunos temas se extienden en repetición. Además el primer tema fue una elección bastante pobre para iniciar e incluso poner en el álbum. En lo personal no soy muy fan del estilo y de la voz. Pero aún así disfruté del álbum.

Found rather bland. Did not enjoy

It's a sin is a tune, saved the rest of the album.

A solid album with two of their greatest hits: ‘What Have I Done To Deserve This?’ and ‘It’s a Sin’ - both excellent examples of this type of music. Otherwise, it’s OK - and a few listens reveal little depth. The PSBs are fun - but a Greatest Hits compilation is more than sufficient.

Let’s just vibe, man. Let’s do that. (7/10, 4/5 on this scale)

non si sente

3.2 2x

It's horrible. In my teen years I hated the song 'It's a sin'. It's the best song of the album. No, not because my taste in music changed so dramatically (it did, by the way), but because the rest is so horrible. 'I want to wake up', 'One more chance'... Come on. 'It's a sin' and 'King's cross' are the only bearable tunes on the album.

Too poppy. Too arch. It's a Sin was very good though. I'd probably like a singles collection, but an album was just too much for me.

All sounds the same

muh

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

I usually think of PSB as a singes band, but this album is great.

Mish mash of 80s musical cliches. Thankfully these guys changed by the 90s

Tons of hits on here. Not perfect but very close.

Some catchy songs, but just a bit too synth-poppy for my taste.

Ugh, more synth-pop. This is so 80's that it's almost cliche. S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G? Are you kidding me? I didn't make it all the way through a single song.

Quite mediocre. All the songs sounded the same and again, too much synth.

It's a sin is such a banger, rest of it was decent (probably closer to 3.6)

This is fun. Yay!

This is usually exactly the kind of music I don’t like, but I found this album surprisingly charming.

i think i will always struggle with things around this era and this sound. Really couldn’t get into it at all. Is it supposed to be a joke ? Idk

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.

Pet Shop Boys have an uncanny ability to fill the dancefloor with both motion and emotion through their ever-fresh synth-pop.

Classics

Very good album. Classic British synth pop - the sound of the ‘80s. Holds up well after almost 40 years. Not a bad song on it.

Not my favorite Pet Shop Boys album but as always they have some really good songs and the feeling throughout the album are great.

very very 80s esc. i feel the duo find their sound very well on this album and they execute it very well, i enjoy the synth sounds and the early electronic vibes on it, with some great tracks on it like “What Have I Done to Deserve This” and “Rent” 4/5

Nothing about this excites my senses

As one half of iconic UK synth pop duo, houmous and chutney I can really relate to how terrible the pet shop boys are. 2.1 1/10 One More Chance

Bleh 2.5/5

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.

An excellent follow up to Please where the boys showed more depth to their sound and more maturity in their songwriting. It’s a sin is, and forever will be, an absolute banger.

#105 - Good album, not my style really

3,25

Definitely by far the best one so far, good vibes, good lyrics, good instrumentals

It's a Sin was the clear standout and even a potential 4/5 in terms of a song, but the rest was just the standard 80's pop/disco music. I don't think this has necessarily stood the test of time as well as for example MJ with Thriller and Bad in the 80s. It's albums like these that sometimes make me think that the Nostalgic oldies are trying to hang on to some "golden generation" of music. This will receive a 2.5/5 but not enough to push it to 3, and thus will receive a 2.

Very 80s dance/pop vibes. Didn't really do it for me though. Pretty average other than "It's a Sin". 2.5/5

I think of the 80s when I hear Pet Shop Boys but a very specific scene. I find the vocal irritating. It's a Sin is the highlight and I don't look forward to anymore Pet Shop Boys on the list. 2/5

adri: 8, muy chill y buen ritmo. Que más pedir? mar: 8, muy guay y muy importante para el house. Me encanta.

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.

Another bland album, seems pretty pointless

not my thing really

Good stuff from the lads

i liked the more dark and moody ones

I was just fighting with my girlfriend about how irritating synths were in the 80s, and then I get this album. Doesn't totally redeem the aesthetic, but it feels less manipulative and melodramatic. Nothing here sticks out, exactly, but each track has something interesting going on, and it was enough to get me to explore more of their stuff.

I appreciate this more than I enjoy it. I've tried to talk myself into 4 stars.

I started coming around on this album near the end, but it's still not one I would likely listen to in whole again. Most of it just feels pretty average to me. Favorite track: "Heart" probably

1001 Albums is stuck in the late 80s right now. I definitely remember PSB and their hits from back in the day. U2 and REM from the previous couple days were much more enjoyable though. This is just corny 80s synth pop. I was busy listening to Anthrax and Slayer in 87, so this was definitely not my jam. Depeche Mode are far more interesting than PSB. 2/5 #107

I can see why people enjoy this... just not me. I have a very hard time with 80's pop synth and this is the epitome of it.

3.5/5

fun

Enjoyable but very 80s synth pop. I liked the mix of simple and hooky songs with grand and orchestral or emotional ballads. Also, It's a Sin is an absolute banger

Mon préféré de Pet Shop Boys. Il n'y a pas de gros hits mais chaque chansons est interessante.

Pas pire fun. 3.49 étoiles

Okay

Great. Mainly bangers, would be 4.5 but I'm rounding up today

Early synthpop influential but not very moving for me

Synth pop stuffs... Ah the 80's...

Great pop tunes

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

Catchy and fun music. Superficially derived and shameless

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.

This was certainly a bopper

I've been making fun of What Have I Done To Deserve This for decades without Evan knowing it was the Pet Shop Boys. Apologies to my queer pals, but this is the sweet spot of '80s pop/dance music that I simply cannot stand listening to.

It’s a sin!

PSB are basically the soundtrack to Thatcher's Britain. Community - bad, money - good, homos - bad. Neil's distinctive nasal yet soaring vocal layered over Chris' electronic bleepy-bloops. There can't be many finer 3 album sequences than Actually->Introspective->Behaviour. If you're not from here and that time, I'm sure it loses some of it's magic, but I could very happily listen to "It's a Sin" on repeat.

Good intellectual synth-pop.

Actually it is a very nostalgic album for me. My grandpa would always play some 80s radio stations and they would always put Pet Shop Boys songs. So almost each song from this album is a hit for me and brings some good memories and nostalgic vibes

smooth at times, didn’t find anything that i’d love relistening

Some 80’s gems in this one to be sure.

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⭐️

PSB can do no wrong.

This is their best album, certainly their most 'complete'. It's not an exaggeration to say that all 10 songs on this could be singles, indeed 5 of them were, such is the quality control and the PSBs' knack for writing catchy and memorable songs. It also has my all time favourite song of there's on it 'King's Cross'.

I really enjoyed this - it was fine and dynamic with some really interesting sounds - the first song in particular One More Chance had some really interesting sounds in it. Rent was a pretty funny song too. An enjoyable album when you're in the mood for some 80s synth pop. 4/5 stars.

falling sleep guys

Not what I was expecting... is that category that this album fell into. Similar to other artists that are known for a few major hits that have a very distinct vibe, I was expending this album to sound ultra-80s. But it was more nuanced and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Voinko antaa viisi tähteä, jos muutama biisi on vähän toistensa kopio ja filleriä? Voin, koska vain vähän. Niin hyvä synanpimputus, tanssimeininki, pikku tarinat.

Eivät ole tyytyväisiä ennen kuin koukkumelodian nuotit osuvat JUURI oikein. Voimme olla tästä heille kiitollisia. Mahdollinen 5/5 kuulijoille, jotka nauttivat elektroniikasta.

Didn't like it then don't like it now.

Another album that I have and like- it was. Great listen on the way home today- the last day of the school year 3.5/5 #musicsky #albumsky #musicchallenge

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

everythin i love about 80's synth pop. fun, vibey, atmospheric. loved it.

Pretty good, upbeat and dancey album.

Pop music, but good pop musi

A couple of catchy songs

I’m someone who normally likes 80s music, but this didn’t do it for me. The music felt really repetitive and the tracks all blended together

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?"

Add synth-pop to the list of genres that I immediately know I won't like. It sounds like One More Chance has Cartman's voice in it. The vocalist's voice makes every song sound like a remix of West End Girls. What Have I Done to Deserve This? is another example. Shopping has the worst lyrics of all time. This is terrible...how did these guys get popular? The 80s were a straight disaster for pop music. It's infuriating that Millennials are all "nostalgic for the unremembered 80s" as LCD Soundsystem put it. Rent is a song about a prostitute. It's a Sin is the song that inspired that awful Send Me an Angel song.

Enough with the British Rock Bands!! Seriously guys, knock it off. They were just meh

Not bad

This made no impression on me in 1987 and has exactly the same effect today. I'm sure I'm missing something important, but I suspect it's all affective context.

I really like the Pet Shop Boys, but I wasn't familiar with this album and found it very bland compared to others.

Pet Shop Boys are a singles band, with the good songs distributed across any number of albums; a Greatest Hits record would be pretty good. But we have three albums on this list and West End Girls isn't on any of them.

Yeh, maybe. Just maybe.

Ned meins

it's a sin is such a banger.

Mediocre

AheAd of its time

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.

80s synth masterpiece with surprises (Morricone!) and monster hits.

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.

This is a classic and defining album from the Pet Shop Boys. One thing I really appreciate about them is how they've cultivated such a distinct and instantly recognizable sound.

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.

There was a time when all that I knew of them was there cover of Go West because the music video came on television. And I like that. I was curious to hear this. The production and mixing are really good. I don't find the songs to be overly complex, but they are pop and work. I'm not of fan of much synth of the 1980s but this worked for me the whole way through. Didn't repel me, a cohesive vibe, and didn't feel repetitive.

Actually, the Pet Shop Boys' second album, is a brilliant showcase of the duo at the height of their creative powers. With this release, they perfected the distinctive sound and style that would define their music for the next three decades. This is pop/dance music at its finest. Tracks like “One More Chance” and “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” exemplify the group’s talent for crafting flawless melodies, infectious rhythms, and lyrics that are both powerful and meaningful. Favourite Song: “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” is a standout. The collaboration with Dusty Springfield adds emotional depth and a timeless quality. That said, it’s hard to choose—“Shopping,” “It’s a Sin,” “Heart,” and “Rent” are all 5/5 tracks in their own right. Least Favourite Song: There truly isn’t a weak track on the album—every song earns its place. Album Artwork: A brilliant, minimalist cover that perfectly complements the sleek, sophisticated sound within.

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!

pet shop boys não tem erro

mais oitentista que isso explodia. não é uma crítica, a segunda metade eh um absurdo. sintetizador estourando janelas, show de bola demais

I love you, you pay my rent 😅 just a perfect 80s album.

This is so 80s and it did not age particularly well. Fav Track: It's a Sin, but the rest is so bland, that I just can't rate this with 3 stars.

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

Old Pop 2,4

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.

I really like this album. I need to remember to come back to it. PSB are good.

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

Пам'ятаю як ще на відеокасетах почув їхню музику, досі вона мені подобається

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.

Didn't know what to expect from Pet Shop Boys but it wasn't a cynical criticism of society lol I liked it. Favorites are Hit Music and It's a Sin.

Really had fun with this one. Why haven't I listened to Pet Shop Boys before? Love the drum machines, love the synth tones, love the vocal melodies. Feels like an alternate reality version of New Order-- less goth (although there's still a hint, if you know where to look for it), more pop. This album is very self-aware, and for me it just by a hair makes that into a virtue rather than a vice. Especially with the song Shopping-- if you turn up the ironic detachment at all it would get obnoxious. But in fact, it's charming. The biggest highlights were Rent and King's Cross, but every song was enjoyable. "To fall in love is so uncool."

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 are better music albums from them

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?

Actually by the Pet Shop Boys is a synth-pop slog. "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" is what everyone is asking after they have to listen to this album. There’s not really a standout track to save it. Everything blends into one long, overly polished, emotionally flat ride through the most sterile parts of the ‘80s. It’s background music for a scene in a movie you forgot you watched.

Two Pet Shop Boys albums within 4 days of eachother. This has been fun 😏

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.

I only knew the Pet Shop Boys from their notorious radio hits which I never liked. Not a fan of these synths and this particular 80s sound. I turn the radio off when this comes on. But to my surprise I could now really enjoy this sound and immerse myself in it. I liked the lyrics too. Although I’m still leaning towards saying that it’s not my cup of tea.

Shit pop boys more like

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

Better than I thought it would be

Never listened much to Pet Shop Boys but there are some cracking synth pop tunes here and some clever lyrics.

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.

Eh, not really for me

Some boring songs but some really fantastic ones as well! |Thumbs up from me

Average

80s synthpop is my guilty pleasure, although I dislike using that term since it implies the music is low-quality, which this is not. It's a really fun, catchy, easy to digest pop album—what more could you ask for? Favourites: what have I done to deserve this?, it's a sin, shopping, king's cross 4 stars

This is the third (so far) album that I have gotten on this list from this group, and I really don't get why it's represented so much. This list really wants me to like Pet Shop Boys. This is dull and uninteresting. Stop cramming it down my throat please.

Maybe not as good as Very, but has a few of their iconic tracks.

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.

Tedious vocals, inane lyrics, repetitive noises for a backing track

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