Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Really solid 80s electronica mixed with synth pop. I had another album of theirs (Very), and it was really solid as well. Not really a bad song on either album. Favorite songs: Heart, Hit Music, It's a Sin, Shopping, One More Chance, What Have I Done to Deserve This? Least favorite songs: It Couldn't Happen Here 4/5
Absolute classic. 10 Bangers. Love PSB.
Actually Looking back at the review for Behaviour that seemed quite patchy, but this feels a coherent and very strong collection of songs. What Have I Done to Deserve This and It’s a Sin are the obvious big songs, but this is excellent throughout, the only song I wasn’t sure of was It Couldn’t Happen Here, although it did grow on me. On the surface there is a plasticy late 80s yuppie sheen to it all, reflecting some of the themes and lyrics. But underneath that it's a brilliantly constructed set of songs, a great sounding mix of synth, electro, Hi-NRG and pop, all tied together with the coolly detached mundanity of Neil Tennant's delivery, touching on politics, emptiness and loneliness, boredom, money, and love. One More Chance is a great dancey opener and I have always loved Dusty’s ‘Since You Went Away…’ part, a great pop moment. Shopping is great, despite the lyric occasionally being too bluntly literal. Rent is excellent, built around the excellently sardonic ‘I Love You, You Pay my Rent’ chorus. Hit Music is another bit of frothy and catchy dance pop, celebrating the joy of music, the almost salsa-piano giving it a nice bit of extra texture. I can see how It Couldn’t Happen Here provides a change of tempo and feel with it’s allusions to AIDS, and although it grew on me and the trumpet is forlornly excellent, it does drag a little, maybe just because melodically it doesn’t quite land as well as the songs around it. It’s a Sin is of course an absolute banger, the campily melodramatic religious overtones of the synth/string line and the chorus hook are superb, a moment of pop perfection. I Want To Wake Up feels perhaps a step below the songs either side of it, but it is another well crafted bit of dance pop, the vocoder and descending chorus are very nice. I completely forgot about Heart, it’s also banger, that sampled vocal hook is superb. According to wiki ‘The song was also intended to be used in the Steven Spielberg-produced film Innerspaice but the dance sequence it was intended for was at the wrong tempo for the song’ For shame. King’s Cross ends things on a bit of a down note, the hangover to the upbeat songs, it feels like a glimpse of reality behind the yuppiness parodied and satirised on the rest of the album. Great track. I’m finding it hard to think why this shouldn’t be a 5 - great hooks, great dancey rhythms and beats, a unique vocal and melodic style, an interesting set of thematic threads and consistently excellent songs all add up to make this a fantastic album. 5. 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰 Playlist submission: It’s a Sin
I don't think this album is better than Behaviour, which I liked for its sombre, evocative mood. I also don't see how this is better than 'Please', which has a consistently better standard. But there clearly are some exemplar PSB songs - amd the Dusty duet and 'It's a Sin' are unimpeachable. Perfect synth-pop mixed with urban anxiety, which is what they do best. The track by track quality certainly is variable - but when it's good, it's perfect. Has to just tip a four.
first album from these guys that i’ve heard, absolute banger
A classic of electronic music. Long live the Pet Shop Boys!
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!
I love this!!! I knew nothing about the Pet Shop Boys and I was pleasantly surprised by their eighties synth pop, futuristic no bullshit fun music. Rent is my favorite but they are all so good!
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.
Oh yea, just didn’t really care for this. Nor do I feel the need to explain why.
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
maybe this is something I'll figure out later in life
Great, emotional, story-telling, fun production. Cool ass palette of synth sounds.
Great album. Really enjoyed it. 80's synth pop at its finest
It was just okay.
A beautiful, very british portrait of 80's music and society. No one else puts this mix together like these boys do and make it a great listen.
Happier Depeche Mode
I enjoyed this one
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.
Pretty fantastic album but just not really my style or something I'd want to listen to often.
I definitely know of this band. Not really quite sure if I know what songs are there's. I am pretty sure I have heard a track of theirs. These guys are very different, to my ears than any other artist that came out in the 80's that sound related to this. I feel this is a little more progressive sound than usual.
I love 80s synth pop, especially that which tends towards the more melancholy, like The Cure and Japan. I'd always been put off the Pet Shop Boys by Neil T's deadpan, disaffected delivery. I did realise that was the point; it lent an irony to songs like Shopping and Let's Make Lots of Money, and a poignancy to more emotional songs. But it annoyed me nonetheless. So I didn't expect to cope well with my first time listening to a full album. To my surprise, though, I enjoyed this a lot. I think it helped that I couldn't *see* the deadpan delivery in the grey overcoat. I was able to enjoy the lush synths more, and just fall into that 80s dancefloor vibe. And I enjoyed, afresh, their take on politics. Saying that, I hated It Couldn't Happen Here (musically, that is). But I'd forgotten Heart, which is really good. So. Perhaps my only 80s blind spot is now New Order (sorry. It's the basslines).
I loved every moment of this. The singles and the atmospheric album tracks. It was probably enhanced by my walking through a foggy Copenhagen while listening.
T-30 HL: “King’s Cross”, “It’s a Sin”, “What Have I Done To Deserve This?”, “Shopping”, “It Couldn’t Happen Here” Seeing as this is Pet Shop Boys #3, I’m probably not alone in saying it’s a peculiar Britishism to have that many. But it has been enjoyable to uncover these songs, however big they are in UK. Not sure why “It’s a Sin” wasn’t a hit here 🇨🇦 Definitely lighter fare than Behaviour and Very, but for 1987 pop that’s alright with me
Not a big fan.
The best song on this album: "What Have I Done To Deserve This?". As for every other song . . . I kept asking myself the same question.
Coincidence or not, PSB were just announced to headline a day on de Lokerse and this album wasn't that bad, although PSB don't click with me completely.
Eighties op z'n slechtst. Niet eens kunnen uitluisteren. It's a Sin klinkt verdacht veel als Soldiers of Love trouwens. En het meezinggehalte van Soldiers of Love is, als we eerlijk zijn, de grootste reden waarom Soldiers of Love zo een fucking goed nummer is. Dit album geef ik een 1, aangezien ik door dit album 3x Soldiers of Love heb beluisterd.
Actually the best pop album of all time 5/5
Some wacky, random instrumentals. Fun though. Vocals are a bit… flat? Monotone and repetitive. Wish I could have experienced clubbing in the 80s. Probs would have liked this album more if I was older.
New Order with worse music and slightly better lyrics, which isn't really a good trade-off. "King's Cross" pops off, though.
Rent
Very 80s. Very poppy. Surprisingly inoffensive.
Not really a fan of this one. Music wasn't terrible, but too new-wave-y for me. 2.5/5
Not for me - crying whiny feeling
Bit of a vibe
I don’t know what I did to deserve this.
Decent fun 80s album. 7/10
There we some parts where I was like "wait, this is peak." And there were some when I was questioning life. I enjoyed this one, though. Favs: What Have I Done to Deserve This?, Shopping, Hit Music Least Fav: King's Cross
Is it bad that my first introduction to this album was from Saltburn?
It’s ok 80s pop. My sister had this and it was in the car tape deck when I was a kid, but nothing other than It’s A Sin is even slightly familiar, which says a lot about the music, I think.
I do love synth-pop, and there are some stellar moments on this album. I most enjoyed the singles I knew: “It’s a Sin,” “Heart,” and “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” The rest didn’t jump out at me and some sounds dated, a bit too of its time. 3.5 stars
Me caen bien los Pet Shop Boys y este disco trae It´s a Sin, que me encanta. Así que lo disfruté bastante, aunque sea algo repetitivo.
I love that 80s pop. It's a Sin is a real banger. The rest of the album... decent.
I thought this was a pretty solid electronic album. Definitely something i'd put on, even though I don't really like the genre. Flowed really easily, had some good beats. I can see being born in a different time and hanging out with a different group, how I'd fall into this.
3 stars
If you like budget Depeche Mode this is for you. Kinda sounds like they want to be Kraftwerk a bit too.
It was decent, but I didnt really think the tracks other than 'its a sin' was a standout for me. I feel like some of their other work is a lot better
Mega cheesy. I listened to this while filling out medical forms, and the irony was stupendous.
VERY of its time. Sounds almost quaint to modern ears, and doesn’t really translate well.
Gay songs
Classic songs. Energetic rhythm and groovy. Not especially interesting/moving but cool.
Enjoy
I was never a big fan of the Pet Shop Boys growing up. Listening now, I still can't really get into it. It does have its catchy moments. I was thinking what is this dumb shopping song? They are really spelling out s-h-o-p-p-i-n-g? By the end I was singing along with them.
So, so 80s. But enjoyable.
This is some lazy-ass shit. Besides being British, this album would sound far less douchey if the vocals weren't sung through each other's nose. I got no patience for this.
We’re in the home stretch now, under 100 albums to go. And one thing I will be very thankful for at the conclusion is to not listen to any more 80s British synth pop.
All I can hear during S-H-O-PP-ING is P-O-O-PP-ING. It’s a shame because the lyrics convey a societal problem in 1987 that is far worse today, everything is for sale…your data, political influence. I appreciate this synth pop playing a small part in getting the modern version that I love. Unfortunately this sounds very dated.
This was my first Pet Shop Boys album. It made me fall in love their music. I still think it holds up as one of their better albums. Dusty Springfield's feature on "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" works surprisingly well, its one of the highlights from this album. I also really enjoy "Rent", "It's a Sin", and "Heart". A lot of the lyrics on this album are kinda corny but I think that adds to the charm of it. To me this is synth pop gold. Overall I prefer "Behavior" and maybe even their debut, but I'll always like this album and I think it deserves to be on this list. Favorite track: Rent
I don’t know, once again a pop/electronic album that isn’t too impressive. It’s not bad, but just not very interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
неидеальный, но вполне на угарном альбомчик. ретро которое слушали наши родители
Excellent! I really enjoyed this one. Something about the overall composition just worked for it. Great instrumentals and vocal work. 'It's a Sin' was my fave from this album.
Middle school in an album
Bloody brilliant.
Everything about this is 80s. It's a little techno but still complete 80s. Nothing super deep or different but enjoyable.
I like the Pet Shop Boys overall, but they lack something deeper. They should be iconic to me and yet I feel like they’re just good musicians who happen to have only a couple truly timeless classics in them…West End Girls and What Have I Done To Deserve This being it. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. There are plenty of LGBTQ+ artists who do get the job done more consistently. This album is good, achieves greatness in spots, shines when it discusses the realities and sadnesses of gay life in the 80’s, then moves on.
This is quintessential new wave 80s for sure. Lots of good bops here, especially What Have I Done to Deserve This, It’s a Sin, and Heart. I enjoyed the album and it’s probably a 3.5 for me, but not sure it quite reaches 4 territory. I really like their sound and there are a lot of interesting lyrics, but the diversity from song to song is a little lacking. I feel like once you’ve heard a few of these, you kind of know what to expect from the rest. Still a good time though!
"I love you, you pay my rent" is a funny lyric, even though I don't think it means what I first thought it means I once again thought it was The Beach Boys. Not bad really, just kinda boring
Actually... okay
3,5
I don’t have any real deep thoughts on a synth-pop album that was supposedly critiquing the politics of the Iron Lady. Although you can certainly dance to this.
Actually liked it
Excellent Album. Pet Shop Boys always had a great sound.
Parit passelit rallit, en silti kuuntelisi kuin ehkä yhtä kappaletta uudelleen. Ei laulajan ääni itselle jaksa toimia.
Not for me. Fine in the background
Классная музыка 80-ых. Кайфец
This is a tough call, I’ve always liked It’s a Sin and What Have I Done To Deserve This but in general I seem to find Pet Shop Boys albums a little samey.
I like 80s and I like cheese, but I think even for me this might be too far.
Way better than I was thinking
I love it. Of it's time and yet not dated, somehow.
Incredibly dated 80s synth-pop. I guess some people go for the detached tone here, and I actually kind of liked their last album we got, but this is not for me at all. Best song: What Have I Done to Deserve This?
I like their catchy electronic dance tunes but they may just be a singles band for me
Drony observations on bored, lonely yuppies over synth-pop? Yawn. I don't care enough to like this. Two stars.
What’s not to like about The Pet Shop Boys? They’re the perfect ratio of synth with that classic 80’s pop sound. Listening today, I noticed some parallels between It’s A Sin and Wild World by Cat Stevens. I wonder if it was intentional or not? Anyway, this is an album that makes you want to dance, and keeps your attention from front to back. It may not quite be a masterpiece, but it’s damn good at what it sets out to do: make people have fun!
Takes the popular sounds of the 80s and uses them to hold up a lens to just how fucked up the decade was. Worth multiple listens.
A bit over poppy in places but the good songs are undeniable good.
Very Zeit-geistys (Thatcher's London). At the time of this release I think the PSBs were my favs. Still holds up well with 3 or 4 absolute bangers.
Pretty poppy rock. Catchy and a bit cheesy.
I am glad I found this band, but most of the songs are just too similar. They have that quintessential 80s sound that I love, but most of the tunes don’t go anywhere.
First time listen, streaming
3.0
Based on previous listening to this band, sorry could not park the bias against this group just not my thing
One of the foundational albums for the synth pop dance genre. The only album of theirs that belongs on this list.
Actually ok.
… it’s a no from me dawg.
Years ago I had a close friend who got me hooked on "Heart". It's been a while since I listened to it, but it holds up and I still love it. There are some other great songs on here but none of them quite measure up to that one for me. If you told me to imagine "80s pop" this is the sound I would think of. I love that it's a bit political too! Probably a 4.5 but just like Muddy Waters I am going to round up.
Pet Shop Boys Stop Writing Bangers Challenge: They just can't do it. What a collection of songs this is, that'd be a decent greatest hits for most artists, but actually doesn't quite match up to Very for me in this bands insane legacy. What Have I Done... and It's A Sin are the obvious highlights, but Rent, Shopping, Heart and King's Cross all run them close.
Very 80s, not sure it's held up over time. May be another brit-centric entry into this list.
Pet Shops boys being surprisingly prominent in music history despite their laid back synth pop sound. This is their most commercially successful from 1987
Definitely has that poppy 80s sound. It culminates into some impressive songs, but more often is dismissible filler.
Actually boring
Bitte mal wieder was gutes Süße Tracklist aber one Trick pony
Melodic, cool, unique. Really good.
Not my fav pet shop boys album
It's fine, although I couldn't care less...
Did some counting, this is the 319th album and the 15th I actually own. Not a big fan of dance music but am a fan of the Pet Shop Boys. A large part of that are the lyrics. Don't listen to this album as an album very often but listen to several of the tracks on it very regularly. Listening to the whole album convinced me that I should do that more often. I don't give 5 stars easily but this is definitely worth it.
The soundtrack to 80s dance clubs. Highlights: "One More Chance" (nice synth bass), "Rent" (cool soundscape), "It's a Sin" (so dramatic), "King's Cross" (trumpet trills are cool)
The Pet Shop Boys always struck me as a great band for when you wanted some synth pop but found Depeche Mode and New Order a bit too indie. They definitely lean just a little bit heavier on the pop side of things. It's slightly misleading until you take time to explore some of the lyrics though. A song like "Shopping" sounds like it should be the soundtrack to a date out at the mall. But dig a little deeper, and you find that it's really a critique of capitalism's influence on society, with special interests and lobbyists buying their way into power. "Actually" is full of darker moments like this, if only you can see past the dance styles of the music. The album's singles really stand out, particularly "It's a Sin", which sounds like Tears for Fears if they were injected with New Order's energy. One extra point for that song alone. I can't say that I loved every single equally and there is some filler. The slower songs don't work much for me. But there are some incredible 80s synth-pop songs throughout that make the album great.
ok
Heavy
It's a sin to suggest this needs to be listened to at all and my hifi said it couldn't happen here. It was like I was in a nightmare, I thought what have I done to deserve this and shouted I want to wake up I decided to give it one more chance, I paid my rent and caught the train to Kings Cross to head into London to do some shopping but I didn't have the heart to buy some hit music. That's about the best use of the tracks on this album. Sorry, I don't like PSB and won't be listening again
This is actually (hehe) a very good album. Endlessly catchy, high-octane dance pop containing some all-time classic songs. The deeps cuts get a bit lost in the mix, though. That is something their following album, Instrospective, solved tremendously by only having six tracks. But alas, that one is not on here, so this will have to suffice. Key tracks: What Have I Done to Deserve This? Rent It's a Sin
Forgettable from start to finish.
Pet Shop Boys are actually a singles band more than an album artist. This record has four of them, two of which my reaction to is actually pictured on the cover. While It's a Sin and What Have I Done to Deserve This are classics I actually endorse when it comes to dance pop. The rest of the record is mostly forgettable or (perhaps better said) should be forgotten, actually.
Pet Shop is usually good for two to three songs per album. This album holds true to that. They are middle of the road with a lot of synthesizers.
They had some decent moments in the album but not an amazing stellar moments that took your breath away or made you say wow
Another day, another totally mid British album. Lyrics were interesting and thought provoking at points but the dude’s voice was very ho hum. The pervasive synth and fake instruments were boooooooring. Especially when that happens for almost 45 minutes.
never been a fan & listening to this does not win me over. never liked his vocals, or the talk/sing style. overly synth, repetitive lyrics. best part was Dusty Springfield in What Have I
I like synth pop from the 80s. But this was so dated it was like it was fake. Just not for me.
Pretty good stuff.
Lovely. Great album.
By their second album, the boys had realised that if they just stick with Neil’s Rex Harrison style speak-singing and Chris’s Vince Clarke-alike synth lines, they could milk basically the same tune for the next few decades.
Synth pop for people who take themselves too seriously, written by a couple of guys who take themselves too seriously. Too much focus on the "art" of it, without actually making songs that I can care aboutn. Shame, because when PSB do it well I really like them, but this album definitely left me cold.
Yayyyy some petshop boys! oh hey It's a Sin is on this album!!! LOVE this song so much. 4 stars.
One More Chance was not my fav but I loved the rest
I had no expectatioons going into this, but I enjoyed the cool synths and relaxed vocals, I found myself nodding along, which is honestly rare on this list. It's a sound I associate more with early 1980's so I am surprised this was released as late as 1987.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 80s.
Groovy. And kinky, with a bit of sexual dysfunction. Timmy got on top of this one. Great keyboards and bongos over raspy vocals and sketchy lyrics. Afraid to ask about the monkey rub. (3.5*s)
More SynthPop already? Low expectations going into this one with the band name and cover art so it's (actually) exactly what I thought. It's an odd mix of melancholy lyrics over upbeat backing tracks with vocals from two bored yuppies, oh and throw in some political themes from the UK. This is maybe fun if you're a very young British Chap in the 1980's. Some songs were alright but I think Depeche Mode and a few others do this better. "Shopping" was absolutely terrible but I'll give em 1.75 for the lyric "I love you, you pay my rent."
Cover sums this album up...kinda boring, Actually. I think Softcell did the 80s electro synth way better and this sounded like a watered down version. Sounded like 2 guys in their parents basement with a Casio. The PS boys will make the list for the debut I'm sure and I hope it's better then this...1.64.
I think I expected more from this. I usually dig synth pop even when it is on the lower end of the spectrum. I was enjoying Actually for the first half, but Side B was a letdown. By the end of the album it felt overall bogged down and did little to stay with me. A few of the songs were too slowed down and drawn out. Overall a forgettable album for me. 1.84 stars
The only song I knew on this was "What Have I Done To Deserve This" but I really enjoyed the rest as well! Cheeky synth pop is very much in my wheelhouse.
This is a very specific type of music that is effective, but also not my absolute favorite. The vocals are often in a very limited range, and the music is sometimes a bit too electronic for my taste. But a bunch of good songs throughout this.
I still sometimes think back to 8th grade when I knew little of music and confused the Beastie Boys and Pet Shop Boys. LOL. Only 1 of these albums is necessary on this list, but this might be the one.
Goofy and likeable, though the music is a bit weak in places where it really needs to pop. The opening track, One More Chance, sounds like a primitive DJ soundboard showcase (particularly in the first minute) and it's very off-putting, especially through a modern lens. I've found that dated experimentation is best placed at the end of an album, not at the beginning where most people will approach (and promptly be turned off). The beginning track of side 2, It Couldn't Happen Here, is a sloggish track with drunken vocals (further blurred by the string arrangement) and lack of a strong melody. But many other tracks, including What Have I Done to Deserve This, Rent, and It's a Sin, are textbook examples of how to do 80s pop correctly. The 80s production, so frequently bashed by critics and listeners, isn't as overwhelming here as with other, bigger 80s acts – which is a good thing. The synth work isn't very strong – surprising, maybe, given the Pet Shop Boys' status as a synth-pop duo – but the upbeat energy in most of the tracks makes up for it. The main contributors are fun chords and melodies, good singing (with a couple of exceptions), and decent lyricism tackling some heavy topics in a radio-friendly way. The strings are definitely hit-or-miss throughout the album: in It's a Sin, they're pop-standard and sound quite good, but in It Couldn't Happen Here, they're lethargic. You win some, you lose some. 3/5 Key tracks: What Have I Done to Deserve This, It's a Sin, Rent
I enjoyed this one an upbeat and pretty fun album with some deeper Lyrics
My first introduction to Pet Shop Boys, and I really got into them for about two or three albums after this. Still a great, great cover, too. The production seems a bit sterile on renewed listen, but nowhere near as bad as a lot of other stuff produced in the 80s. One More Chance is probably the song on this album that has aged the worst to my ears.
I listened to the first two songs and thought, “I do like New Wave, Wham I Am”, but then the rest of the album came along, my teen years faded back to where they belong and I realized that maybe my Overton Window for synth rock had moved ever so slightly towards “It’s okay…”
definitely fun but also definitely lacking highlights: one more chance, rent, it’s a sin (sep 23 2024)
I had another PSB album before this one and thought, based on that one that maybe I had misjudged them in the past. This is exactly what I expected on the last one (Behaviour for what it’s worth). This was boring uninspired generic 80s synth pop. There’s some amazing 80s synth pop out there, this just isn’t it. So maybe they got better as their careers went on but this album stinks.
The expressions on the album cover aptly match the sound of the music.
Fun
So glad Neil Tennant took the bet. I know this was the period he was playing with the idea of being a popstar, but this album is an icon of my childhood.
Stark fyra! Riktigt bra men ändå simpelt, bra synth.
A solid and pleasantly surprising album. Always appreciate deeper or double/meaning lyrics, and there are definitely some fun and catchy beats and melodies that keep the album moving. Not something I'd play on a whim since I'm just not a big pop fan, but solid all-around. Top tracks: Shopping, It's a Sin, I Want to Wake Up
This was delicious. I loved it.
Pretty sweet tunes and melodies
If you are like me, listening to this album and struggling to listen, then make it a game of sorts. +5 points if you can guess what the rhyme would be, +10 bonus points if you hear a word rhymed with itself.
It's a Sin is the best single Pet Shop Boys released.
Generic 80's sound.
I don't care for synth pop, and this sounds very 80s. I had a hard time caring that much for it at all, but it didn't sound bad.
⭐ its a sin
Lekker synthpoppy albumpje op de woensdagochtend! Maar waarom voelt elke synthpop groep de noodzaak om ook ballads te doen? Dat wil ik toch helemaal niet?? De uptempo nummers zoals Heart en Its a sin zijn echt heel leuk, lekker 80s enzo, maar de ballads zijn gewoon niet zo sterk. Die voelen vaak als een soort afterthought, alsof die ook mar op het album moesten, ik wil foute synthpop! Is dat te veel gevraagd? Blijkbaar wel. Het album zoals het nu is, bevat echt sterke nummers, maar in zn geheel komt het voor mij toch niet boven de prima uit, jammer maar het hing tegen een echt goed album voor mij aan! Hoogtepuntje is "I love you, you pay my rent" Ijzerstek tekstueel stukje heren! FAVO: What have I done to deserve this?, Rent, Its a sin, Heart
I've been saving this two-word review for a while: shit sandwich. This was mopey and over-dramatic when released and hasn't aged well.
What have I done to deserve that? “Shopping” and “Heart” dropped it to 2-stars.
I kept getting them mixed up with the bloodhound gang. Not sure why that would be. This was okay. But now I want to listen to raunchy comedy music.
Meh
Fun album. I didn't know much about the Pet Shop Boys. I liked the popular tracks: "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" and "It's a Sin". Also "Rent". It's interesting that Dusty Springfield does vocals on one of those tracks. She's such a different generation and her style is so different.
A couple of good songs and some nostalgia, surrounded by a lot of boring songs. Maybe almost a 3, but not quite.
I thought I had a softer spot for Pet Shop Boys than I actually do. Besides 'What Have I Done to Deserve This' and 'It's a Sin,' I didn't recognize anything off Actually (and are those good, or are they just familiar?) Most of it was dated in a way that didn't really hold up, e.g. even if the lyrics of 'Shopping' are actually prescient, the knee-jerk impression is one of sheer 80s shallowness. I think I owned CD of Behavior as a kid, but re-listening to it was also a painful reminder of how bad late 80s/early 90s music was - like all the funkiness of New Wave got stripped down to bland, tinny samples. Maybe a precursor to what dance and electronica would eventually become, but not good.
3-4 what have i done to deserve this? it's a sin (!)
Never been a huge fan of Neil Tennant’s vocals but at least this was vaguely familiar to listen to which is always an initial bonus on this list. I actually thought there were some decent songs on this and overall, found myself enjoying it despite the vocals. Also thought the second half of the album was much stronger than the first
The slower tracks on here (e.g. It Couldn't Happen Here) aren't nearly as enjoyable as the more upbeat ones. The singles are a lot of fun.
Brilliant album. Great vibe, no skips, and some obvious brilliant highlights.
Grade A dance pop
Pop, synth, 80s, British....it all adds up.
You actually smell the 80’s
The guy on the right sums up my reaction to the album. It's a Sin and What have I done to deserve this are pretty famous hits and decent songs, but I couldn't vibe with the album overall. Its a step above the other garbage that ruled the late 80's airwaves but I can't really see it as anything worth going back in time for to listen to. Interesting vocals though.
Interesting but not for me. Too electronic (synth).
Just listened to it and won't listen again. Plastic music without a soul.
Classic 80s, much like the Human League, but more mellow. It was fine. Much like the guy on the cover, I was yawning through most of it.
Really good.
Nar. Don't like drum machines, and the songs were naff.
Wry and danceable social satire from the Reagan 80s. Perfect.
No
guy on the right represents how i felt while listening to this its ok
Okay
Cracking debut from the lads. Four number one singles, some classic pop tunes. Excellent!
Very cute and fun 80's!
Very Pet Shop Boys start to finish. Some gems on this album, but ultimately, this album exists in a very specific time in history and doesn't really hold up in the modern music world (that sounds more negative than I mean it). A number of the songs get a little repetitive and drone on for a little too long, but the themes and emotions throughout are relatable and at times hard hitting.
Enjoyed more than expected :) :)
Bright and bouncy synth that's pure pop like a glass of champagne on a speedboat hottub, but wait, what's that? dark themes and gloomy undercurrents behind the glossy surfaces. Makes me want to get my Patrick Bateman on.
Pretty good one.
Woof.
I was not feeling this.
Some decent tracks on this! For 80s new wave this is better than a lot of the famous acts.
terrible
Absolutely loved!
I found it to lack dynamic range, it all muddled into one tone/song type for me.
I listened to this a handful of times, just hoping something would jump out at me worthy of a better rating. Alas, this album was tough to get through every time.
I think this record shows a lot of growth from their previous outing. It's a great listen with good hooks and interesting decisions. I would give it 4.5 if I could, but since I can't, I feel like it's more of a four, there is a coherent musical style which is pleasant but I'd like to see more variety. The best track from this timeframe is probably the cover of "Always On My Mind" which is frankly incredible and inspired a lot of out there cover remixes of classic tunes... and it's not on the record!
A couple ok songs the rest sucked.
++: Rent, Hit Music +: One More Chance, What Have I Done to Deserve This?, Shopping, It Couldn't Happen Here, It's a Sin, Heart, King's Cross +-: I Want to Wake Up 7,6/10
I hate Thatcher so much I wrote a synth-pop album about it
Loved this album, really like the voice and electronic poppy vibes. Had a good distribution of the best songs which made it easy to listen to. Favorite songs were: 3. Shopping 5. Hit Music 7. It's A Sin 8/10
Not my favorite thing. 3.1 stars
I really liked “It’s a Sin”, but otherwise pretty generic
The 80s personified
I didn’t like this kind of music in the 80’s, and after listening to this album, I found that I still don’t. I know that there is no accounting for taste, but I am surprised that this one’s on the list. I find a lot of these songs are really similar. Definitely not my thing.
2.7
Lively eighties pop With synth driven dance background To make a statement
I finally figured out how to keep up with albums better. Most of my available listening time is while shooting. I dont like wearing headphones while working on my feet, and my phone speakers suck too much to do the albums justice. I got a small but mighty bluetooth speaker that carribiners onto my belt loop, which works waaaay better. This is the first album I listened to in this fashion. It was good working music, but it left me unmoved. The last song had a very cool funky vocal sample thing. Album cover: B+.
This was a fun album. I like the ethereal poppy sound and the funky beats. My favorite songs were "Shopping", "It's a Sin", "Rent", and "Heart". The album ran a little long for my taste, but was fun the whole time. The songs had a lot of variety, and the lyrics were interesting & funny (when they occasionally broke through to me). 7/10
Its a sin! What a banging tune. I saw that live at Brighton Pride 2017 and it was so fun! Such a great memory for me. This album was fine other than that.. I really don't like the PSB mellow ballads, I dont think they work. Really here for the party tunes! Mixed bag for me
Another one?! Well, it's just more pet shop boys which isn't really my bag. But It's a Sin is a complete banger of course.
I remember how I first heard this album in Asia, they were quite excited over it back in the day... I liked PSB's "Rent" and "It's a Sin" but never quite clicked with much of the other tracks.
Enjoyed their electronic synth sound.
I didn't realize Colin Jost was in this band? Love that picture. This was a mixed bag for me. That cheesy 80s synth British sound grates on my nerves, but there are still some very good tracks mixed in.
That's a very good synth-pop album. I think "It's a sin" stands out, but all tracks keep close tempo and are a great altogether.
There is not one bad song on this album.
This album was awesome. All synth, but not nearly as cheesy as some other synth pop from the era. The music is interesting with some pretty unique structures. Rent is an easy standout on this album for me, but What Have I Done to Deserve This? and It's a Sin are really cool too. I thoroughly enjoyed this listen.
Good Lord the 80s sucked.
Synth-pop has its place. However, that place is not in my music library.
3.5 that I’ll round to 4 because the 80s vibe and the subtle commentary on British society worked for me.
I think "West End Girls" is all the Pet Shop Boys I really need. It's all pretty much the same, but for some reason I sorta like WEG. Yet another, "It was fine," from me.
4---3.5
I'm not sure what I would have thought if I didn't already have a certain reverence for Pet Shop Boys, but I do. You have to like their style and this time frame, but it's really good. "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" is just a great song.
Dated but decent.
Not very good is it.
Melodically a lovely listen but beyond that I can’t really draw any value from this album. There’s moments where I think the songs are going to go somewhere interesting or a chorus catches me but it never quite hits the mark, overall I just found the experience to be very dull and routine.
I love the two Pet Shop Boys songs I knew before this, so I thought I'd love this. I think I may just not have been in the mood, because I thought I only liked a couple of songs. I was feeling a light 2 stars. But today I'm skipping around songs trying to remember which ones I liked, and they keep adding up as I listen to them again - Rent, Hit Music, It Couldn't Happen Here, It's a Sin, I Want to Wake Up...wait that's a 5 song run, that's half the album. I'll give it a 3 today and another listen another day.
The use of perfectly crafted Synth-Pop and Post-Disco to back lyrics that are this bleak is an inspired choice. Critiquing the emptiness and shallowness of Thatcherite Britain, and the culture of the 80’s in general, by creating beats that are good enough to dance to while off your skull on cocaine, almost encourages the listener to ignore the lyrics, and I’m sure a lot of the listening public did. It makes for a bit of a conundrum, an album that is clearly good both musically and lyrically, and as a meta-critique of itself, but which by the fact of it’s irony and the disconnect between the music and lyrics, creates a distancing effect when trying to listen critically. It makes it very difficult to love Actually, even if it’s easy to appreciate it’s brilliance
and I was on such a good streak of albums, this one was shit. didn’t like one single song
Yes!!!!
# 302 : They've done a pretty decent job. I think Its OK, I could listen to it, very eighties. Favourite Track : It's A Sin
3,5
A very solid, enjoyable electronic album. Pet Shop Boys are one of those bands that I’m not typically seeking out but have always enjoyed when I’ve listened to them. Actually is probably their best work and the record of their’s that I’ve heard the most. For me the highlight is I Want To Wake Up.
Actually (stylised as Pet Shop Boys, actually.) is the second studio album by Pet Shop Boys, originally released in 1987. I remember hating the last Pet Shop Boys record I got on this list (I believe I gave it a 1). This one I enjoyed a bit more. It has more of a dance pop vibe and is pretty fun honestly. It really helps if you don't take the album very seriously. I couldn't help but want to dance while listening to some of these tracks. The political lyrics were interesting as well. This was made right on the cusp of Thatcher's reelection, and we know how the Brits feel about her. Sure it's a bit corny, but it's kinda fun, simple as.
yawning on the album cover: funny and kinda cool album cover picturing the correct reaction to every song: not cool music: hated. (⌐■_■)
[on the phone with the manager of the pet shop] “Yeah I was just wondering, what’s your return policy for boys?”
Well I can tell what my favorite goth and industrial musicians were listening to. I can definitely hear the basis of a lot of music that I like but this is also a bit too stuck in "cheesy 80s synth" sounds for me to really enjoy as a standalone work. It's interesting listening though and I'm glad I listened to it even if I probably won't revisit it.
Still very impressive
Uniquely 80s sound, somewhat dated now. Easy enough to listen to, but not something I’m going to put on. High 2.
Pet shop boys delivering with their unique style. This is not their best work from my point of view, but still paves the way to what’s going to be their seal.
Good Pet Shop Boys album. Probably at their peak here.
Not for me but ok.
MEH AF
Dull
Synth pop. I didn’t really care for it, didn’t feel like anything really stuck out for me.
musti ja mirri... aktualuigi... itse asiassa on varoitus tulevasta, ja oh the irony.... kaikki kävi toteen... ohhhh the irony.... tekee kipeää kuunnella, puhuu vaan totuutta... edeltänäkijä... mistä tiesitte? mitä tiedätte??? mitä..- h-hhuhh... *ravistaa silmiään*... mitää vittua tästä nyt sanoiisi vittu980 luku poppi albumi vittuako ruvetaan kriitikoimaan tätä ketkäö vittu tekee työkseen jotain tällästä aaa hmmmmm tämä albumi poppipaskaa... mature, pretentious, comes off as alittle too self-serious..... hei kuunnellaas päivän albumi ja laitetaan lokiin ajatukset... laitetaan LOKIIN..... lokitetaas vittu tuumailut päivän albuimista!! heart
I didn't mind this, the first track was absolute trash though, why would they put that on the album let alone open with it is beyond me.
4/5. An excellent pop album, starting to like the Pet Shop Boys more and more with each album. Although the first half of the album is clearer the better half, it was a good listen throughout. It's not perfect because some songs on the second side were not comparable to the other tracks. Got no other notes, highly recommend and amazing production. Best Song: One More Chance, It's A Sin, What Have I Done To Deserve This
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this, given that I absolutely hated their "Behaviour" album. The songwriting is much better on this one though, even if the singing is grating occasionally. Catchy dance pop with serious, thoughtful and/or political lyrics usually does the job for me. The only real misses on here for me were "It Couldn't Happen Here" and "I Want to Wake Up". "Rent" and "It's a Sin" are definitely two of the best pop tunes of the 80s.
The best album of my favourite pop band. Wish i could give it 10 out of 5
This was very monotonous and not enjoyable. There is not very much melody to any of the songs and it sounds like they're just speaking words over the same drum beat for an hour.
Prince Valium’s Get Up Mix. Just boring and dated.
So so
Great pop.
Great pop!
Pop brilliance
p581. 1987. 3 stars. Proof - if it were needed - that the Pet Shop Boys were a great singles band, but lacked the talent for a decent album. And it's dreadfully dated, darlings. Bonus points for "Rent" and the Dusty Springfield cameo.
First time listening to this duo. Im likeing these poppy synthetic tunes
Better than I expected! I wished I knew the words so I could sing along a couple times
Just as bad as the last Pet Shop Boys album I had to endure. I also hate the album art because it makes me feel like I need to yawn.
Pleasant enough but no need to listen again for another 35 years.
Perfectly 80's style marriage of perky synth arrangements and deadbeat vocal delivery, make for a pop masterpiece that still sounds fresh. What have I done to deserve this? and It's a sin are the standouts Put a broad smile on my face as I was singing along
synth pop weirdness is enough to get you on the list i guess? could i write poetry to this? n
The guy yawning on the cover says it all.
Not sure this should be on the list.
Fremragende. Jeg havde totalt glemt alt om Pet shop boys’ fantastiske lyd univers.
What da fåk... Det her album fungere virkelig godt! Igen... Jeg har aldrig brudt mig om Pet Shop Boys... Indtil nu... Det blev gennemlyttet med gode in ears så jeg kunne faktisk nyde den måde tingene er produceret på. Det står klart frem, i modsætning til mine tidligere oplevelser i høreværn, eller et gammelt sterio anlæg. Kæmpe potentiale til at vokse sig endnu større for mig.
Coveret indrammer helt perfekt min oplevelse af albummet.
This is so British and so 80s, it hurts. It starts out reasonably well with One More Chance, and What Have I Done to Deserve this is a very good single, but then it goes downhill. Shopping and Rent are extremely annoying, by the time I got to It Couldn’t Happen Here I was about to turn it off, but I knew It’s a Sin and Heart were two of their biggest singles from this era, so I held on. And wow was I disappointed. It’s a Sin is so dated, it would have been embarrassing to play it in the 90s, Heart is not much better. Maybe this album made a splash in the dance clubs of the late 80s, but there is no magic flowing into my headphones in 2024.
Fantastic 80's sound and vibe!!
Drum machine driven pop. As it asked...what have I don't to deserve this
Some absolute career defining highlights (Rent, It's a Sin, Heart, and fine, What Have I Done to Deserve This). Songs I still listen to regularly nearly 40 years later. Some brilliant pop, important cultural messages, keeping strong to their identity without making it "the thing". Probably not as constantly great as the Please debut, or the Behaviour third album which I still think is their best, a damn good album. Currently #49 on my all time LastFM play list.
Huh... first Pet Shop Boys album I've ever listened to, apparently. Well since 2006 anyway - thanks last.fm Artist #1578
I did not regard this as highly as their first album.
Didn't really do much for me.
Of a mehhh genere that I used to dance but never listened at home or elsewhere, because it music to dance. Years later I actually heard it as a 20 something year old college suffering existencialist and saw and understood how goods the lyrics are on these songs. Emo before emo. All sad and shitty love songs of a heart broken person who sings to heal and try to fe tout of that depression by going out and enjoying life instead of staying home and wanting to die. Solid album woth flawless trnasition from song to song which actually was inpressive as some are very diferently paced than the others. 2 massive hits which still hold up and a really good supporting cast of songs. Only one song that I dont love.
First track was good. Production is decent. The rest is a snoozer. Overall, not my thing.
Enjoyed this one a lot. Lots of catchy songs and seemed to cross multiple eras of rock
I could see this being fun to listen to if I were a completely different person with a completely different music taste
Rent (Farleigh’s Version) >>>>
Playing “shopping” on the way to all my mall visits from now on
Really solid 80's pop album
quite entertaining
So, when this came out, I was so sick of the Pet Shop Boys that I didn't really give it a chance. West End Girls had played endlessly in the NYC clubs and then was revised as a radio hit a year or so later. By the 12000th play, I was done with Pet Shop Boys. In the interest of fairness, I decided to give this a listen again, first in the 90s and then recently after watching a documentary about the Pet Shop Boys. I still don't think much of it. It's basically disco and not all that clever, I especially dislike Rent. While they may mean it to be tongue in cheek, it comes across heavy handed - more like foot in mouth. What can I say? I tried to like it but found it still dull and self-absorbed.
Some good Brit pop on this list for once
I got bored of these songs after about 3 of them, just to much of the same.
Wow. So 80’s. So much that it sounds like a parody of the 80’s. But it’s not. It’s a bit much, not bad per se, but a bit much.
Not good
Meh about this
nope
Okay that one song still slaps
80-taligt som tusan
Amazing.
I liked this more than earlier PSB. What have I what have I what have I done to deserve this? I liked it!
The second album of theirs I’ve gotten, and it turns out I’m not a fan. Although I rated this one better, it’s just so over the top and flamboyant almost to the point of parody. The songs themselves are boring and repetitive and then someone whispers “beats…. Heart beats”, it’s goofy
One of the better synth pop excursions on this list. These dudes are fucking weird. I dig it.
It's a sin not to like this album
I know before starting that this is going to be a chore for me. I know this because I was once given a burnt DVD of EVERY PSB track. A sides. B sides. Unreleased bootlegs. TV show performances. Like an idiot I loaded these tracks into my collection, and suddenly about one in five tracks was PSB. They got old very quickly after that. Having listened to it, it wasn't terrible, and wasn't even the chore I was expecting. PSB are pioneering, and have their place in the 80s pantheon.
Another Pet Shop Boys album containing a fistful of brilliant singles ('It's a Sin', 'What Have I Done to Deserve This', 'Rent', and 'Heart'). The rest of the album was good, but didn't feel like it had a discernable concept or consistent emotional energy in the same way that 'Behaviour' and 'Very' do. 'Just' a collection of excellent disco pop songs. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: It's a Sin Date listened: 06/06/24