Actually

I think of Pet Shop Boys like Erasure; nice fluffy 80's music that you can dance around to, sing along to. Which is a good thing. But today looking back at It's a Sin, that's a great song. Something along these lines should be on this list. Should it be Pet Shop Boys? Maybe. Should it be this particular album? I'm unconvinced. But I do like lots of these songs.

I liked it better back then. With a few decades of hindsight, it's clear that Pet Shop Boys represents the worst of the 80s. Performance vs. Music, Style vs. Substance. It's auditory cynicism. It turns out that there's not a lot of "there" there.

It was fine. I wasn't really impressed by the Pet Shop Boys, but nothing was terrible. Kind of forgettable.

3.5

nice men litt mye techno

Pure proud pop.

please

Mitäää???????? Tämäkö ACHYALLY?? ACHUALTTY GOOD? HUOKOTTELIJA POIKA KUVASSA... EI PALJOA HUOKOTELLA BIISEISSÄ... USKOMATONTA.. RAKASTAN LEMMIKKIELÄIN KAUPPA POIKIA!! synth pop toimiii meediumina hieman.. heh.. mietytymmälle musiikille

Driving around a cloudy Amalfi coast.

Rimelig 'meh', men jeg er heller ikke fan af Pet Shop Boys. It's a Sin er dog meget god.

Not great, Bob.

Lyrics are still relevant.

first listen meh

It's a Sin and One More Chance are such banger songs. Even besides that, the album is pretty dang good.

80's as fuck. Synthetic feeling. 3.5

Quite an average album imo, alot of repetition in both lyrics and musical patterns.

Such a rich mix of politics and electro-pop, total joy to listen too.

It has recently come to my attention that Pet Shop Boys' stockpile of bangers is larger than I gave them credit for. It's just as well, really, as when the tunes are weaker all we're left with is their distinctive brand of synth-pop, which I think is kinda naff, actually. One more 'Go West' or 'Always on My Mind' sized banger would've tipped the balance towards 4 stars, but as it is: 3.5.

Interesting postmodern commentary on consumerism while simultaneously sounding like I’m at the mall drinking an orange julius and heading to the arcade.

When I look back upon my life It's always with a sense of shame I've always been the one to blame For everything I long to do No matter when or where or who Has one thing in common too It's a sin So, its an OK album but I'm confused by its presence on this list. Why is this an album that everyone should hear before they die? Because its more 80s brit pop? Cant have too much of that? 3/5

Wow, i love 80s sound. There is always this energetic aura that so easily distinguishes itself as an era of music -- maybe it's the disco beat. Normally i am not a fan of pop music but i guess the nostalgic feeling behind my listening experience is why i like this album and feel like i am totally brought back to a time where i was not even born.

This album is that famous "let's dance our troubles away" album. Great, until today!

i had no idea what type of music i was going into here but there were some absolute bangers

Bit poppy for me. Repetitive lyrics. Some songs are decent though

Better than anticipated!

2.5/5 80s synthpop

Second psb album that’s come, yep and that’s enough of that hey

i dont like this genre very much but this was really good

What Have I Done to Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield), Rent, It's a Sin, Heart. Se merecen un 5.

Not a huge Pet Shop Boys fan, but this album was alright.

Can't believe people really liked this band.

After the first few songs I realized I'd heard this album before and that I'd rated it before we started the group. Since I really didn't want to listen to it again, I figure I should give it that initial rating again. The fact I didn't want to listen to it should probably bring the score down, but oh well

Not really notable, another average album

Some good beats, but this was a little too disco and repetitive. I preferred Very.

A mi me encanta! (ONB)

Show tunes sung badly over Casio beats? Maybe that's too cynical. Didn't much enjoy it beyond the singles though.

pretty mid very early experimental pop like Kraftwerk but less bad

When it’s good, it’s great. But it isn’t good all the way through.

3.5

Good album, enjoyed the edm vibes and singing

I didn't love it. May give it a relisten some day, but for now it's a three for me.

Had no idea who these guys were before this album. Heard the name did not know the genre. Very 80s very fun. I dig this one a lot. I thought for so long I did not like 80s music and the older I get the more I get proved wrong. Faves : One More Chance Shopping Rent

v 80s

Nostalgia! Via sempre os clipes na Band de tarde. Belo disco. Penca de hits. Impressiona que nem soa datado!

Meh.. it really did not age well I understand that it could be perceived as good, but it's just dull..

When this appeared on my daily selection, I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with it. Sadly, time hasn’t been kind to this album, aside from tracks that made it into the charts, the rest of it. It’s quite bland and a bit forgettable. 3/3

The golden standard for dancey pop. I think this is of the best and I don't like dance music. These do bop. Gonna give a very safe 4.

Straight classics on here! I love It's A Sin especially. A little underwhelming compared to my memory of it, but still hits.

I think it's synth-pop genre, which is a new one for me. One More Chance was a probably my favorite song on there. Also found out these are the guys that made 'West End Girls' which is a banger. "It's a Sin" is the most popular song on here and I enjoyed its triumphant-sounding beat. Honestly really enjoyed this. A mostly fun, upbeat album.

Even on their biggest hits like I can't understand the hype surrounding them at all. They sound way too gentle for me, they sound tame and emotionless. I just can't get into them.

I'm the guy on the right

Not my type, but better than I thought.

I don't know. I just can't dive in with this band. The late 80s sound has really aged bad, not like the early and mid 80s sound that is always enjoyable. So what we get here is late 80s pop that is not really catchy. It's not completely bad, but... meh.

Early boy band vibes. Pop but with interesting messages / quite political

An all-time favorite album. I have to admit, I didn’t quite understand PSB until this album, and then I heard how tongue-in-cheek and smart their lyrics were. A 5-star classic.

Buka.

80s paradebeispiel. adore it

3.75

Another solid set of songs from the glum duo. Some cracking singles especially Rent. A couple of the sings wash over me but its generally good and probable improves on replay

One few songs are nice to hear.

Quintessential gay 80s music

Track Ranking: 1. It's A Sin - 9 2. One More Chance - 8 3. It Couldn't Happen Here - 8 4. What Have I Done To Deserve This? - 8 5. Hit Music - 7 6. Heartbeat - 7 7. Shopping - 7 8. Rent - 7 9. King's Cross - 7 10. I Want To Wake Up - 7

Snilld! Mjög hresst popp og catchy lög. Elska PSB!

The start of this album sounds like cartman but overall it was fun. Very very 80s and just quirky all around. It's a sin was the top song.

Dance pop, but more subdued than the other PetShopBoys album

Couple good songs. Classic 80s!

I love so much music from the 80's Pet Shop boys were band I just never liked very much. Probably the first time listening to a whole album and my opinion hasn't changed.

I actually bought this when it came out. And now I can’t imagine why. A few listenable synth pop tunes, but mostly uninteresting to downright dull.

Not sure if I ever really listened to this band. Not bad

It was fine. Nothing I really liked or disliked in this one. Forgettable

Pet Shop Boys put the pop in synthpop. We've come a long way from Heaven 17 earlier in the decade. It's fun and danceable (yet often melancholic) with atmospheric future and industrial synths, and nonsensical lyrics with themes of insecurity and dependancy. Sounds incredibly well with its polished production, and nothing sounds out of place. It's all pretty coherent with hits well-dispersed. The deep cut highlights were the cinematic ambient songs in the middle, "Hit Music" and "It Couldn't Happen Here". Drags on slightly, but enjoyed every song.

I actually love Actually. This is the start of my Pet Shop Boys phase and I can’t believe it’s taken this long. What Have I Done To Deserve This? has absolutely no business slapping as hard as it does.

Not my music. But some songs are good.

Not a fan. This was the beginning of the pansy-fication of rock and roll. Effeminate male vocals combined with inorganic sounding synth-driven rhythms. Sorry to be crass, but this music has no balls. 2 stars.

legalzinho legalzinho

Songs feel familiar, catchy, but inconsequential. The same feelings they gave me in 1987, so I guess that means the album holds up?

New for me and great

Good

More rhythmically interesting than I thought they’d be, great use of sound effects too.

Zeer dansbaar plaatje. Wat new-wave elektro met duidelijke 80s vibes

I was interested in listening to this one because the Pet Shop Boys are a group I've heard talked about a number of times but have never really taken the time to listen to. Unfortunately, this music is not for me at all. It just feels like such shallow, 80s synth pop. The lyrics are pretty ridiculous based on my initial listen (ex. "Shopping"). I listened to the full album to give it a chance but didn't hear any tracks that really spoke to me or stood out. This is just not a genre of music I would ever choose to listen to again and if I was around more in the 80s, this wouldn't have been my go-to music. Standout Tracks: N/A

Very synthy

There are some really good tunes here, particularly Rent and It's a Sin, but it was a bit inconsistent and didn't have a huge impression on me

Good 80s album. Not something I would listen to on a regular basis

I'm not much of a Pet Shop Boys. The album was fine and I have no major complaints, but to me the music is bland and uninteresting. That being said, I actually didn't turn it off and listened to the whole thing through.

Not my type of music whatsoever. Understand that it had it’s following and time and place and all that, but it’s really no good in my opinion. 2/5

Auch klassischer 80s Sound. Kenne ich so noch von meiner Mutter.

Absolute shite

This album takes me back to the late 80s. Brought a guilty chuckle remembering the Sam Kinison joke regarding the PSB & hamsters. Anyway, A couple of the tracks were big hits on the FM, but even the ones I hadn’t heard before are decent. The 2018 remaster on Spotify has good low end extension. Shopping, Heart, Hit Music and Kings Cross are quality.

Pet Shop Boys don’t do it for me

Catchy tunes, similar vibe throughout the album. I would listen to it again, but on repeat it gets a bit boring after a while.

Very much a product of its time, but a damn good one.

I thought I never heard this album before but at least some songs sound familiar, quite enjoy the fun vibe and overall feel

Easy to listen

Pet Shop Boys always get me in a good mood. Did conclude that they are mostly a 'greatest hits' band for me.

Boring and unnecessary second inclusion from this group.

Not bad but compared to their other albums this was pretty boring, everything sounded the same and only one hit/standout song.

A better, shorter, more clever, more enjoyable version of Welcome to the Pleasuredome. I also way prefer Neil Tennant's vocals, unique but not distracting. The LGBT, anti-Thatcher and general synths position this as almost a soundtrack to films and series like Pride and obviously It's a Sin, so that's the kind of atmosphere I'm feeling. 15/11/22

К сожалению, не совсем мой формат. Хотя под какое-нибудь определенное настроение может и зайти

Filthy 80s pop. Fuck yes

I dont like the pet shop Boys

I can't stand the Pet Shop Boys

I hear they're good!

Once again proving that this list is too damn long, I like synthwave and 80s new wave but this album was just ok.

Really catchy and poppy, it’s so fun. 8/10

Je préfère Please, mais c’est correct aussi. Il y a peut-être le plagia de « wild world » dans « It’s a sin », ainsi que le vocal qui est trop présent dans le mix qui m’agacent. À part ça, c’est l’fun.

Dance/pop/new wave combo not my thing. Can't say I hated, but did not really enjoy. Recognized a couple songs, it's a sin and what have I done to deserve this, from the radio, but for the most part wanted it to end. 2

4.5 Lush, luxurious and flashy. This is the epitome of 80’s rich people pop. You can almost imagine fashion shows using this music. I’m a big fan of the song West End Girls since it was in GTA V and these guys always sold at Green Light so I’m not surprised I enjoyed most of this. By the end of the first song I found myself singing along. Aside from some boring bits in the middle, I think this is a super cool 80’s timepiece. Favorites: One More Chance, What Have I Done To Deserve This?, Rent, It’s a Sin, I Want to Wake Up, King’s Cross

1.5 I find 80s pop to be a really interesting spectrum, and overall very, very hit or miss. On one side you had flashy icons like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and George Michael with catchy, danceable hits, on the other side new wave artists like The Cure, Simple Minds, and Echo & The Bunnymen with broody, outsider anthems, and then somewhere in the middle is this. This album seems to mesh the broodiness of new wave and danceability from mainstream pop here into one proto-electronic package... and it doesn't work for me. I totally get the primary function of some albums is just to provide something to dance to, and I can only imagine how much fun this must have been at 80s clubs, but in many ways I can hear how this inspired modern electronica, and in turn, modern club music, or "Good luck if you're sober" music. Simply put, it just feels abrasive in a very cold and lifeless way. Of course, everyone enjoys music differently, but that isn't for me, and neither is this - This is an 80s album that's gonna fall under the "miss" column.

I have a huge affection for Pet Shop Boys, and "Actually" is the boys at their most Pet Shoppy. There's room for power pop as well as sensitive, extravagant ballads. The obvious tracks to highlight are 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' (with a delightful feature from Dusty Springfield) and the smash hit 'It's a Sin' (whose melody is TOTALLY not a ripoff of 'Wild World'...). But for me the lesser known tracks 'Rent' and especially 'Heart' are just as noteworthy and work extremely well on the record as well as live. As always with the Boys: great melodies, a strong backbeat and an all around good time had by all.

It’s impossible not to have a good time when Pet Shop Boys are playing. Somewhat presented as a party and dance band, there’s actually (lol) only a few tracks that wouldn’t be a mood killer at any ordinary party. The production on hits such as “What Have I Done To Deserve This” and the extremely dramatic “It’s A Sin” is absolute perfection but there’s so many more excellent songs to be found scattered around this record. Especially the goosebump inducing Rent”, “I Want To Wake Up” and “Heart” is just as good as any Pet Shop classic.

I think the songwriting is good but those 80s effects make it hard for this album to feel timeless. I enjoyed it just fine anyways

C'est correct, mais beaucoup trop générique pour moi. Je n'aime pas vraiment ca et je ne trouve pas cela original. En plus, l'album est 1h ce qui est beaucoup trop long. J'ai été généreux pour les 3.5 et 3.85, ou peut-etre pas assez. C'est celui-ci qui écope. 2.75

I have never found myself really enjoying a Pet Shop Boys album from start to finish. There are however some undoubtedly good songs to be found within. It's A Sin particularly appealed to me. Not bad, a 2.5 for me but getting the bump to 3.

Pas mauvais, mais il n'y a aucune des chansons que je connais d'eux dessus. La meilleure est It's A Sin je crois! Leur beats sont bons, mais leur voix je l'ai toujours trouvé moyenne.

Its just a smidge to 80s for me

My 1980's listening was somewhat limited at the time, so I gave this a little listening. The two expressions pictured above are relevant to this listener: emotionless and sleepy (from boredom). _Not much lyrically, the overall sound is very synthetic. Electronic drums? Dusty Springfield's performance on "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" is a highlight. (Now, take another look at "The Boys" above.)

Couple of tunes were OK and I get it's importance just a bit generally bland pop

Solid but largely forgettable pop

It's a Sin? It's an earworm more like. #actually #Ithinkyoullfind I got quite into this, and then the second half bored me

I like the hits of the Pet Shop Boys, What Have I Done to Deserve This? and It's a Sin are great, the rest was alright, but didn't stick out enough to make this a solid album for me. 2.5

Irgendwas zwischen 2 und 3. Ich bin gnädig und gebe 3.

Not at all my usual style, but pretty darn catchy.

No song really stood out to me, but it was alright.

Okay I've never heard these folks before but I actually really enjoyed this.

the vibe is nice, but not my jam

korrek

Exactly how i expected it to go down. Great stuff

Actually ages and I still love it. This is my first listen of this remaster, which brings out the datedness of many of the instruments. Yet I can't find anything bad at a song level and looked excitedly forward through the end of the record. The laconic delivery pairs perfectly with the ironic tone, but the songs keep you dancing as well. The rare record you can enjoy earnestly while annoying your friends with.

Awesome album and not me most favorite album of theirs.

Whaddaya know, it's an English pop group. I think this is the 3rd album by them so far? I can understand maybe 1 album, but THREE? For a band that was only half a step above one-hit-wonder status (except maybe in the UK), and that one hit being a fucking cover song? Ah well. So far it's exactly as expected: 80s synthpop just like the other 2 albums. Update 45min later: what can I say? The start was exactly like the middle, which in turn was just like the tail end. Light-hearted 80s pop that tries to be both upbeat and downright miserable, but ends up somewhere in between? I feel like the singer really overrates himself as a capital-c Creative. There's a really hammy quality to his voice - he can hold a note fine, but the emoting comes off as stupid. Maybe it's because he's doing it over a Casio keyboard demo tune? The overall tone of the album misses the mark imo. If this was the only time I'd had to listen to the Pet Shop Boys here, I'd say fair enough and give it a 3. But there's no reason for this much of exactly the same shtick. 2/5.

Cool 80s Bancroft groove

my brother is also doing this generator and kept suggesting these guys to me. probably should have listened bc this was really solid pop music. i enjoy most synth stuff, but this was especially well-produced. I listened to the 2018 remaster so that may have an influence, but it was solid nonetheless. good music to do mindless office work to.

It's easy to write off a lot of 80s synth pop as having aged badly but I think this one has enough musical depth to keep it interesting

Átti þessa

I ACTUALLY enjoyed this, and my infant son was enthralled too.

Slow start but it really picks up and makes you want to move! I’d give it a 3.5 if I could.

Heard it before?: No, but have heard a few songs Enjoy it?: Yes! The traces of synth and soft sound are angelic to this, very enjoyable from start to finish Favourite song: Track 2 - What Have I Done to Deserve This?

ackchyually

Ngl, had it in the background while working, so not sure how accurate this is. But still, no song made me stop and listen carefully to it. 1.5 / 5

Not a big fan of synth pop but the album had a few good songs like one more chance and what have i done

Kind of bad generic 80s pop. 1.5 stars

This sounded like good 80s dance-pop when it was released and it holds up as good dance pop today. This refined the Pet Shop Boys sound introduced on their debut and their detached cold manner. The wry, tongue in cheek lyrics adds appropriately to the equation. They continues to refine their dance-pop over the next decades, but all of the seeds are sown here.

Another album that is no more than fine. Don't see what qualifies it for any special recognition

While this album grew on me the more I listened to it, it was a snoozer overall. This might just be a preference, but I do not love synth-based music. I feel like this lacked any real groove, soul or melody. Some of the songs were long enough to create the impression of a groove or jam, but I'm not sure this was truly achieved. "I Want to Wake Up" and "Rent" were exceptions to that for me, as both did a pretty gtood job creating an atmosphere, but the rest didn't do much for me. The singing was unimpressive too. I'm not sure what the setting for this music is. Is it to dance to? Is it to listen to alone? Very 80's new-wave but not for me.

Party boy sad dance music. I love it.

Liked it

It is so of its own time, so very very 80s. It’s a glamour shot of a teenager taken at the mall. All teased up 80s hair sprayed to high hell, boldly overdone tacky makeup, smiling at the camera with the absurd confidence only someone who looks like a total clown but thinks they’re the shit can pull off. All “glamour”, it’s soul splayed out right up on the surface level, no depth.

No where near Behaviour level

Liked this a lot better than I thought I would - the definitive 80s sound

Ja sam ovaj desni dok sam slušala album.

actually, this is a good record.

It’s… fine, I guess. There’s not a lot here that catches my attention. The lyrics aren’t that deep, the hooks are present but not earworms. It’s fine. Not great, not terrible.

Better than I thought it would be.

Way better than I remember. Filled with bops.

Hasn't aged as badly as you might think.

Clean synth sounds but too 80s for me.

This album came out when I was 19. I had it on cassette and played it all the time in those days. It is one of the soundtracks to my college years, as well as a wonderful document of Britain in the the late 80s with its subtle references to Thatcherism. Having spent some time with Dusty Springfield's wonderful music in this project, I am so happy that this album helped to bring her back into the spotlight (and that Dusty in Memphis was Neil Tennant's favourite album!) I love the synth-pop sound, the dancy tracks, and the emotions in this. An absolute favorite then and now.

I realize that I should have more Pet Shop Boys in my life.

This provided me a fun afternoon dance party today.

The Pet Shop Boys came to my attention in 1986 with the album Please. I loved that album. But their release of 1987 of this album is what made me a huge fan. This is 80s perfection. I love every song on this album. From the absolutely phenomenal “It’s A Sin” to the sad elegy “It Couldn’t Happen Here”, this album mixes politics and personal stories deeply into these incredible electronic dance creations. One of the finest albums from the Pet Shop Boys, and one of the finest albums from the 80s, or any decade for that matter.

in the beginning it was 3-star worthy, but as the songs progressed it got better and better

Eh, liked it at first but album kind of blended together into forgettable highly produced synth pop

Not my cup of tea

This is what the 80's sound like in my dreams.

It’s sad when people rate albums on this list low because it’s simply not their taste or hasn’t aged well, completely discounting their historic and cultural value. There’s a reason albums like this are on the list- not because they are groundbreaking masterpieces of music, but because they reflect the time period and have great historical value. The albums on this list are on here because they were influential, not because they are the best albums of all time. That’s a different list, and I think a lot of people forget that when listening. All that being said, while the relentless synth beats do get a bit tired, this album was fun and I love when melancholy/dark lyrics are set against an upbeat melody. 80s rule! My favorites: Rent, What Have I Done to Deserve This?, It’s a Sin, Heart, King’s Cross

Loved it. Pure bliss.

I've been on a Swet Shop Boys kick of their song Anthem and at the very beginning they make clear that they are not the Pet Shop Boys. This album had a lot of style and made me think of West End Girls (and GTA). But it also reminded me a bit of Phil Collins in the slow style of a lot of the songs. Enjoyed this album but nothing to write home about.

Pulling this up on Apple Music, saying to myself "If this doesn't have West End Girls, we riot." It sure doesn't, but it does have "It's a Sin," which I didn't realize that I also know. These boys are pretty solid pop music, I will give them that. A great, dance-y energy throughout. I can't say that too many tracks stood out to me, but I appreciate what they were doing here. Not bad at all. Favorite tracks: It's a Sin, King's Cross. Album art: Two sleepy boys. Well, I guess the one is sleepy, I'm assuming his pal is sleepy by association. Not a bad cover though, this one's definitely distinct. 3/5

Espectacular. Masterpiece

Este disco fue una sorpresa. Para mí, es uno de los que más me ha gustado de los más de cien que ya llevo escuchados en este listado. Tiene éxitos que ya conocía, pero que no podría haber situado temporalmente, mucho menos discográficamente, pero hay otros que realmente suenan bien y para mis oídos acostumbrados al pop y al synth-pop, este disco de los PSB es un buen disco.

There's a few really good tracks on here, but a lot of those even wear out their welcome for me by going on just a bit longer than necessary.

Probably one of the better Brit-pop Bands. They're synth wave sound is definitely one of the most influential and popular trends of the 80s. Best Songs: Rent, Hit Music, Worst Songs: It Couldn't Happen Here

The song "I Want to Wake Up" has a line where the narrator starts crying when he hears the lyrics of a song, which is how I felt while listening to the inanity of Shopping, Rent, and others. Best track: King's Cross

Some cool songs. Half the album could be taken out and I don’t think it would make the album worse

Good electro pop but I don’t like electro pop

Samey and meh. Was okay

It wasn’t too bad but I just don’t like the pet shop boys . His voice is annoying

Really liked a lot of it but a whole album got a bit much?

Rent это sin

Good, but a little dated in places.

Skipping the first song on re-listens really added a star or two on this. I wonder how much impact the opening song on an album has on the ratings on this site. Sometimes it feels like a lot to listen to one new album every day, so first impressions really have to count. One More Chance is just so cheesy. The first 30 seconds sounds like an ad for babbys first sampler. Did that squeaky "ehh" sound really need to survive into the chorus? Past that song though, the album is great. Neil Tennant's vocals are always awesome. Distinctive and expressive without being showy. Pop songs are often in minor keys these days, but I feel like that was less common in the 80s (I might be wrong). The fairly sombre vocals combined with the accessible backdrops feel like a smiling friendly man waving you inside, only to regale you with sad tales of privatisation, religious repression, financially one-sided relationships, the impact of the focus on personal financial gain over personal relationships, and so on. But his voice is so nice that you stay and listen. This was a rollercoaster ride of "ohh I like the pet shop boys, let's have a listen... oh no this is cheesy and dated... actually this song aint bad, and this one, and this one, wait, is the only bad song the first one? yes actually. oh god thats the album name. Did they mean that? Surely not. Like the album giving you a weird cheesy pop song at the start and then saying... actually... and then giving you awesome song after awesome song. Like the way the chorus in Shopping makes you go, what the fuck is this about, then you read what its... actually... about... christ I'm overthinking this. Album good." Have I talked myself into five stars here? I think I have. Why not hey.

Some incredibly solid synth pop tunes, outside of the first track. I've always enjoyed Tennant's unique vocals. Surprising depth for a pop album, a lot of political commentary, especially Thatcher and the conservatives who were in power for the entirety of the 80s. I think I actually prefer their first album Please, which incidentally isn't one of the 3 Pet Shop Boys albums on this 1001 list!

I don’t need to do this one because… ok I will. I don’t need an excuse for listening to one of my all time favourite albums, (Later) Gosh. ‘Kings Cross’ is a masterpiece of observational melancholy. It shouldn’t work in the same album as ‘Heart’. Or the plaintive complaint of ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This’. That’s the thing about this album. The whole is a lot greater than its parts. Not so many artistes really think about putting together a complementary suite of songs nowadays, rather focusing on bangers and necessary fillers. This is the package. THE package.

Yeah it was OK. I guess

I appreciate their pop sensibility and the clever and subtle lyrics. If the production wasn't so radio-friendly, I'd like the melodies more, though it was 1987, after all. One More Time and Shopping are fun tracks, but it's hard to offset stinkers like What have I Done and it Could Have Happened Here. It's funny that Cat Stevens sued them unsuccessfully for plagiarizing his hit, Wild World in It's a Sin. It's a bit of a stretch. They're no Zeppelin.

After their brilliant debut album with the iconic single West End Girls, you kinda expect a let down. This second album features a picture of one of them yawning on the cover. Of course it’s meant to be ironic, but it’s also very apt. They’ve got the bored, ironic synth pop sound down pat here, but this was a bit of a snooze fest for me. It’s too bad they peaked so early and were never able to strike lightning again

muy diver muy sexo muy dance party muy algo que seguro escucha luni :-) dos me hacen querer quedarme pelado lujitos de ser gey-> edit eran de cornudo SON YMO🙄

I do not think this is good. The lyrics make no sense to me, it's so strange. Also, this music is just so boring.

I enjoy the Pet Shop Boys in small doses, but a whole album was too much. It felt very dreary and repetitive, and the singer's nasal voice gets annoying after a while.

Oh heck yeah. This is the new wave sound that I love and have been waiting for! Actually is the definition of moody new wave. The lyrics and the tone of the music make it dark, but there's quite a beat throughout the album. It must the disco vibes! So many songs are just so catchy. "Heart" and "Hit Music" embody that disco feeling! And how absolutely wonderful Dusty Springfield lended her voice for the "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" duet. Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield are an unusual combination but one that paid off big. I've been looking forward to Pet Shop Boys on this list, and I'm so thrilled I was not disappointed. I do get nervous submitting 5s but I do know I will come back to this album and enjoy it more and more. Final note: the album cover is such, such a mood.

This is a fine example of synth pop and new wave. Most of these songs were new to me, and while I wouldn't say any of them just absolutely grabbed me and took me, I really did enjoy listening to the album. I'm looking forward to more Pet Shop Boys on this project. This album is more than a 3 for me, but less than a 4...one of those times I wish we had incremental star ratings!

Peppy

So inventive! I love the like it's electronic-pop-irreverence . It's not full of things I adore, but it's close and I really appreciated it. synth-pop has always been one of my go-to rock subgenres and it was so cool to be able to hear one of the first bands in the genre on the album where they really hit their stride.

Some good music but nothing really memorable other than It’s a Sin

Massive bias here, I already love the Pet Shop Boys. Dance music with a degree in Dostoevsky was never not going to appeal to my pretentiousness. The fact they can write about such bleak subject matter and not sound like your standard miserabalists is GENIUS. And the lyrics!

Not much to say on this one, just typical 80s schmaltz with annoying vocals.

Liked this more than I expected, but still don't feel any need to come back to it. It's a lot like Depeche Mode to my ears. I wonder if they aren't very similar if you ignore lyrics, which I generally do ignore. 3/5

The sound design hasn't aged awfully well compared to something as Violator but it was still okay.

Pretty good, but this all still sounds samey to me like most new wave. But I recognize some of the songs and those hits are cool, so I kind of understand why this was chosen. C

Has some annoying 80s noises on it. This is kind of boring.

Pet Shop Boys. Not my thing

Great electro pop sound

De la synth-pop comme on aime, et comme aime encore davantage le père d'eltrapeze. Je voulais à ce titre rappeler la fois où le géniteur de mon ennemi juré s'est évanoui en voyant arriver Harry Styles sur scène. La honte.

Les Pet Shop Boys viennent nous offrir un superbe album de manualisme synthpop, qui vient encore un peu conforter ma position de plus grand fan de synthpop du générateur.

un clasico!!!!! los voy a ver el jueves en directo :) me flipa what have i done to deserve this"

Too much instrumental for me unable to finish it. 2-3 songs feel like the same one

Actually...this is a great album. Classic PSB. 4/5

Seems like pretty standard 80's synth-pop and it went in one ear and right out the other...nothing really stood out or stuck with me

I must have missed something listening through this. It wasn't bad but nothing screamed out that this should be on any all time list. Seemed like an 80s synth-pop album to me.

This album suffers from too much synth, too much sing-talking, and too much of the same sound in every song. Too 80s for me to ever listen to again.

Enjoyed the first half more than I thought I would or should. Decent 80s music. Not a great back half.

Legal, mas nada marcante também. Gosto da vibe 80's. Melhor música: What Have I done to deserve this?

I remember so many of these songs from the radio in the late 80s.

adoro Pet Shop Boys, mas esse álbum não me cativou como eu gostaria. confesso: acho que no caso deles eu prefiro uma compilação mesmo

Actually great. Get it

Solid

15th June 2022 Listened on the drive in to London! Work night out after which was fun then stayed with harry. Not as good as Very but still enjoyable. Didn’t realise Dusty Springfield was on it, more synthy 80s goodness. 3.5 if I could.

Very very very good. actually.

There were some okay songs but on the whole I didn’t find it as intriguing as some of their other work

this was disappointing to me, a lot of the songs felt similar and not very musically interesting.

I love a synthtart band as much as the next (straight) guy, but this is hard to credit. I mean, “Shopping”? “What Have I Done” is an all-time earworm, but only in the annoying sense. The sound is hollow on some songs and the synths deeply cheesy on others (“It’s a Sin”). On the plus side, “I love you/You pay my rent” is pretty funny. I realize there might be finely honed irony too subtle for me to perceive, but to me the overall effects are of lightness and silliness. A poor man’s Blow Monkeys, and that’s a very charitable assessment.

fuckin awesome I mean, I’m not surprised, it’s easy for this genre to impress me 10/10

Not really my cup of tea - as in, I don't really enjoy listening to it. But I respect the wrapping of themes like critiques of Thatcherism and privatization, etc.

I enjoy their singles but don't like their sound enough for a whole album. Synthesized brass is an acquired taste that I can't seem to develop.

80s synth pop cheese. Completely of the times, it's not bad.

Flawless. By far their most consistent album, passing the acid test that listening to the album tracks without the singles shows no drop in quality.

Did I just take an 80’s nap?

Really nice Electronic pop

Not my style

Kinda like this album, honestly... Big Zoolander vibes.

It’s ok. A little too much 80’s synth and drum machine for me. Too dance music-y.

The singer’s voice doesn’t really compliment the music. The lyrics and vocals don’t really feel like they fit, or they just feel too simple. In addition, the songs tend to drag on and become repetitive. That being said, the backing tracks are great pop hits. They’re the main highlight of this album, and they help keep it from being too forgettable. Mainly listen to them when you go through this album. Favorite track: It’s a Sin

The weaker Pet Shop Boys album. Actually feels like they're being held back by something that I can't seem to put my thing on, but the noises and sounds that give it that signature '80s feel don't hold up to the test of time. That being said, the best songs from this album are amazing. Highlights: 2, 4, and 7.

Yay, more Pet Shop Boys! And this one has my two favorite songs by them (Heart and It's A Sin; Rent is really good too though). I gave this one two spins and enjoyed the first couple of tracks a lot more on the second go than the first. To be honest, this might be more of a 4 star album than a 5 star album... but Heart!

The Pet Shop Boys always know which chords I like. This one not so much though. 3

I've always enjoyed PSB but never really got into them I had a friend who was a big fan and that was enough for me. One More Chance is such a delightful opener it really capture my attention. Rent is such a great song. Overall quite enjoyable.

Meh, lives up to what I thought it was. 80s synth.

Makes me want to go shopping

awful

Sort fan, sort just there. Nothing special to me. C

Cool album

c'est nul

Definitely not me, even if it was background.

Nothing was actually bad, but it felt like it could have been summed up by a single 3 minute montage in an 80s movie

A bit too 80’s cheesy for me..

Not whiny, hurray!

Is this song really "we're s-h-o-p-p-i-n-g, we're shopping"? Because it's adorable. Not my new favorite band or anything, but it's fun.

Started out really strong, but I got less enthusiastic as it labored on. I think small doses of Pet Shop Boys works best for me. First couple songs: great. “It Couldn’t Happen Here”… well ultimately I wish that one couldn’t, and hadn’t.

Eh. I hated that shopping song.

I don't often care for this style, and it has to be something really special to catch my notice. This did that, at least. Playing with expectations a bit in song structure. Their subjects are a little more interesting than "it feels good to dance," or "I got dumped and it's no fun." (There's a place for those too, but I need more from disco I guess.) It's a Sin is a banger, but one great track doesn't make a whole album in this game.

Gezellig

Helemaal gedraaid, maar het kon me niet echt bekoren.

Best leuk, maar wel ontzettend eighties

Het heeft wel iets, die 80's sound. Maar het gaat me op een gegeven moment toch ook wel tegenstaan.

I like. Lekker energiek.

Good at what they do. Synth isn’t my favorite but easy to listen to and their voices are nice. Very listenable, especially for the background.

Very 80s, very British, very Pop.

This was SO hard to get through. 'Actually' was a dated snooze-fest that barely held my interest throughout what felt like a terribly long listen (although this isn't long at all compared to some of the albums I have received so far on this list). To sum up my feelings on this one, all you need to do is look at the album cover as the yawning was a perfect representation of how I felt going through this album. I was just constantly unimpressed by anything on here. None of the instrumentals stood out to me as it just seemed like generic 80's synth-pop throughout with no catchy hooks. I also did not enjoy the singer's voice at all; while he has a unique tone, I found it pretty irritating and noticed that he sang every type of song the exact same way. The combination between annoying vocals and boring music ended up making this feel like a parody of everything it was trying to be which is about the worst thing I can say about an album from this genre. This is not an album that I can recommend anyone check out, and I am not sure how it can deserve a spot on this list at all. 'Actually' is the weakest album I have listened to so far. 1.5/5. NOTE: I went to check this one off of my list and saw that there are 3(!) Pet Shop Boys albums on this list. How?!?!?

Oh dear, more dance music. I really don't like dance music in general and the Pet Shop Boys in particular.

The last Pet Shop Boys album I drew, “Behaviour”, marked Pet Shop Boys’ move into more introspective, “cerebral” music. It did very little for me, so I was intrigued to hear their earlier, peppier side. On paper, 80s electronica and dance with a touch of campy theatrics and offbeat vocal stylings should be something I’d really enjoy, but “Actually” still hasn’t quite clicked for me. From the off, it’s at least a more upbeat and enjoyable record than “Behaviour”- the opener “One More Chance” is percussion-driven for the first couple of minutes until the keyboards snake in layer-by-layer, culminating in a borderline symphonic refrain. “What Have I Done To Deserve This” has an unexpected turn from Dusty Springfield, who does a sterling job and adds some variations to Neil Tennant’s fairly by-the-numbers vocals (some songs build towards a euphoric melodic chorus, then crash and burn with his deadpan spoken refrains). A Pet Shop Boys hosted-album with a roster of guest vocalists could have been an interesting idea. But it didn’t happen, and we get this. The highlights aside (the two openers, “Hit Music” and of course, “It’s a Sin”), the album begins to feel weighed down by all the mechanical electronics. It comes across a little cold without wit, bite or quirks. And the ballads (“It Couldn’t Happen Here”, “Rent” ) are downright dirges. Still, I think it has capacity to grow on me and I wouldn’t bludgeon anyone for putting it on- just didn’t feel like an instant classic. Yet.

-In this house, we criticize consumerism when we sing the song 'Shopping" -"Shopping," "Hit Music," "It's a Sin," and "heart" were all catchy enough. Most of the rest of the album was pleasant but nothing really stood out, didn't get too intense

Woof I hated this

This is my third Pet Shop Boys album through the project, and while I scored the other two of them three stars, I think I'm bumping this one to four. Partly their sound has grown on me, I suppose, and partly "It's A Sin" is an absolutely fantastic tune. My favourite PSB track from any of their albums....

Holy cow, this is TOO GOOD for a synthpop album! What a fun gem!

A Thatcherite critique you can dance to.

4.1 - Another solid "slice-of-life" British record done in the vein of dance-pop with strong political and social commentary. There are also plenty of nods to "the gay experience." "Shopping" describes British power brokering to the highest bidder, no matter the trade-offs. "What Have I Done..." and "Rent" describe sugar daddy romantic arrangements. "It's A Sin" describes homophobia and not adhering to social mores.

Pretty slow. Nothing really jumped out.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: One more chance, It’s a sin, I want to wake up

nice

Not the most interesting thing in Eighties

This was made and sounds exactly like it was made in 1987. Nothing stood out for me other than how strange it was at times.

3.3 - Nice new wave listen - enjoyed Shopping and the Cat Steven’s apeing on It’s a Sin.

Suuuuper 80s synth pop. Perhaps not the best from the “Boys”. Still it’s decent. Features a ton of meaty and danceable synth grooves even if the subject matters are shallow.

It's my guilty secret that I can't help but like PSBs and this is my favourite. I bought it at the time and even went to see them in the 90's (with my girlfriend as cover). All 10 songs are of the highest quality- production, beat and style. The lyrics conjure up a glamourous and often sordid 80's highlife. It's unashamed and catchy.

A complete a total meh… except than “it’s a sin” song, that one is dope

It's tempting to label Pet Shop Boys as a singles band, and if you want to listen to them that way, it's fine, of course. "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", "Rent", and "It's a Sin" are among the best songs of the decade, but you'd be missing something of what the band offers if you stick just to the hits. They have an excellent knack for building a nocturnal, urban atmosphere across an album. Just gotta add: Dusty Springfield steals my heart every time.

First thing that comes to mind is Jon Cryer and Molly Ringwald . Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles kind of music. Very nostalgic. Unfortunately nostalgic doesn't always equate into good. Most of things I was wearing in the eighties I can happily say stayed in the eighties. Most of the album sounds pretty mundane for the eighties sound. Synthesized crap that aged as well as the saxophone solo did. What I have Done To Deserve This? was the only memorable song on the album and left me asking the same question at the end of the listen. What did I do to deserve this?

Pretty solid

Sounds very 70s early new wave. Enjoyed it... didn't love it.

Actually, its pretty good. A ver, me ha dado ligeramente igual pero me gusta el sonido y lo disfruté mientras estaba en la bibliotek. ¿como es que Its a Sin estaba ya en mi cerebro sin saberlo?

Absolutely stellar 80's pop. Not every song deserves to be 5 minutes long, but other than that this is perfection. Favorite Tracks: "One More Chance", "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", "Shopping", "Hit Music", "It Couldn't Happen Here", "It's a Sin", "I Want to Wake Up"

I’m a big fan of Pet Shop Boys so this one was really fun. A great album with a lot to choose from!

"What Have I Done to Deserve This?" is a pop masterpiece. Overall, the synths were immaculate, and this is the peak of '80s dance-pop. What a catchy, poignant and ridiculously calming (for the soul) record. Except "Shopping". That was not the greatest thing.

Knocking off a star because of Morrissey

Preciso escutar novamente, mas gostei da sonoridade.

Very much of its time.

Just not my thing.

Practically perfect synth pop. "It's A Sin" alone is worth price of admission, but everything else is so blissful and bouncy. Bravo!

Only reason it got 2 stars was for “It’s a Sin”. The yawning on the cover is an accurate depiction of the album overall.

I guess I’m a Pet Shop Boys fan now.

This is a masterpiece of electronic pop/dance music. The undertone here is often melancholic, but even then with a hauting, yet melodious vibe. Still, there is variation between songs - listening through this gem never gets boring. We can find some well-known PSB songs from the 80s here (It's a Sin, What Have I Done to Deserve This?, Rent, Heart), but the lesser known songs are good as well, including two especially beautiful ballads (King's Cross/It couldn't happen here). This album is a classic. 5/5

super 80s

Fun and poppy album. Feel good type music.

some tunes were a bit weak, but the better ones stay in your head for days 3.7

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One or two good tunes but very lightweight.

It's a sin tais olla joku miljoona viikkoa listaykkönen Suomessa aikoinaan. Ihan mageesti se edelleen soi mutta muu levy oli aika tylsää shitiä.

Meni jotenki oudosti ohi, mut en palannut. Tota ihan tarpeeks jo kuultu

A nice 80s pop-rock album, very atmospheric.