Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Boy, that took me back to high school. Other than a romantic reminder, I'm not a fan of most of their music.
Very PSB.
3.3 stars rounded down. The first three tracks are the strongest but it is a rather sedate Pet Shop Boys album.
Always enjoy an 80's synth, but this is a little too mellow and same-y for me.
I feel while some 80s new wave/pop feels like it could pop up now and still go hard, this album feels stuck, production-wise, and the rest of it doesn't really make up for that. It's not BAD, obviously, but it just doesn't do it for me.
Never heard this record before or any of its tunes but always had a soft spot for these fellas. Good songwriting and and I love this singer's voice - these mostly overcome late 80s / early 90s pop production style that I really hate, particularly the drum sounds. Particularly liked the first tune. Used to think of them as a singles band, but this has me wanting to check out the albums with tunes I know, like West End Girls and Domino Dancing.
Well, I guess the string of great albums in this collection had to come to an end, and Pet Shop Boys seems like an appropriate way to move from great to meh-ness. And I would challenge their first track assertion that they were never being boring, as this is kind of a snooze-fest of an album, even for them. (Speaking of that, why Pet Shop Boys at all, and not Depeche Mode or Tears for Fears?) As with so many albums in this collection, it's a bit of a mystery why this particular Pet Shop Boys album made the cut, as this doesn't seem like their best stuff, nor a particularly notable new direction for them. Ah well; it doesn't really suck, so I give it the wishy-washy award of three stars, although it's hard not to downgrade to two stars simply because I (irrationally) *really* don't like this band.
this was fine. Occasionally the lyrics interested me, occasionally the music got my attention, but mostly it sort of ran in the background.
this was pretty decent but also pretty forgettable
If "Foster the People" existed in 1990...
Oddly enough the PSB record that most people complained about back in the day was my favorite.. It has been quite a while since I listened to it.
Some ok songs, but overall too slow for me
Escuchable. Sin pena ni gloria. Bien.
We’ve had this group before and I never know how to feel about them. I’m definitely not disappointed to get another album because it was nice to listen to but I think they just don’t bring much. I don’t see the influential aspect of this, and I can’t tell if I’m not paying enough attention or what but I just feel like they sound very vanilla. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but I just don’t think that they have that much influence.
I'm thinking another very solid 3 for the Pet Shop Boys here. They're like a dependable middle infielder who isn't going to wow you with his power or any spectacular diving plays up the middle but at the same time when your lineup is mostly injured and you need something reliable and you know exactly what he's gonna give you. If I am ever feeling up to it I could go through the - at present - THREE (!?) Pet Shop Boys albums we've had on the list and truly dissect them and either further critique or find a favourite but they all seem to wash over me the same way; it's not ever bad - they have a very soothing aspect to the sound (friendly English Muppet vocals). If anything I don't really like some of the (distorted) guitar brought into some of the songs, in a way the mix of their brand of electro-pop doesn't blend well with it and actually makes it sound more dated. But I don't recall much difference between this and the previous 2, maybe this one is a little more ... smooth? Fave cut: "Being Boring" 6/10 3 stars
I've never really liked Pet Shop Boys - I think it's the rather emotionless feel to Neil Tennant's vocals. This is probably the best PSB album I've played, but I doubt it's one I'll play often.
Hyvää aika tunteellista brittipoppia. En tiennyt tältä levyltä kummiskaan mitään. Parhaat: Being Boring, My October Symphony
The Pet Shop Boys go downbeat. I wasn't a fan of Being Boring at the time, I found it, well a bit boring. So yeah, never heard this album. However this is absolutely an album that feels like it will reward repeat listening. Seems daft now to say PSB always had something about them, and this record just shows they had dimensions and weren't simply catchy pop synth boys. Really follows on from the sound of It Couldn't Happen Here on Actually. After the first couple of tracks I was really getting into the vibe. However track 3 and 4 are a bit twee and pap. So Hard picks things up but still falls slightly flat for me, it's got a great riff, but not really a good chorus. Nervously however, is really great. As is the majestic closer, Jealousy. I'm going down the middle on this one, not quite sure why this is lauded as much as it is, but it's still fun in several places. And an important record for the band.
As much as I love some of their songs I feel the genere of music is a bit overrated. Album is alright but very repetitive sound and lyricwise. I do get the context of a new genere which is always great and what this movement did for music. I like a lot of songs but not as an album
Distinctive sound. Not the album I preferred of theirs
C'était correct. J'aime pas trop la voix du chanteur et certaines pièces sont très new wave (mais pas dans le bon sens, surtout pour un album de 1990). Certains arrangements sont par contre surprenant et j'ai bien aimé la pièce So Hard
mid
Yes. I really like this pair. It isn’t the album I’d most like to have in my ears but it was still very good.
Really wanted to give it a 2 but heard so much of the chill wave/loop based music of today it seemed maybe they’re and influencer rather than an influenced
I liked it. A bit esoteric and laid back but good.
I’m pretty sure that I heard this album several times the day that the glass elevator at the mall got stuck between floors. Kids in Keds crying in line, forced to use the circular stairs. Ravaging hunger tearing at my core. Longest 9 minutes of my life.
Solid pop album with really catchy melodies and lyrics. Probably pretty influential in the electro music scene.
Not as terrible as i expected
Don’t know what to say about this album. It was okay, I liked it but not something I would buy. Favourite songs: - Being boring - How can you expect to be taken seriously?
Good album
Not my thing.
It’s aite C
Among "classic" Pet Shop Boys albums, I actually prefer... *actually*. 🙃 Never really understood why *Behaviour* was held in higher regard by the "critics". Probably because of the lyrics. But when it comes to the music, I've always thought that *actually* was a wee bit more interesting. Pet Shop Boys have always been an "acquired taste" for me anyway. I can only indulge in such "cheesy" dance music tunes in microdoses, as witty and sophisticated as those tunes might be. Giving this record the benefit of the doubt, though, and waiting to see if it grows on me later. Personal grade: 3/5 Pseudo-"objective" grade: 8/10 (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 266 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 322 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 182 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 236
I liked it but this is not the must hear PSB album.
Definitely dated but some undeniably good songs here. Being Boring and So Hard stuck out to me as lasting in my head long after the alb ended.
The PSB sound stands the test of time. I’m a sucker for the orchestral ballads, the swooping strings and Neil Tennants distinctive vocals.
I always think I should like PSB more than I do but there is something about their detached style and Neil’s vocals that leaves me a bit cold. I guess they are being boring… Very much a singles band for me
Just not for me PSB, can't say it's bad though
Superb record, as expected when Johnny Marr is somewhat involved 3.5 / 5
Very enjoyable.
Pretty damn niceee
This is like of yacht rock met Tears For Fears and had listened to maybe one Bowie tune and a little bit of Elton John. It’s like the wine I had on Sunday night - went down easy but unmemorable, even though it’s possible I’d drink it again.
Fínt band og fín tónlist. Ég hlusta af og til á þá strákana en aldrei í svona stórum skammti og þá verður þetta mikið til sama aftur og aftur og allt rennur saman. Ég hef ekkert á móti plötunni en mun líklegast ekki muna eftir henni.
I'd never heard this before. It's very different than what I was expecting, definitely more new wave atmospheric than new wave punk.
"So Hard" was probably my favorite track. I wanted more of *something* to make this album more interesting. The album does really work as one monolithic whole. Well crafted, just a little tooooo well crafted.
Moving away from the high energy disco of their earlier hits, this album is a beautifully immersive experience defined by its melancholy, late night vibe and impeccable production. The pairing of Neil Tennant’s distinctive, vulnerable vocals with lush orchestral arrangements and guest spots like Johnny Marr’s guitar creates a sophisticated, cinematic atmosphere that feels both wistful and timeless.
Just completely average and forgettable. I just finished listening to the album and I don't think I could tell you anything about it. It's not bad but not memorable in anyway.
My first impression with this album is that it's not terribly memorable. I enjoyed pretty much all of it; however, I wasn't focused on it for a lot of my listen, and it wasn't really attention grabbing for the most part. I didn't particularly enjoy some of the vocals on the middle of the album. I think this could definitely grow on me with more listens, but I'm not sure when those will come. For now a decent 7/10. Favorite Songs: Being Boring, This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave, The End of the World No particular least favorites
Dreamy poppy album! Being Boring pakt me meteen een beetje in de sfeer die je moet hebben voor dit album, heel prettig openings nummer! De nummers waarop de dreamy sfeer werkt werkt het naar mijn mening echt heel goed, jammer dat niet alle nummers dezelfde hoge highs halen en eerder een beetje inkakken. Dat vind ik oprecht heel jammer want Being Boring en So Hard vind ik echt geweldige nummers, maar wat daartussen zit is eerder een beetje saaiig. FAVO: Being Boring, So Hard, The end of the world
good but not particularly memorable
Listening to this was exactly what I remember the last Pet Shop Boys album sounding like. It's super 80s new wave with very preppy voices and it also sounds pretty much the same.
Eens met cjuuwn
Zo'n beetje als een chick waar je achteraf spijt van hebt. Eerst lijkt het leuk maar naarmate je meer luistert valt het toch tegen
Sterk begin maar zwakte wel redelijk af.
I'm not a particular fan of the Pet Shop Boys but this was quite pleasant to listen to.
Before listening to this album, I was familiar with 3 Pet Shop Boys songs that are pretty popular. I liked this album. I liked the song How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously. Had a good beat!
I liked this more than I expected. I found the songwriting to be more compelling than my previous exposure to these guys had led me to believe was possible. Overall, rather enjoyable.
A nice transition from 80s to 90s
They’re cool, but very little variation like on Actually. I’ll revisit both albums, though!
This is alright, it felt like an edgier take on what a lot of 80s music gets shit on for. Their synth use was pretty good and the songs were okay to listen to. It’s hard to really say anything stood out as great but it was easy to listen to and didn’t make me want to skip it. 6.0/10
Three stars. It was good. I didn’t dislike it. It didn’t move me. It’s it’s own vibe and I’m sure that vibe has its place on some days for some people. Jealousy was the one song with a melody that perked my ears up. The other songs were very…ok. Not bad but just all sounded like mid tempo filler. Drum machines and keyboard pads. Not quite sung vocals. Again, I didn’t dislike it just probably won’t revisit.
Equal turns brooding and cheesy. The lead singer throws me because he always maintains that very light and airy English dandy voice, which gives everything a definite tone but also makes the boring saccharine stuff even worse. Some good beats and nice melodies, though. Best song: To Face the Truth
Arjan noemt dit zojuist een zaadplaat. Dat vind ik het ook, maar blijkbaar ben ik vandaag in de mood voor een zaadplaat. Vandaar drie sterren.
I liked it. It makes the 90s sound so good. I still prefer "Very", though.
Very pet shop enjoyed
7/10
Solid, consistent but unspectacular PSB album.
I think 5 years ago I would have hated this. But although still isn't my cup of tea, I enjoyed it enough. There might be better Pet Shop Boys records but I could see myself revisiting this. Songs like So Hard are pretty epic. The sounds they use on that song specifically are pretty cool. Reminds me of the noise you'd get on a character select screen - mashed into a beat. I'll chalk this up as another win for 1001.
Absolutely fine synth wave, but I'll stick to Duran Duran.
Call it Electronica, or synth-pop or whatever, it’s just not my bag. It’s smooth and rhythmic and has lots of synthesizer noodling; well done, but it is (to me) boring and largely forgettable. They’re clearly good at this, the sound is good. But I just don’t like it. 3/5
Ils aimaient VRAIMENT les synthétiseurs, moi je capote pas tant
This is a vibe. Wish I could give it a 3.5
3.5
Unremarkable. Felt a little long to be as similar as the songs are. The Pet Shop Boys are great at their best, but I don’t think this is that.
It's fine background music... nothing too complex requiring active listening.
Its decent. sounds like most 90s synth pop though. Still not bad
Yea, synth wave is having a bit of a moment right now. In that context, this feels rather generic? But its not a really fair comparison to the mountain of this stuff that I have listened to in the last 2 years. My October Symphony is a visionary song.
Enjoyed the first song but the rest felt the same
I adore the sound of analogue synthesizers. Two stars out the gate on that alone. Beyond that it felt like Kirkland Depeche Mode. One more for effort, Boys.
It’s not Actually or Please, but it’s still a good PSB album.
Krenulo jako dobro hteo sam da dam 4 ili 5 ali jbg raspalo se. Ima par pesme. Jedina pesma blizu prve dve su October Symphony i Jealousy
mm
Vintage 80s Pet Shop Boys was so bad it was good! (Think: What Have I Done to Deserve This?) This more mature work wasn’t that bad. But it wasn’t that good either. I did like My October Symphony on this album.
Like a soft new order. Some good tunes nothing I'd probably revisit much. Being boring was good. Like world in motion 5/10
Escuchable. Sin pena ni gloria. Bien.
Fun but a little to heavy on the 80s snare and percussion matching
Peak 80s Pet Shop Boys
Hm, I love the synth-pop vibes and dreamy ballad melodies/vocals but nothing majorly stood out to me from the album and blended into nice background music but nice being the operative word. I think I'd prefer a different pet shop boys album or just a collection of the hits to this.
Despite liking the Pet Shop Boys a lot since I saw them at Pride 2018, this album didn't really do it for me. I didn't have the punch that I have loved in other songs. I still appreciated it on some level but no pow for me
3/5
I had no idea what the PSB sounded like, was expecting something completely different. This was super soft but it's not my jam
Behaviour (or Behavior for Americans like me) is definitely an interesting album. Apparently it's quite different from what is usually to be expected from the Pet Shop Boys, and I can kind of tell. Early on, this album didn't seem that amazing to me. Unlike a few of the albums I've listened to so far, I feel like the second half is better than the first. This might be kind of weird to say, but I feel like I'd enjoy listening to just the instrumentals of some of the songs more than the versions with vocals. The instrumentals, by the way, are amazing. I really like the chord progressions and instrumentation. Fun fact: some of the guitar work for this album was done by The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Pretty neat how some of the albums I've done for this project are connected to each other. This album has some pretty interesting subjects that it tackles. I didn't even notice at first that the opener "Being Boring" was supposed to be about AIDS. The ending was pretty good. I thought it was weird at first that it didn't end with the song called "The End of the World," but Jealousy proved to be an even better finisher. Overall, I don't feel that passionately about this album, but it's pretty good nonetheless. High 3/5.
meh
Pet Shop Boys have always teetered on the edge for me. How do I feel about this? 3 stars
A bit too electronic and synth-y for me to be head over heels, but there are enough melodic moments to have made this a lovely listen.
It's not bad this. More gentle than I thought it might be, but a few tracks hit a little bit harder and are more upbeat. I like Neil Tennant's voice.
Lekker hoor! Niet bijzonder, maar gewoon prima
good but short
Where this album exceeds the most is in its production and layering. There are plenty of moments where they just build these luscious soundscapes. I've always said the synth is my favorite instrument. This album works as a good example as to why that is. The versatility and capabilities of the synthesizer are endless, and the amount of unique and interesting sounds you can make with just one is amazing. This album is filled with those sounds, and I love them. The amount going on in each song is actually quite impressive. This is a remarkably well written album. Now I don't think every song has this going for it. Some tracks like "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?" and "So Hard" lean more on that goofy 80's sound, which I have already spoken at length about. Especially the latter. "So Hard" sounds like it would better fit a Mario Kart game. It kind of sticks out like a sore thumb because it doesn't fit what makes the rest of the album so beautiful and well done. I'm also not a huge fan of Neil's voice. On some songs, he does a good job, and on others he doesn't seem like he can sing very well at all. The lyricism is okay. Nothing to rave about. I think the one exception is the closer "Jealousy". The song actually has some real emotion to it, and works as a good way to end off the album. I'm not in love with this album. But the fact that I even listened to something like this and found enjoyable things to pull out of it shows my evolution over the last month or so. I like the ambiance, and so I wish this album actually spent more time building those up. It would probably make the listening experience more of a slog, but if there is an album from them that focuses more on that aspect, I would probably like that quite a bit.
Some good songs in here, I liked How Can you Expect to be taken Seriously, a very 90's vibe to this album. Felt like a fashion video. But I enjoyed it. Just waiting for that next great album to come to us...not sure what made this one make the list.
Posh pop boys would maybe be a better name. Our second from them, and about on par with the first. Still lacking "West End Girls," but I guess since they're British we're gonna have to hear most of the catalog before getting to the big hit. Not a bad album though, a couple solid tracks. Favorite songs: To Face the Truth, So Hard. Album art: Thick white border, which I think I saw they did on a lot of albums. A face picture, a back of the head picture, and what I can only assuem is the two Pet Shop Boys holding roses before abandoning them. Is this supposed to be telling a story or something? It's not bad. 3/5
Super mellow synth pop with some guitars and strings mixed in on various songs. Some songs have a bit of an R&B feel. Didn’t really do anything for me to be frank but I appreciate the production value and the songs are very well crafted.
3.5/5!
It was okay.
I like Pet Shop Boys, I like the songs, it's a good sound, they write great tunes and at times interesting lyrics. It's just hard to listen to an album of it because it's very very anchored in the same beat and the same sound and the same compression. It's got no texture at all as an album. It's fun but it's also hard work, which is a shame. Because individually it's a great collection of songs but as a single piece of work it's too homogenous.
Well written poignant songs with arrangements that aged like milk.
Warm, reassuring and sounding distinctly like the Pet Shop Boys. The PSB are always the PSB, decade in, decade out. It gets a little like a deep house lite compilation at times. Not remarkable, just likeable.
Fair introspective PSB stuff, not as boisterous or memorable as their best but a decent sound anyway. Still underrated, including in my own head.
This is very different to the other Pet Shops Boys album we had, but I like it - it's a fair bit quieter, slower, and more understated. It's different music, for a different context, it's not for dancing, it's much more reflective and is actually pretty good for working to - when you need to focus on the work, you can, but when you need a distraction there's enough there (lyrically and musically) for it to be worth actively listening to. Soundwise it sounds a little bit dated (as does anything which uses that much of that type of synth), but the lyrics still resonate. 3/5.
This is the first album/day of the project, and it is actually one I have listened to recently. I bought this when it came out in 1990, and I have always struggled to get into it compared to other PSB albums. After another listen: Best Tracks: Being Boring, My October Symphony, So Hard, The End Of The World
Pet Shop Boys have always had a solid lock on 80's synthpop with their smooth, sensual approach to songwriting. Contrasting the energetic, often one-note approach to synthpop, Pet Shop Boys are content to explore a whole different mood. Pet Shop Boys made it okay to cry in the club, in a gay way. Music's good but not my jam.
Not bad. Catchy, but kinda boring.
Genres: Synth-pop, dance-pop Formed: London, England in 1981 Run time: 10 songs, 49 min, 5 sec The fourth studio album by English synth-pop duo. Spotify: Least popular song: over 600k Most popular song: almost 12.5M plays. I’ve never been a fan of the Pet Shop Boys and only recognised track 1, “Being Boring”. If you are a fan then there will be no surprises on this album. Each track tells its story, accompanied by calm reflective music and Neil Tennant’s dulcet tones. It is OK but nothing stands out as exceptional. Listen Again?: No My Rating: ***
It was kind of cool. Pretty chill. I like how fussy they were over synth quality. But It's not something I'd have on regular rotation.
5/10. Yeah you know an album is gonna be great when they open with a boring-ass song about how they aren't boring.
This is the eight album review in which I use the word "snooze". This is the sixty-first album review in which I use the word "boring". Nice. 5/10
Ontspannen, maar niet echt spannend.
I feel like swaiying back and fourth cooking in my members only jacket and perming my hair.
Some good atmospheric flow in the sound here, but not interesting enough to be memorable. My top pick is 'This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave'.
I just had a Simple Minds album this week, so there’s no way to not compare the synth sounds here. “This Must be the Place…” sounds like it could be an MGMT song. Another reviewer said a couple songs reminded them of Destroyer, and I definitely heard that. I didn’t dislike any of the songs, but I didn’t really dig it generally. Probably a little below 3 stars, but better than 2.
I’m pretty lukewarm on this one. I can see the appeal, but this early 90s, shopping mall, Casio demo music sound doesn’t work for me. There are a few noteworthy tracks here, but kind of a snoozer overall.
I’ll admit it, I had fun and love those dramatic keyboard crash sounds
Sounds like the soundtrack to a cheesy 80s movie
Kinda love this band. The tunes are subtle but strong and all handgs together well. Not that chock full of hits but it doesn't really matter.
I enjoy Pet Shop Boys but this is just fine.
Was never a huge fan of the PSBs. I find them a bit monotonous and the way their lyrics scan jars a little. But that’s just opinion. They always remind me of my brother because he likes them, so I will always have that connection to them.
Quite nice
I liked this! Maybe not the best Pet Shop Boys record, but definitely good.
It lacks the tracks I know of the Pet Shop Boys but I still like it. The faster songs are better than the ballads in my opinion.
Contrairement à ce que pourrait en dire Wikipedia, les Pet Shop Boys ont laissé la synthpop dans un tiroir et de ce fait perdu tout leur intérêt. Dommage.
Alors qu'ils se pointaient avec la cape de sauveur du générateur, les Pet Shop Boys se sont bien foutus de notre gueule sur cet album.
not bad
Pop electrónico. Me ha aburrido un tanto. Ni fu ni fa.
Escuchable. Sin pena ni gloria. Bien.
Anthony Fantono has this as one of his 'top albums to get into new wave', alongside OMD and Depeche Mode. I'm not sure though. Something just feels off about it - like it is never quite reaching its potential - but that might be because Father Snell has a deep dislike of Pet Shop Boys and it may have rubbed off.
5th May 2023 Listened while driving to the supermarket for tart ingredients. Hannah round during the day, coronation weekend with street party on Friday st and RSC Saturday. Enjoyed this in parts, not as good as the other PSB album I had on here but I would say they've gone up in my general thoughts.
cool
Disco de pop electrónico de principios de los 90, caracterizado por una voz característica. Ritmos suaves y con instrumentos electrónicos abundando
I wasn't a huge fan of the last Pet Shop Boys album that I got, so I thought this would be more of the same. However, I quite enjoyed this album. I like that they put a big focus on analogue synths in the production of the album. It's not an album that I'm likely to come back to, but I think the songs are well crafted overall, and the production is excellent 3/5
Got some slappers on here, some not so much. This was the first album on this list I can say that I enjoyed a decent handful of songs. Gave me some Depeche Mode mixed with Flight Facilties feelings.
I like the grand orchestral sound filtered through synth pop, it has an ethereal quality that is incredibly of the time. The gentle singing also provides a somewhat inhuman feeling, like a detached observer reflecting on the past.
this feels like yoga studio meets modern hotel lobby meets 80s rom com. synthy, reminds me of depeche mode!
I think this guy likes PSB more than Elvis Costello, but it's close.
An album that was not super memorable, but overall not bad
This is a good album, but not essential. Kinda wierd to see it here.
stylish. good stuff.. some excellent HITS ... but, I cant listen to a whole album of them, as much I *want to*.... and the tinny drum machine just grates and lacks the warmth I like for techno - a distinct & unique sound though for the 80s and 90s. Please, just the hits.
I was never a fan of Pet Shop Boys. I’d never listened to any of their albums before. And I never expected to enjoy listening to this. But, somehow, it wormed its way into my consciousness while I was desperately trying to ignore it. Johnny Marr’s guitar on tracks 2 & 6 was a welcome surprise, as was the part Angelo Badalamenti played on tracks 2 & 5 - amazing that he was working on this album at the same time that he was creating the soundtrack for Twin Peaks. So by the time they got to So Hard, I was almost singing along. Almost. Somehow I enjoyed this album.
ну ничего такие)
It was good but not as good as their earlier albums
I remember one or two songs from their hits in the 80s, but really don't know them or their music, so I was glad to see one of their albums appear in the rotation. Because I don't listen to a lot of synth-pop, and I tended to avoid it in the 80s and 90s, I like it more than I expected. It's still very much a product of its time, so there are plenty of moments when my brain hears theme songs to 80s tv shows, but that's to be expected of most albums as they tend to reflect and sound like their own time and context. I let my mind transpose these tracks over to acoustic or less-synth-y instruments, and that's fun.
It's really good, not my favorite by the boys, but still good. 3.5
First track would've been a better album name.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yes, the production and sound is too notch, a bit dreary in parts but ultimately very solid Favourite song: Track 1 - Being Boring
Not as bad as I expected. Wish it was somebody else singing, though. Best track: So Hard
there are honestly some really interesting beats mixed into Kraftwerk-type songs 3.5
Repetitive
Normal Pet Shop Boys - nothing exceptional on this album. They are good at what they do, but it is not my thing with occasional exceptions, and there were no exceptions here.
Enjoyable - sensitive, sometimes melancholy, has that sort of early housey synthy beat that proliferated gay clubs in the 80s and 90s. Still, somewhat relieved it's over.
Not quite my thing, but definitely some enjoyable tracks.
The Pet Shop Boys dive into New-Wave Electronica and Synth Pop on this album that is very much a product of its time. If you are looking for an example of British Radio Electronica of the Late 80s / Early 90s then look no further than Behaviour. The most lacking part of the album is that is lacking any major single or lasting ear worm.
Äntligen lite elektroniskt. Tyvärr är det ju inte Depeche Mode.
The Boys take a trip into ambient space, breaking apart proto-house to build a quieter album. It doesn't quite work for me, though the highs are very affecting and there's something for everyone here. My wife heard Toto in the opening track, I caught something like video game music: Hits and misses. Still like the band, had a good time.
Pretty good
Identifying Pet Shop Boys
Like every other PSB album I’ve listened to, I found it pretty enjoyable. It overstays its welcome, and the first few tracks are by far the strongest.
No logro tomar en serio a Pet Shop Boys. La voz nasal y los sintetizadores tan electrónicos no dejan de sonarme a que el inicio de esto fue un chiste local que se volvió algo en serio. El disco, como los otros suyos que hemos oído, me pasa sin pena ni gloria. No me molesta escucharlos, pero no lo pondría voluntariamente y me cuesta trabajo encontrar algo rescatable. Le doy 2.5 estrellas que sube a 3 solo por cuates.
3.5 - There's a Broadway-like attention to lyrics that communicate broadly relatable messages. "The End of the World" reminds us that "there are other fish in the sea." "Being Boring" laments the loss of innocence and the wonder of youth. As always Neil Tennant is an effective vocalist. I also like the way they incorporate so many different synth sounds. But as I'm listening I'm reminded of MIDI files I used to download off of AOL in 1992 that tried to knock of huge dance hits like "Enjoy the Silence."
Favourite track(s): Being Boring; How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously It seems kind of emblematic that I only knew a few songs by the Pet Shop Boys before listening to the album - and I really liked them a lot. However, I did never listen to much else made by the band. This album seems to show why. The sound is pleasent but the tracks are all quite similar. Expect for my favourites, they do not stay in the ear. The lyrics do not make up for that. While I absolutely like the vocals, this seems like an album of tracks which did not make it onto a better record.
2 good songs The end of the world How can you expect to be taken seriously
Pretty mellow synth pop. Didn't love it and didn't hate it. Nice but didn't leave much of an impression.
A few good songs on here. I liked Being Borning, How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously? So Hard and To Face the Truth. 3.5/5
I could get into it. Listened to their first album after this and thought that was much better.
Eh, not my cup of tea.
sonido agradable, suena curiosamente a una mezcla de los 80s y 90s, tiene sentido al ser de 1990, justo en medio de ambas épocas. no soy fan profundamente pero no me disgustó nada. en una palabra: gustoso
Still not as good as very 3
Some nice songs, some boring ones. Johnny Marr and Badalamenti are on this?
The album contains nice moments, but it is very long-winded for an album with barely no mood variations. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it either. Glad to know better this group that I only knew by name.
Если вам 30, вы напились и хотите погрустить ночью - этот альбом отличное решение. В противном случае тупо уныло и скучно.
Kind of boring. It's pretty emotionless, with weird and kind of boring techno beats. I guess it's not bad though.
Interesting music. Scratches an itch in my brain.
The background synth sounds and guitars are much cooler than the lead vocals and forward sounds.
Tecno pop
This was extremely pretty and I enjoyed listening to it at the time, but now it's over I cannot remember a single note.
I've always felt that the Pet Shop Boys would benefit a little bit from being less serious, but their undoubted ear for memorable pop is on full display here. The problem is that the whole album feels too long and self indulgent.
I had a friend who was a huge fan. I've always found them interesting but never really got into them. Being Boring starts out strong, How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously? is a standout for me and the rest is just pleasant enougn synth pop.
Pop electrónico. Me ha aburrido un tanto. Ni fu ni fa.
Pretty nice to listen to with some catchy hooks, fun grooves, and enough instrumental variation to keep things interesting (the orchestra at the end of Jealousy sounds amazing!)
Sophisticated pop. The occasional talking vocals really show the contrasts when Tennant sings. I always really liked Jealousy and some of the others are also polished pop with good hooks. Not as catchy as Actually, but more sophisticated.
Prefs: Being Boring, This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave, The End of the World, Jealousy Moins pref: Only the Wind.
Highlights: This Must be the Place I've Waited Years to Leave, Only the Wind, Nervously. - I didn't vibe with this album. It's good, well made, and with a few songs I enjoyed, but I just couldn't connect with it the way I wanted to.
I thought this one was nice. The sprinkling of guitar was a pleasant surprise. The production was also great here. Ultimately though I didn’t find the album massively interesting. Again this is an album that could maybe do with being about 10-15 minutes shorter. Overall I think this is another 2.5 stars.
Where as "Actually" sounded very advanced and ahead of it's time, "Behavior" sounds a bit dated. I blame the late 80s/early 90s style of production I despise. I like the lyrical messages and choices on this record, just not the fake keyboard orchestra stabs. Favorite tracks: "Being Boring", "This Must Be the Place I Waited to Leave"
They seem to have settled in a mid-tempo groove at this point. Not as exciting as Actually.
standard synth pop
first listen very 80s, kinda sleepy
Sound very muchof its era, but nevertheless still stands up well.
Big improvement on Actually
Like their upbeat stuff more. Not really a fan of the synth-pop ballads on here.
Smooth
Niet echt mijn ding. Wel aangename achtergrondmuziek
Meh, This is a low-3 for me. I am okay with the beats / layering / vibe here, but not a fan of the singer. Tempted to give a 2 here, but a little more impressive there's only 2 people here doing this.
First time with anything other than “West End Girls.” Good stuff.
Never listened to a whole PSBs album before. Enjoyed the first half more than the second. I'm pretty sure that Being Boring is a New Order song in disguise. Altogether the album is a bit of a downer. Also, I know they like retro synths, but stop it with the Orchestra Hit, it doesn't improve any song.
Liked this more than I expected to. 2.5/5
Synth pop was probably dying at this point. This album, "Behaviour", released a year before Nirvana stormed the scene, sounds like a final groove, a last dance. The overall atmosphere seems melancholic and vulnerable. I guess switching to analog synths contributed to it. I don't mind the British accent, but the vocals are irritating most of the time. It doesn't go well with the synth tunes. It's not really bad, but it surely didn't age well. While the synth lines and the melodies are catchy sometimes, the songs just pass by without leaving anything remarkable. This is far from a must listen.
Not a bad album - easy to listen to. Very 80s sound still. 6/10.
Solid
Sad boy late 80s early 90s music. Lead singer has one of the more unique voices. Also the electro effects in this album just make me smile, stereotype era
This album is so unabashedly 80s/90s fusion. Holy synth bass, Batman. Pet Shop Boys walked so others could run. Not my cup of tea but a lot of the songs have fire sample potential.
Mah...
Average. I liked a few songs but not all.
// Favs: Being Boring Score: Decent to Strong 3
The 4th Pet Shop Boys album. I thought that this one would be more interesting. But only 3 stars of 5. Interesting facts about this one is that they used analog synthesizers instead of digital. Tennant stated the album was inspired by fellow synth-pop group Depeche Mode's album Violator released that same year.
Chill BG music, def 80s sound seeping into the 90s decade. 3.5
Tyyppien soundi on jotenkin mieltä rauhoittava. Ei tosin silti mikään tajuntaan iskevä teos ja ennestään tutu biisit on toisilla levyillä. 2,5*
En los 80 escuche bastante de los Pet Shop Boys pero nada de este disco.
6,5/10 Legal
Bueno, pero nada espectacular
Pretty good stuff. Reminds me of tears for fears or something. 0RS
Eh, it's a perfectly pleasant background listen, I guess. It's too laid back to be energising, but not quite laid back enough to be chill. Fave track - "Being Boring", but they're all much of a muchness...
3.5/5 i'll have to relisten, it has potential
PSB being PSB. Can't argue too much with it, their sound is timeless.
80s synth pop to the max. Instrumentally it's ok but I can never get into 80s synth-pop vocal deliveries.
Electro-pop con clase. Nunca les había prestado atención y no están mal. No llega al nivel de Depeche Mode pero es de escucha agradable
Vibes
It was serviceable. Just not for me.
So 63 albums in, this is now the third Pet Shop Boys album I've had. Seems high. Especially when you consider I haven't had any Bowie or Beatles albums yet. Look, I love a ton of Pet Shop Boys songs. There have probably been five or six songs from the albums I've listened to that I consider classics. But none of the albums stand out at that in a way that would elevate them to a 4 or 5 ratings. I certainly haven't disliked any of the albums enough to suggest they shouldn't be on this list. So maybe three Pet Shop Boys albums are fine on the list. My favorite of the three albums would have to be "Actually" if only for the two absolute bangers that appear on it (It's A Sin and What Have I Done To Deserve This). Behaviour is my least favorite among the three. This is the last I'll see of the Pet Shop Boys on this list, as apparently the algorithm determined I needed all of them served to me early on in this process. I can't help but take that personally. But I did finally get to hear the Pet Shop Boys amazing cover of the great Village People song "Go West", so at least I have that going for me.
Just not really my thing. Did enjoy some tracks
Pretty cool synth-pop beats. Enjoyable
Nello stesso anno è uscito “Violator”.
Most of these tracks are too long for my taste. Songs are mostly enjoyable, just last too long.
Frocheyenne
Entretenido
Few good songs, much fluff
I don't really know Pet Shop Boys well. I recall a hit or two (West End Girl and that WIlly Nelson song) that were fun but not so much to make me seek out other music by them. I kinda like what they did on this album. A lot of synth pop now sounds dated but this is listenable. By mid album, I found the songs were starting to wear me out. I initially speculated that this was due to the singer always sounding the same but on reflection, any singer's voice will sound the same throughout an album. Think of the David Byrne or David Bowie albums we had recently. Their voices sound the same in each song which makes sense; they only have one voice. I then thought it must be that he sings at the same pitch. But after replaying some snippets, this is also not the case. His voice has good range and he displays that. What I did find is that the album starts with an onslaught of songs played in Minor keys. While there are many exceptions, Minor keys are historically used to make songs sound sad and major keys used to make songs sound happy. (eg, Happy Birthday is written in a Major key - F Major I think - although the best versions are when each person sings in a different key!) Of the first 6 songs on this album, only To Face the Truth is in a Major key but it still sounds sad. This may be why it wore on me by mid point of the album. The album ends with songs in the major key with So Hard, Nervously . . . . Did anyone else find So Hard a pleasant change? The album ends with Jealousy. This is definitely not a happy song lyrically, but is played in a Major key so it sounds happy. The Smiths were masters at writing manically depressed lyrics but pairing those lyrics with music in Major keys so the songs sounded happy. I probably would not have put this much thought into this album were it not for having time on my hands due to the COVID lockdown. I really don't like Pet Shop Boys that much.
ok bo! buenos temas...
The Boys sound sooo soft and smooth on this album, this is perfect music for shopping at a luxury department store as you sashay through the aisles, if that's your thing. There's nothing offensive on this album, but nothing inspiring either.
Quite relaxing really, funky, some of the lyrics are quite nice, but the singing is a bit to monotone for me
Always dig the uniqueness.
Fun futuristic synth pop.
Ideal für den nächsten ayahuasca-Trip. Habe die Welt gefühlt. Healing, but not satisfying.
it was decent but i wasn't really in the mood for it
Early 90's synth pop with repetitive beats and some funky influences. Pretty catchy.
nice to see a not-super-huge-hit record from them on here.
The most I've ever liked the Pet Shop Boys, truthfully.
Not my style
It's good. But it's average Pet Shop Boys. It doesn't shine.
It was ok
I know this list is UK-centric but honestly: picking 1001 "essential" albums from 5-6 decades of pop, soul, hip-hop, and jazz, does NOT need 3 Pet Shop Boys albums. I do not get the hype.
Tätä levyä vaivaa vähän sama kuin muitakin Pet Shop Boysin levyjä - Hitit (Being boring, So hard) ovat lähes klassikkomatskua mutta suurin osa biiseistä on aika keskinkertaisia. Ihan mielellään tätä kuuteli vaikkei levy mikään täyskymppi kokonaisuutena ollutkaan. Aiemmin vieraista biiseistä The End of the World nousi muiden yläpuolelle.
I'm surprised to see this on the list. There's nothing wrong wih it, but it isn't what I would consider a significant album. I wonder if I'll come across their superior earlier stuff later on this journey. It's an okay album, not great, not horrible, and honestly it's nice to see them on the list.
It was ok.
'So Hard' was a stand-out for me - really catchy through the verses and chorus while also injecting these abrupt tonal shifts that work surprisingly well. Other than that, these songs blurred together for the most part. There was a light catchy-ness to most of them, so it was a pleasant album to listen to, but isn't one I would listen to again.
It was ok. Not really into that music but definitely could write some.
fun and cool synth pop wasn't crazy about it but i might listen again
Don’t tend to associate the Pet Shop Boys with being bland, but too much of this is.
I really don’t like Pet Shop Boys. This was better than their other stuff, IMO, but I just don’t like it.
overall just kind of meh. i do genuinely really enjoy a lot of the sound and chord progressions, but the vocals alone unfortunately just don't do it for me. i think the vocals are best when paired with backups. my takeaways and playlist additions from the album were 'To Face the Truth' & 'The End of the World' :-)
Mm... fine if you're into this sort of thing I guess
Mellow plaatje wat op de koptelefoon best lekker klinkt. De synths zijn heerlijk dromiger en een fijne beat om een paar zonnige uurtjes op te werken. Maar... Ik vind de stem van de zanger van de Pet Shop Boys gewoon stom eigenlijk. Dat heb ik altijd als ik naar ze luister maar voel ik nu gelijk weer als de zang in het eerste nummer invalt. Dus niet onverdeeld enthousiast... 6,5/10 Highlights My October Symphony
Electro-euro pop; kinda mid… hasn’t aged real well. I dig the voice though! 2.2/5.0
This wasn’t my fave. The songwriting is just okay, it’s very synthy and produced, and the drum kit is very repetitive
No me gustó mucho
Not going to lie I love the synth driven backing, the songs sound so good... Then the singing starts. Is there an instrumental only cut?
I did not like this.
내 스타일이 아니고 그냥 그랬다. It's just not my style.
Good album. It was a bit melancholy, but on par. I enjoy the Pet Shop Boys.
Not a fan of 80s music
Not as good as other Pet Shop Boys albums. Not sure why its on this list as its nothing special or ground breaking
Well that was...something.
Es algo que no va mucho conmigo. Pero los sonidos no me tiraron atrás. Lo disfruté.
I like several things PSB did, but this album (as announced by the opening song) is really fucking boring...
This with this album is it is just kind of boring. It’s of it’s time and sticks to a particular themeing but it’s boring. 4/10
I like plenty of Pet Shop Boys, but not this one.
Not terrible but I'm not a huge dance pop fan
Very generic synth pop. Seems like this sound would have been pretty tired and played out by 1990.
This wasn't bad. At times it got a little stale, especially the singer's voice, but it wasn't bad. Sometimes I just think this electronic sound goes on and on. Actual rating....2.5 Liked Songs: "This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave" , "To Face the Truth" , "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?" , "Only the Wind" , "So Hard"
the thing about synth pop as a certified Synth Pop Enjoyer is that not all of it is good. this is an example of synth pop that is not good. it is unbelievably lackluster. i knew it was off to a rough start when the opener track "being boring" was 7 minutes of drek. this whole album is long droning synth pads, rudimentary pop rhythms, and plodding downtempo snoozers. dreadfully boring. they mention in an interview how they used a massive catalogue of vintage synths of "you name it, we got it" but i do not feel the creative character of any of that gear. there are default presents that made me roll my eyes across the whole album. it's not unlistenable but it is not without much virtue in my eyes.
Irritating from start to finish. Synth pop at its worst.
Pet Shop Boys keep showing up on this list, and I don't get it. I disliked this less than the album Actually, but not by much.
2 stars I don’t hate it but it does very little for me. Simple synth pop with very articulate singing. It never built to anything really exciting.
p643. 19920. 2 stars. Bland 90s Brit synth pop. Well done, but it's still background music for Neil Tennant wannabee-music journos who dream of making the big time. And BTW... THREE albums by Pet Shop Boys on the list, and nothing by The Cranberries? There is a track on this called "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously". How very apt.
I have never really liked the music of Pet Shop Boys…this album has done little to persuade me otherwise.
Somehow my first time listening to a Pet Shop Boys album despite knowing so many hits from them. It was nice but also I didn't find it that interesting sadly :( 2/5
just so boring. ive liked what ive heard from them in the past
Tbh not my cuppa
This is too much synth pop for me. I also really don't like his voice.
meh
This is the definition of meh.
Unfortunately, this album is super forgettable. None of the songs are particularly bad, but there isn't even a standout that may be worth a respin.
Yet another Pet Shop Boys album that sound exactly the same as the others. One would have been sufficient.
Considering their first few albums are a party, this feels like a hangover. Probably why when I was younger they weren't on the radio much.
Being Boring // 2.5/5
Tundub, et StarFMi lemmikalbum. Siit on päris mitu lugu, mida ma kuulen ainult raadios ja mitte mujal. Raske hinnata seda albumit. Mulle tegelt vokaalid väga ei meeldi ja produ on seinast seina. Vahepeal on täitsa asjalikud lood ka. Kuna on kehvem päev, siis ma annan sellele 2.4/5.
I liked certain parts but nothing was really like "oh this is a good song"
Pet Shop Boys = Christmas party’s or Wedding do’s to get the crowd on the dance floor. But not me. Off to the bar for a drink. So why would I want to listen to this? 2/5 20/4/26
Sometimes I'll listen to music that I think I might have had a knee-jerk negative reaction to back when it first came out. My goal is to try to determine whether a more mature me might find something a younger, smugger me might have unfairly overlooked or dismissed. Nope, nothing like that here, I'm afraid. The PSB seem as completely underwhelming to me today as they did back in the 80s and 90s. Maybe it's a British/American differences thing that has led to THREE Pet Shop Boys albums being included on a list of 1001 albums I need to hear while ZERO Warren Zevon albums were deemed worthy of that honor. I don't know. They're apparently doing what they want to do quite effectively, I guess. I just can't find anything interesting here.
The instrumentation of this album is so freaking cool. I’m not usually a fan of synth music but this was so far beyond the gimmicky stuff you usually hear on this list. HOWEVER, why in the world did this have to be paired with the most mellow dramatic, droning, annoying vocals? It could have been such a cool album if it didn’t sound like some creep was whispering in your ear for 45 minutes.
I am genuinely running out of things to say about these albums. 2/5
Bon, honnêtement un album incroyablement mid. Je pense que c'est en partie le style qui explique mon enthousiasme si peu prononcé mais j'avoue que j'ai trouvé l'entièreté de la tracklist à mourir d'ennui avec des sons "electro" New Wave qui font déjà démodé pour leur époque, et maintenant complètement kitch à certains moments. Après, l'album n'est pas entièrement mauvais, et certains morceaux à l'atmosphère mélancolique marche plutôt bien comme "Jealousy" et au global, on ne peut pas retirer au groupe une certaine originalité, surtout dans la voix très aerienne et soufflée. Néanmoins, je trouve que le résultat est franchement très mitigé à froid.