Behaviour

First of all, there's too much pet shop boys on this list. They're overrepresented here. Because all of their albums give me the same vibes: synth heavy withering and derisive verbal smackdowns for some poor schmuck caught in this band's crosshairs. I always feel so conflicted by them. The music is engaging, my ears are receptive to it, and it has this inherent catchiness that draws me in. But then I eventually find myself feeling uncomfortable as the listening experience goes on. I feel like I'm being chastised, like a small child who shat on the rug in front of company. Their pop hits are great, there's no denying that. But the deep cuts go too deep. There's a darkness here that I find ultimately untrustworthy, which is why they'll never be a favourite of mine. It's dangerous terrain. I hope I don't have to listen to another one of their albums, the odd hit of theirs getting radio airplay is plenty of PSB for me.

Great dance music

I thought I would like this record more. But in the end it was not as great as I hoped.

I liked this one more than their 93 album. Very easy listening. Rating: 3.7

Oh no. Halfway through the New Jack Swing beats started and it physically hurt me. So many sampled orchestral stabs.

🎧Decent pop, nothing to write home about. Opener “Being Boring” is excellent.

It's all quite mellow. Works well as background music. Exactly what I expected from the Pet Shop Boys. Nothing surprising, nothing outstanding, nothing really bad. The perfect example of a "don't-care-3-star" album.

It’s ok

Nice and chill. Very little hype.

Pet Shop Boys songs all sound the same after a while. Don’t really need a 3rd album on this list to know that.

I was expecting an album of catchy dance tunes, but this isn't that at all. It's subdued with a melancholy vibe. I really like the way the lyrics tell a story. My biggest gripe is that if you're going for sophisticated, you can't have some of it sound like the demo setting on a crappy keyboard.

Snooze fest 😴

Being Boring

Face the Truth and October Symphony are really good. 3.5

I enjoyed the uptempo tracks but not the broody stuff as much.

HEY!! The Pet Shop Boys. Boy if just the name doesn't take me back to the early days of my life in Montana. I remember JoElllen's older boys were into Euro synthpop. Of course I never knew it was called that back in the day. I don't think I ever owned an album of theirs. Let's check this out. I guess you could say that that's when my love for dance/edm music was born. Between them and Saint Etienne. Wow this was from 1990! So this came out when I was in Montana already. I'm liking it so far! Something about their voice and the synth sounds that is just so neat. I like the overall vibe of this. Not too pop-y, and has a nice swaying mellowness to it. A bit sultry I guess is the word. 4 stars.

Pet Shop Boys! ich kannte sie eher für die stampfenden Disco-Hymnen Ende 80er. Aber das hier ist ein verdammt gutes Album mit ironischen Statements und sowas von .. wow. habe das album in endlosschleife gehört und frage mich noch immer welcher song auf die 1001-liste soll? alle?

Die Grossmeister des elektronischen Pops, mal seichter mal besser. Mit der Masse der Songs haben sie auch ein paar Highlights hervorgebracht

7/10

Solid album, easy to listen to. 6/10

This album is OK, there’s some decent song writing here. BUT This is my third Pet Shop Boys album on here and that seems fucking ridiculous to me. There’s no way these lads deserve three albums on this list. Some decent songs but dated production and annoying vocals might land on 3 stars but I’m knocking it down because of you and your dodgy choices Robert.

i kind of believe these guys are smart and good at what they do i just don’t give a shit about what they do and figure we’d be just fine without it, ymmv

4/5

Starts so strong with Being Boring! Lets off a little from there but still a solid album. It is The Pet Shop Boys, after all!!!

very chill mix between 80s synth and like moby - songs take a while to develop but I like the potential for sample

Disappointing

why does everyone hate the pet shop boys

As always: good vibes only when the Pet Shop Boys are in town.

Behaviour is to its core a rather sad listening experience. That doesn’t change the fact, that I always leave the Pet Shop Boys in a good mood - depressing lyrics or not.

Not my thing

Quality album. Inoffensive. Easy to listen to.

Har älskat dessa gossar sen jag skrev ett arbete om dom på musiken i mellanstadiet. Senare i livet fick jag se dom live i Dalarna. Älskar det suggestiva och Neil Tennants engelska röst. Men är skivan bra? Nja. Det är väl så med smaken att den förändras, utvecklas, avvecklas. Vad vet jag. Synthen är väldigt mycket 80-tal och det brukar sällan bli bra. Melodislingorna samma. Det håller inte riktigt och snälla sluta fejda låtar. Ett sattyg vissa håller på med. En låt har en början OCH ett slut. Tycker So Hard är skivans bästa låt.

Va fan. De första tonerna på första låten är svinbra. Men inte fan låter resten av skivan så. Det är väldigt tråkiga synt-beats. Har alltid "ogillat" sången i Pet Shop boys. Först låten är dock bäst. Och med bäst menar jag, "meh". Ärligt talat är det inte jättebra. Trist.

Syntarna och produktionen har inte åldrats som en Bordeaux direkt, men har alltid tyckt att PSB har ett trevligt och behagligt sound som fyller mig med varm nostalgi. Ingen av deras bästa låtar är med på denna, men tycker ändå det är jämnt och stabilt rakt igenom (Being boring är bäst).

Synth pop.

1.8

I liked the parts that didn’t feel like real sappy stuff.

It was fine. No big surprises, nothing standing out. Just a very 80s album that came out in the 90s.

Пойдет

Couldn't finish. Don't like his voice, and this is a dull dull album

Boy, that took me back to high school. Other than a romantic reminder, I'm not a fan of most of their music.

Again, I really enjoy the music part, just not so much the lyrics and his quiet sing-talking. I'll still with my synthwave stations instead. 2/5

Very PSB.

Я в каком-то космическом реггийном восторге от этой штуки Очень кайфово, чиллово и приятно все услышать Алкоальбом: коктейль скитлз (кисло и сладко, при этом очень люблю это!)

Кажется, я понимаю, почему эта музыка нравилась нашим родителям Это немного другой взгляд на пацанов, и он более "взрослый" тоже, как бы часто это не звучало из моих уст. Кстати по голосу тут вдруг напомнило (ужасная ассоциация) Яника Николенко из Би-2/Сплин, времён когда у него была англоязычная группа "Эдипов Комплекс" и они жоска косили по Дипишмод и PSB. Зашло, готов брать винил Ну и в конце: ОКТЯБРЬ!

Do I really have to listen to this? As synth-pop goes, it's OK - but it's still just fluffy synth-pop. I would never choose to listen to this.

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.

It indeed is kinda depeche mody. Idk why, but it also has a bit of elton john vibe to it. Who knows, maybe I'm crazin' Likelike

Fajnšmekrský a fýluje jak depešáci

this was pretty decent but also pretty forgettable

Enjoyed it

Great, more mediocre British synthpop. Thought it was going to be an average 3 after the first couple songs but it could pretty annoying to listen to the longer it went on. Nothing really notable here. 4/10 (2/5)

Not for me. 1/5

Not a fan of synth pop and this dull album didn’t change that.

If "Foster the People" existed in 1990...

Most overrated band ever!

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.

Wow! Didn't realize it had so many Hits. A really good choice

Synthiepop war nie meins. Und die Pet Shop Boys gehören m.E. auch nicht in die top10 dieses Genres.

wenn ich diese musik höre, wird mir bewusst wie tief dieser aus drum machine, synthies und glatt gebügeltem gesang zusammengesetzte sound in meinem unterbewusstsein verankert ist. das ist es wohl, was eine kindheit in den 90er jahren heute ausmacht: das sich ankündingende, leicht wohlige gefühl, wenn das wiedererkennen einsetzt ohne es genauer bezeichnen zu können, quasi eine nostalgie ohne namen: seien es nun die pet shop boys, depeche mode oder eurythmics, rückblickend lief wohl dauernd das radio. auf diesem album fehlen mir leider die hits.

Meh.

Some ok songs, but overall too slow for me

Very nice album! Onу of the best pop albums forever!

Escuchable. Sin pena ni gloria. Bien.

Nunca me han gustado mucho a pesar de reconocer que tienen grandes canciones. Los recuerdo desde que oí en la radio el recién lanzado "West End Girls" y que no paraban de poner a todas horas y a me apetecía más variedad. No sé que hace esto en esta lista "totally boring".

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

The hit factory do it again. I imagine that instead of writing a weekly shopping list, Lowe and Tennant just turn 'milk, eggs and toothpaste' into a six minute, joyous, melancholy epic. The combination of their vocals and the music feels completely unique and hits a part of your brain and heart that no one else can. To finish all this with Jealousy, one of the saddest, most heart-felt songs in their back catalogue, is just awe-inspiring. The good thing about this is that you know this is nowhere near as good as they get.

I only Know Pet Shop Boys because of their song West End Girls. There was some good songs on here, but overall it didn't grab me.

Good 80’s-90’s band. Still making good music to this day.

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

Being Boring is right. sounds like a poor man's New Order.

More background music for me, when I definitely wasn't paying attention to the music and at no point was called to give attention.

As a youth in the 80's I liked that era's PSBs although I'd be hard pressed to put them on any top album list. Today I'm confronted with this ridiculous collection of synth pop drivel. I imagine a future civilization encountering this Top 1001 album list and playing Behaviour. At that point I'd be ashamed of our human race. This is NOT good music, song writing, lyrics, production, or entertainment.

This is another one that should be in the 1001 albums not to listen to before you die.

I don't think I was in the right frame of mind to fully accept the Boys into my heart.

who told these guys that they werent being boring? this shot was boring as hell

Graceful.

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

Department store mellow electro pop. Really about as exciting as waiting at the DMV.

Liked this one, every track.

2.3 - really repetitive and just not into it

I just seem to struggle with the Pet Shop Boys so much. I find a lot of this album, like the previous one of theirs we listened to, to just be straight up bad. I think this is slightly better than that one - a couple of tracks "Being Boring" and "My October Symphony" I'm ok with, but the rest just ain't doing it for me. 2.3/5

This album came out during the unfortunate and not very graceful transition from 80s-90s and I feel that it shows. I only liked really one song off of this. It seemed that they were trying to stick with what they did before while sort of trying some new stuff with it, and it just really didn't make anything too memorable.

Unexpectedly brilliant, loved the relaxed, sort of chillwave sound. Only hangup is that it could've been more eventful to sustain repeat listens.

Opens with a song titled "Being Boring", which is a much better name for this album in my humble opinion. Why the hell do these guys have 3 albums on the list? PS1-era Final Fantasy minigame music, except way less cool.

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

could not listen. If link doesn't work, not my prob

Endlich mal was aufregendes!!

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

pet shop boys is nice.

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

I've always liked this band and somehow missed this record, though the "big hits" ring a bell, I didn't own a copy of this album. Good stuff!

Was always a fan of them, and I still am. "Behaviour" was an excellent album. They always accomplish the task of combining danceable, but not shallow music with good lyrics.

Not my thing.

Sounds cheaply made.

Not much to say about this; it sounded like Pet Shop Boys but also like other artists relevant at the same time like Depeche Mode. Looks like they drew inspiration from Violator, which makes a lot of sense. I don't think I'd come back to this album too often.

Man, I just don't care about this. It's not bad, but it's pretty boring. 2/5

It’s aite C

Chill, nice energy but depressed/identity questioning themes that make it feel substantial.

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

This was really good

I liked it but this is not the must hear PSB album.

I don't like this. I'll listen to it, but 45 seconds in on the first song, I find no pleasure in this.

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.

I really like this album! The soft singing against the synth pop, the poetic lyrics sung with a lot of space so they aren't lost. The unison octive vocals, with great melodies that don't seem stock. I'm so impressed! I feel like I'm hearing something really new, even though it's 30 years old. I didn't know this band back in the day, kind of a shame. Got you now. I actually listened to all the songs. Being Boring is my favorite - I had to stop what I was doing and listen. That doesn't happen often.

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 enjoy the Pet Shop Boys a lot. This album felt mellower and maybe more mature than the others I've listened to.

Unfortunately I really didn't like this at all.

Nope.

...

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.

Right up my street somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4

Pretty damn niceee

People always tell me I like elevator music, but I can't find much that I enjoy about this one. DNF.

Beautiful 80s album

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.

As was always the case - great beats and mood diluted by synth tropes and ruined by that nasal snark. They should have hired a singer

I'd never heard this before. It's very different than what I was expecting, definitely more new wave atmospheric than new wave punk.

Good throwback

Recordaba a Pet Shop Boys con mucho más cariño. Esto no me ha llegado

The opening felt like a James Bond soundtrack...and then so smooth, soft as a pair of Hush Puppies. Got some SHAFT rhythm guitar sparking there on occasion. Melodic at least. Not my choice, but listenable.

"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.

Neil Tennant is simply a non starter for me

This was just kind of boring. I wanted it to be over.

today i learned i had no idea who the pet shop boys were. i thought this was gonna be somewhere between beach boys and jersey boys but it was actually the worst slog of an album so far

This is like the easy listening of synthpop. Enjoyable, light, chill.

Nothing to write home about. Not their best. The songs aren't as catchy as some of their earlier ones. Nor are they as mind-bending and exciting as some of their later ones (such as, for example, 'Electric'). The track 'So Hard' is more akin to early Pet Shop Boys with the catchy tune and deliberately synthetic beat and keyboard. (The rhythms are everything that was awful about the charts in the late '80s through I guess to 1990, when this was made.) That's not especially my cup of tea but it is the Pet Shop Boys doing what they do well. The rest is a little forgettable. I don't think melodies such as many of these lend themselves well to the Pet Shop Boys style or Neil Tennant's voice. He does the abstract dancey / ironic cold much better. Nonetheless, the song titles are often intriguing with these guys: This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave / Being Boring

"Behaviour" by Pet Shop Boys, released in 1990, marks a departure from the duo's trademark synth-pop sound, embracing a more introspective and subdued approach. The album showcases Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's mature songwriting and production skills, delving into themes of love, loss, and introspection. Tracks like "Being Boring" and "So Hard" demonstrate a newfound depth and emotional resonance, while still retaining Pet Shop Boys' signature electronic soundscapes. The album's minimalist production allows Tennant's introspective lyrics to shine, creating a melancholic yet captivating atmosphere. While "Behaviour" may lack the immediate pop hooks of their earlier work, its understated elegance and emotional depth make it a standout in Pet Shop Boys' discography. Earning a solid 4/5, "Behaviour" is a testament to the duo's artistic evolution and willingness to explore new sonic territories.

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

Never liked pet shop boys

Enjoy the sound and vocals from Pet Shop Boys

good but not particularly memorable

Each morning after Sunblest Feel the benefit, mental arithmetic I waited by the staff room In time for benediction Living a law just short of delusion When we fall in love there's confusion This must be the place I waited years to leave To our voices nobody's listening We shiver in the rain by the touchline Then a coach ride to the station "My lord, the carriage awaiteth!" Living a law just short of delusion When we fall in love there's confusion This must be the place I waited years to leave This must be the place I waited years to leave And how How long? Not bad. 4/5

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.

A wrong turn from their previous album

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.

A genuine brilliant album.

I liked the vibes more than I was expecting to. Chill, quiet, reminded me of the XX in some parts. Incredibly modern production I thought. Sounds like it could have come out in the past five years, not in 1990. I will likely relisten to this one!

Very polished cheese, drum machines sound horribly dated now. Never understood the attraction, this music has no heart.

I'm not a particular fan of the Pet Shop Boys but this was quite pleasant to listen to.

Just like every other Pet Shop Boys songs... its fine but doesn't really appeal to me.

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

Not my cup of pale ale, thanks

They’re cool, but very little variation like on Actually. I’ll revisit both albums, though!

great and really classy

Unfinishable. Truly the worst. Not one good song.

I'm familiar with the Pet Shop Boys, but I hadn't heard any of these songs before. Solid album

This is not bad. In fact, I really can see what’s good about it — the genre is not really for me.

PSB: Eher schon ein allgemeines Zeit-Gefühl als nur Musik einer Zeit. Ikonisch.

Chill album - nice to have in the background. Nothing outstanding, but pleasant enough and I like its overall atmosphere. 3.5 rounded up.

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.

Surprisingly nice.

I've had to sit through so much mediocre synth shit on this project so far and this is just leagues ahead of all the others

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

fave track: nervously

Vocals are beautiful, but not a fan of electronic pop

loved it

Fine...not sure I would ever relisten. Just a big blah. 1.5/5

wasn't that exciting

Really not great. There were a few good tracks here and there but everything just felt very uninspiring and cheap. Not a fan of the production on this at all.

The first track titled Being Boring really sets a tone for this album because it sure was boring.

As ever, fantastic

Best Album from PSB!

Twijfel ineens of Pet Shop Boys ooit mijn ding was, maar ze zijn het vandaag in ieder geval totaal niet.

Ik heb deze band nooit begrepen. Nu ook niet.

We hebben hier dus te maken met een zaadplaat. Een ontzettende zaadplaat. Allemachtig, wat een niet te harden aan elkaar gezeverd stuk muziek is dit.

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.

·Not owned: Streaming ·Pretty harmless pop album that starts off promising (love the chronicle of the opening track), has catchy tunes, but then overstays its welcome a bit. I appreciate the simplicity of "The End of the World." ·2/5

I think they did well for their style but it didn't speak to me. Nice use of early 90's electronic though

Did Duran Duran and Pet Shop Boys get together and decide to go from disco-y dance pop to sedate snoozefests as soon as 1/1/1990 hit? Whether it was a conspiracy to go from 80’s ravers to 90’s droners or not, I think both versions of both bands suck. “Ordinary World” is pretty good but that’s neither here nor there. The point is, if I didn’t like Pet Shop Boys before they decided to spend forever being boring - and I very much didn’t - then there was no way I was going to like this drab 1990’s version of them. Yawn and pass.

I liked it. It makes the 90s sound so good. I still prefer "Very", though.

I love this band and their silly lil synth-pop :) 10/10

Meh

Very pet shop enjoyed

7/10

I wanted to like this album more but I didn't some of the soft vocal choices on what were otherwise strong or dramatic songs. My highlight was probably so hard. However, some of the arrangements and sounds seemed so familiar and you can clearly see how this album would have influenced artists that created in that genre after.

Solid, consistent but unspectacular PSB album.

this album reminds me that all PSB albums are basically the same. some good stuff, for sure, but is one any more stand-out than any other?

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.

8/10

I don't know how much more Pet Shop Boys I can physically handle.

Surprisingly strong for Pet Shop Boys, I think there was a clearer charm to this one.

Surprisingly better than Actually. Chill. Liked it.

Absolutely fine synth wave, but I'll stick to Duran Duran.

Yikes

2 stars, doesn’t have West End Girls on it

Being Boring. Yep, that's exactly what I constantly felt throught listen to that album.

Quite cool sounds, I’ve always though I wouldn’t like this style of music but first listen was enjoyable and somewhat relaxing

Quite pleasant, but nothing breathtaking, except for " Jealousy" which deserves more fame.

Third Pet Shop album. This is the worst one yet. Under an hour but it was just kind of boring. I did not know any of the songs. I kept waiting for it to turn the corner and become good. It did not.

A surprisingly introspective, thoughtful album on growing up, taking responsibility and gaining perspective. Lots of great tracks, maybe not so much to dance to but to relax to, at any rate the synths and base are fantastic. Great melodies. Obviously an album from confident artists

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

Great album, not too hectic. Easy listening.

This is a vibe. Wish I could give it a 3.5

3.5

Imagine liking this. Ha ha JK nobody likes this. So dumb and so bad. I do not like this record. This album is actually gross. It’s not even mildly interesting. Best song: none of them Worst song: all of them

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.

Yeah, now I'm sure. I like Pet Shop Boys. A lot.

Not their best work

Gloriously gay with such distinctive production

Pet shop boys reivents the wheel.. Heh.. vitut.. jatkaa samaa paskaa kuin ennenkin.. Nyt 90 luku lähempänä edelleen ajan vivahteet vain suolana hyvälle musiikille..

It's fine background music... nothing too complex requiring active listening.

It's fine. It has some stuff that I usually like, but it's much too repetitive.

Its decent. sounds like most 90s synth pop though. Still not bad

It was ok Not really my bag

Songs feel kind of underwritten to me?

Did not love it. Reading the wiki the band pretty much said it was not a very happy album. Maybe why I didn't enjoy it too much.

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.

I do like the bet shop boys but found this album to be a little boring?

I don’t know if it’s that we just listened to a pet shop boys album, but this one was not as good as Actually. Ironically the least boring track: Being Boring

Enjoyed the first song but the rest felt the same

Bronze Age Pervert!!!

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

wasn't a big fan and nothing stood out particularly

mm

nah

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.

Pretty enjoyable listen, even if the sound is a bit dated. Don't really need to listen again, but I enjoyed this.

Like a soft new order. Some good tunes nothing I'd probably revisit much. Being boring was good. Like world in motion 5/10

Great! Really liked this a lot.

Good

Ok

Escuchable. Sin pena ni gloria. Bien.

Another great album from Pet Shop Boys. I've really appreciated diving into them over the course of this book. This one seems a bit more lyrically focused which I dig.

Fun but a little to heavy on the 80s snare and percussion matching

Peak 80s Pet Shop Boys

Cheesy electronic pop music but some interesting effects

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

I find this so vacant and boring. I like a few Pet Shops Boys hits but after a couple of songs it all sounds the same to me and it's too synthy and I don't like the vocals.

It's melancholy. Perhaps a bit too melancholy for me (which with Leonard Cohen amongst my top rated is saying something). It's still brilliant, but you'll probably put on Very or Please before this for that hit of pure smartarse pop. But it has Jealousy and Being Boring and is still better than 90% of the albums on this list. I almost feel bad giving it four stars.

3/5

Ouin, xx était meilleur. Ça c'est pas top top. Musique d'ambiance de fin de bal en blanc.

Pretty cool, I imagine a cult classic

1. being boring - 1 2. thiz muzt be the place - 1.5 3. to face the truth - 2 4. houu can you ezpect me - 1.5 5. only the uuind - 1 6. my october zymphony - 1.5 7. zo hard - 1.5 8. nervouzly - 1 9. end of the uuorld - 1.5 10. jealouzy - 1.5 11. 12.

For the first time in a week, I didn't groan when I saw the day's album. A masterpiece.

Weird. 90’s ok sound. Not my preference. But put together well.

When Being Boring started I thought I was in for a fun treat. But, as the album progressed I found myself more and more bored by the lyrics and beats.

Elektronisk synth pop, 90’er, rimelig nice vibe

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.

This style of music does absolutely nothing for me. All the songs pretty much sound like an NPR host trying to sing over telephone hold or elevator music.

meh

They have been growing on me recently. Another one I didn’t have time for as a teen that turns out was pretty good.

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.

unfortunately the first song on this album is so good that the rest almost pales in comparison. if you take out that first one though still a solid album. easy 4

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

Found this to be a pretty depressing album.

This has cemented my dislike of Pet Shop Boys. His voice is just too annoying to enjoy

Vibe

It's ok if you like the pet shop boys but there's not much going on here

All their music seems to sound the same. After 30 secs I'm already tired of it, not a fan.

Not my thing.

Great electronic album

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.

Pretty tame techno music...didn't do a whole lot for me.

I like it. Very techno and house.

Sophisticated synth pop with a dash of lime. I love the music of the PSBs and this album is the fire behind that love. Well done and thank you Neil and Chris.

This was an interesting listen, I'm quite big into my synthwave/retrowave and think the last few years have really had some great stuff come out. Alot of this probably has to do with the PSB but I've never actually sat down and listened to it. It's a tricky one to grade as I do like it, but I just feel if I wanted to listen to this style of music I'd listen to so many other artists...

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.

Cheesy Brit pop. Has some Ok beats but it's just overwhelmingly manufactured and boring.