Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Majestic
Didn’t like the Pet Shop Boys when I was younger, don’t really like them now either.
Strong album, but no real banger... And I can't stand the last track!
Favorite Tracks: The Theatre Go West
Another superb offering by the brilliant Pet Shop boys. Thought this one was a little more ballardy than some of their others and certainly more jazzy with the use of various upbeat string sounds in other tracks. Also thought the album was more heavily produced but this didn't detract from the quality. What a way to end with the camp Go West. A joy from beginning to end 👍
I actually had this ages ago. I bought it at a whim just because I had heard of them before and the packaging of the CD was very interesting. It was 5 bucks...spent. I only liked the opening song "Can You Forgive Her?" And found the second song to be okay nothing after that made an impact. 20-ish years later, I mostly stand by that assessment. There's a lot of decent to pretty good stuff here but not a lot to write home about. A generous 3 just because I really do like that opener.
Third album I've gotten of theirs. Def one of my favorite 80s synth pop kinda bands
A great pop record Doesn’t linger long after consuming but a very enjoyable listen nonetheless
I liked this better than I expected. It’s fun and kind of clever and very well produced. Some of the songs, “Wouldn’t Normally Do…” and “Go West” are very catchy. When I see “electronic duo” in the band description I now immediately brace for the worst, but these guys are good musicians.
Oh my goodness, I haaaaaaate the Pet Shop Boys. There’s no feeling quite like not listening to them. Their voices, their arrangements, their beats? Quality production and I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world, but for me, it is unbearable. 2/5
I had heard this one before but I had to listen again because I felt it was on the cusp of a 5. An excellent dance album with plenty of synths and fantastic songwriting — definitely not hard to tell why it was seen as a ‘coming out’ album given that I see little room for subtlety.
it seems so much like they're trying to be modern for some reason
Dope
I actually really liked this!
Absolute suffering
I do not like the voice of the Pet Shop Boys, but it was an uplifiting album with alternative 90s music.
Niet m'n vibe. Geen immense fan van 80s/90s popmuziek met een overdosis synthesizers. 2.3
Can You Forgive Her? //
Gay songs
Generic music, grating lyrics
De eerste track met die lelijke orchestral stab (die later op het album meerdere keren terugkomt) is een beetje een valse start van een verder prima album. Het album is enorm kitcherig, maar het is wel upbeat en het heeft een wat gedateerd maar misschien mede daarom melancholisch geluid. Het nasale hoge gepiep van de zanger is eigenlijk super kut, maar omdat het er op de één of andere manier wel bij past stoort het me niet zo. Het is totaal niet mijn muziek maar toch kan ik het album vreemd genoeg wel waarderen. Ondanks dat het ook een droevige component heeft, straalt er toch een soort plezier van uit. Ik vind dit om één keer helemaal te luisteren best leuk. Verder ga ik dit nooit meer aanzetten natuurlijk.
I've often been guilty of looking down on Pet Shop Boys because they carry this perception of being quite cheesy and cliched, and some of that's true, but I enjoyed Very to be fair to them. The whole thing exists mostly in a minor key so you have this melancholy, downbeat vibe running through it and that works pretty perfectly with their synth-heavy production, but for 1993 this lays quite a bit of groundwork for some of the pop and trance that came along a few years later, almost every song has a fragment or section that you can identify another song through. The best example of that is how similar To Speak Is A Sin sounds to Robbie Williams' No Regrets, so of course it's no surprise to learn Neil Tennant was involved in both songs, and there's also a lot that sounds like prime era Lightning Seeds, especially on vocals. It's not outstanding, don't get me wrong, but it's worthy of a solid 3, it creates a compelling atmosphere and sound.
I listened to this earlier in the week, and didn't much care for it. But, listened again this morning and enjoyed it a lot more. Pet Shop Boys, for me, are good when they're over the top and just short of pantomime or when they're thoughtful, and they're great when they manage to combine both in the same song. I don't think they quite manage great here, but it's definitely good, comfortably a 3/5.
It's a bad sign if your best song on the album is a hidden cover.
One drum track to rule all.
I enjoy a good pet shop boys song, but as this album went on they all started sounding the same. I feel like I’ve heard Can You Forgive Her before but not sure where.
Woof. Our third from Pet Shop Boys, and none with "West End Girls"? What the hell are we doing? The other two albums were fine, this one kinda sucked. Only one song I sort of liked, the rest was too waifish for me. Favorite tracks: A Different Point of View. Album art: Orange, with dots. What else to say? 1.5/5
This is ok but haven't heard anything better than West End Girls from them since its release.
It just reminds me too much of the pwl style production at the time.
8am: ‘ho hum, just another day.’ 8:05: starts album. 9am: *dancing in circles, covered in glitter* ‘yes, I WILL go west!’ *spins spins spins*
Dated 80’s early 90’s - no great shakes
Fun, light synth-pop
love it
Hadn't realised how much this was still peak PSB. Nice!
I loved this album. From start to end it was full of so many interesting sounds and textures, and the music itself was so vibrant. Each song was destinct and creative. Honestly there were really no low spots for me, and I'm glad I discovered this through here. 5/5
Funky
I saw Pet Shop boys at Brighton Pride 2017 and it was bloody fantastic! Such a fun performance. Listening to the album, I'm not quite so moved. But I still appreciate what it's about. And I need to look up what some of these songs are about. Was the actually once about Diana?!
Struggled with this. I've never really linked the Pet Shop Boys, find it all the same and the vocals annoy me. They've got some good hits but this album but a bit duff for me
Danm i love this album and spin it for over 30 years
Kinda cool, 3.5
50 minutes of an annoying voice singing over dance beats, strings and sometimes other weird effects too
Oye, digan lo que digan, este es muy buen pop de los 90
Great Songs Nice album
I always liked their singles, but never listened to their albums. A pleasant surprise
Go West is a banger but the rest is pretty bland 3.2
Another good one by the pet shop boys. I like Behaviour a lot more now but it’s still not gonna get higher then a 3. I like all the songs tho and the increase in energy.
Fun, catchy, danceable pop that didn’t dip too far into annoying territory. I didn’t love it, but I liked it. I wouldn’t mind listening again, though I wouldn’t seek it out. Favorite tracks: Can You Forgive Her?, Dreaming of the Queen
Only familiar with the earlier career hits, I liked listening to this album. Usually can tell it’s the Pet Shop Boys by Tennant’s Voice. Always liked the band name.
love these boys
As their wiki says, so consistent. Another way to say it is wow, this album is so monotonous and repetitive. Without any of the PSB hits that we love, this album seems lackluster and overall pretty boring. I like the sound of the vocals to be honest, so I can't go one star. But it's definitely no better than two. :(
I remember being in college and this girl that I really was digging said "Have you heard the new Pet Shop Boys album? It's really good." The next time I was at Plan 9, I found it, listened to it and immediately knew we had no future together. That's t
A month ago, on our third and final Pet Shop Boys album, I wrote that “We’re in the home stretch now, under 100 albums to go. And one thing I will be very thankful for at the conclusion is to not listen to any more 80s British synth pop.” Alas, I never wrote my review for “Very,” so there was yet more bad 80s British synth pop to struggle through. Neil Tennant’s vocals are make a strong case for my least favorite on this entire list. Another lousy 1993 album (and PSB’s 3rd overall) just gives me another chance to complain that Pearl Jam’s “Vs.” was left off the list. No, PSB, one and one do not make five. Gonna take more than Tennant and Chris Lowe to get to five. As PJ know, it's "one, two, three, four, five against one." "Very" is a 1, "Vs." is a 5.
I could only find this album on YouTube. I listened while working out. I got really excited about halfway through when an energetic electronic dance track came on only to realize that is was a between song add.
I like the pet shop boys singles. But christ, the more I listened to this, the more it agitated me. The combination of Neil Tennant's vocals with the poppy electronic sound were an awful combination. Some of the songs at the start were OK (different point of view for example), but it really over welcomed it's stay. 'Go weest' was interesting purely because it sounds like it came from an advert? I'm torn between 3 and 2 stars. I'm going with 2 stars, screw it.
This is the Pet Shop Boys at their most disco and danceable. It's also, apparently, their coming out album. This. Their fifth record. If you hadn't figured it out by then, you probably just wouldn't care at all.
Pet Shop Boys at their most danceable. It’s simply a thrill. They could have probably cut a song or two to make it more streamlined and tight - but I don’t really care that much.
Genuinely one of the most boring albums I've ever heard.
Not for me
I saw “Pet Shop Boys” and for some reason expected the worst, which is weird as I had no prior experience with the band. This album turned out to be a lot of fun - I really enjoyed the sound as a contrast to my other recent listens. Favourite track: Go West.
I've gone back in time to a 1990's gay steelworkers dance club.
This album is ok. The singing isn't my favorite and it is a little repetitive, but it has some good moments.
Wasn't as bad as I'd expected.
One of the earliest songs that left a deep mark on me was "West End Girls" by The Pet Shop Boys. I was just nine years old when I first encountered it, and the profound emotional reaction it elicited from me was nothing short of transformative. To this day, the lush synth pads that open the track hit me with the same intensity, striking a chord in my gut. The blend of Chris Lowe's evolving dance production and Neil Tennant’s distinct vocals creates a synergy that seems almost magical. They are, without a doubt, a perfect duo. Their music feels like a celebration of melancholy, almost as if they pioneered the genre of epic cry dancing. This particular album embodies the essence of ‘90s house music. It might take me a couple of tracks to fully immerse myself in its vibe, but once I do, I'm invariably hooked. The Pet Shop Boys' unique blend of melancholy and dance beats remains a testament to their unparalleled artistry.
You can shake your tuccus to this one. It's like if Empire of the Sun was hopped up on meth. Speaking of meth... when I was in my early 20's, I did many meths. We purchased our meth through a gentleman in the gay community in Atlanta. One night, we had to meet him at the famous 24 hour gay nightclub, Backstreet, in order to make the purchase. It was an interesting experience for a young, heterosexual male. Sweaty dudes with glitter on their shirtless bodies, dancing and making out. One guy even hit on me. I was flattered. My mom always said I was handsome, and this experience helped confirm that was true. I tell that story to say that I could definitely imagine hearing this album playing at that club. Yesterday When I Was Mad was my favorite.
The Pet Shop Boys were pushing electronic music in the 80's at a time when the genre was relatively new and the technology pretty limited to sequencers. The tech has since come a long way, and it's refreshing to hear how Pet Shop Boys have adapted. Opening with James Bond theme music orchestral hits, "Can You Forgive Her?" packs the initial punch while the remainder of the album features lush synth strings more often, all over a continual 16th-note beat, and light-hearted melodies. Vocals are as clean and airy as Ben Gibbard with an occasional pronounced accent. I hear glimpses of the great "West End Girls" at times in some of the synth horn sounds and rhythmic talking. "Dreaming of the Queen" feels very similar to the laid back bubbly beat of Duran Duran's "Come Undone." Is that a Phil Collins sample on "The Theatre"? I can't say for sure, but it's fun to throw in some of these samples to change things up halfway through the album. "One and One Make Five" shares a pre-chorus with Madonna's "Borderline." (Why can't musicians add to five? Pet Shop Boys say "One and One Make Five" but it makes two, Ben Folds 5 is made up of 3 musicians, Radiohead sings "2+2=5" but that's 4, and Lou Bega sings "Mambo No. 5" having never written mambos 1-4.) So many good melodies, but "One in a Million" is my favorite, with it's spacey falsetto lines and wide atmospheric synths. It feels pure as childhood and can easily fit on the Neverending Story soundtrack. Happy to see they continued chasing their muse beyond the 80's.
One day, when my daughter was probably 5 years old, she declared the Pet Shop Boys her favorite musical performers. Cue a single tear shed by me. She's quite a lady-ist, always expressing a strong inclination toward anything feminine, and she said, "I'm really surprised that the Pet Shop Boys is my favorite band because I usually like girl singers!" Now I have certainly been a fan of Pet Shop Boys since I was a little kid in the '80s. Their music caught me in its web and, I never outgrew it. But I never explored it as much as when my daughter began liking them. When she and I were out alone together she would always request listening to it in the car, and through her I explored a lot more from them than I'd ever heard before. I think what she found appealing was its danceability paired with its emotionality. But whereas some of their earlier stuff is emotional songs with a hint of danciness, this is dance music first and foremost, but emotional dance music, for those times when you might need to shed a tear it two on the dancefloor. This album really embraces the whole '90s club vibe, but they bring their own twist to it. I love these guys. Neil's unique boyish, expressive, yet wry voice is used effectively. And I love Chris's production; they complement each other well. I'm glad they have stayed together for decades, and I hope there are other albums from them on this list. P.S. Last year, ahead of me seeing the Cure live, I was playing some music from them, and my daughter proclaimed that the Pet Shop Boys' number one position in her heart had been usurped by the Cure! Cue another single tear shed by me. Faves are Liberation and Go West.
Well....the site deleted my notes on this one before I was done and I don't feel like rewriting it. Great vocals, Neal Tennant has a distinct voice. I first listened to this one in my teens. Good electronic sounds, nice orchestral strings throughout and some killer rhythms. Hopefully my favorite Pet Shop Boys album makes it on here.
This started out pretty decent, but then slid into unremarkable and repetitive dance junk
This is my third Pet Shop Boys album, and it gets the same rating as all the others. Why are three of their albums on this list (so far, for me)? Surely, there must be two other albums worthy of a spot? 2/5
Bombastic synth-pop. Not exactly my thing. I found it a bit overproduced and busy, but it provided fun vibes for an afternoon walk.
OOOOOHHH YEAHHH
Damn what's with the fairly low rating on here, this thing is synth-pop bangers front to back. Always knew they had some killer singles in them but this is a full album of great material. That classic synth sound just works so well for pop music, every song on here made me want to groove.
Not my sound. Pet Shop Boys' West End Girls is noteworthy however.
What an interesting album and sound on this album. It's not what I really would've expected from Pet Shop Boys but it was 1993 so maybe that's on brand. The last "hidden" track reminded me so much of a Scatman John song progression - I think it was the vocals but still. Very enjoyable overall
Didn't think I liked the Pet Shop Boys but turns out this is lit
Not familiar with this album but they always had an accessible 80's sound.
Takes great references of music to make good music. This album has variety, experiments, and I'd bet it influenced indirectly some music I like from Jack Stauber. I wouldn't say there were any memorable tracks to me though.
i loved PSB when I was 10.
I'm into the opening track. The bloops and blats are intricately wound into these lush layers, even if the core samples are pretty canned. This is probably the highest form that these bullshit samples can aspire to. its like trying to make a gourmet meal out of exclusively velveeta.
I have to admit that this is very catchy. Not something I'm usually into, but I admire the songwriting and approach.
I really enjoyed this. I don't really like Go West but I thought the first half of this album was great
Den var en kende svær at komme igennem, men fuck den sluttede godt af med Go West en mega klassiker.
Jeg hyggede mig overraskende meget med den her... Jeg er åbenbart en Pet shop fan.. Ærligt, så er det ikke hitsne som jeg bedst kan lide, men jeg kan godt lide hele stemningen. Den er bare "Very" alt muligt på samme tid. Jeg ender nok med at skulle høre alt Petshop boys igen...
Åbneren er Pet Shop Boys absolut bedste nummer. Tung, melodisk, dragende. Desværre fortsætter det ikke sådan. Og det ender i 8 minutters ulidelig 90er patiche på hvad der må være indbegrebet af alt det vi bør glemme fra et ellers fantastisk musik årti.
There is something extremely british in the way Neil Tennant expresses feelings in a subdued nuanced way, instead of belching them out like a white man version of Mary J Blige. God forbid. Somehow this resonates in my cold Scandinavian heart, and makes Pet Shop Boys a sort of camp, guilty, left wing pleasure to me.
Camp and cheese all over this one, but strangely enough I didn't mind that at all. Would have enjoyed it more if it was a tad shorter.
Not bad. Good background music for work. But even then it starts to drag on towards the end.
Tecno pop robusto, só não reconheci grandes sucessos.
Definitely was not my favourite Pet Shop Boys album at the time, just couldn't get into it. Very different world in 1993. At the time I read so many great reviews for it though - just didn't click with me. But years later I would hear songs on compilations that I liked and many came from here. Can You Forgive Her, Wouldn't Normally Do, Liberation, Yesterday, Speak is a Sin, and the "hidden" Go West. But no Absolutely Fabulous!! Disco 2 - released the year after - was a great version of Very.
Another one? Actually this one’s better
Not bad.
Everyone knows West End Girls. But this album did not seem to have the same popularity it had in the UK in the US. I could only vaguely recall hearing some of these or maybe they sounded like other PSB songs. But I did enjoy this album. Heavy subjects laid out in lyrics alongside some of the most danceable music. It just didn't have the same connection some of their more globally popular songs had. Maybe hearing them a second time will solidify them for me.
Fun tunes, good sense of humour in the lyrics, this did keep veering into 2 star territory at times, sounding like Carter USM produced by Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, but my previous album was Simply Red so this one gets an extra point just for not being that.
synth-disco-pop fabulousness
Fun songs, upbeat. Such a unique voice. I enjoyed listening to this.
Different point of view and dreaming of the queen were soundtrack to me accidentally blowing Cajun spices into my eyes while trying to smell them while cooking.... Something about this music that intrigues me, even though I'm not sure that I like it...
It's bland generic dancey music. Nothing special. Inoffensive and commercial.
I am a Pet Shop Boys fan, or "Them Pet Boys" as no one calls them. I mostly dig their singles, and a smattering of lesser known tracks. This album always haunted me at HMV for its eye-catching cover, and the outrageous re-releases the Boys did of their entire catalogue in the 2000s. I had never crushed this entire album before. I enjoyed it, but not immensely. One & One Make Five is a new treat, otherwise just Go West.
Hard to have a strong opinion on this one either way. Nothing terribly unpleasant, but nothing I would go back to.
Agradable. No es mi favorito, pero le doy un 4 por Go West. Estos chicos se lo merecen.
Alright I guess. Kind of boring.
Fine
Classic
4 stars
Strong start with "Can You Forgive Her?" It sounds like "In the Dark of the Night" from the Anastasia movie, which is a strong compliment in my world. Generally like it, got a little repetitive after the full thing. But worth listening to other stuff by them. Reminiscent of Depeche Mode. And Death Cab for Cutie. Also the soundtrack for the Neverending Story.
Pet Shop Boys are awesome. Not my favourite album though.
Guilty pleasure synth-pop. I kind of love it.
#254. Uninspiring British synth pop. Seemed pretty soulless and commercial to me. A bit of a force your way through it kind of album, honestly. 2/5: meh Song added to playlist: A Different Point Of View I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Flaming Lips meets electronic disco pop. It slapped
Fun high tempo dancy album that i will never revisit again because it’s just not my style
PSBs, a guilty pleasure 🤷🏻♂️
Very by Pet Shop Boys is a joyous and sunny album that has grown on me even more after witnessing them live. From the infectious beats of Can You Forgive Her? to the introspective melodies of Yesterday, When I Was Mad, the album blends pop hooks with thoughtful lyrics. Tracks like I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing and Go West exude a celebratory vibe, encapsulating the Pet Shop Boys' signature style of catchy synth-pop. Neil Tennant's vocals are as distinctive and emotive as ever, while Chris Lowe's production adds layers of depth and texture. Overall, Very is a testament to the duo's enduring creativity and ability to craft timeless pop anthems that resonate long after the concert lights fade. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 4 STAND OUT TRACK - One and One Make Five
The first descriptor that came to mind when this record came on was “orchestral pop.” This is not my cup of tea, but I can see why people would enjoy it. It’s bright, high-energy, and makes me feel like I should be in a spin class, working up a sweat. The vocals are too cheesy for my liking, but it’s poppy and dreamy. This is one I’m surprised made the list.
4 (+) Can you forgive her Go west
олдовая музыка, не затянула но и не напрягла
Ein tolles, melodisches, top arrangiertes und produziertes Album. Es hat mich begeistert.
Nice but only nice. Nothing memorable.
Dull.
OK 80's pop album. A couple of good songs
I was a bit surprised by this album. I would not consider myself a person who "likes" the Pet Shop Boys. But this album is nice and I listened to a few times. Gets better every time.
good enough, nothing memorable
"Very" by Pet Shop Boys, released in 1993, stands as a significant landmark in the duo’s career. Renowned for its vibrant production, intricate lyrics, and bold themes, the album captures the essence of 90s pop while addressing deep social and personal issues. This in-depth review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics **Pros:** The lyrical content of "Very" is multifaceted, reflecting a wide array of emotions and themes. Tennant’s lyrics are sharp, often infused with wit and a touch of irony. The opening track, “Can You Forgive Her?”, delves into themes of regret and confusion in relationships, showcasing Tennant’s narrative prowess. The song’s lyrics convey the story of a man grappling with his identity and the expectations placed upon him, a recurring motif throughout the album. “Liberation” offers a more hopeful outlook, celebrating freedom and the joy of being oneself. The lyrics here are uplifting and affirm the positive aspects of love and liberation. “Dreaming of the Queen” is a poignant reflection on loss and nostalgia, using metaphorical storytelling to depict the AIDS crisis and the resulting impact on the gay community. **Cons:** While the lyrics are generally strong, some tracks may come across as overly simplistic or repetitive. For example, “I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing” has a catchy refrain, but its lyrics are less substantial compared to the depth found in other songs. This occasional inconsistency might detract from the overall lyrical impact for some listeners. ### Music **Pros:** Musically, "Very" is a rich tapestry of electronic sounds, blending house, techno, and synth-pop. The production quality is impeccable, with layers of synthesizers, programmed beats, and orchestral elements creating a lush soundscape. Tracks like “Yesterday, When I Was Mad” and “Go West” exemplify the duo’s ability to craft infectious melodies and danceable rhythms. The orchestration in “The Theatre” adds a dramatic flair, complementing the song’s commentary on societal issues. “One and One Make Five” showcases a high-energy, techno-infused sound that pushes the boundaries of pop music. The diversity in musical styles keeps the album engaging from start to finish. **Cons:** Despite its strengths, some critics argue that the album's heavy reliance on electronic production makes it sound dated in parts. While the sound was cutting-edge in the early 90s, certain tracks may not resonate as strongly with modern listeners who prefer more organic instrumentation. ### Production **Pros:** The production on "Very" is one of its standout features. Produced by Stephen Hague, who previously worked with the Pet Shop Boys on their earlier albums, the production is polished and meticulously crafted. The album’s sound is dense yet clear, with each element carefully balanced to create a cohesive whole. The use of advanced studio techniques and digital instrumentation gives the album a futuristic feel. The production quality elevates tracks like “Go West”, with its anthemic chorus and lush arrangements. The attention to detail is evident in the seamless transitions and the intricate layering of sounds. **Cons:** The high level of production might be seen as a double-edged sword. While it contributes to the album's polished sound, it can also make some tracks feel overly synthetic. The emphasis on electronic elements may overshadow the raw emotional content of the lyrics for some listeners, creating a sense of detachment. ### Themes **Pros:** "Very" explores a range of themes, from personal liberation and love to social commentary and introspection. The album's exploration of LGBTQ+ issues is particularly noteworthy, reflecting Tennant's own experiences and the broader cultural context of the early 90s. “Go West” serves as a hopeful anthem for the gay community, while “Dreaming of the Queen” poignantly addresses the impact of AIDS. The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are prevalent throughout the album. “Liberation” and “To Speak Is a Sin” deal with the struggles and triumphs of coming out and embracing one's true identity. The album’s thematic diversity adds depth and resonance, making it more than just a collection of pop songs. **Cons:** Some critics might argue that the album’s thematic focus on LGBTQ+ issues, while groundbreaking and important, could limit its universal appeal. Additionally, the heavy thematic content might be perceived as preachy or overly didactic by listeners seeking straightforward pop entertainment. ### Influence **Pros:** "Very" has had a lasting impact on the pop and electronic music landscape. It solidified the Pet Shop Boys' status as pioneers of synth-pop and influenced subsequent artists in the genre. The album’s bold exploration of LGBTQ+ themes paved the way for more open discussions in mainstream music. The use of sophisticated production techniques and electronic instrumentation set a high standard for future pop and dance albums. The success of "Very" demonstrated that pop music could address serious issues while remaining commercially viable. **Cons:** While influential, the album’s impact might be seen as limited within certain musical circles. Its heavy reliance on the electronic soundscape of the early 90s means it may not have the same broad influence as albums with more timeless production styles. Some listeners might view "Very" as a product of its time, rather than a timeless classic. ### Overall Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Lyrical Depth**: Thoughtful and poignant lyrics addressing a variety of themes, including personal liberation and social issues. 2. **Musical Diversity**: A rich blend of electronic styles, creating an engaging and dynamic listening experience. 3. **High Production Quality**: Polished and meticulously crafted sound, showcasing advanced studio techniques. 4. **Thematic Boldness**: Courageous exploration of LGBTQ+ themes, reflecting personal and cultural narratives. 5. **Influence**: Significant impact on pop and electronic music, influencing subsequent artists and paving the way for open discussions on LGBTQ+ issues in mainstream music. **Cons:** 1. **Inconsistent Lyrical Quality**: Some tracks feature less substantial lyrics, which may detract from the overall impact. 2. **Dated Sound**: Heavy reliance on early 90s electronic production can make some tracks sound dated. 3. **Overly Synthetic Production**: The high level of production can create a sense of detachment, overshadowing the emotional content of the lyrics. 4. **Limited Universal Appeal**: The focus on LGBTQ+ themes, while important, might limit the album’s appeal to a broader audience. 5. **Perceived Preachiness**: The heavy thematic content might be seen as overly didactic by listeners seeking straightforward pop entertainment. ### Conclusion "Very" by Pet Shop Boys is a landmark album that combines lyrical depth, musical diversity, and high production quality to explore bold themes with courage and conviction. Its impact on the pop and electronic music landscape is significant, influencing subsequent artists and paving the way for more open discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in mainstream music. While some tracks may exhibit inconsistent lyrical quality and a dated sound, the album's overall strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. "Very" remains a compelling and influential work that showcases the Pet Shop Boys at their creative best.
Enjoyable
Another group thst has a very obvious formula but also one thst is quite good
Couldn't get through it
It just does nothing for me.
This was just ok. Might grow on me if I gave it a chance. But I won’t.
Very fun.
Upon first listen I wagered this was late 90s or early 00s, given the prevalence of Super Eurobeat at that time, but these folks broke through way earlier with this. Wide variety of moods, but all over a trancy-popy sound.
Oh shit. Old roommate used to insist on playing this cd before going to work. I’m getting flashbacks of his interpretive dancing. Haven’t heard this since 1994. The case was molded 3D plastic. All the dots were raised. It’s not my favorite PSB. It certainly has a lot of easy pop hits. This sounds like the most awesome Eurovision contestant ever. Feels like video game music, at times. The unapologetic campiness is hard to hate on. Liberation, Dreaming of the Queen, Yesterday When I Was Mad, One and One, To Speak is a Sin, are better now. Having a major pop band come out with a techno-influenced album felt like a real trickle-up moment in music. The club was now on the radio. This record was accompanied by a whole slew of remix singles, as was the fashion at the time. Super graphic, innovative packaging. This was followed by their tribute to Absolutely Fabulous. It was a major moment, where celebrities slowly started to come out of the closet. Wigstock and Gay Pride parades and dance floors, were where all the cool kids hung out. This was the right record, by the right band, at the right time.
Very by Pet Shop Boys is an easy five stars because not only is it an album that brought me near to tears upon my first listen but did so while sounding like the unreleased soundtrack to a Sonic the Hedgehog game.
Love their early music. This much less.
Not really meins
Mukava eetos popn ja discon voimasta. Maailmaasyleilevä ja sateenkaarentäyteinen äänimaailma. Ei voi olla hymyilemättä sekä tarinoille että musiikille. Kokonaisuuskaan ei tylsistytä (joskus tekee tiukkaa kuunnella lähes tunti Pet shop boysia).
Loistava avaus - jopa avartava. Esteettisesti LP on minulle välillä liikaa, välillä ei. Joka tapauksessa levy on tunnistettava saavutus. 3,5
Liked their one (or 2?) big hits. Kajagoogoo wants their keytar back.
I'm more of a greatest hits fan
Album 408 of 1001 Pet Shop Boys - Very Rating : 3 / 5 There hasn't been a time when I thought, "I want to listen to some Pet Shop Boys", but I've never heard them and wanted to turn them off. This was released in the early 90s but it still gives me that mid to late 80s feel of a John Hughes film. Good listen. Won't be putting it on my favorites list but it will pop up again someday and bring that feeling of the time once again.
OK album. This isn't quite a great album for me as it's entirely synth-pop, electronica dance music. It has both 80s/90s vibe and would be something anthemic at a dance hall in the UK in the early 90s. It's got good energy and the synths are grooving. The lyrics aren't bad, but the vocals kind of drone on song-to-song and the tracks all start to sound the same. I'm curious to hear some more 80s Pet Shop Boys. ***
I like this band but this one couldn't hold my attention. Not in my top 1001
Hmm...*another* Pet Shop Boys album??? This seems a bit unfair to all the worthy bands that didn't make it into this collection, which makes it a bit hard to rate this album entirely fairly. It does sound a bit different than the other album (so far) we've been subjected to ("Behavior")--more bouncy, less drab--but I remain decidedly not a big fan of their music. (But I do appreciate that their lyrics are more interesting than many pop bands'.) It's interesting to see the videos of their singles from this album ("Can you forgive her?", "Liberation", and "Go West"), and see how much they were a product of when this album was released. All 3D-modeling and poor CGI animations, although the mixed-live-action aspects of "Can you forgive her?" and "Go West" are a bit more interesting and mesmerizing, in a very throwback sort of way. And it's always fun to have a decent (but not great) cover song in an album ("Go West"). I also feel like Chumbawumba totally based a large amount of their sound off the Pet Shop Boys' "Yesterday when I was mad", so a nice tribute to them.
first few songs soared by but Yesterday When I was Mad caught my ear, as well as Theatre, the next song. After that, the other songs continued bopping along, maybe One in a Million stood out too. In general, not to my taste, and I do wish they would make better use of the backing vocals (Go West felt a little Village People-ish and elsewhere the backing felt a little like a sports chant).
Not their best - far from it! A bit too happy poppy this one.
I didn't like them in the 80s and I don't like them now. Just plastic pop at its worst.
Why is the singers voice so annoying
I find the Pet Shop Boys so dull so this was a Hard listen. 1.5 but because Go west just about makes a 2 but only just!
A bit disappointing... I loved the 1980s version of the Pet Shop Boys but I found this pretty bland. Just a bit of a wash. 2/5
Note: I'm listening to this with dodgey headphones that have to be in a VERY specific spot to play the sound in both ears (it infuriates me) so I might not have had the best listening experience. First song - It's really upbeat! And cheesy. The 'ask yourself now, can you forgive her?' is catchy lol I know it'll be stuck in my head at some point. Second song - These songs seem to just start right in the energetic parts of it without really building up. I think it's alright, just a bit strange at first. This sounds like some song you'd play for Year 5s at a shitty school disco. Third song - This has a little bit of a buildup so it doesn't sound as jarring at the beginning. This intro sounds nicer than the two other songs in their entirety. It feels a bit like a Vocaloid song, if that makes sense. I like the instrumental bit with the strings VST thing. Fourth song - Starts like a classic Vocaloid song lol. I like it so far, but the lyrics and vocal melody sound so boring. The song ended really weirdly and abruptly. Fifth song - This one is just boring. The 'visiting for tea' line is so... Cringey. I don't think his accent or voice fits this music much. And I say this as an English person as well. This song is the worst one so far lol. The constant drums are annoying. It'd be better if it started off with no drums, then they just started a bit later. This one was just generally droning and shit. Sixth song - At least they're trying to do something different with the spoken part in the beginning. But it's just so cheesy and SHIT! Those annoying droning melodies, oh my God, and the horrible shallow lyrics. It's annoying music 6 year olds like. The part where it slows down at the end is at least cool. Seventh song - This one's a little more bearable. I just realised that this is the type of music Mettaton would make haha. Just the most cheesy shit ever. Eighth song - idk how to spell 8th. Anyway I don't know why I keep subjecting my ears to this complete shit. I've never hated an album so strongly. Ninth song - I just want this to be over so badly it's all the exact same bullshit. His voice is pissing me off. I'll give it a 2/10 and leave it here. The 2 points are from some of the nicer instrumental bits.
Not for me.
Pet Shop Boys have to be on this list, surely. But this is not their best album.
The very definition of cryin at the club Full of heart and history, I’m so glad I got this album today! As a fan of 90’s techno, dance, and house music, it’s a nice trip down memory lane to study what laid the foundation of so many genre developments to come. Almost instantly you can taste the historical context this album was created in, the sadness, weariness, the hope and perseverance. This will be added to my regular listening rotation for sure
diskó en stutt í harm og heimsósóma. alveg skemmtilegt, 3,5.
Een beetje gay, maar dat is juist geweldig! Leuk album, knalt er gelijk goed in!! ****
Really dragged by the end. Not really bad but definitely not for me
Pet Shop Boys big respect but you're a Greatest Hits band for me
Not my preferred style of dance music. Would be 3.5
It was good.👍
Honestly this wasn’t a bad listen. It was great background music. Very tears for fears in my opinion but very unique at the same time. I’m only giving a 3 because I can’t give decimal point scores.
Jacob's wrong! I loved this! haha First listen through and I loved every song. Second listen through and I'm still loving it, even as its repetitive choices allow it to slide quite nicely into background music in the back half of the album—"Go West" excluded. You know what this reminds me so much of? Post-Transatlanticism Death Cab for Cutie. Like so much. Ben Gibbard I think took all his pop lessons from the likes of Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode. (On their current tour as Death Cab and Postal Service they regularly cover "Enjoy the Silence.") I don't disagree with Jacob's assessment of the cheese factor here. Historically I'd prefer to quarantine this kind of synth pop maximalism to the 1980s, but its undeniable influence on one of my all-time favorite bands makes this sound impossible to quarantine. And that's honestly a great feeling. I'm glad to fall in love with something today that yesterday might have made me cringe.
Something about Pet Shop Boys always feels like what a younger, more impressionable and maximalist producer like me in the 80’s with access to a Fairlight. It’s like looking through the distorted mirror of your worst self. So lots of projection in this review. Be warned! This is just cheese city. Sooooooo much Fairlight. I feel like in every song they are trying to go for broke, shoot for a hit. Every song. It makes the whole thing feel like wading through karaoke hit parade molasses. It’s weirdly monotonous. So there are no stakes, and there’s no reason for anything. Every choice feels at 85% energy, constantly, nothing above or below. A lot of shit thrown at all the songs. Even the orchestrations feel uninteresting, your ear is just getting all this other shit thrown at it! No! I must put my foot down. This is not good, it should not be on this list. I have to listen to our last PSB and see what the heck I liked about that one! Plenty to dislike here. I can’t think of anything that rolled off me this badly since that one Bee Gees concept album. These key changes kill me. Make me feel dirty. 1/5
... so Very underwhelming.
nice
3.75 Very good, wasn't known very well by me before this....
It’s got fun energy, but the songs all sound the same.
Like their earlier albums more but still 4/5
Wasn’t excited for this, in fact I rolled my eyes and sighed. There’s no reason for it other than an unattached dislike for The Pet Shop Boys… Pleased to say though that this was rather enjoyable to be fair! I’m never going to WANT to listen to it again, and will NEVER seek out this album in any way but it was ok for what it is!
Musically kind of interesting, but the whiny vocals get pretty grating after a couple songs. Very polished sounding, but in an almost clinical way, despite having lots of spectrum coverage, sonically. Go West's chords almost perfectly matched Canon in D, which was interesting for a minute, but then became pretty monotonous (no pun intended) and boring. Overall not really my cup of tea. Two stars.
Not my thing, but I can see why it was on the list. Felt like a very progressive record for the time - both musically and lyrically.
much needed change of pace. not all the hits but a nice listen.
I love some pet shop boys songs and this probably felt really fresh when it came out, but now it sort of sounds like a theme song to a weather channel...
So soft and fluffy. Tepid beats and annoying synth sounds make this a slog to get through. Nearly fell asleep to this boring and utterly wasteful album.
Pet Shop Boys so consistent
very chill
Their music instantly transports you to 1990's London, and there's nothing wrong with that.
couldn't really be bothered with this. not my jam at all. +1 for the lady Di reference
This is like someone took 8-bit computer game music and tried to make something serious. It's terrible..
I was unconvinced by the album review. Solidly meh, pretty melodies but I felt bored while the music bopped away. Vocals left a lot to be desired for me.
Very odd. Sounded like a second hand Wii party game with a British twink punching in vocals. Actually if you take those dance scenes from Balan Wonderworld and overlaid these songs it would fit perfectly (1.5/5)
Whole album felt a bit thin
Enjoyed this more than I expected but generally not my cup of tea
Go West (cover of Village People 1979 song) uses Pachelbel Canon chord progression.
Much more cohesive than other PSB albums. We enjoyed, would be good music to dance to. There are lots of very good songs on here: it starts off strong and keeps coming back.
There’s something about the Pet Shop Boys that really bugs me but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s that they have such a distinctive style? Why not switch it up a bit lads?
Good
If you like pet shops boy this will be good but it's just meh. The last song is actually good
Jaunty
I love this album, and I have absolutely no reason why this should be. I still remember buying the CD in it's orange case with the lego look and feel. I know this album is a big thing in the queer community, and I can see why, but my love of this album is really not affected by that. I guess I just grew up with this album, and heard it at the right time to have it leave a lasting mark on me. I absolutely hate the impact "go west" had on media for years, but at the same time I absolutely love the track. To me this the absolute picture of early european EDM. It is the sound of thousands and thousands of poor people dancing their issues away on any given weekend. The upbeat sadness propably didn't start with this album, but it provided a blueprint for how it would build for the next 20 years.
There are definitely better albums. Just a bit slow for me
"Very" by Pet Shop Boys is a vibrant and eclectic album that showcases the duo's flair for catchy synth-pop melodies and intelligent lyrics. Released in 1993, the album features some of the Pet Shop Boys' most iconic songs, including "Can You Forgive Her?" and "Go West." The album's production is slick and polished, with layers of synthesizers and electronic beats creating a lush and immersive sonic landscape. Neil Tennant's distinctive vocals are as captivating as ever, delivering the album's introspective and often witty lyrics with aplomb. While some may find the album's production dated, "Very" remains a standout in the Pet Shop Boys' discography, showcasing their ability to craft infectious pop songs with substance and style.
Agradable. No es mi favorito, pero le doy un 4 por Go West. Estos chicos se lo merecen.
Very mid
Cool early elements of hyperpop, though I'm not sure they were conscious. The dramatic string synths sound bizarrely dated for 1993. The dance tracks don't take me there. Moby did a much better job at this. The song "Forever Young" came on right after this album and my ears pricked up excitedly, only to realise that I was no longer listening to the Pet Shop Boys.
Synth pop
No le puedo agarrar gusto a esa voz... Musicalmente está bien pero tampoco es un antes y un después en mi vida. 2,5/5 (mid)
Pour de la musique électronique qui se veut apparemment festive, ça me semble très désincarné, peu sensuel, comme intellectualisé. J'accroche peu. Je pense que j'ai trouvé une version anniversaire augmentée ; en tout cas, j'ai trouvé ça interminable pour le concept.
Awful
Boring. Don't like his voice.
Day70. - i don’t know how many pet shop boys albums are on this list but this isn’t the one i would pick
Synth pop is a fun genre, but it all sounds the same.
A dreamy dance/synth pop album. There are moments that feel almost cinematic, the band paints the picture well with instrumentation and vocals. I was surprised this came out in 1993 though, it sounds way more 80s than 90s, in a bad way. The first 4 tracks are very good, Can You Forgive Her? is probably the best track on the album. Then there’s the random melancholy Dreaming of the Queen, which is very British and very odd. Yesterday When I Was Mad and To Speak is a Sin are decent tracks that carry the second half, but god Go West is awful and a horrible campy end to a Very dated album.
Tô num azar com esse gerador. É um popzinho que eu sinto que até pra época devia ser mega genérico.
Yknow I do enjoy this band, but only in moderation I think I liked a few songs, especially liberation
Whatevs.
I didn't hate the experience, but this isn't for me. 2/5
not much of a fan 1.5
Not my vibe...but they have a place in history.
It was kind of boring
Pet Shop Boys are a group where I prefer a Greatest Hits to any single album, but "Very" is a good one all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen even though it didn't really have much of what I consider their best songs. Overall, though, I think it is a great representation of their overall sound, especially during the 80's.
The backstreet boys if you dipped them in glue and dragged them through New Wave. Incredibly glossy production and dandelion light vibes. Ahead of it's time, but the bright lightness is a dark ominous sign of the boyband bubblegum tsunami that the pop factory would unleash a few short years later. A few welcome tastes of the signature pet shop boys speak-sing delivery (Yesterday When I Was Mad) and some nice rise and fall melodies with pretty distinctive phrasing, but for the most part they've moved on from the 80s synth pop sound for a fast Scandi techno pop thing that is really not my thing.
Way more enjoyable then I thought when it came up.
Jesus
probably a 2.5 or so really. could i write poetry to this? n
I dug half this album. The other half though...
I was surprised how much I disliked this album. On paper it seems like it would be my kind of thing, but in reality I thought it was soooo annoying. I remember seeing this in the record store all the time, and being intrigued by its packaging. Turns out the lego case is the only interesting thing about it.
Although synth-electronic-dance (admittedly, best I can do with a label for this kind of music) is not one of the styles I listen to at all, and at times some of these tracks get a bit too frenetic for me, I like the composition and performances. It has more depth to it than other music in this genre, at least to my ears.
cool
Too nasally. A lot of songs are lacking in bass, but that could just be the style of the time. Most songs feel like they are lacking in depth, or like when a kid finds the alternative settings on an electric keyboard and just presses random keys.
Lovely Album
Strong start
Not my thing. Far too euro-pop for my tastes.
My friend had this CD in high school, the case was orange plastic with the grooves raised up. It looked so cool! But I still made fun of him for having it, I was a jerk. It’s not the worst album, but not my cup of tea though.
Pretty good. New wave pop.
Theyre clearly good but man did this drag for me
Actually not too bad but this album was a bit weak, in my opinion.
Fine background music. Not unlistenable but not really enjoyable
Music to an intergalactic masquerade dance party.
Not really my favorite style of music, but the lyrical content is pretty interesting and the music was fun. I can’t see myself revisiting this, but I enjoyed it well enough.
Yup, still into British New Wave. 4/5
Enjoyable.
Loved this album! It's so fun.
Hidden tracks...so '90s! Never been into this lot.
Bouncy and fun, but nothing exciting.
Bleh
prettty chilll
Considering I'm not a fan of electronica, it's less annoying than most recordings in this genre. The monotony of the lead singer's voice wears on one after about 6 songs.
GO WESST
a pretty fun synthpop album. i liked the juxtaposition of the upbeat instrumentals with the more subdued and dour lyrics at points. the production is not my favorite but i found it still enjoyable!
Generic British synth pop, but not terrible enough for a one.
Not great, not bad.
This is a direct ancestor to the 90’s, and DDR too.
Ça a commencé par du dégout et fini par des hochements de tête
Juist. Ja sorry paps, maar dit vind ik dus echt heee-lee-maal niks. 2/5.
Not my type of music, good background music though
Helt avg pop
Some of these tracks sort of blend into one. But there's some great hooks, and Go West is an excellent track.
Ça c’est du bon jam de centre d’achat
Terrible
¿Puede alguien devolverme los 20 minutos que he malgastado intentando escuchar este bodrio? Música muy comercial y canciones repetitivas. Imposible concentrarse en las letras con el horrible ruido que suena de fondo. Por supuesto que los Pet Shop Boys tienen canciones que están bien, pero quien diga que puede escucharse un album suyo entero sin querer pegarse un tiro está mintiendo.
Very vibrant, very elegant, very beautiful, very nice, very regal, very attractive, very lovely, very much, very contemporary, very straightforward, very intriguing, very revealing, very varying, very questioning, very sleek, very witty, very melodic, very melancholy, very strange, very right, very wrong, very telling, very helpless, very appropriate, very gay, very good, very Pet Shop Boys. Favorites: Can You Forgive Her?, I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing, A Different Point of View, Dreaming of the Queen, Yesterday When I Was Mad, The Theatre, To Speak is a Sin, Young Offender, Go West.
I like the boys and I love the earlier albums (Actually especially). This is pretty much rehashing over the same ground however. Just made me put on 'It's a Sin'.
Frenetic. Well done but insistent back beat doesn't do much for me. Nervous hamster.
Ended up liking it more by the end of it. Had heard the band name before but didn’t know what genre of music it was gonna be. Easy harmless light music. Rating: 3.8
This is not it
This is genuinely awful. It's one thing if it's a decent album but just not my cup of tea, this is just bad music. Incredibly cheesey, generic lyrics, overly synthed. I hope listening to this didnt affect my Spotify algorithm.
I am fond of Pet Shop Boys, but not really this album and it's sound.
Only pain!
Unieke sound, deze Pet Shop Boys. Maar wel een toffe plaat
I just looked back and this is the third Pet Shop Boys album on this list. WTF? Seriously? How can that be possible? I have a strong dislike for Pet Shop Boys. The music is not horrible, but the vocals just make me cringe. So wimpy, soft and effeminate. Once you're done listening to this, I recommend putting on Who's Next by The Who to get your day back on track. It's almost a 1 star for me, but like I said, some of the music is okay, so I'll give it 2 stars.
The Pet Shop have always had a very particular sound. Sometimes I enjoy it and sometimes I don’t. There is a longing in their music that speaks to a culture that was underground for so long.
don't think I like his voice, very 80's vibe, which isn't my fave... I sort of giggle listening to it, it's silly -feeling. I'm glad that's over.
A little too poppy for me.
V I T A L.......
I prefer their first album
Not bad.
90s dance music feels about as dated as it is. Groovy but kind of silly at the same time -- feels like the granddaddy to the upbeat newgrounds techno i was listening to as a kid.
Weird in the best way, good workout album with a unique sound. Couldn't unhear the Death Cab singer vibing in the 80s once I thought of it
Godd solid album
Very forgettable. I can see that this album might speak to young gay men, which is fine, there's plenty of albums already with songs about straight young men/ women. However, it's not very interesting/ relevant to me. The songs were very similar and I was very glad to hear the one big hit I remembered, as this marked the very end of the album. 2 stars seems fair, this wasn't very bad, just very dull.
I do quite enjoy what I’ve heard from the Pet Shop Boys. I always think the singer sounds like he’s singing in the company of people he’s not that familiar with and so is subtly trying to sing quietly. Let’s listen. Songs I already knew: Go West Favourites: Go West, One In A Million Yesterday’s review spoke of Kate Bush sounding very 80s but with complex music. This is unapologetically 80 with much more simple music, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It makes it easier to boogie to. If you live in the UK and are of a certain age, you’ll find yourself singing “oo ar, it’s ambrosiarrrr” during Go West. Overall, this was simple, fun 80s dance music. I enjoyed it.
2 - Not for me. Don't like the lyrics and find it all a bit repetitive
I think I maybe hate this. The first two tracks are really cheesy. Liberation started better, Balearic house vibes. I’m really not a fan of Neil Tennant’s vocals. Yesterday When I Was Mad probably best track so far, but I still find the sound palette of it incredibly cheesy. The Theatre is similar, has some decent moments, but then the hideous dramatic strings and vocoder-y synth effects are so corny. One and One Make Five - jesus, this is bad. They turned in a whole song just for the contrived rhyme of “alive” with “five”. So “To Speak is a Sin” isn’t even “It’s a Sin”. Go West is one of the most annoying songs ever created. You can’t make me listen to the hidden track. This is another case where I don’t think this is the worst album out there, but it’s baffling to me as to why this was included in the list. I don’t hear what is essential or groundbreaking about this in anyway. 1.5/5
Just nothingy really, besides about 30 seconds of one track which was okay but I can't remember what it was and don't care enough to check
Quickly turned into background noise. Wasn't horrible just forgettable.
Leuk hoor, maar als je één nummer van de Pet Shop Boys hebt gehoord, heb je ze allemaal gehoord. Hetzelfde ritme, dezelfde computerbeatjes, dezelfde lijzige stem. En dat dan bijna een uur lang. Met een 3 ben ik nog gul. En dan te bedenken dat er nog twee indentieke platen van deze gasten in de lijst staan.
Flink gedateerd inmiddels met de begin jaren '90 elektronische, soms bijna rave-achtige geluiden. De combinatie met zang is wel aardig. Ze hebben een eigen geluid. Maar dat geluid duurt wel net iets te lang. 3.5 ster
Met name door het karakteristieke stemgeluid is het overduidelijk Pet Shop Boys. Het is het eerste album wat ik voorgeschoteld krijg van de boys en ik zie dat er maar liefst 3 albums van die jongens in staan. Het begint met een paar nummers die overblijfsels en b-kantjes waren van hun eerdere albums (bijv nr 2 heeft veel weg van Suburbia), maar vanaf het 4e nr komt er een prima dancebeatje in, waarmee de muziek transformeert naar dance/electropop. Het heeft soms wat weg van Depeche Mode, maar dan uitgevoerd door de Pet Shop Boys. Het hitje Go West hadden ze net zo goed weg kunnen laten. Of het nu echt bij de 1001 albums hoort die je ooit gehoord moet hebben, dat waag ik zoals gewoonlijk te betwijfelen. Maar het is zeker interessant om een keer te luisteren.
First off, love the album cover of just Orange. Beautiful. Not that I can recognize songs by name, but I think I can always tell a Pet Shop Boys song by the singers unique voice. There are a few songs I find very good by these guys, but unfortunately, none of those songs are off this album. Thought To Speak Is A Sin was one of those songs, but nope, different song, similar title. As for the album, I thought it was OK. There were times it drifted into too much disco/dance stuff, but I found it to be OK. I really appreciate the cover of Go West. It took me a long time to figure out where I heard it before and once it hit me, all I could do was smile. Even went back and played the original. Do it. It will make you/us older folks smile when you see the artist. Can't say this is my favorite kind of music, but thought it was a decent listen. I do like some of their songs and Go West made me think of my youth. Not off this album, but think their version of Always On My Mind is pretty good too. I'm going with a 2.5, bit scoreboard will read 2 2.5
2.5 This is much more accessible and catchy than our last Pet Shop Boys album, but really just to the point where I found it okay instead of annoying. There are a couple decent tracks here like Can You Forgive Her?, I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing, and To Speak is a Sin (not to be confused with their similarly titled It’s a Sin) that I feel are ALMOST good enough to put me in a dance-y mood, but they never quite get me there or even really impart a lasting impression for that matter. They admittedly do a good job of having a unique feel to each song, to the point that I almost immediately recognized them all upon re-listening, but even still, nothing about any one of them struck me in any particular way. Maybe Young Offender, but mostly just because that one was ick-inducing more than anything else. Yeah, I just don’t think Pet Shop Boys are my thing. I’ve seen a lot of people refer to them as dance pop sadbois, so it seems like they should be up my alley, but I’m just not picking up on any of that in the music - thematically, both albums of theirs I’ve heard seem more focused on nightlife and hooking up. Supposedly this is also littered with hints of vocalist Neil Tennant’s homosexuality prior to him coming out which are definitely noticeable in the lyrics once you’re looking for them, but I don’t think it really adds to the album in any meaningful way, and it definitely doesn’t make Young Offender any less creepy. I don’t think these guys are bad at writing dance pop by any means - I can definitely see the appeal if I was someone more into the genre - but I do feel like there are much better offerings out there from better artists. That being said, this album prompted me to go back and look at Actually again, and to my surprise, it features a collaboration with Dusty Springfield, an artist I didn’t know at the time of my initial review but am well familiar with now, and as a result, the track is probably now my favorite Pet Shop Boys song. So, I guess you could say some good came out of this after all.
Auch hier hätte ich mir eine frühere Scheibe gewünscht. Zu glatt.
Great - supegreat piece of pop art.
had all of their albums now wish it was more like behavior, but still good
I had never really listened to them before despite their popularity. Very much enjoyed it. A continuation of the 80s new wave and dance that rivals the best of New Order.
2.5. Clean 80s pop, nice melodies. Voice is a bit annoying but he can sing.
Clean, but very dated and showing its age.
Different glad I actually listened to them for the first time.
Seria 5 se não: parecesse genérico em alguns pontos e não tivesse umas 2 músicas ruins
Muitos samples bons e parece uma base de música pop dos anos 90. Mas hoje parece muito "vazio", justamente por ser mt parecido com música pop
Whoops, I listened to their album "Actually." I'll have to listen/rate "Very" when I get that album (or edit)
This one's a surprise, kind of a goofy album but decent sound. A couple good songs on this thing
Just uninteresting and bland techno / electronic music. Meh.
Arvostelu ”Actually” rakastajalta…Miksi ei enää toimi…. NOH.. Lyriikka tarinointi paskoo lahjahevosen suuhun.. Lahajana aina se mitä näille kavereille on antanut että ei PERKELE rupee popittamaan kun ollaan herkässä tilassa.. TÄSSÄ PUUKOTTAA SELKÄÄN.. pikkasen.. Ei ookkaan kontenttia samassa muodossa… Noh ei sähkösokki kahdesti toimi.. vanha sanonta.. Välillä hevonen juoksee liian nopeasti pysy perässä.. mitä vittua yritätte… Biisit upeita ja taas hralla ihanat ihmmissuhderakkaus maailma oma itsyys lyriikoina.. Mutta herra ei anna rauhaa… Jokainen biisi baller.. jokasella stadium huutaa.. Noh ei sähkösokki kahdesti toimi.. Ei pysty shokeeraaman uudesti samalla tvl.. ja virta pamauta uusia reittejä aivoissa.. R&B sampleillekkö pitäis tässä innostua.. Eikö mahtavan neuvostoliiton tuho olisi saannut artisti mieleenne vaikka torvet siellä 90 luvulla joita toitottaa niinkuin Kult bandissa.. btw halusin sen 3 antaa.. lopusss paskottiin semmosta litravauhtia suuhun että eipä tule..
Bad
I feel bad but this is really not for me. I was gonna do a 2.5 because it seems well liked and important for the outing element. But I can’t really round up to a 3 considering how many albums I liked more in the 3s. It’s a 2.4 for me. Seems pretty well put together, and I know it’s important for some people, but it’s so cheesy sounding and not my thing.
An album I hadn´t listned to in full in many years and I had forgotten how much I love it. There is not one bad track on this. It´s probably the most solid album Pet Shop Boys have made.
What an interesting juxtaposition of dance and deep lyrics. An amazing album.
I listened to the Further version tracks 1-12
Suave danceable psb
This is wildly different than anything else I have heard from this project so far. That doesn't mean its bad but definitely a welcome change of pace. It does feel a bit dated though and has moments of greatness followed by things that are not so great. 2 out of 5.
Bit of a let down
A bit whacky but pretty decent