As far as this blog was concerned, it was 5 March 2007 when I typed these words:-
I'm coming out. I want the world to know I want the world to know... I really really like the Pet Shop Boys.
For more than two decades now, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have been making an awful lot of perfect pop records with a disco beat. I believe it's now something like 40 hit singles. I fail to see how anyone who is a big fan of bands like New Order or Depeche Mode can deny that they have a love for what PSB do.
I went see them at the SECC as far back as 1991, and it was a show that was away ahead of its time. Loads of dancers choreographed to perfection, umpteen costume changes, an innovative background set that was different for every song and a fantastic light show. Throw in the best part of two hours of great tunes and it remains one of the best live gigs I've ever been to.....even if loads of it was on pre-recorded tape.
The days of the big show-stopping numbers seem to be behind the band, and more recent albums have been a bit more introspective, and, shock-horror, featured things like guitars!!
They've also made some hugely imaginative videos over the years, working with many famous and talented directors, cine-photographers and designers. Oh and they recorded a very funny cover version that hacked off U2 fans the world over...but one that had the approval of Bono.
So many songs to choose from....
In putting together the list of 50 LPs, Pet Shop Boys haven't made the final cut, but if I was to include 'best of/greatest hit' compilations than I know that Pop Art, the 2003 anthology PopArt would have been a certainty. Thirty-five brilliant singles across 2 x CDs with a bonus disc featuring 10 of Neil and Chris's favourite remixes of their work.
I got thinking of them again when I posted yesterday's words about dogs barking, so it seems appropriate to feature a couple of mixes of the song I mentioned in passing:-
mp3 : Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia (Video Mix)
mp3 : Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia (The Full Horror Mix)
Both versions are a bit different and from that which was made available on the 1986 LP Please. Bloody marvellous.
3 comments:
I want it to be known that I'm out and proud as well.
I was a big fan of the PSB in their earlier days, bought every 7 and 12 inch singles.
Haven't listened to their stuff last few years though. Don't know why.
I've got lots of the 80s stuff on vinyl, sort of lost interest when they became a Radio 2 band. But if I were doing a list of 50 great LPs, "Introspective" would definitely be in there.
The are a briliant singles band and a better than average album band as well. There isn't on of their albums, IMHO, that doesn't a majority of great music on it. They aren't always the out there breaking new ground, but they are always making music an audience can relate to, dance to, even remember the past to.
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