Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Pet Shop BoysBrand: Rhino
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-06-27
Music Label: Rhino
Soundtracks:
- Psychological
- The Sodom & Gomorrah Show
- I Made My Excuses and Left
- Minimal
- Numb
- God Willing
- Luna Park
- I'm with Stupid
- Casanova in Hell
- Twentieth Century
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Integral
Free Music Notes for Fundamental
Free Music Review: Essential
Hit: 5 Stars
Since their meeting in an electronics shop 25 years ago, Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have produced some of the most compelling pop music ever to hit the charts, marrying dancefloor-friendly beats and rhythms with witty and insightful lyrics. Their latest release, "Fundamental", deserves its place as one of their finest albums, showcasing their impressive songwriting abilities and ensuring that their reputations as the 'godfathers of pop' continue to be well-deserved.
With a remix album ("Disco 3") and greatest hits collection ("PopArt") covering the years between Fundamental and their last studio album (2002's "Release"), Pet Shop Boys occupied themselves with writing the musical "Closer to Heaven", a score to Eisenstein's 'Battleship Potemkin' and remixing other artists, most recently Madonna's "Sorry". Those worried that their next studio album would meet a similarly muted fate as Release will be pleasantly reassured - "Fundamental" is an instant classic.
Two things immediately strike the listener about this album: the strongly political themes running through such songs as "Integral", "I'm With Stupid" and "Indefinite Leave to Remain"; and a return to a more dance-orientated approach after the low-key indie sound of "Release" with songs such as "Minimal" and "Twentieth Century". Enhanced by returning producer Trevor Horn - a previous collaborator with the Pet Shop Boys on 1988's "Introspective" - songs such as "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" evoke memories of earlier hits like "Left To My Own Devices" and "Where The Streets Have No Name".
As writers of some of the best pop commentary on Thatcherism in songs like "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)", "Rent", "King's Cross" and "Shopping", Pet Shop Boys turn their dissatisfaction with issues such as the Iraq War, the UK-US special relationship, immigration and identity cards into powerful, emotional songs such as "Luna Park", "Integral", "I'm With Stupid" and, the pick of the bunch, "Indefinite Leave To Remain". The title, taken from a UK government term for immigrant status, reveals a love song couched in official bureaucratic terminology and is achingly beautiful.
As with their greatest hits collection, "PopArt", the many aspects of the Pet Shop Boys are fully realised in this album, with the electro joy of "Minimal" inviting thoughts of Kraftwerk meeting New Order via Mies van der Rohe, and contrasting strongly with the orchestral "Casanova in Hell" (which song may cause PetHeads to recall earlier B-side "Don Juan") or the quiet, awkward heartbreak of "I Made My Excuses And Left". For those considering the remix album "Fundamentalism", the remix of "In Private" (featuring Elton John), the Lobe remix of "Minimal" and Richard X's "Fugitive" mix all stand out.
The only real disappointment of the album is the Diane Warren-penned "Numb", an overproduced ballad that seems incongruous among the other songs here. However, the album overall is worthy of standing beside albums such as "Please", "Actually", "Introspective", "Behaviour" and "Very". A rich, amusing and thoughtful album, confirming the Pet Shop Boys as one of pop's finest and most intelligent ambassadors.
Fundamental Poster
Fundamental Pet Shop Boys Label: Emd Release Date: 5/30/2006 1 Psychological - 4:10 2 The Sodom and Gomorrah Show - 5:19 3 I Made My Excuses and Left - 4:53 4 Minimal - 4:20 5 Numb - 4:43 6 God Willing - 1:17 7 Luna Park - 5:31 8 I'm with Stupid - 3:24 9 Casanova in Hell - 3:13 10 Twentieth Century - 4:39 11 Indefinite Leave to Remain - 3:08 12 Integral - 3:53Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's experiment in brainy dance pop has been going on for two decades now, and since it's never really been broke they never bother fixing it. True, 2002's Release was more of its time than anything they'd released since Please, but after 2005's Back To Mine diversion, they're indulging in pure '80s nostalgia on Fundamental. The first single, "I'm With Stupid" shamelessly works a pure synth-cheese vibe, and it doesn't stop there; check out the robotic romance of "Numb" or the beyond retro electro on "Minimal." This is rather familiar territory for legendary producer Trevor Horn as well, whose previous credits include... uh, let's see, Tom Jones? Frankie Goes To Hollywood? ABC? Happily, everybody concerned is clearly having a blast so the record doesn't sound dated--it's too vivid and alive for that. Tennant's preening, slippery lyrics make grand mischief of songs like "Casanova In Hell," and Horn floats occasional reminders of the 21st century into the fray, especially on "20th Century" (cheeky, no?). It's not a Grand Statement of a record by any means, and could use more thump. A good DJ will soon take some of this material and remix it into dance floor Nirvana. Until then, break out the hypercolor shirts, drink some new Coke and buy this cassette tape (err... CD, I mean) ASAP. ?Matthew Cooke
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