Pet Shop Boys - Yes
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Free Music Notes for Yes
Free Music Review: Yes please, actually
Hit: 5 Stars
I've seen a number of magazine reviews of Pet Shop Boy's new CD, "Yes," claiming that it's their best since "Nightlife" (1999) or even "Very" (1993). I was skeptical at first; however, after repeated listens, I have to agree. Now, I love pretty much everything PSB do, but "Yes" is pretty spectacular, with a heavy emphasis on lush vocals and strings layered over dance beats, which is the sound that made me such a fan of PSBs back in the 1980s.
The first single is the upbeat "Love Etc." The song is about the hollowness of living the material life without love; certainly a well-worn topic, but the boys manage to craft a solid single. The song has a catchy if repetitive chorus - You need more/ you need more/ you need more/ you need loooooove. I prefer the verses, with background singers chanting phrases like "don't have to have" leading into Neil enumerating various trappings of money, such as "a house in Beverly Hills." I have to admit that I don't find "Love Etc." to be the most original PSB single, but I do like it. In the U.K., the boys continue to have solid success. "Love Etc." debuted at #14 on the singles charts, continuing their trend of top 20 hits (only two of their singles have ever peaked lower - "Was It Worth It" in 1991 and "Numb" in 2006).
My favorite song on "Yes" is the lush, mid-tempo "King of Rome," which reminds me of some of their slower moments from the "Behaviour" era, such as "Only the Wind" or "To Face the Truth." The melody is beautiful and Neil's vocals positively throb with melancholia. I also love the danceable "All Over the World," which is probably the most stereotypically PSB song on the CD. Sampling Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," the song is upbeat, joyous, and a bit over the top in the tradition of other great PSB anthems. It's another one of their (very successful) attempts to put "Debussy to a disco beat" - well in this case it's Tchaikovsky. The third song I'd like to highlight is "Beautiful People." Not many fans seem to be talking about this song, but I think it's an amazing track. Neil's vocals have rarely sounded better, and the song is fresh while also blending perfectly into the other material on "Yes." By the way, the second single is rumored to be the extremely chipper "Did You See Me Coming?" which features a very catchy chorus, although it's not one of my favorite songs.
Much has been made of the fact that "Yes" was co-produced by British hit-meisters Xenophobia (Sugababes, Girls Aloud). I honestly don't know enough about their work to know how much "Yes" sounds like their typical output. However, "Yes" sounds like a great PSB CD, so fans needn't worry that "Yes" tries too hard to sound ultra-current. In fact, "Yes" most reminds me of 1990s "Behaviour," which also happens to be one of my favorite PSB CDs. Neil and Chris have never, imo, put out a bad CD, so I knew I'd like "Yes." However, I'm finding that I'm listening to and enjoying it far more than I did "Fundamental" and "Release."
The second disk ("Etc.") contains remixes of several songs from "Yes" (More Than a Dream, Pandemonium, The Way It Used to Be, All Over the World, Vulnerable, Love Etc.) and one new song. The remixes are uniformly good and quite varied. The new song is "This Used to be the Future," which according to some sources was originally scheduled to be included on "Yes." It would have sounded right at home, although it's a bit more electro than some of the other music. The song features vocals by Neil and Chris as well as Phil Oakey of Human League! They sound great on the song, giving it a weird futuristic feeling. The higher purchase price for the two-disk "Yes Etc." is well worth it.
Free Music Review: Another edition to their fine "Legacy"...
Hit: 5 Stars
I got on Amazon.com to look for a long-lost Pet Shop Boys CD single ("Was It Worth It?", with the "Miserablism" Electro Remix by Moby), when I saw the advertisement for "Yes!" As a fan since 1986, I was giddy. The Boys have only let me down once, with "Bilingual", though even that one has grown on me over time and proven to be a masterpiece(the re-release with the bonus material really helped).
I think Tennant and Lowe have been making excellent music since the get-go, and "Yes" continues to pass the torch. At first it wasn't what I was expecting...it wasn't until "More Than a Dream" that a big goofy grin spread across my face and that familiar joy bubbled up inside me - the Boys are back in town! "King of Rome" made me pause and look wistfully off into the distance as I felt the soulful and heartfelt vibrations of Tennant's masterful falsetto and the rich percussions wash over me..."The Way It Used to Be" is another high point, poppy and driving. By the time the album was over, I was ready to hear it again - each listen deepens my appreciation. I realize now why I like them so much - they are not afraid to transform their sound and explore new musical territories. At their very core, these are two intelligent, clever, talented guys who make great electronic music with thought-provoking, at times ironic, at times poetic, lyrics. They are good at what they do, and they enjoy it, and it shows!
I sense some double meanings in "Legacy"...I hope they are not saying goodbye in that song ("Look at me / I'm so over it"). I sincerely hope there are more albums left in this dynamic duo.
A few more things...the bonus disk is AWESOME! First "Night Life", then "Relentless", and finally "Fundamental" have each had explosive bonus material that expands the experience of the original album - a two-for-one I wouldn't miss. "Yes" is no exception. "This Used to Be the Future" is the most poignant techno song I have ever heard - like a pop song from a Bladerunner-esque future. At first I thought Neil and Chris were finally doing a duet, but now I hear its the dude from Human League ("Don't You Want Me, Baby?"). This track alone is worth the price of admission. I think they put it on the bonus disk to prevent it from overshadowing the album tracks. Each subsequent dub remix that follows gets better and better..."Pandemonium - Stars and Sun Dub" bears an immediate re-listen after the first hearing. The disk culminates with the "Love, Etc" mix. This is a hard disk to remove from my player!
Just what I needed to start my summer - fresh new music from one of the most talented and seasoned musicians out there today - thank you Chris and Neil here's to many more!
Free Music Review: Where have they been?
Hit: 5 Stars
Got the album today on special order at my local HMV in Montreal, after discovering the domestic instore release of it in Quebec & probably most of Canada too, has been delayed twice. No word as to when the stores will actually have it. My CD is the glossy black limited edition digipak, which was made in Holland.
The album is beautiful, sexy and is exactly what I was expecting. "Release" and "Fundamental" didn't work well with my likes, although, at times, there were some good moments. Where have these guys been? I'm glad they're back with a new album instead of remixing & re-releasing old stuff. Am I right?
The fresh new sound, mixed with many remnants of their fabulous orchestral arrangements, sexy, sweeping & rolling sound...is presented in a brilliant double album. What a treat! "Yes, etc" is definitely NOT a waste of money. Neil's voice is crystal clear and he sounds good as ever.
Chris Lowe's keyboard & programming is and always be outstanding. This album is definitely an Essential gem & addition to your PSB collection, hands down. Glad to know Johnny Marr is back with them, on guitars. Goes to show how excellent work can be created when collaborating with the right minds.
Sound quality is excellent and the Xenomania remixes are perfect. I'm familiar with some of Xenomania's work when they remixed Sarah Brightman's "Who Wants To Live Forever". Of course, since then, his remixing has progressed, and it's a real treat to see how well PSB's sexy sound has been integrated into his remixing brilliance.
As for the packaging....well, the discs are subject to scratches & wear, for there aren't any sleeves to put them in prior to sliding 'em in and out of the digipak. So, just be careful & find some way of protecting them without marking the playing surfaces beyond playability. With that said, I still think this special edition digipak is much more attractive than the standard 1-disc, white jewel-case version. Regardless which edition you get, buy the album and you'll enjoy it without a doubt.
Free Music Review: Great collection op pop songs
Hit: 5 Stars
Van het nieuwe album Yes van het poppy synthpopduo Pet Shop Boys heb ik de luxe versie met de bonus disc Etc. gekocht. In 2003 had ik de Pop-Art-Mix 3CD set gekocht als een compilatie van hits en voorbije jaren, niet met de verwachting, dat Neil Tennant en Chris Lowe anno 2009 zouden terugkeren met een kanjer van een popalbum. Herkenbare tunes, zoals in de opener en eerste single Love Etc., het dansbare All Over The World, dat speelt met de Notenkraker van Tchaikovsky. Love Etc gaat over de leegte van een materieel ingesteld leven zonder liefde. Genoeg herkenning voor de 80's minded, zoals in de discotrack Did You See Me Coming?, Beautiful People en Vulnerable. Hoewel Brian Higgins / Xenomania (Sugababes, Girls Aloud) voor de samenwerking was gezocht en drie songs samen werden geschreven, klinken Pet Shop Boys en niet als onnodig modern opgepoetst. More Than A Dream start wat meer electro, maar kickt door in een lekkere dans/klap ritme, dat overigens wel uitnodigt om te mixen al dan niet in een hoger tempo. Na het vette Building a Wall is het mid-tempo King of Rome absoluut indrukwekkend. Het als eerste song voor dit album geschreven Pandemonium is weer up-tempo, terwijl The Way It Used To Be een perfecte synthpop song is met vocale inbreng van Carla Marie Williams. Met Legacy (aan alles komt een eind, je moet ermee leren leven) sluit deze krachtige come-back af. Op de bonus disc staat één nieuwe song, het electronica getinte This used to be the future, waarop Philip Oakey (The Human League) meezingt. Met de dubmixen van de hand van Xenomenia en Pet Shop Boys van nummers van Yes vormt dit een aantrekkelijk aanbod om de 'gewone' albumversie te laten liggen: een funky versie van More Than a Dream, electronica varianten van Pandemonium en be the future en The way it used to be. De Notenkraker komt uitgebreid aan bod in de This is a dub versie van All Over The World. Ook de Public Eye dub van Vulnerable en de Beautiful Dub van Love etc. mogen er zijn. "A group of quite poppy songs", zoals de heren zelf in de online bonus area vertellen.Free Music Review: True To Form
Hit: 5 Stars
What can I say? This latest outing by the Pet Shop Boys deserves more than 5 stars. "Yes" is true pop perfection at its finest, and the Boys haven't lost their touch in over 20 years.
You know, it amazes me how these guys continuously put out excellent music. They are probably one of the few bands out there who remain consistent and true to their roots. Unlike other artists (Morrissey and Depeche Mode come to mind), the PSB never forgot where they came from.
I am in total awe over this album, and it really should be the Album of The Year. "Love Etc." is just a perfect single. What a way to begin this Magnum Opus...a melodious hook, great echoing chorus, and just a nice beat. The political undertones that the PSB are famous for evoking are ever-present on this awesome track. The remainder of the album just synchronously flows, never losing its touch. Exceptional stand-outs include "Did You See Me Coming," "Vulnerable," "More Than A Dream," and "Pandemonium." Although "Legacy" is the least dancey of all the tracks, it works as a great closer.
Oh, and I HIGHLY recommend buying the Limited Edition 2-Disc set. "This Used To Be The Future" is a great track, featuring Philip Oakey from The Human League. The PSB made such an intelligent choice for collaborating with this pioneer of synth pop. Awesome voice from another seminal band, and I hope they come out with a new album also. In my opinion, the "All Over The World" mix on that second CD takes the cake. What a pulsing rhythm! You gotta buy this album. I can't praise it enough, and the PSB totally deserved the 2009 Brit Award.
As evidenced on this album, the Pet Shop Boys are definitely not done yet. They're still adding to their legacy. Let's hope for many more years of great music from these Boys! YES!