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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Leaving | |||
| 2. Invisible | |||
| 3. Winner | |||
| 4. Your Early Stuff | |||
| 5. A Face Like That | |||
| 6. Breathing space | |||
| 7. Ego Music | |||
| 8. Hold On | |||
| 9. Give It a Go | |||
| 10. Memory of the Future | |||
See all 12 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Leaving Instrumental | |||
| 2. Invisible Instrumental | |||
| 3. Winner Instrumental | |||
| 4. Your Early Stuff Instrumental | |||
| 5. A Face Like That Instrumental | |||
| 6. Breathing Space Instrumental | |||
| 7. Ego Music Instrumental | |||
| 8. Hold On Instrumental | |||
| 9. Give It a Go Instrumental | |||
| 10. Memory of the Future Instrumental | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
CD Description
Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe recorded Elysium in Los Angeles; the first time they have recorded an album in America. They co-produced the record with US producer Andrew Dawson, who has won three Grammys for his work on Kanye West’s albums. Elysium features twelve new songs which display a warm, deep electronic sound, and includes orchestral arrangements by Joachim Horsley, Andrew Dawson and Ben Leathers. Backing vocals are provided on many of the tracks by veteran singers Oren, Maxine and Julie Waters (whose long career spans sessions with The Jackson Five to Adele), and singer/songwriter James Fauntleroy. This deluxe edition includes a bonus CD with instrumentals of all the tracks.
Product Description
DELUXE EDITION
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Nick Green
Format:Audio CD
I've been trying to think of which Pet Shop Boys albums are better than this one. Maybe Behaviour; Very, possibly; Actually, Yes (and now I'm confused...). The point is, these guys make it so difficult to choose. But for almost any other pop band around today, you could easily say that Elysium would be their masterpiece.
A group that's been around as longs as PSBs simply has to be winding down by now, trading on former glories - but Elysium sounds almost like a band that's just getting started. I say almost, because while a debut album might sound as fresh and original as this one, it could never have such a complex depth of character (and if that makes it sound like a fine wine, then, good).
I won't do a song-by-song breakdown, as I think one of the most remarkable things about this album is the way it flows together, both sonically and thematically. It's hard to say exactly how this happens, as there are no actual segues and all the songs sound very different from each other; the closest I can get to it is that many songs seem to `trigger' the next. A good example of this is `Your Early Stuff' (title speaks for itself) which kicks into `A Face Like That', a floor-shaking nod to their disco roots with a synth hook marginally smaller than The Shard. Within the songs too, the production is their smoothest ever, positively shimmering with ethereal sounds, and Neil Tennant's voice has never sounded better, or more expressive.
Even songs that I didn't like initially have won me over - `Winner' being the biggest case in point. At first hearing I assumed (as perhaps many have) it was a glib Olympics bandwagon number; but I couldn't have been more wrong.... Read more ›
A group that's been around as longs as PSBs simply has to be winding down by now, trading on former glories - but Elysium sounds almost like a band that's just getting started. I say almost, because while a debut album might sound as fresh and original as this one, it could never have such a complex depth of character (and if that makes it sound like a fine wine, then, good).
I won't do a song-by-song breakdown, as I think one of the most remarkable things about this album is the way it flows together, both sonically and thematically. It's hard to say exactly how this happens, as there are no actual segues and all the songs sound very different from each other; the closest I can get to it is that many songs seem to `trigger' the next. A good example of this is `Your Early Stuff' (title speaks for itself) which kicks into `A Face Like That', a floor-shaking nod to their disco roots with a synth hook marginally smaller than The Shard. Within the songs too, the production is their smoothest ever, positively shimmering with ethereal sounds, and Neil Tennant's voice has never sounded better, or more expressive.
Even songs that I didn't like initially have won me over - `Winner' being the biggest case in point. At first hearing I assumed (as perhaps many have) it was a glib Olympics bandwagon number; but I couldn't have been more wrong.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Most of the songs are classic PSB style, with wisftul, philosophical lyrics, nice melodies and a dreamy, rich, production. Breathing Space is my favourite song and a PSB classic, on a par with The Survivors from Bilingual, with a nice chorus and reflective lyrics about life. Everything Means Something and Ego Music are interesting but not tracks I would listen to very often. Likewise the track Your Early Stuff, which is funny and probably a response to some comment made to Neil Tennant by a member of the public or an unfavourable journalist, but not a musical masterpiece. The majority of the tracks are excellent and these easily outway the less good ones. Two thumbs up and five stars from me!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By BorChab
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm not one of those people who thinks that the Pet Shop Boys' fantastic early output is all there is to them. I find that their career has been one of the most consistently rewarding in modern pop, with plenty of winsome moments in each phase. I say this because a lot of reviews here tend to give Elysium a hard time because it "can't hold a candle to *insert preferred Pet Shop Boys album here*", or something like that. While the Boys' latest offering isn't up there with what I consider to be their best work (Behaviour, Very, Fundamental), it is nevertheless a welcome addition to their catalogue, as accomplished and rewarding an album as any of the ones that preceded it, granted, of course, you're open to what it has to offer.
Neil Tennant has said that he considers Elysium "the Pet Shop Boys' most beautiful album", and indeed, there's a very luxurious, serene quality to a lot of the songs here. The arrangements are more sparse and roomy than, say, the ones on their previous record (the much more typically poppy Yes) and the songs here have much more, well, "Breathing space" so to speak. The leisurely tempo and relative absence of bright flashes of colour mean that a lot of the songs tend to lump together upon the first few listens. Indeed, the only one that stands out right off the bat is "A face like that", tense and busy not unlike their 80's work (those who like their PSB anthemic and dancey, be warned: this is the only song here paced to quicken your pulse). But, each repeated listen is rewarded as the pasty facade of the songs peels away, revealing the subtle production touches and an unexpected warmth that comes with the subdued production choices. Tennant is in fine voice throughout.... Read more ›
Neil Tennant has said that he considers Elysium "the Pet Shop Boys' most beautiful album", and indeed, there's a very luxurious, serene quality to a lot of the songs here. The arrangements are more sparse and roomy than, say, the ones on their previous record (the much more typically poppy Yes) and the songs here have much more, well, "Breathing space" so to speak. The leisurely tempo and relative absence of bright flashes of colour mean that a lot of the songs tend to lump together upon the first few listens. Indeed, the only one that stands out right off the bat is "A face like that", tense and busy not unlike their 80's work (those who like their PSB anthemic and dancey, be warned: this is the only song here paced to quicken your pulse). But, each repeated listen is rewarded as the pasty facade of the songs peels away, revealing the subtle production touches and an unexpected warmth that comes with the subdued production choices. Tennant is in fine voice throughout.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By big JC
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great CD if you like the Pet Shop Boys. Some nice stuff on it. But yet again what always impresses me about a new Pet Shop CD is that they give great value for me. Not for the first time you not only get the studio CD, you always get a load of bonuses on an extra CD and this time it's an instrumental CD of the new album. Some of the tracks sound better as imstrumental. But that's only my opinion. So for fans, as per usul, this CD is a must.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a PSB fan since day one and I have always found tracks on their albums which have been cool, funky and fun. Moreover, every now and again I have been taken back with the more reflective tracks which you know has been crafted with a lot of thought and love for the subject. However, Elysium just comes across as bland. I want to like it, but I get bored and go off and do something more interesting instead. Hence the title ' Come back home boys' if going to the USA produces this sort of work then come back and fortify your next album with more cool,funky and fun tracks.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Are the Pet Shop Boys getting old?
Like all of us, age catches up, Neil is now approaching 60. I have all the Pet Shop Boys albums, but this one has too many slow ballad type songs. Read more
Published 2 months ago by CyprusPluto
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Album
A lovely album. Grown up Pet Shop Boys. Beautiful, can't stop playing this. Another must for Pet Shop Boys fans.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs Julie Kay Bull
3.0 out of 5 stars
elysium pet shop boyd
It's ok pretty much what I expected from the band. Listened to this CD slot since it arrived even my 9 year old son sings along to it!
Published 2 months ago by emma lanckham
5.0 out of 5 stars
pet shop boys elysium
excelente vinilo!!!!!!!!!! siguen siendo los pet shop boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!la entrega en termino y segura.muy conforme con el vendedor. todo muy bueno.
Published 3 months ago by Guillermo L. Giorgi
5.0 out of 5 stars
CD
This item arrived in good time and was well packaged, an enjoyable cd to listen to at any time and well worth the money
Published 3 months ago by Ludo 31
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous new Pet Shop Boys
Great, just what I would expect from the Pet Shop Boys. A good album with a good mix of tracks.
Published 4 months ago by Leaf Books
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
just love the pet shop boys they always seem to make good albums and i have a few of theres now. great album ii recommend this
Published 4 months ago by Mandy-ann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
I love the Pet Shop Boys so would thoroughly recommend this CD. It arrived promptly and I would certainly use again.
Published 4 months ago by Lesley Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
PSB return.
I have loved the PSB since they first formed and own all their music. This shows why they are stll around. An
ability to move and change with the times. Read more
ability to move and change with the times. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Barbara Taylor Jones
3.0 out of 5 stars
Adventurous,reflective,different........!
Often referred to as the third Pet Shop Boy........mainly by myself! I approached 'Elysium' with an open-mind, having read previous online and journal reviews. Read more
Published 5 months ago by DiscJockey
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