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Review
It's been too long since the Pet Shop Boys last released a stonker of a album, but the Trevor Horn produced Fundamental has been touted as the one to bring the wilderness years to a close. It's a shame then that lead single "I'm With Stupid" seems to miss the mark.
While the theatrical intro of moody ballad "Numb" gives us a glimpse of the drama we've been missing, it's "Minimal" that really excites.With a sleekness that recalls New Order, it bangs out an electro pulse that even Tiga would be proud of.
But forget everything; as far as classics go, this album is all about final track "Integral". Blistering its way through 4 minutes of power pop, this is PSB returning to their finest, with punching choruses and breakdowns aplenty.
Granddaddies of pop they may be, but they aren't ready for the disco retirement home just yet. --Talia Kraines
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Fundamental is their most complete album since 1993's Very but in contrast to the cartoon pop of Very, this is a dark and brooding state of the nation record. Lead single I'm with Stupid sounds like a lost gem from the 1980s, full of Trevor Horn bombast and neatly encapsulates the Blair/Bush relationship in the line "you grin, I pose", Minimal is Kraftwerk meets New Order and the gorgeously sad Luna Park imagines America as a sinister fairground awaiting imminent destruction. Bonus disc Fundamentalism contains the sublime Richard X collaboration Fugitive.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There was a considerable amount of positive hype about this album and for me this was a little offputting. Record companies and critics often big an album up to prove a point or cover weaknesses in it. In fact the PSB's previous offering "Release" was quite well received by critics but itself contained many weaknesses. All I can say is that Pet Shop Boys certainly know how to put things right. Wow! What a fantastic album. Everything is here, very Pet shop boys, very New Order in some parts, very sad and also laugh out loud in others.
The opener "Psychological" will take a while for non fans to get in to but its minimalist beats and general weirdness is a match made in heaven - almost like the modern harder version of "left to my Own Devices". The lead single "I'm With Stupid" is a little PSB by numbers but the production values are frankly AMAZING. Thankfully the second single to be released in late July, "Minimal" is an album highpoint - very New Order in the last minute or two but also very PSB - excellent dance rhythms, worked around a Kraftwek-esque beat. The orchestral arrangements are wonderous and the only track I am not sure about is "Indefinite Leave to Remain" - for me just one too many ballads. Other than that, this is my favourite album of the year and is likely to stay that way.
The album itself has lots of interlude type moments with slamming doors, background shouting and traffic noise, even a section with a sample from Chris Lowe (yes, the other one!)singing in to his phone on the way home from a night out - all designed to increase the dark atmosphere and present the album as a piece - very much like Imperial phase Pink Floyd. Oh how very very clever - but also very very good.
I am proud to own this album and believe that anyone who loves music and has an open mind about electronic music in particular, should own this very special piece of work. PSB should be proud of their new status as a truly British institution.
The opener "Psychological" will take a while for non fans to get in to but its minimalist beats and general weirdness is a match made in heaven - almost like the modern harder version of "left to my Own Devices". The lead single "I'm With Stupid" is a little PSB by numbers but the production values are frankly AMAZING. Thankfully the second single to be released in late July, "Minimal" is an album highpoint - very New Order in the last minute or two but also very PSB - excellent dance rhythms, worked around a Kraftwek-esque beat. The orchestral arrangements are wonderous and the only track I am not sure about is "Indefinite Leave to Remain" - for me just one too many ballads. Other than that, this is my favourite album of the year and is likely to stay that way.
The album itself has lots of interlude type moments with slamming doors, background shouting and traffic noise, even a section with a sample from Chris Lowe (yes, the other one!)singing in to his phone on the way home from a night out - all designed to increase the dark atmosphere and present the album as a piece - very much like Imperial phase Pink Floyd. Oh how very very clever - but also very very good.
I am proud to own this album and believe that anyone who loves music and has an open mind about electronic music in particular, should own this very special piece of work. PSB should be proud of their new status as a truly British institution.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Psychological"
Gratifyingly electronic and a tad menacing with a spooky little synth refrain just before the word "Psychological"
"The Sodom and Gomorrah Show"
This song has a fantastic chorus, reminiscent of "It's a Sin" or "Shameless" - the kind of singalonga camp that the PSBs do better than anyone else.
"I Made My Excuses and Left"
This illustrates that the Boys can produce really quite moving, slow tempo songs just as well as the disco-based foot-stompers. Like "Your Funny Uncle", it is a perfectly crafted, melancholic mini-opera. Its more minimal production allows the message of the song, along with the wistful vocals, to take centre stage.
"Minimal"
Continues with the Kraftwerk-like vein of the first track. Good, `cos I like Kraftwerk. It sounds both retro and futuristic.
"Numb"
The only PSB album track not written or co-written by Neil or Chris since "It's Alright", I believe, so unusual in that respect. Having said that, it's a very good song (otherwise it would not have passed their quality control). I can see why they chose it as a single.
"God Willing"
Interesting if a bit cheeky of them to list it as a separate track. It consists of a minute of city noise which I'm sure adds to the feel of the album but it's not really a separate song but then again as it's them they're forgiven.
"Luna Park"
A bit REM-ish but that's not a bad thing. Spectral lyrics and an almost Pink Floyd-ish atmosphere.
"I'm with Stupid"
I don't like this very much for the same reasons I didn't like "Heart". Not a bad song per se, just a little meandering. Full marks for attacking Blair and Bush, though. Bet Neil won't get invited back to No. 10 for champers like he was when Tony came to power!
"Casanova in Hell"
The melody is wonderfully tuneful and quite sweet, developing into a pleasingly orchestral, almost melodramatic chorus. They're very good at chord changes, are the Boys.
"Twentieth Century"
I like the rhythm in this one, which sounds gentler than it actually is because of the relative lightness of the music.
"Indefinite Leave to Remain"
Clever title, given the thematic history of their sometimes ambivalent love songs. Seems to be they have a habit of rounding off their albums with a nice little love ditty (think "Footsteps" on "Nightlife"). Nowt wrong with that, except there's one more track!
"Integral"
PSBs do CCTV. The mood and vocal delivery suggests a police state where we are all watched "now we've got the mandate". That's it: DEFINITELY no more champagne at No. 10.
Pet Shop Boys are one of the very, very few artists who have never written a bad song. I don't like absolutely every single thing they've written but not particularly liking a song does not make it a bad song. The longevity of their career is testament to that. I know I sound like an old duffer (I'm not), but I've always liked the fact you can hear what Neil is singing. No semi-literate gabbling shouty youngsters here!
Gratifyingly electronic and a tad menacing with a spooky little synth refrain just before the word "Psychological"
"The Sodom and Gomorrah Show"
This song has a fantastic chorus, reminiscent of "It's a Sin" or "Shameless" - the kind of singalonga camp that the PSBs do better than anyone else.
"I Made My Excuses and Left"
This illustrates that the Boys can produce really quite moving, slow tempo songs just as well as the disco-based foot-stompers. Like "Your Funny Uncle", it is a perfectly crafted, melancholic mini-opera. Its more minimal production allows the message of the song, along with the wistful vocals, to take centre stage.
"Minimal"
Continues with the Kraftwerk-like vein of the first track. Good, `cos I like Kraftwerk. It sounds both retro and futuristic.
"Numb"
The only PSB album track not written or co-written by Neil or Chris since "It's Alright", I believe, so unusual in that respect. Having said that, it's a very good song (otherwise it would not have passed their quality control). I can see why they chose it as a single.
"God Willing"
Interesting if a bit cheeky of them to list it as a separate track. It consists of a minute of city noise which I'm sure adds to the feel of the album but it's not really a separate song but then again as it's them they're forgiven.
"Luna Park"
A bit REM-ish but that's not a bad thing. Spectral lyrics and an almost Pink Floyd-ish atmosphere.
"I'm with Stupid"
I don't like this very much for the same reasons I didn't like "Heart". Not a bad song per se, just a little meandering. Full marks for attacking Blair and Bush, though. Bet Neil won't get invited back to No. 10 for champers like he was when Tony came to power!
"Casanova in Hell"
The melody is wonderfully tuneful and quite sweet, developing into a pleasingly orchestral, almost melodramatic chorus. They're very good at chord changes, are the Boys.
"Twentieth Century"
I like the rhythm in this one, which sounds gentler than it actually is because of the relative lightness of the music.
"Indefinite Leave to Remain"
Clever title, given the thematic history of their sometimes ambivalent love songs. Seems to be they have a habit of rounding off their albums with a nice little love ditty (think "Footsteps" on "Nightlife"). Nowt wrong with that, except there's one more track!
"Integral"
PSBs do CCTV. The mood and vocal delivery suggests a police state where we are all watched "now we've got the mandate". That's it: DEFINITELY no more champagne at No. 10.
Pet Shop Boys are one of the very, very few artists who have never written a bad song. I don't like absolutely every single thing they've written but not particularly liking a song does not make it a bad song. The longevity of their career is testament to that. I know I sound like an old duffer (I'm not), but I've always liked the fact you can hear what Neil is singing. No semi-literate gabbling shouty youngsters here!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Lost Gem
This album is damned to forever languish amongst the variable output from Pet Shop Boys over the last 15 years or so. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Number 6
Music **** Poor audio..... Puzzled....
I really can' t understand: I bought anew this album, lost the 2006 one.
I remember the sound was good. Read more
I remember the sound was good. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lucazest
The best of there modern albums
This in my oppinion is one of PSBs best albums, its right up there with Please and Actually, every single song on it is truly wonderful, the lyrics especially are amazing and Neil... Read more
Published 15 months ago by j
Minimal
One of the best PSB albums. Not a bad song on it. Integral is definitely the best song, sums up the new labour government in one. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by Freddie Savenger
A good album, but not their best
Yet, this is still cause for celebration, since their previous album (Release) was really different and this one finally gave us their old style back but it's still a dark album... Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2008 by dneaeade
Awkward as an elephant
It fascinates me how divided people are over the quality of latter day PSB offerings. To me, there is a clear division line between their stuff up to Very and their stuff... Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2007 by J. I. De Beresford
Two fiftysomething millionaires continue to make excellent, wry and...
The Pet Shop Boys doggedly refuse to appear on any retrospective programmes, any "I LOVE THE EIGHTIES" series, anything that could possibly make them appear in any way a nostalgia... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2007 by Mr. M. A. Reed
Similar
It's now over twenty years since they stared sheepishly in white from the cover of their debut, looking like they'd arrived fresh from giving Andrew Ridgley's shuttlecock a good... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2007 by SJ Søndergaard
fantastic album
I disagree with the reviewer that said there are too many slow songs on here. 'Behaviour' was crammed with ballads and was their best album. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2007 by D. Moses
Too many slow songs & lack of production imagination
I have been a PSB fan for many many years. Very is in my opinion one of the all times best pop albums ever made. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2006 by gnagfloW
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