Music Review
Fundamental
Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys always sound like the Pet Shop Boys, but sometimes that is irritating, but not this time. Fundamental feels like a return to form for the lads, a sparkling dance gem.
This is their ninth studio album, and Trevor Horn is doing production duties along with the Boys themselves. The result is eleven original compositions plus ?Numb,? a Diane Warren song?a bit of a mis-fire if you ask me. I get the irony of the Pet Shop Boys singing a big blustery pop song, but it doesn?t really work. What does work is the spirit of the album?it?s about New Labour, the war (they?re against it now), immigration cards, Blair and Bush?the kind of stuff that makes a band tap into its heart and soul and original energy?or at least that is what it does for this band.
They haven?t worked with Horn for a number of years, but it was an inspired choice?his multi-layered approach to pop really adds depth and dimension to their brightly coloured cynicism and fey disaffectedness. The Pet Shop Boys aren?t everyone?s cup of tea, but this is their best work in a while and worth a spin or two.
This is their ninth studio album, and Trevor Horn is doing production duties along with the Boys themselves. The result is eleven original compositions plus ?Numb,? a Diane Warren song?a bit of a mis-fire if you ask me. I get the irony of the Pet Shop Boys singing a big blustery pop song, but it doesn?t really work. What does work is the spirit of the album?it?s about New Labour, the war (they?re against it now), immigration cards, Blair and Bush?the kind of stuff that makes a band tap into its heart and soul and original energy?or at least that is what it does for this band.
They haven?t worked with Horn for a number of years, but it was an inspired choice?his multi-layered approach to pop really adds depth and dimension to their brightly coloured cynicism and fey disaffectedness. The Pet Shop Boys aren?t everyone?s cup of tea, but this is their best work in a while and worth a spin or two.