My review of Fundamental......

[glennjridge]

well I dont mind as I am always for a PSB CD opening with what everyone who has heard it seem to describe as a abstract sounding song. I think the PSB sound best when they do something I dunno,....weird.

from what I have heard anyways,the instrumental promo we have all heard is a shadow version of the finished track anyways,anotherwords, the pchycological that starts off fundamental is going to be alot fuller anyways.

[Janet Street-Porter]

Psychological sounds like The sound of the atom splitting II.

[Deschanel]

I'm going to apologize- I was way testy last night, and i guess ought not to have been typing. Won't blame the gin, it was me.

I'm sorry , re-reading it, it was cruel, what i wrote. I was wrong, and I see that the review gave a lot of people pleasure.

Sorry guys, I do take it back. Forgive me my lapse in couth, i'm quite abashed.

Gaylata, you can still go suck it.

[GalataPSB]

I'm going to apologize- I was way testy last night, and i guess ought not to have been typing. Won't blame the gin, it was me.

It wasn't accepted! Can u count from 10 to 1?

I'm sorry , re-reading it, it was cruel, what i wrote. I was wrong, and I see that the review gave a lot of people pleasure.

Yawn! You are always wrong!! Learn to respect people!

Sorry guys, I do take it back. Forgive me my lapse in couth, i'm quite abashed.

We know!!!

Gaylata, you can still go suck it.

Sorry! He is in Osama crisis!!When he wanted to suck Osama, He becomes in osama crisis!

[Nickname]

I've recently been fortunate enough to hear Fundamental several times. I decided to listen to it in the (still unofficial) track order as published on Popjustice. Below are my thoughts.

1. 'Psychological' 3.58
A spooky and unusual start to the album which is the same as the instrumental promo musically. Neil's vocals carry the melody which sound haunting and mysterious. Has obscure lyrics. The last minute hints at the Trevor Horn arrangements which are to come. The only discernable female backing on the album joins Neil's own Yes-esque high pitched backing vocals towards the end. I cannot see this being a single or double a-side. It's almost the least commercial track on the album. 8/10

Sample lyric
"you got a problem with the reason why
an asymmetric haircut and a painted eye"

2. 'The Sodom & Gomorrah Show' (5:24)
An absolute stomper with power chords and electronics which remind me of a pop Muse! It's also the kind of slightly retro pop song Robbie Williams does. The intro is off-centre with a heartbeat and spoken annoucement before Neil launches into the song. Great chorus, middle eight and amusing and wry lyrics. Great, big production. A massive hit if released as a single. 9/10

Sample lyric

"in the liberated atmosphere
all around me
someone found me
and whispered in my ear"

3. 'I Made My Excuses And Left' (4:53)
An almost 2 minute intro which ends and begins with a door slamming and includes a Moby-esque sample of a male voice singing "I'm all alone again, I'm all alone". Neil's affecting vocals then deliver a stunning Behaviour-esque ballad which doesn't have a chorus. Swirling strings are stunning and a cello like sound carries the melody. 8.5/10
Sample lyric

"in the crowded court of your love
I was now a supplicant"

4. 'Minimal' (4:16)
With this being rejected as the first single I thought I would have something to moan about this. I was wrong. I absolutely love this, it's not vibey but an uptempo, catchy and very PSB track brought up to date by Trevor Horn's production. The bassline is a killer with the potential for great mixes. Great Neil lyrics with his voice sounding otherworldly and strident. The last minute sees Peter Hook's borrowed bass line battle with French Horns and strings for a stirring finish. Love the middle eight as well. Could still make a strong single 8.5/10

Sample lyric (middle eight)
"an empty box,
an open space,
a single thought,
leaves a trace"

5. 'Numb' (4.42)
A collossal epic slowy with a symphonic feel and twinkling chimes like a Bond ballad. Only the melody and lyrics remain from the demo. I love the piano and the slow pace followed by build up and crescendo. One of Neil's best ever vocals. If they want to release a ballad from the album, then this will be it. 9/10

"Take away all the madness
Need to escape
Escape from the pain"

6. 'God Willing' (1:30)
First complaint: why move this Frankie-esque overture from the start where it would have been perfect? I do really like it though and it's epic feel is enhanced by Neil's echo-y backing vocals. 8/10

7. 'Luna Park' (5:29)
A laid back mid-paced song with a massive production. Starts off like Lucy in the sky with diamonds but as mentioned is reminscent of Air. Hook of the song based on a great repeating chord change. Again big orchestral feel and Trevor Horn "tricks". Dreamy Neil vocals about what goes on in Luna Park. 8.5/10

Sample lyric
"And when we're getting higher we're happy
Somebody's eating fire we're happy"

8. 'I'm With Stupid' 3.28
The first single is an excellent choice. Catchy, witty and subtlely about Bush-Blair. Has a repetitive chorus with a great bit of melody just before it gets there. Massive Trevor Horn bangs and crashing syndrums make it an update on the Control sound of Janet Jackson. This will have a great "impact" video. 9/10

Sample lyric

"love comes (love comes)
love grows (love grows)
and how you can give a man any more than anyone knows"

9. 'Casanova In Hell' (3:15)
A personal favourite. A ballad with an brilliant and a very memorable melody. Slow like The Calm Before the Storm but with a surging orchestra and keyboards in the middle and end. Great "oo-oo" backing vocals from Neil. Controversial lyrics about Casanova dreaming of rape etc. 8.5/10

"Back in the library
His revenge is his story"

10. 'Twentieth Century' (4.41)
I guess there had to be a weak track and this is definitely it. Has the theme of not ignoring what's gone before. It's a vibey electro distant cousin of Psychological. Nice production but a quite dreary chorus. An attempt to liven it up in the middle eight and the end fail. 6/10

"Sometimes the solution is worse than the problem
Let's stay together"

11. 'Indefinite Leave To Remain' (3:11)
Another great ballad with simple arrangement including brass at the start. A heartfelt love letter between 2 people. It comes in the guise of an application for asylum. Vulnerable vocals from Neil. With the subtle guitars, could almost be from Release. Almost over too soon. 8.5/10

Sample lyrics
"Seeing you here
You're my nation
This my application
Give me hope
Keep me sane
Give me indefinite leave to remain"

12. 'Integral' (3:52)
The gigantic closer. Think It's a Sin updated and entered into Eurovision. Every trick in the book is thrown in here. And it happens to be a very good song which is catchy, danceable and very topical. Neil's vocals are at their most robotic which is just the effect needed. Orchestra, brass and even guitars battle for supremacy. Great finish. 9/10

Sample lyric

"If you got nothing wrong
then you got nothing to fear
if you've got something to hide
you shouldn't even be here"

Overall I'd give this album 9/10. It has a bit of everything and the tracks are mixed up to keep it varied. It has some of the best PSB songs on for years and is almost certainly the best produced PSB album. I really think the public will take notice as there's some songs which are catchy, distinctive and just a little bit controversial.

Well done PSBs. I knew you had another great album in you!

Neutron

I love the last 10 seconds of "Left to my own devices", I think that's the best ending in a psb song. I would like to see something similar in Integral (the last song of "Fundamental"), perhaps it would be an appropiate ending for an album like that. Talking in "epic sound" terms.

[Very]

I love the last 10 seconds of "Left to my own devices", I think that's the best ending in a psb song. I would like to see something similar in Integral (the last song of "Fundamental"), perhaps it would be an appropiate ending for an album like that. Talking in "epic sound" terms.

It sounds like the end of a movie to me.

[Janet Street-Porter]

It sounds like the end of a movie to me.

Integral's ending combines the surprise of The Usual Suspects and the pathos of the burning sled in Citizen Kane with the relentless optimism of It's a Wonderful Life. It's Norman Bates's 'mother', Kirk Douglas expiring on the cross and *that* ending from 2001. It's the euphoria that comes with the credits appearing at the end of It couldn't happen here.

[stussyboy]

It sounds like the end of a movie to me.

Integral's ending combines the surprise of The Usual Suspects and the pathos of the burning sled in Citizen Kane with the relentless optimism of It's a Wonderful Life. It's Norman Bates's 'mother', Kirk Douglas expiring on the cross and *that* ending from 2001. It's the euphoria that comes with the credits appearing at the end of It couldn't happen here.

Reminds me of the (in)famous Melody Maker review of Performance.

[Deschanel]

Galata, do go f*** yourself. You're officially stalking me now, and it won't be tolerated. Consider yourself warned.

You're harassing me now, and i'd like to have you banned at this point.

In this thread i admitted i was wrong, and there you are being c*** and abusive. I'm no saint but I've been a PSB Community member way before this website, back to Usenet.

You think you have the right to personally abuse me and interfere with my discussions with my friends here, personal bullshit and attacks. i'm sick of it.

I'm going to ask the moderators to tell Galata to cool it or get lost. the mods are great here, i've expressed my gratitude, (Thanksgiving thread) but I really am sick of dealing with Galata on my ass, attacking me, bragging about horrible anti-Jew movies he enjoyed, sympathizing with the London bombers and 9/11..

Ugh!! i am so sick of him and I heartily detest his enthusiasm for violence. Now he's dogging me, and it's going to make me want to never post here again,- i know i can be a bitch- but i do apologize: see this thread.

But I'm just sick of doing battle with Galata. he never shuts up, and you have to try and explain everything in the f*** world to him- and then he gives NO evidence of having read a word. or caring.

Pissed (annoyed) here, I want him out. Anyone else? I 'm on the verge of starting a petition to have him tossed in the Zeus bin- oh, he likes Zeus too, poor git-

Seriously mods, please tell Galata to leave me alone, or better let's get rid of him- I'm gone from here if he's going to be dogging me like he is.
Fer REAL.