Smash - The Singles 1985 - 2020

[Electronic Dave]

The name 'Smash reminds me of Saint Etienne's 2001 collection 'Smash The System'...the artwork seems stark and odd

I think singles/tracks released as double A sides and/or in Europe only should be included in the main running order. At least they have been included but they feel like off cuts shoved onto another disc. I suppose running orders and fitting tracks onto physical media plays a part perhaps.

PopArt - The DVD I think is great - you had original Opportunities, Paninaro, How Can You... and London videos all in the right order amongst the main hits. I still enjoy this and its already 20 years old - that's scary

I'll probably get the CD/Blu-Ray only just for the videos (I love Invisible) but already own Discography and PopArt (accidentally mixed French and UK version) on vinyl. The cassette interests me as my first ever PSB (and music) purchase was Discography on cassette in 1994 which then snapped in my mum's Amstrad Hi-Fi its pricey probably because its expensive to manufacture I guess.

I wonder what they will call the next singles/hits release in ~ 20 years time (2043) Finally?

[Patrick Bateman]

I recognise the stuff they're saying, has it been lifted from the FL-booklets?

Looks like it.

[Dog]

I recognise the stuff they're saying, has it been lifted from the FL-booklets?

Looks like it.

I don’t think it has. It looks new to me.


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[Disco.]

Some of it looks new to me too.

[Patrick Bateman]

Oh, that's good. I was getting a strong sense of deja vu, but maybe it's only the odd phrase here and there.

[Marie loves PSB]

I was just after the DVD's. There are a few versions of "Smash" on the HMV Store web-site. I ordered mine from there.

[DopeFiend]

Glad there's a booklet included.

The 3CD/2Blu-Ray and vinyl formats also include an illustrated booklet written by Chris Heath in which all songs are discussed.
(Link to announcement)

And thanks to Wish for sharing a preview.
I quite like the remarks N & C provide. The veteran fans already know what they're going to say, but to me there's a beauty in their words. And I always enjoy noticing the different between Neil and Chris in terms of their focus.

Seems like a decent release, I'm planning to grab a copy.
Again I quite like the art style, the blurred pictures of the duo side by side in different eras.

Overall I'd say they're doing the PSB brand justice with this release. I can't complain.
It'd make a good gift for friends of Pet-heads.

Oh for the days when you could walk into HMV (or the record shop of your choice) pick a record of the shelf, take it to the counter an just pay for it... Remember those days...

Still can't preorder through JB Hifi (the main music shop through Australia).
I'm thinking I'll rock up on the day of release and pick up a copy that way. We can still do that.

[mole973102]

Listening to Burning the Heather (Single version) now on Ultimate Discography...
(On random).

[Disco.]

[misterme]

Just had a listen to Ultimate today. And I took the time to enjoy the beautiful artwork used on the fold-out booklet for PopArt. And then it came to my mind: why do I need Smash ? The artwork is not exactly worth looking at for very long for sure. I already have those songs on multiple CDs, LPs, 7"s or 12"s. There is no extra stuff justifying the money spent. The liner notes look like they're taken from the Further Listening editions for the most part. And the audio is already more than decent on the existing CDs. No remastering needed.
I then cancelled the order I placed for the 3CD/2blu-ray edition.
I would normally buy this in order to be sure to have everything PSB have released, being the fan I am supposed to be. Well, I guess with age I am not a completist anymore.
I am going to see PSB on tour this June. The Lost EP is going to bring new music soon. There is a new album on the way. I think I really don't need Smash after all...

[Old Soak]

I think there's a real missed opportunity to put one over on the likes of (say) Elton and Queen who have 3CD 'Greatest Hits' if they'd made it a 4CD collection with EVERY single - both sides of double A's, Ab Fab, licensed Epic singles, German only/digital only/vinyl only/promo only singles, plus a new track - hell, could have been Living in the Past as it's missed off the physical EP, all in chronological order. The digital/vinyl/promo stuff would make it worth it to me then, as it is it adds nothing unless you want 'upgraded' videos. Could even have a limited edition 5th disc of PSB-backed hits using other vocalists - Dusty, Lisa, Boy George, Bowie et al. The sheer heft of such a collection would make some 'casual' fans sit up and take notice.

[One of the crowd]

I think there's a real missed opportunity to put one over on the likes of (say) Elton and Queen who have 3CD 'Greatest Hits' if they'd made it a 4CD collection with EVERY single - both sides of double A's, Ab Fab, licensed Epic singles, German only/digital only/vinyl only/promo only singles, plus a new track - hell, could have been Living in the Past as it's missed off the physical EP, all in chronological order. The digital/vinyl/promo stuff would make it worth it to me then, as it is it adds nothing unless you want 'upgraded' videos. Could even have a limited edition 5th disc of PSB-backed hits using other vocalists - Dusty, Lisa, Boy George, Bowie et al. The sheer heft of such a collection would make some 'casual' fans sit up and take notice.

I’m sure the complete Anthology will come one day, just to squeeze the last remaining (insert currency/bitcoin) out of us

[misterme]

A simple question: why do they have to include singles that have already been released on a previous compilation again with each new compilation ? Why didn't they follow the logic with their b-sides collection, Alternative and Format ? With Format you don't have tracks that were also included on Alternative. Why is this any different with a-side collections ?

I would have bought Smash if it had been CD3 only. I kinda hate when a new compilation makes the previous one obsolete. In this instance, Discography has now become 100% obsolete (PopArt has a remix CD and one or two exclusive single versions (I Wouldn't Normally do) that make this release unique - Ultimate has the BBC DVD).

[Patrick Bateman]

A simple question: why do they have to include singles that have already been released on a previous compilation again with each new compilation ? Why didn't they follow the logic with their b-sides collection, Alternative and Format ? With Format you don't have tracks that were also included on Alternative. Why is this any different with a-side collections ?

I would have bought Smash if it had been CD3 only. I kinda hate when a new compilation makes the previous one obsolete. In this instance, Discography has now become 100% obsolete (PopArt has a remix CD and one or two exclusive single versions (I Wouldn't Normally do) that make this release unique - Ultimate has the BBC DVD).

CD3 is the weakest disc as it's mostly the singles they released after they stopped charting. Therefore, it would defeat the purpose of a greatest hits collection.

SMASH is a compilation of their 'proper' singles; that's it. It updates Discography, PopArt and Ultimate. It doesn't have a higher meaning.

[daveid]

A simple question: why do they have to include singles that have already been released on a previous compilation again with each new compilation ? Why didn't they follow the logic with their b-sides collection, Alternative and Format ? With Format you don't have tracks that were also included on Alternative. Why is this any different with a-side collections ?

SMASH
Pet Shop Boys Singles 2006-2020
Featuring the Top 10 hit "I'm with Stupid"
The Top 20 hits "Minimal" and "Love etc."
The Top 40 hits " Numb", "Did You See Me Coming?" and "It doesn't often snow at Christmas"
and ten years of shits from the toilet bowl of the charts.

That's why. To make a STASH.