3rd B-sides Compilation

[Leonidas]

Still think we’ll see a compilation that brings both alternative AND format together to bring it all up to date as one big b-side collection.

Six cds. 10 lp. Box set. Called something like “additional”.
This way you have Smash with all the a sides and “Additional” with all the b-sides and bonus tracks.

My heart says "Yes", my wallet says "No"

You bought the tea set!!

[Gabby]

Still think we’ll see a compilation that brings both alternative AND format together to bring it all up to date as one big b-side collection.

Six cds. 10 lp. Box set. Called something like “additional”.
This way you have Smash with all the a sides and “Additional” with all the b-sides and bonus tracks.

My heart says "Yes", my wallet says "No"

You bought the tea set!!

Exactly

[daveid]

What does it feel like having a cup of tea from the PSB tea set?
Nothing, really. It feels like having a number one.

[petshopgrrl]

What does it feel like having a cup of tea from the PSB tea set?
Nothing, really. It feels like having a number one.

Drink enough tea and you WILL want to have a number one...

[bongsteve]

Assuming they omit the various tracks that are dubious b-sides eg My girl, West End girls (lockdown version), Left to my own devices (Super version), etc. then they have just the right number for two 74 minute sides. Fugitive is also a dubious one but we include this as Neil himself did when discussing a prospective third volume.

Pet Shop Boys – Reserve – The bonus tracks 2009-2024

Disc 1 09-16

01. Fugitive (7-inch mix) 3:31 2009
02. Glad all over 3:25 2010
03. I cried for us 3:47 2010
04. A certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ 4:57 2012
05. The way through the woods (long version) 5:41 2012
06. I started a joke 3:16 2012
07. Hell 3:35 2012
08. In his imagination 4:56 2012
09. Baby (demo) 3:45 2012
10. Listening 4:19 2012
11. One night 4:05 2012
12. Inside 2:53 2012
13. Entschuldigung! 5:03 2013
14. Get it online 3:36 2013
15. No more ballads 3:44 2013
16. Odd man out 3:46 2013
17. In bits 3:32 2016
18. One-hit wonder 3:21 2016
19. The white dress 3:33 2016

74:42

Disc 2 16-24

01. Wiedersehen 4:16 2016
02. A cloud in a box 4:09 2016
03. The dead can dance 2:57 2016
04. An open mind 3:52 2019
05. No boundaries 3:38 2019
06. Decide 4:49 2019
07. At rock bottom 3:17 2020
08. New boy 4:11 2020
09. Party in the Blitz 3:09 2024
10. Through you (extended mix) 7:01 2024
11. Sense of time 4:10 2024
12. If Jesus had a sister 4:12 2024
13. It’s not a crime 3:17 2024
14. I’ve got plans (involving you) 4:27 2024
15. Everybody will dance 4:35 2024
16. Schlager-Hitparade (Deutsches demo) 3:08 2024
17. Beauty has laid siege to the city 6:35 2024
18. Clean Air Hybrid Electric Bus 3:03 2024

74:43

There would be 1-2 solid albums from those b-sides.

[boyjohn]

I think the third set would actually be better than the second, though not quite up to the first. Really amazing that they continue to put out "additional content" in such quantity and quality.

[canveyboy]

There won’t be any more b-sides compilations. PSB have now resorted to compiling b-sides onto Further Listening editions so putting them on another album either before or after they appear on FL would be pointless. Add to that the availability of every b-side on streaming services it just renders another album redundant. Having said all that it would still be nice to have them all tucked up into one place!

[leesmapman]

There won’t be any more b-sides compilations. PSB have now resorted to compiling b-sides onto Further Listening editions so putting them on another album either before or after they appear on FL would be pointless. Add to that the availability of every b-side on streaming services it just renders another album redundant. Having said all that it would still be nice to have them all tucked up into one place!

Except that Format came out after the first batch of Further Listenings.

[minimal]

And except that PSB fans will buy nonetheless - especially when it’s out on vinyl.

m+

[negative_0ne]

There won’t be any more b-sides compilations. PSB have now resorted to compiling b-sides onto Further Listening editions so putting them on another album either before or after they appear on FL would be pointless. Add to that the availability of every b-side on streaming services it just renders another album redundant. Having said all that it would still be nice to have them all tucked up into one place!

maybe not.

but at this point, with them putting out so much material.

they will need more after this release cycle.

i skipped the 2nd b-side compilation, because i didn't care for most of those songs.

but these, have a lot better quality, and would definitely pick this up.

later
||| | | |
n egative1

[Dog]

I am sure any new b-sides compilation would also see Alternative and Format rereleased at the same time, with Format appearing on Vinyl for the first time.

[jasonjohn]

at some point maybe even an all-in-one collection?

[telys]

I am sure any new b-sides compilation would also see Alternative and Format rereleased at the same time, with Format appearing on Vinyl for the first time.

A compilation like that on vinyl, why? It would just be a chunk of discs without cohesion. That's why CD is relevant. For large compilations like that.

[daveid]

I reckon the next will either be a six disc set with all the b-sides or a two-disc of the last 15 years but not in release order. I find it hard to believe they'd start of a compilation with all those cover versions.

[Drico One]

I reckon the next will either be a six disc set with all the b-sides or a two-disc of the last 15 years but not in release order. I find it hard to believe they'd start of a compilation with all those cover versions.

Especially as they largely mislaid their genius with a cover version 30 years ago. Their imperial covers were magical - totally transforming and inhabiting "classic" songs as to almost squat in their foundations. Always on my mind, Go West, and Where the streets have no name/Can't be bothered to type the rest for you were examples of flair, wit, playfulness, and originality. Somewhere was a poor simulacrum of those traits, and I haven't genuinely loved a PSB cover in the same way since. All the young dudes has grown tremendously on me - I like it - but it's a tepid reproduction in comparison to the scene stealers of the past. With two of the three imperial covers, some people were offended. This was marvelous. Pompous rockists had their sacred cows slaughtered in full public view. The third cover touched the zeitgeist. All three remade the original songs in a brand new quintessentially Pet Shop Boys' way. If people are offended by the modern covers, it's because they are so bland and safe.

There was nothing safe about retooling Elvis, exploding U2's insufferable self-importance and fake sincerity, or in even doing a Village People cover. Always on my mind was overwrought, overemotional, and dull - so Neil deadpanned and let Chris run wild with the synthline. Where the streets was pompously credible, so Neil and Chris made it pompously incredible. Go West was about escaping to California. Neil and Chris had it invaded by the Soviet Union.

I think more recent covers have been too respectful. Dudes is an homage rather than a critique. That's fine. I just think they are at their best when opposing something. It brings the worst out in them in the very best sense.

That said, I do like I cried for us - which pretty much undermines the entire screed I have pecked out above.

Drico.