Track-by-Track: From Please to Nonetheless

[petshopgrrl]

rTack 159: Bright Your Things (demo version) Chronology: Release FL CD1:13
Bright Your Things Chronology: Release FL CD2:17

Soundtrack to the 2003 film of the same name. Elegant synth-pop production featuring producer Chris Zippel. An infectious, immersive rhythm that remains true to the duo's classic style while offering a sophisticated atmosphere. Another great b-side!!!

Surely Bright Young Things? And potential soundtrack since it was never used in the end (FOR SHAME!!!!).

I adore the full version of this - it has so much more drama than the demo. Another evocative lyric, where I can see the whole party playing out in my head, and gorgeous melody.

My headcanon is that the song is sung from the perspective of a very old former Bright Young Thing who's sitting on a park bench in Berkeley Square, remembering the good times. The words "it's time..." always make me think he's about to expire right there and then...

[davidctecno]

rTack 159: Bright Young Things (demo version) Chronology: Release FL CD1:13
Bright Young Things Chronology: Release FL CD2:17

Soundtrack to the 2003 film of the same name???. Elegant synth-pop production featuring producer Chris Zippel. An infectious, immersive rhythm that remains true to the duo's classic style while offering a sophisticated atmosphere. Another great b-side!!!

Surely Bright Young Things? And potential soundtrack since it was never used in the end (FOR SHAME!!!!).

I adore the full version of this - it has so much more drama than the demo. Another evocative lyric, where I can see the whole party playing out in my head, and gorgeous melody.

My headcanon is that the song is sung from the perspective of a very old former Bright Young Thing who's sitting on a park bench in Berkeley Square, remembering the good times. The words "it's time..." always make me think he's about to expire right there and then...

[Birthday Boy]

Bright young things is awesome, and I'm glad that this thread reminded me of its existance, because I haven't listened to it for a while somehow.

My favourite part by far is the transition from the first chorus to the "It's time" bit with that little melody playing, and I've always been very sad that they do not repeat it the second time - it sounds so catchy. It’s a shame.

Apart from that, I would say that this is almost a perfect song, probably album-worthy in my opinion. (I'm not saying which album, because I do not know where it would fit in. Possibly Fundamental, even though I would never want to change that one. Disco 3 maybe if it was even written at that point?)

[rathound]

its decent enough. Would maybe say a bit PSB-by-numbers musically if I was being harsh

[Lleonard Pler]

Very cinematic (only natural given its origin), you can imagine a Bruce Weber B&W video for it.

Because of the sophisticated production and arrangements I'd relate it more to an early Fundamental era than late Release track. They really did an awkward division in those FL.

[Patrick Bateman]

Very cinematic (only natural given its origin), you can imagine a Bruce Weber B&W video for it.

Because of the sophisticated production and arrangements I'd relate it more to an early Fundamental era than late Release track. They really did an awkward division in those FL.

Yes, it's the b-side to Numb. What was the deal with Chris Zippel? They recorded a few tracks with him during this period.

[Disco.]

Yeah, Somebody elses business and London, which he of course co-wrote, I think he was recommended by a German friend of theirs.

[withanattitude]

Easy one of my favourite PSB tracks. It's got such a tremendous amount of energy that it always gives me the shivers when I hear it. From instrumentation over melody, lyrics and Neil's voice it's the version of the Pet Shop Boys I like the most.

I mean, when did anyone else describe a party with this very words:

"Sometimes a party's a port in a storm
No one feels weary
Or lost and forlorn"

[davidctecno]

Track 160 : Kazak
Chronology: Release FL CD1:14

A minor rarity for the group—simply a curiosity. It is a practically instrumental track intended for a project concept featuring Cossacks and Russians dancing to techno, which never came to fruition.

[Capsigrany]

I revisited it recently and it’s rather good. It fits perfectly as a concert intro.
By the way, how good is the Release FL CD1!!!

[rathound]

its a nice little track. And yes they did some really good underrated stuff in this era. I think Release is a more than a little underwhelming considering the material they had available

[petshopgrrl]

Track 160 : Kazak
Chronology: Release FL CD1:14

A minor rarity for the group—simply a curiosity. It is a practically instrumental track intended for a project concept featuring Cossacks and Russians dancing to techno, which never came to fruition.

I like to “sing” along to this one in the car. Must be quite a sight at stop lights. As you said, it’s a curiosity: they like to experiment with different genres. Although I don’t think the Russians need any encouragement to Cossack dance to techno, as any number of hardbass videos will attest. Why did PSB never do hardbass??

I revisited it recently and it’s rather good. It fits perfectly as a concert intro.
By the way, how good is the Release FL CD1!!!

My hot take is that the Release FL is the best of the bunch. Such a fruitful period.

[rathound]

they did those XFM session tracks in that period as well. Love those

[Patrick Bateman]

And the Peel Session.

https://youtu.be/ZMEtjU3J6Uk?is=CYwPWr0lSB8d8x1L

[davidctecno]

Track 161 : A Powerful Friend ( John Peel version) Chronology: Release FL CD1:16
A Powerful Friend Chronology: Release FL CD2 : 4


I prefer the John Peel version: more rock n' roll and agressive. The other version was released as a B-side to Love Life on the Record Store Day.