I think it depends on what aspect of the PSBs we find similarities with others.
I think that Nine Inch Nails have a similar kind of musical and social subversiveness even though they sound quite different. The technology used in their recordings is probably fairly similar.
Someone else mentioned the Human League, that's a good call.
Joy Electric's albums move into PSB territory though he (Ronnie Martin) definately has his own aesthetic. The PSB influence is most obvious on the Old Wives Tales EP.
Am I allowed to suggest the KLF? Not similar in terms of scope but perhaps similar impact and the KLF and PSB, I think, influenced each other.
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 5:23 am
by lucienchardon
fluffmoln wrote:
"Comparing us to the Pet Shop Boys is lazy, since we're making it very obvious ourselves."
Great band, though. Have high hopes for their album.
They said they should not be compared to PSB because they are younger and better looking, which is quite funny and very Smash Hits. I have high hopes for their album too!
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 6:06 am
by York Minster
Lets nor forget about Baxendale..wait, what? Everyone has? Oh ok then.
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 8:18 am
by Your Funny Uncle
I just typed "Hurts" into spotify search and the top result is a remix by Arthur Baker...
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 9:42 am
by Lucy
The left one looks like something out of Bros.
Better than Love is a good song though, liked it for a while, but I really cant see any similarities to PSB at all! The only similarity is that their are 2 of them...
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 9:57 am
by Your Funny Uncle
Having just given the currently available tracks a few listens I can see that there's a certain musical/production similarity, especially in "Wonderful Life." Lyrically... not really. I do like them, though.
Wasn't there a rumour this was by the Pet Shop Boys?
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 1:56 pm
by Radiophonic
Argh, how do you put a YT on here!!
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 2:00 pm
by Corina
Radiophonic wrote:
Only use what`s after the "=" sign in the URL of the YouTube clip!
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 2:15 pm
by Radiophonic
Thank you!
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 2:53 pm
by Patrick Bateman
Who were these guys managed by again.....?
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 3:49 pm
by Radiophonic
Scary teeth!
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 5:39 pm
by Dipso
Patrick Bateman wrote:
Who were these guys managed by again.....?
Indeed.
Re: Artists most similar to PSB
Posted: Wed 04 Aug 2010, 6:00 pm
by patrick
FirthofForth wrote:
The Smiths
Er..
They're the opposite sides of the same coin, really. I see the list of bands in this thread and none of them have anything in common with Pet Shop Boys beyond the thinnest of sparkly electronic veneers. Whereas by contrast The Smiths are coming from the same place underneath the surface. The Headmaster Ritual is a PSB song. This Must Be The Place I Waited Years to Leave is a Smiths song. The two bands share a fundamental ethos in their songwriting, a common approach to rhythm and lyricism that makes them virtual blood brothers. Call it comic miserablism, and both bands are at their worst when they stray far from it. It's no mistake Johnny Marr wound up on so many PSB records.
But then again I generally dislike electronic music and PSB is somehow my favorite band by a wide margin. All the stuff listed here does nothing for me; there's no meaningful link to what I hear in a Pet Shop Boys record. Whereas I put on King's Cross and Morrissey might as well be singing it. Vicar in a Tutu is a PSB cover waiting to happen.
