Pet Shop Boys Community

Really the imperial phase was them performing above the mean and they reverted to that shortly afterwards. In fact, 1987 was the only year PSB could have had that as by 1988 the biggest pop acts were already younger and better looking. 1988 is Push and Kylie, so even Tom Watkins was moving on. They were never going to have a number one single with Domino Dancing, however brilliant it is, as they were back to having top ten hits like Opportunities and Suburbia rather than number ones.

Heart gets to number one because it's the dying embers of the imperial phase and is the type of pure pop song that they would struggle to write as time went on. Its simplicity is infectious.

By “Push”, did you mean “Bros”?

It’s an interesting one Introspective, I welcomed it as the best thing they’d done with its almost total summary of House music genres wrapping a series of great songs (even though they weren’t all their own)… where as I know that for many (who wouldn’t frequent this forum) it was like a full stop on their love for PSB pop.

Even now, I find it hard to not compare any new album to Introspective. Often unfavourably. Sometimes positively. Obviously PSB are always keen to create something “new”, and I appreciate all the diversions and directions they give us, but part of me is always hoping for “another Introspective”, and seeing elements of it in everything they do.

I was 18 when I came out once and for all; I was also 18 when Introspective came out. The two things were connected for me. When "West End girls" was released, I was 15 and head over heels for my best friend, who, problematically, was straight. (He still is, and we're still friends.) I was in a certain amount of turmoil then. I've written a book (and even borrowed a PSB title for it) about it, so I'll elide here. Loved the song, loved the guy, got my heart broken, couldn't deal for a couple more years. Point is, the video for "Domino dancing" was a little more homoerotic than my then-delicate sensibilities could handle, so I went off PSB for a bit. It didn't last long. As one does, I went to uni, met someone new (who, helpfully, was gay and out and passably sane) and realized I had been choosing violence. Introspective was one of my first purchases after that. They'd already released Disco, so I saw Introspective as the same sort of gloriously OTT placeholder. The strings and the erudite nuttiness of "Left to my own devices" had me hooked from the first listen. It was a very affirming moment, realizing Neil and Chris were going to carry on doing whatever they goddamn wanted and largely getting away with it. It was instructive. Now I'm in my mid-50s and there are about 15 books with my name on the spine. I hadn't thought about it before now, but Introspective ended up being about a lot more than PSB remix goodness for me.

Spittingcat wrote: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 10:28 am By “Push”, did you mean “Bros”?

It’s an interesting one Introspective, I welcomed it as the best thing they’d done with its almost total summary of House music genres wrapping a series of great songs (even though they weren’t all their own)… where as I know that for many (who wouldn’t frequent this forum) it was like a full stop on their love for PSB pop.

Even now, I find it hard to not compare any new album to Introspective. Often unfavourably. Sometimes positively. Obviously PSB are always keen to create something “new”, and I appreciate all the diversions and directions they give us, but part of me is always hoping for “another Introspective”, and seeing elements of it in everything they do.

Yes, Push and Kylie were the big albums in terms of pop. SAW were increasingly dominant and while they could still produce something great like Better the Devil You Know, most of their output was conveyor belt fare. The further you get from the early 80s, the more commercialised and bland chart pop gets. 1987 was the sweet spot for PSB. By 1988, they're already yesterday's men in a way and by 1989, you've got the apotheosis of that bland chart pop with Ten Good Reasons.

I think if Madonna hadn’t released her Latino singles a year earlier, Domino Dancing would’ve had a bigger impact, and maybe charted higher


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I didn't enjoy or admire Introspective on first listen. I found it too dancey to be a pop record and too poppy to be a dance record.

However, I eventually worked out that the common ground was to be found at the intersection of dance music’s facelessness with PSB’s ambivalent sensibility.

I also learned to appreciate how Introspective is so expansive; the track length allowing PSB to take the scenic route through each song.

Is this their most panoramic album? The case for:
Exhibit A) The motoric propulsiveness of I Want A Dog
Exhibit B) The joyous transitions of Always On My Mind/In My House
Exhibit C) The anthemic stomp of I’m Not Scared

For me, Introspective was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The album came out when I was in my second year of college, so fond memories of that time. Also, at that point in time, I was a PSB collector and as a collector, I opted to buy the Japanese CD pressing - there's just something about having that obi! I also managed to get a copy of the UK 3x12" with the belly band (and still in mint condition!). I must admit that when the album came out, I wasn't quite the fan of "Left To My Own Devices". Of course, the big draw was "Domino Dancing", but yeah...this album felt like Disco part 2 with the extended length of the tracks. Reflecting back on the album's release, we were blessed with three good singles and varying editions of those singles, not to mention promos. But yeah...positive feelings about this album. It came out at a good point in my life (not saying that things are bad now!).

I also saw it as a mini album when it was released, or at least something else than a regular album, and the cover also made it distinctively different to Please and Actually – the colourful front and the dark back instead all the whiteness of the previous albums. It suited the music well, the longer tracks made it feel different and darker to my ears. I Ioved it from the first time I heard it!

16 when it was released and had not long started my first evening/Saturday job at WHSmith

I bought the vinyl on day of release and couldn’t wait to get home about 930pm to play it
I copied it onto tape for the Sony Walkman, and that tape was worn out by Christmas!

I wasn’t a fan of Actually upon release and 88/89 saw a change in musical direction - thanks acid house etc

Introspective is a wonderful record. Released at a perfect moment in time, a fantastic prelude to the 1989 tour.

It gets a rotation in this household at least once a month, which is testament to its quality.

Easily a record I’d take to a desert island

The album listening just flows, the songs are longer extra versions so it's not bad it's only six songs. It's perfect pop dance album. It have so many genres pop, dance, classical, house, latino, electronic. It's amazing. Introspective the best Pet Shop Boys album.

Loved Left to my own devices and was working and my copy the 12" version with belly band, still got the album and band btw were purchased from Our Price in Swansea. Had to wait till I was home to listen to it. I opted for this version as I liked the fact that the tracks were over 3 12" "singles" so you could play what you wanted and not have to listen to the whole album if you didnt want to. Only track am not wild about is I want a dog.
Need to dig this out for a listen now, having read thought the posts here.