NONETHELESS - The reviews of the members of Pet Shop Boys Community

[vincenzosz]

I’m clearly in the minority but I am not vibing with this album.

The lyrics are lovely and Neil’s vocals sound great (though on a good number of songs I don’t like the vocal stylings).

The production however I think is poor.
Lush is the last word I would use to describe it. James Ford hasn’t done enough to enhance the sound choices and therefore a lot of the synths are tinny and cheap sounding, especially compared to the strings. The b sides sound better produced.
Compare the production of Indefinite Leave to Remain to any of these songs. It’s miles ahead.

There are no surprises here. No little details to make the songs memorable or grab me. Like the little instrumental outro of Was it Worth it? Nor is there any middle eight that is particularly exciting or engaging.

The chorus of Feel is nice, but I don’t like the “laser blast” sounds in Feel, and in general the production sounds flat, like a lot of the production on this album. That and I don’t care for the flat spoken style the verses are sung in.

The Secret of Happiness has lovely lyrics but it’s dragged down by very dated production. It sounds like the backing track to a song you’d hear in a department store.

I love Release, and there is nothing on here that even comes close to the emotion of Birthday boy, both in vocal delivery and in music production. And though I love it I consider it a “mid” album track by typical Pets standards (it’s not something I generally hear get a lot of love).

The slower tracks on Fundamental are beautiful and I’m not feeling the same thing here.
These sound unfinished.

I think it’s safe to say I do not like James Ford as a producer. I’ve been spoiled by Stuart Price, who did a lot of heavy lifting to enhance, modernize and polish the synths from the boys demos.

I am fond of New London Boy but the poor sax sound near the end is so cheap sounding it, again, sounds unfinished.

I enjoy Dancing Star, though I don’t love the shrill style Neil sings the verses.

I like the production of Schlager Hit Parade, but the vocals and lyrics are meh.

I don’t know what im missing. I’m genuinely baffled that I’ve heard nothing but praise for what is the most disappointing Pets album I’ve ever heard.
I thought Elysium was disappointing when it first came out but at least it had Leaving and Invisible. I didn’t think Andrew Dawson was a good fit for the boys and still Invisible has WAY better production than any song on this album.

If Jesus had a sister sounds better, and Neil’s vocal stylings (he actually sings) sounds much nicer and what I enjoy in a Pets song. The lyrics are nice, it’s not my favourite subject matter so I can understand topically why it’s a b side, but this song fits alongside their collection more than most of the tracks from Nonetheless (as do the other b sides).

I’m continuing to listen in hopes the tracks will grow on me.

[Effen Vida]

I’m so glad I’ve held off on offering my own review of Nonetheless.
I was lucky enough to receive Hotspot a good couple of months before release and gave it a glowing review, right here on this forum. It’s since become, probably, my least favourite PSB album (but that’s like describing my least favourite BJ).

My first listen of Nonetheless was a bit of a three star experience, but now I’m into double-figure listens…wow. I’m in love.

No point repeating what others have said much more eloquently, but suffice to say that this album burrowed beneath my skin in a way no album has achieved since Behaviour. Emotional, deep, resonant and my goodness is it BEAUTIFUL! I’m loving how songs I was non-plussed by on first listen (Schlager, New London Boy, Dancing Star) have rocketed in my affections. There’s just so much to discover.

And don’t get me started on this album’s goosebump-generating powers. Holy moly.

Last thing…arguably their most famous song is anchored on a 7 beat bass line, well, this album has got its bass game face on, big time. I can’t remember the last time the bass lines being quite so brilliantly, thrillingly prominent.

Rich lyrics, wonderful melodies and a closer worthy of retirement (but please don’t).

9/10.

[oakey]

I’m clearly in the minority but I am not vibing with this album.

The lyrics are lovely and Neil’s vocals sound great (though on a good number of songs I don’t like the vocal stylings).

The production however I think is poor.
Lush is the last word I would use to describe it. James Ford hasn’t done enough to enhance the sound choices and therefore a lot of the synths are tinny and cheap sounding, especially compared to the strings. The b sides sound better produced.
Compare the production of Indefinite Leave to Remain to any of these songs. It’s miles ahead.

There are no surprises here. No little details to make the songs memorable or grab me. Like the little instrumental outro of Was it Worth it? Nor is there any middle eight that is particularly exciting or engaging.

The chorus of Feel is nice, but I don’t like the “laser blast” sounds in Feel, and in general the production sounds flat, like a lot of the production on this album. That and I don’t care for the flat spoken style the verses are sung in.

The Secret of Happiness has lovely lyrics but it’s dragged down by very dated production. It sounds like the backing track to a song you’d hear in a department store.

I love Release, and there is nothing on here that even comes close to the emotion of Birthday boy, both in vocal delivery and in music production. And though I love it I consider it a “mid” album track by typical Pets standards (it’s not something I generally hear get a lot of love).

The slower tracks on Fundamental are beautiful and I’m not feeling the same thing here.
These sound unfinished.

I think it’s safe to say I do not like James Ford as a producer. I’ve been spoiled by Stuart Price, who did a lot of heavy lifting to enhance, modernize and polish the synths from the boys demos.

I am fond of New London Boy but the poor sax sound near the end is so cheap sounding it, again, sounds unfinished.

I enjoy Dancing Star, though I don’t love the shrill style Neil sings the verses.

I like the production of Schlager Hit Parade, but the vocals and lyrics are meh.

I don’t know what im missing. I’m genuinely baffled that I’ve heard nothing but praise for what is the most disappointing Pets album I’ve ever heard.
I thought Elysium was disappointing when it first came out but at least it had Leaving and Invisible. I didn’t think Andrew Dawson was a good fit for the boys and still Invisible has WAY better production than any song on this album.

If Jesus had a sister sounds better, and Neil’s vocal stylings (he actually sings) sounds much nicer and what I enjoy in a Pets song. The lyrics are nice, it’s not my favourite subject matter so I can understand topically why it’s a b side, but this song fits alongside their collection more than most of the tracks from Nonetheless (as do the other b sides).

I’m continuing to listen in hopes the tracks will grow on me.

There’s definately a demo-ey feel to this album, I can fully sympathize with your opinion. Production wise and because the style of the lyrics it reminds me of Lost, Beautiful laundrette and Agenda, which are EPs I own physically but never listen to.

I have been listening to Nonetheless everyday in the last week, but I do not get the slow songs at all, apart from Happiness which people seem to hate. Bohemia and Law do nothing for me.

Let’s have a look at everyone’s opinions in a few weeks again when the euphoria has gone.

[leesmapman]

After a week of listening to the album, here are my impressions:

I realized something about how I listen to an album: songs that instantly grab me: a wow-song. This album doesn't have the wow songs I expected from the three Stuart Price albums. These wow-songs keep me listening to an album because if there's a song which I don't like (yet), I know there's a wow-song coming soon.

As this album doesn't have these for me, it's a harder listen for me. This was the case for Behaviour too on initial listening. So this means I have to put some effort in and that's why I kept a week for a correct impression. And I must say: the flow of the album is very good. After every song I'm anticipating the next track which I know is good too. So it's all pretty consistent in quality, but also in tempo. This album doesn't have the flaw Hotspot and Fundamental both have the flaw that up-tempo tracks are followed by down-tempo tracks. Production is fantastic, that's what my first impression was.

It doesn't have the brilliant tracks. I mean: it's all very good an all, but there's no Integral, Burn or Bolshy here. Except for Love is the law. What a fantastic song this is. For me, it's a solid album with no skippable tracks and very good for an album. It won't be in my PSB album top 5, but it'll be a solid mid-tier album for me, on par with Behaviour.

[MikeyC]

there's no Integral, Burn or Bolshy here.

I love your taste!!

[Jimmyboy51]

I’m so glad I’ve held off on offering my own review of Nonetheless.
I was lucky enough to receive Hotspot a good couple of months before release and gave it a glowing review, right here on this forum. It’s since become, probably, my least favourite PSB album (but that’s like describing my least favourite BJ).

My first listen of Nonetheless was a bit of a three star experience, but now I’m into double-figure listens…wow. I’m in love.

No point repeating what others have said much more eloquently, but suffice to say that this album burrowed beneath my skin in a way no album has achieved since Behaviour. Emotional, deep, resonant and my goodness is it BEAUTIFUL! I’m loving how songs I was non-plussed by on first listen (Schlager, New London Boy, Dancing Star) have rocketed in my affections. There’s just so much to discover.

And don’t get me started on this album’s goosebump-generating powers. Holy moly.

Last thing…arguably their most famous song is anchored on a 7 beat bass line, well, this album has got its bass game face on, big time. I can’t remember the last time the bass lines being quite so brilliantly, thrillingly prominent.

Rich lyrics, wonderful melodies and a closer worthy of retirement (but please don’t).

9/10.

This is exactly how I feel, while I think some fans of the bombast, they are missing out fans of their more introspective and lavish work will rejoice. I love the way strings and orchestration will surprisingly make an entrance, take Bullet all New order and biting lyrics and then final verse and chorus the strings come in it's amazing

I think the bass and the basslines add warmth to the songs in the same way HF production aided Behaviour and more importantly there are no Wedding in Berlins or anything cringy for me, Schlager is even good !

[StevePSB]

Not voting yet as I need to give it another play. I found it a bit 'meh' on first listen today. Nothing really exited me at all.

First three on 'Furthermore' are very poor. They sound like really cheap demos and only serve to detract from the original track. 4th is just about OK.

'Electric' era aside I've not felt any PSB album better than 5/10 for many years.

Sorry Boys.


StevePSB

[Gabby]

A solid 7 from me. It's growing on me but I find Neil's vocal and that multi tracking muddy. Too much echo on his voice where I think some clarity would actually be better. A good example is on "The Secret of Happiness". Take a listen to some classic lounge music. The vocals are crisp and clear. Neil's are just an echoey mess by comparison and don't allow that fantastic music to breathe.

The songs are good...very very good...but I can't help feeling something is missing. "Bullet for Narcissus" desperately needs more Peter Hook style bass throughout the whole track...the verses are crying out for it.

There's no "killer" track imho.

[daveid]

Not voting yet as I need to give it another play. I found it a bit 'meh' on first listen today. Nothing really exited me at all.

First three on 'Furthermore' are very poor. They sound like really cheap demos and only serve to detract from the original track. 4th is just about OK.

'Electric' era aside I've not felt any PSB album better than 5/10 for many years.

Sorry Boys.


StevePSB

Give it a few more spins Steve and I think you'll find it's their best for thirty years. Love is the law is a masterpiece.

Furthermore - doesn't count but it's lovely to have them. Being boring is a superb reimagining.

[glennjridge]

I love every single song. never really happened for me ever. 9/10

I listen to this album all the way thru everyday.

[Disco.]

Not voting yet as I need to give it another play. I found it a bit 'meh' on first listen today. Nothing really exited me at all.

First three on 'Furthermore' are very poor. They sound like really cheap demos and only serve to detract from the original track. 4th is just about OK.

'Electric' era aside I've not felt any PSB album better than 5/10 for many years.

Sorry Boys.


StevePSB

If you don’t like them anymore, why hang around ?

[mole973102]

Boring. Like Hotspot, I will listen once and never again.

I quite like Hotspot.
The new 'Nonetheless' album I am still getting familiar with. Really like the EP too.

[Gabby]

Boring. Like Hotspot, I will listen once and never again.

I quite like Hotspot.
The new 'Nonetheless' album I am still getting familiar with. Really like the EP too.

I like Hotspot too...in some respects I would rate it better than Nonetheless. I think though Nonetheless is a more nuanced and thoughtfully curated collection of songs, and therein lies it's strength.

[Shopper]

random notes...

listening to this days on end and is New London Boy the best tune of the album?
The money plonked on the orchestra is evident, loving the several flourish across the various tracks
The typical themes of being alone, invisible, love, despair and politics are well explored
the choruses are just killer and lovely melodies everywhere


1. Loneliness - I was not a fan of the single edit. but the album version is well-fleshed out. I love that "When you gonna not say no and make the answer yes?" bit on the song
I can quite relate to the words...as we age, you feel you don't fit in always, but should you simply give up?

8/10

2. Feel - all those tingly oooohs ooohs. such a sincere tender uptempo love song. I prefer the optimistic PSB any day

9/10

3. Why am I dancing

Ever since Left to my own devices, I've always found a song in each of their albums that totally described a timeline in my life.

This was early 2000s. I had moved to USA for work. There in those giant gay clubs in LA where I would often dance alone,
I truly came out to myself and wondered where life would take me? Lyrics like "starting a new life, people I disobey (parents), don't have all the answers, can still celebrate though alone", truly took me back in time to my late 20s!

I mostly love the production esp. the thrilling fanfare trumpet intro, but I felt the mid bit sags a bit but is thankfully revived by the trumpets again. Would love an extended mix of this

9/10

4. New London Boy - This just grew on me and how

I think to me this song encapsulates the essence of PSB. The gorgeous production and autobiographical lyrics about discovering and trying to be authentic in a new space. The rap was such a pleasant and surprising addition to the flow. That dang chorus is stuck in my head

10/10

5. Dancing Star

The most 80s sounding song they have done in ages. I like it as an offbeat album track, but not sure if it needed to be a single, when there were other ace tracks

7/10

6. New Bohemia

This track along with Dancing and London boy are conjoined in theme (escape, regret, discovery) and sounded very Release era. The orchestral bit makes this pleasant enough to not skip

6/10

7. The Schlager Hit Parade

Another grower! I'd group this under their curious offbeat wonders like love etc, Wedding in Berlin, What keeps mankind alike and for that matter Go West. Maybe it's the robust chorus singing?

aren't those baseline bits from Candi Staton - You Got the Love?

8/10


8. The secret of happiness

Full swooning on this perfection. I love it when Neil goes all mush. Love the dramatic lush old school feel and want PSB to do more of this stuff. I would have released this as the first single actually!

10/10

9. Bullet for Narcissus

With India on general election mode, I could totally laugh in agreement at the description of the "leader"

Awesome production with that house beat and those military drumroll effects (which they could have been used more off, esp at the outro)

9/10

10. Love Is the Law

I would have placed this very weary and profound song in the middle of the album actually and kept the Secret of happiness as album closer.

Neil's vocals are really heartfelt at this one...very love is a catastrophe emotional territory.

8/10


This is a gorgeous album, cohesive and well flowing. They have never given any duds, I would rank it above Hotspot and Elysium

[Parkol]

I was just now re-listening to Super for the first time in many months and of course realized how bad it is in sound and production. compared to James Ford's work.
It's just such a different level. How did PSB manage to make three albums with Price?
All those Groovy songs. Undertow, Burn. they're very badly recorded. On vinyl, it sounds like a compressed mp3. I've been trying to figure out why. When they took it to the studio, they heard what came out. Pop Kids sounds okay and it's a great song, but it's overcompressed too.

Take any song from Lost, Nonetheless. The sound is transparent.
Well, at least let someone from Xenomania listen to their Super album. The guys there are competent. Maybe they'll re-record it.

Or was it a question of money? James Ford is an expensive producer and Parlophone didn't let them mutilate Feel, Bohemia, New London Boy?