Pet Shop Boys Community

I've finally given in and listened to the clips for 'Fundamental'. For ages, I've read that certain fans aren't happy with certain songs including 'Casanova In Hell'?!!!!

I will never, EVER, listen to a PSB fan's opinion on this board regarding PSB work again. (I know, I'm giving my opinion)

I am absolutely gobsmacked how good this album is. GOBSMACKED!! 'Sodom', 'Integral' and 'Casanova In Hell' have jumped right into my PSB top ten of all time. I haven't experienced surprised joy like this since I first heard 'It's A Sin'. I ABSOLUTELY cannot fathom why certain fans do not like those songs. There's 'each to their own' and there's being downright absurd.

I am overjoyed with this album. Haven't heard 'The Ressurectionist' yet but I hope it has an exceedingly high standard like the album.

The only track I don't like is Twentieth Century.
It is a very strong album!

! wrote:The only track I don't like is Twentieth Century.
It is a very strong album!

You're off your barnet!

Monty-- wrote:

! wrote:The only track I don't like is Twentieth Century.
It is a very strong album!

You're off your barnet!

Why?

Did I not say it is a very strong album? and even tho I don't like that track, I think it goes well with the album.

The Resurrectionist and Girls Don't Cry are waaay better IMO

I agree monty, I've been a big fan since the first issue of Please and I admit Integral blew my mind. I also believe Numb to be fantastic as well.

I also love the way they have gone back to doing extended vocal mixes and b-side mixes.

I'm Looking forward to the 2CD Album and next single, can't wait.

As I have said before Thats the trouble with PSB fans there Fickle give them an inch they want a yard..I will say that this is the Boys back to being Pet Shop Boys this is a great Album as Chris said " I don't think we are Eighties enough",.

Monty-- wrote:
I am absolutely gobsmacked how good this album is. GOBSMACKED!! 'Sodom', 'Integral' and 'Casanova In Hell' have jumped right into my PSB top ten of all time. I haven't experienced surprised joy like this since I first heard 'It's A Sin'. I ABSOLUTELY cannot fathom why certain fans do not like those songs. There's 'each to their own' and there's being downright absurd.

Amen to that. In my (not at all) humble opinion, "Fundamenta"l is a triumphant return to form. I just hope it's an album that ages well. The three songs you mention plus "Indefinite leave to remain" (and possibly "Minimal") are all instant classics in my book.

It already sounds dated and it sounds excellent.
It will age fantastically.

This is all sounding too good ... I can't wait to slap the cd into my player and play it fully from start to finish in a darkened room ... twice! ... just like I used to do with all new PSB releases back in the day.

A question for those who have heard the album - do you think Fundamental would be as strong an album without Trevor Horns production - i.e. do you think it's the songwriting or the production that makes this album as good as it seems to be?

Rashomon

I think when discussing the merits of Fundamental, you cannot separate Trevor Horn from the equation. It's almost like there has been a third Pet Shop Boy for this project. His influence is absolutely all over the album.

In my opinion Neil and Chris's best production work is always for other people, and the best Pet Shop Boys records are the ones produced, or at least co-produced, with someone else - usually Horn or Hague.

And I don't think The Resurrectionist would fit on Fundamental at all. It would stick out like a sore thumb. As Neil said (to paraphrase ) "We've made a great Pet Shop Boys record, but it's also a great Trevor Horn record."

rashomon wrote:This is all sounding too good ... I can't wait to slap the cd into my player and play it fully from start to finish in a darkened room ... twice! ... just like I used to do with all new PSB releases back in the day.

That's exactly what I did. You've really got something to look forward to.

rashomon wrote: A question for those who have heard the album - do you think Fundamental would be as strong an album without Trevor Horns production - i.e. do you think it's the songwriting or the production that makes this album as good as it seems to be?

Rashomon

It's the combination of the two. The song writing is easily their best since "Very", and Horn's production is quite simply magnificent.