There is something undeniably likeable and listenable about the Pet Shop Boys. Whether it is their distinctive tone, relatable lyrics or instrumental flair, their music is just so timeless. The synthpop duo, otherwise known as Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, have released ‘Yes’, and these further listening CDs are sure to delight both long time aficionados and new fans.
‘Vulnerable’ is tinged with sadness but has a gorgeous melody – talk about easy listening! Emotional and honest, this is a tune that stands out for all the right reasons – it also happens to be one of Neil’s personal favourites from the album (fun fact!).
‘Love etc.’ is meaningful yet catchy with boppy beats and a serious undertone, with lyrics such as ‘too much of anything is never enough’ and ‘you need more than the Gerhard Richter hanging on your wall’ – this is definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album.
‘My girl’ has a cool and quirky arrangement and ‘The Loving kind (monitor mix)’ is a more commercial song, whilst ‘Viva la vida/Domino dancing (Christmas EP mix)’ is a slick take on the Coldplay hit and ‘Wings and faith (demo from My Dad’s A Birdman)’ is soothingly simple and slow.
What makes ‘Yes’ particularly good is the booklet that comes with the hard copy of the CD. You can not only sing along by following the lyrics but you can also find out what the guys think about the songs and the thought process that come with their production, as it includes transcript of Chris and Neil’s opinions/comments. This unique element adds a special touch that allows fans to get ‘behind the scenes’ with the Pet Shop Boys whilst also making for an interesting read.
To conclude, this is a catchy synthpop offering that will keep you humming and toe-tapping to its beats. Its edginess will make you smile, and with this extensive compilation you can take a moment to appreciate refined Pet Shop Boys classics, remixes and demos.
> Hannah Montgomery
