I feel numb now too
Westley | Stuck in my head | 07/17/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
""Numb" was the third single off the Pet Shop Boy's amazing "Fundamental" CD. That CD is filled with brilliant dance and pop music, and I loved the first two singles ("I'm with Stupid," "Minimal"). On the other hand, we have "Numb", which is perhaps best known among PSB fans because it wasn't written by Chris or Neil. Instead "Numb" was contributed by ballad-meister supreme, Diane Warren. The Boys have sung a tremendous variety of songs during their career, and they have excelled at vastly differing styles. Sadly, "Numb" is a poor fit - perhaps their worst single ever, with the possible exception of "DJ Culture."
The song manages to be overly melodramatic and drab at the same time. The dreary lyrics are not helped by the orchestration; "Numb" is one of the few PSB songs where having an over-blown musical arrangement simply doesn't work. I agree with another reviewer here in saying that the superior "Integral" should have been the next single. Indeed, "Numb" was a bit of a flop, only managing to make #23 on the U.K. chart; only "Was It Worth It" from 1991 did worse (#24).
Unfortunately, the only other song included on this CD is a live version of "West End Girls." Now, I love "West End Girls," and the live version is pretty good. However, pairing such a weak single with a live version of an old song just isn't very inspiring. Plus, this version of "West End Girls" is now available on "Concrete." Overall, this CD is for PSB completists only, and even they may be disappointed.
"
High Quality PSB
Rod Anderson | Coburg, Vic Australia | 03/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As the Pet Shop Boys have matured in their writing they have moved from superior pop stars who range from catchy and clever through stirring and uplifting into stunning musicians who rank with some of the best modern composers around. This song, Numb, from their latest album Fundamental, is an example of finely nuanced writing that transcends pop and stands as the kind of mood piece that used to be known as lieder in classical circles. Its powerful and deceptively simple melody perfectly underlines a lyric that could stand alone as poetry alongside a T S Eliot or a Gertrude Stein in any modern anthology. Both the boys are hitting at the top of their game in this outstanding track. I'm not sure how it will chart alongside today's more conventional offerings, but it is a great sign that the record company was willing to highlight this first class modern music and back the remixes and versions offered on the two singles releases Numb Part 1 & Numb Part 2. My only regret is that they couldn't have been a little more generous and given us the contents on one disc. As usual, however, the additional rarities on a PSB single end up being some of the highlights of my collection. Thanks Boys.....keep it up."
