CD Details
Synopsis
Amazon.comThe Pet Shop Boys eighth studio album Release, though not the rock album it was purported to be, does have enough guitar (courtesy of ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr) and percussion to create a sound that's as sumptuous as it is unexpected. It may raise a few snooty eyebrows among synth purists, but this twosome has never really been an electronic band in the purest sense. Neil Tennant's voice is less nasal than it's often been, and the occasional use of that now ubiquitous vocal-wobbling effect (thanks, Cher) actually works very well with his trademarked, introspective-yet-precious lyrics. While there are no big sing-along anthems here, and nothing that screams "single" (with the exception of the Beatles-esque "I Get Along"), almost all of the 10 tracks are the kind of inventive pop that many better-selling artists seem incapable of producing these days. It's a return to the form that went slightly iffy somewhere between Behavior and Nightlife, and deserves to catapult Pet Shop Boys back to the top of the album charts for a very long time. Unfortunately, it's probably too clever for such a happy fate. --Rikki Price
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CD Reviews
Home and Dry! Sylviastel | 09/25/2006 (4 out of 5 stars) "I love the Pet Shop Boys. They're sassy and provide an eclectic sound to today's music that seems long forgotten. I love Home and Dry, Birthday Boy, and other songs on this compact disc. I found this of all places in the Pathmark bargain bin of music. It doesn't belong there. The music today can't compare to what we experienced in the 1980s with groups like the Pet Shop Boys and the British invasion. Still, I'm glad they're making even now. When I hear Home and Dry, I keep thinking of the families and friends of the Pan Am 103 flight who was expected to pick them up at JFK airport. Even after all these years, that day is quite haunting because it was so preventable. I'm glad that the Pet Shop Boys are still around making music for us who grew up in the 1980s with MTV bursting on the stage changing television forever. Now MTV is nothing more than the reality based channel. Music is not shown on it if ever. The Pet Shop Boys are still around making music and that's fine with me." The First Boys CD I Can Listen To Straight Through XraySpex | 02/26/2006 (5 out of 5 stars) "I have always liked tracks here and there by the Boys. Finding many of their songs brilliant. The CD Very got awesome reviews so I bought it. "The Theatre" is the ultimate pop song. Completely drawing the listener into its world with interesting and insightful lyrics and wonderfully atmospheric music. After a while many of the songs were enjoyable. I quickly found out why there was a buzz for Very and now look forward to album releases as much as singles so I purchased Release. Like everyone else I find the albums I hate right away are ones I treasure later on so it worries me that I like everything on this CD. The songs are excellent with more atmosphere added to bring out the flow of the album. Only time will tell if I continue to enjoy this one, but on first impression it is awesome."
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