Pet Shop Boys, Yes. This limited-edition 2CD package includes an extra CD of "dub" versions of the songs, specially produced and mixed by the acclaimed Xenomania.
Pet Shop Boys, Yes. This limited-edition 2CD package includes an extra CD of "dub" versions of the songs, specially produced and mixed by the acclaimed Xenomania.
CD Reviews
Yes!
Chris D. | Ocean Grove, NJ | 04/22/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Yes", the 10th studio album from the Pet Shop Boys, is a solid album and a pleasant surprise after the somewhat disappointing "Release" and "Fundamental". Is it the best thing since "Very"? Quite possibly. There really isn't a bad song in the bunch. Politics take a back seat this time around, and the lyrics focus on more personal issues - love and relationships (both the successful and failed variety) Johnny Marr returns to contribute some guitar (and harmonica) work. Some of you may be disappointed to hear that there is no huge, overblown production like "Go West" this time around (I confess to being mildly disappointed myself).
My personal favorites (so far): "All Over The World" (reminds me of a more beat-heavy "Se A Vida E"), "King of Rome" (a somber ballad in the vein of "Do I Have To?"), "Pandemonium" (an upbeat stomper) and the odd closer, "Legacy" (as another reviewer noted, similar in feel to something off of "Behaviour"). I was a little disappointed with "This Used To Be The Future" on the bonus disc - it's nice to hear from Phil Oakey, but something about the song just didn't work for me. The dub mixes are pretty much what you'd expect.
A couple of notes about the package itself: the set comes in a folding glossy cardboard case that - for some reason - is 6" long rather than the standard 5.5", as I discovered when I tried to put it into the storage compartment in my car's dashboard and it wouldn't fit. I can tell that the extra half-inch is going to cause me annoyance. It also comes with a booklet containing the lyrics to all of the songs and the production credits.
If you have stuck with the Pet Shop Boys to this point, I don't have to urge you to pick this one up - you probably already have. If you are new to the Pet Shop Boys, you could do worse than start with "Yes". Thanks Neil and Chris!
"
Shiny Bubbly Romantic Pop
DonMac | Lynn, MA United States | 04/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A great outing from the Boys and I am in that camp that thinks this is their best since Very. It is certainly one of their most consistent albums and from track 1 made me smile. Some of this is just perfect happy (yes, happy) bouncy pop songs. The others are beautiful, slower ballads. Beautiful arrangements, great guitar and strings, Neil in fine voice - this is a great treat timed perfectly for summer. Enjoy!"
Brilliant
J. M. Ryan | Houston, TX USA | 08/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Pet Shop Boys have been around since 1984 , and they have produced pop music of the highest order. In my opinion, YES is the best pop album of the last 20 years, with beautifully crafted songs, and melodies that make you wonder how they did that. Well, they had a little help on this record. Xenomania, a company that has done high quality tracks for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Madonna, and Cher, came up with a lot of the melodies on here. The results are amazing, with songs that will move you, unless you're made of stone. As always Pet Shop Boys sing about a lot of different issues , from Politics to AIDS etc., but this recored is about one thing, love. The title came from an art exibition that John Lennon had in New York years ago. People climbed a ladder to the ceiling and written on the ceiling was the word YES, as part of the exibition. This record is uplifting, and positive, something we all need, and the outstanding track for me is King Of Rome. The sad thing is that US radio stations won't play the Pet Shop Boys, for whatever reason, but that may be a good thing , considering all the drivel that's on there now.I often wonder whop will bring out something different, and new , to inspire us all? YES is the answer to that. By the way I'm in my fifties , and I'm a professional drummer, but the drum sound on this record , with no accoustic drums, is excellent. Buy this , and get one for your friend as well.
"
From a casual PSB fan....
Low-Ranking Reviewer | US of A | 04/21/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a bigger Erasure and Depeche Mode fan(own most of their cds) than PSB fan(own just a few of their cds), but i gotta say i wish Erasure still knew how to make good electronic pop songs like these. Maybe i'm jaded with today's musical offerings but i really miss synth-pop music, or good electronic pop music in general, and these songs just hit the spot. Overall, I really enjoyed this new release from the PSB, especially these tracks:
3. Beautiful People(maybe my favorite, but way too early to tell)
4. Did You See Me Coming?
5. Vulnerable
6. More Than A Dream
7. Building A Wall
10. The Way It Used To Be
These songs are just catchy, bouncy, and enjoyable to listen to. The other 5 songs, and remixes on disc 2, i'll have to listen to more to see if they catch my ears more. It's just that these 6 songs i latched on to immediately. Honestly, I was looking forward more to the new DM release today(is this a great "80's" release week or what?), but i think the Boys just stole the Mode's thunder(for me anyways). So for other casual fans peeking in, i recommend picking this up or at least give it a listen.
(and while you're buying this cd, make sure you download the song "We're All Criminals Now" off the Love Etc maxi-single/EP. It's another great pop song that should be headlining on this cd)
"
Yesterday.
Joseph M. Perorazio | Columbus, OH USA | 10/30/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are a lot of bands today that are trying to resurrect the 80's sound, yet the Pet Shop Boys were Actually there, and are still doing this kind of music better than anyone.
A welcome return to their classic sound, "Yes" finds the Boys recovering from the malaise of their previous LP "Fundamental", which was quite good in its own way, yet at times was very somber and overly orchestral.
"Yes' is full of the synthetic sweep and disco pulse that Neil and Chris have perfected in their 25-plus year career, and its general mood is more upbeat and positive than their other recent albums. Lead single "Love, etc." is delightfully bitchy, and follow-up "Did You See Me Coming" is quite hooky and radio-friendly. And just listenening to standout tracks like "King of Rome" and "Pandemonium", you'll swear its 1987 again. These guys just own this genre, plain and simple.
Although its doubtful that any new Pet Shop Boys music will get airplay in the USA, for their worldwide audience (and their built-in one here), "Yes" is the best release in years from these perennial disco divas.
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1