Pet Shop Boys
Fundamental

Item: Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental
Rating: 5
Author: MAZINGA

MAZINGA

22 may 06 • Rating:

Electronic

Ratings: 3
Average: 4,67
DeRank™: 8,74
Comments: 6
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Incredible but true, perhaps this "fundamental" is the most beautiful album ever made by the English duo.

In a period where the 80s have returned to dominate not only in revivals, but also in new productions, the Pet Shop Boys release the most 80s album of all (neither Depeche Mode nor Madonna can compare). Who would have thought?

An outstanding album, featuring fast tracks filled with groove and loops, even 3 or 4 per track, and slow tracks with such sophisticated melodies and arrangements that even the greatest vocalists (specializing in ballads) could not have done better. Despite the sounds that connect to 20 years ago, it must be said that the work sounds pleasantly fresh and not like something pulled out of the closet. "I'm with stupid" (the first single) is relegated to eighth position in the track list, which says a lot about the quality of the offering, considering that the best tracks are usually saved for the beginning of an album to impress the listener.
The single grows on you with each listen, because while the freshness of the piece is immediately apparent, with a more attentive ear, the meticulous arrangement and the famous loops mentioned above can be detected.

Even better among the fast tracks is "Minimal" (probably the best track and hopefully a new single). The enveloping bass groove and Cris Lowe's keyboards take the lead. The track is immersive and changes when you least expect it, even lending itself to orchestral arrangement at the end. The bass also dominates "Twentieth century" (track 10) which manages to feel intimate despite its driving rhythm. Also well done is "Integral" (last track), choral and warm, and "Psycological" (the first), an 80s club piece.
Perhaps less successful among the fast songs is "the Sodom and Gomorrah show" where the Pets give in to the more flamboyant composition of the production. But all in all, the track is pleasant and goes by enjoyably despite lasting five and a half minutes. The slow tracks are exquisite and this is not always the case with the duo. "Numb" at the top (number 5) is a melancholic track that succeeds in conveying exactly this. "Tennant" has the right grace in interpreting it (it is the only piece not composed by the PSB). "Luna Park" (track 7) has been defined by "musica e dischi", an authoritative magazine for professionals, as beautiful and icy, and I must sincerely agree with the magazine. "I made my excuses and left" is also decidedly good, with an evocative musical introduction of almost 2 minutes, only to be transformed in the melody of the piece itself, which is a little pearl of delicacy. Minor are "Casanova in hell" and "indefinite leave to remain" which leave no mark.

In short, an album that innovates, reviving the sounds of the past, for a group that dares to mock current sounds without falling into the ridiculous, proving themselves in shape despite being in their 50s.

Tracklist Lyrics and Videos

04 Flamboyant (07:58)

You live in a world of excess
where more is more
and less is much less
A day without fame
is a waste
and a question of need
is a question of taste

And You're so flamboyant
the way you look
It gets you so much attention
Your sole employment
is getting more
You want police intervention
You're so flamboyant
the way you live
You really care that they stare
And the press deployment
is always there
It's what you do for enjoyment

You live in a time of decay
when the worth of a man
is how much he can play
Every day
all the public must know
where you are, what you do
'cause your life is a show and

You're so flamboyant
the way you live
and it's not even demeaning
You're so flamboyant
It's like a drug
you use to give your life meaning
You're so flamboyant
The way you look
It gets you so much attention
Your sole employment
Is getting more
You want police intervention

Every actor needs
an audience
Every action is
a performance
It all takes courage
You know it
Just crossing the street
well, it's almost heroic
You're so flamboyant

There you are
at another preview
In a pose
the artist and you
To look so loud
may be considered tacky
collectors wear black clothes by issy miyake.

You're so flamboyant
the way you look
It gets you so much attention
Your sole employment
is getting more
You want police intervention
You're so flamboyant
The way you live
You really care that they stare
And the press deployment
is always there
It's what you do for enjoyment

You're so flamboyant
You're so flamboyant

Track details

05 I'm With Stupid (06:08)

Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid

See you on the TV
Call you every day
Fly across the ocean
Just to let you get your way
No one understands me
Where I'm coming from
Why would I be with someone
Who's obviously so dumb?
Love comes
Love grows
Every time you rise to meet me
Take my hand to greet me
Love comes
Love grows
And power can give a man
Much more than anybody knows

Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid

Before we ever met
I thought like everybody did
You were just a moron
A billion-dollar kid
You flew up all the way
Like a hawk chasing a dove
I never thought that I would be
A sacrifice in love
It comes
It grows
And now we're tied together
Everybody knows

Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid

Is stupid really stupid
Or a different kind of smart?
Do we really have a relationship
So special in your heart?

Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid

I have to ask myself
Like any lover might:
Have you made a fool of me?
Are you not Mr Right?
You grin
I pose
It's not about sincerity
Everybody knows

Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid
Oh-oh, I'm with Stupid

Is stupid really stupid
Or a different kind of smart?
That's how you stole my heart
I'm with Stupid