Post by sacrilegend on May 29, 2007 13:28:49 GMT -5
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic/pop music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant who provides main vocals, keyboards and very occasionally guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards and occasionally on vocals.
The longevity of Pet Shop Boys' career is generally attributed to their ability to create melodic pop/dance music with intelligent lyrics and striking style. The duo are one of the most consistently successful duos in pop music, particularly in Europe. Since 1986, they have had 39 top thirty singles in the UK including four number ones: "West End girls", "It's a sin", "Always on my mind" and "Heart". Pet Shop Boys were very successful in the United States in the mid-1980s; however, their mainstream popularity waned by 1988 with the duo's final top 40 single, "Domino Dancing", reaching number 18 on the US pop chart. They have remained commercially successful outside the USA since then.
Pet Shop Boys' recent studio album, Fundamental, was released on the Parlophone label on 22 May 2006. The album peaked at number five in the UK and in the rest of Europe at number two marking a strong return to the charts. The album's first single, "I'm with Stupid" was released in the UK on 8 May 2006, reaching number eight in the UK Singles Chart. In December 2006, the duo was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording ("I'm with Stupid") and Best Electronic/Dance Album (Fundamental).
Music
Neil Tennant has consistently and sincerely labelled Pet Shop Boys' music as "disco." Their music's trademark sound is a combination of pure synthesised pop (which could qualify them as a New Wave group), with sometimes slightly over-the-top instrumentation, contrasting with Tennant's laconic vocals, sometimes spoken-word or rap. Despite a history of implementing current musical trends from the underground (house, electro, jungle, techno etc.) into their productions, they have always maintained their own specific and defined sound. Their lyrics (mainly written by Tennant) have been described as articulate, stylish and poetic. Among their musical trademarks is the combining of pop hooks with detailed chord structures and soundscapes.
One of the most frequent labels attached, to the band is that of "ironists," referring to instances where their lyrics are used to exhibit veiled meanings or criticisms — shown, for example, by "Shopping" on Actually, an upbeat and catchy song hiding anti-Thatcherism sentiments.
A defining element of Pet Shop Boys' style is their obsession with extended and remixed versions of their songs. As of 2006, they have been remixed by over eighty different DJs and producers. In many cases, Pet Shop Boys have used aspiring remixers who became well known later—they used Moby in 1991, Sasha in 1993, Tracy Young in 1995, Trouser Enthusiasts in 1997, Thunderpuss in 1999 and Eric Prydz in 2003. Their roster of remixers also includes The KLF, Brothers in Rhythm, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Rollo, Pink Noise, Basement Jaxx, Deep Dish, Blank and Jones, Scissor Sisters, Tiga, and Richard X. The vast array of Pet Shop Boys remixes have made them one of the most collectible bands in the world. Collectors relish the assortment of triple-vinyl limited editions, unique artwork sleeves, and multiple compact disc singles. One highly sought after item is a 1997 fan-club only release called "It doesn't often snow at Christmas," a CD single that is clear with a frosted snowflake on it that came in a PET film bubble sleeve (and interestingly, this song was included on a 2005 Elton John Christmas CD, sold exclusively at Starbucks Coffee shops in the United States).
Pet Shop Boys also released a new live DVD, Cubism in May 2007 via Warner Vision. The DVD features a live show recorded at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City in November 2006.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Shop_Boys
Discography:
1986 Please
1986 Disco
1987 Actually
1988 Introspective
1988 In Depth
1990 Behaviour
1991 Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
1993 Very
1993 Very Relentless
1994 Disco
1995 Alternative
1996 Bilingual
1997 Originals
1997 Bilingual Special Edition
1998 Essential
1999 Nightlife
2001 Please/Further Listening 1984-1986
2001 Actually/Further Listening 1987-1988
2001 Introspective/Further Listening 1988-1989
2001 Behaviour/Further Listening 1990-1991
2001 Very/Further Listening 1992-1994
2001 Bilingual/Further Listening 1995-1997
2001 Closer to Heaven
2002 Release
2003 Disco
2003 PopArt: The Hits
2005 Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys
2005 Battleship Potemkin
2006 Fundamental
2006 Concrete
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Shop_Boys_discography
The longevity of Pet Shop Boys' career is generally attributed to their ability to create melodic pop/dance music with intelligent lyrics and striking style. The duo are one of the most consistently successful duos in pop music, particularly in Europe. Since 1986, they have had 39 top thirty singles in the UK including four number ones: "West End girls", "It's a sin", "Always on my mind" and "Heart". Pet Shop Boys were very successful in the United States in the mid-1980s; however, their mainstream popularity waned by 1988 with the duo's final top 40 single, "Domino Dancing", reaching number 18 on the US pop chart. They have remained commercially successful outside the USA since then.
Pet Shop Boys' recent studio album, Fundamental, was released on the Parlophone label on 22 May 2006. The album peaked at number five in the UK and in the rest of Europe at number two marking a strong return to the charts. The album's first single, "I'm with Stupid" was released in the UK on 8 May 2006, reaching number eight in the UK Singles Chart. In December 2006, the duo was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording ("I'm with Stupid") and Best Electronic/Dance Album (Fundamental).
Music
Neil Tennant has consistently and sincerely labelled Pet Shop Boys' music as "disco." Their music's trademark sound is a combination of pure synthesised pop (which could qualify them as a New Wave group), with sometimes slightly over-the-top instrumentation, contrasting with Tennant's laconic vocals, sometimes spoken-word or rap. Despite a history of implementing current musical trends from the underground (house, electro, jungle, techno etc.) into their productions, they have always maintained their own specific and defined sound. Their lyrics (mainly written by Tennant) have been described as articulate, stylish and poetic. Among their musical trademarks is the combining of pop hooks with detailed chord structures and soundscapes.
One of the most frequent labels attached, to the band is that of "ironists," referring to instances where their lyrics are used to exhibit veiled meanings or criticisms — shown, for example, by "Shopping" on Actually, an upbeat and catchy song hiding anti-Thatcherism sentiments.
A defining element of Pet Shop Boys' style is their obsession with extended and remixed versions of their songs. As of 2006, they have been remixed by over eighty different DJs and producers. In many cases, Pet Shop Boys have used aspiring remixers who became well known later—they used Moby in 1991, Sasha in 1993, Tracy Young in 1995, Trouser Enthusiasts in 1997, Thunderpuss in 1999 and Eric Prydz in 2003. Their roster of remixers also includes The KLF, Brothers in Rhythm, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Rollo, Pink Noise, Basement Jaxx, Deep Dish, Blank and Jones, Scissor Sisters, Tiga, and Richard X. The vast array of Pet Shop Boys remixes have made them one of the most collectible bands in the world. Collectors relish the assortment of triple-vinyl limited editions, unique artwork sleeves, and multiple compact disc singles. One highly sought after item is a 1997 fan-club only release called "It doesn't often snow at Christmas," a CD single that is clear with a frosted snowflake on it that came in a PET film bubble sleeve (and interestingly, this song was included on a 2005 Elton John Christmas CD, sold exclusively at Starbucks Coffee shops in the United States).
Pet Shop Boys also released a new live DVD, Cubism in May 2007 via Warner Vision. The DVD features a live show recorded at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City in November 2006.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Shop_Boys
Discography:
1986 Please
1986 Disco
1987 Actually
1988 Introspective
1988 In Depth
1990 Behaviour
1991 Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
1993 Very
1993 Very Relentless
1994 Disco
1995 Alternative
1996 Bilingual
1997 Originals
1997 Bilingual Special Edition
1998 Essential
1999 Nightlife
2001 Please/Further Listening 1984-1986
2001 Actually/Further Listening 1987-1988
2001 Introspective/Further Listening 1988-1989
2001 Behaviour/Further Listening 1990-1991
2001 Very/Further Listening 1992-1994
2001 Bilingual/Further Listening 1995-1997
2001 Closer to Heaven
2002 Release
2003 Disco
2003 PopArt: The Hits
2005 Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys
2005 Battleship Potemkin
2006 Fundamental
2006 Concrete
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Shop_Boys_discography