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Album Reviews
Album Review: Pet Shop Boys – Ultimate (EMI/Parlophone)
By Marc Samuels | Published on Wednesday 10 November 2010
So, seven years after their ‘PopArt’ singles collection, here’s another Pet Shop Boys best of.
This one differs from that 2003 compilation in that it’s one CD rather than two, essentially compiling all the biggest hits plus two singles released from subsequent comeback-of-sorts albums ‘Fundamental’ and ‘Yes’ (‘I’m With Stupid’ and ‘Love Etc’ respectably). Obviously, anyone for whom two CDs of Pet Shop Boys music is too much needs their ears examining, but for first time or casual fans this a pretty stellar CV that few pop acts, if any, can rival. (Although the inclusion of the average ‘New York City Boy’ and the essentially dull ‘Before’ in place of sublime hits like ‘Can You Forgive Her?’ and ‘I Don’t Know What You Want….’ is a mistake, basically.)
There’s also a new song, ‘Together’, although curiously, the promo doesn’t actually contain it. So I can’t tell you what it sounds like. Well, I can actually, because I’ve heard it, but I won’t. Although “brilliant synth-pop” is inevitably never going to be far from the truth.
Oh, and there’s the accompanying DVD too, which is fantastic. Compiling all their ‘TOTP’ performances plus this year’s triumphant Glastonbury set, it’s a sumptuous visual treat, showing how Tennant and Lowe care just as much about great hats and coats as they do about the tunes, thus confirming the truism that pop should always be about more than music, it’s about dressing up too. (Clearly a certain Stefani Germanotta has been paying attention). MS
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