Pet Shop Boys (part 0)

Back in the late 80's,  my then-best friend and fellow classmate introduced me to his favorite bands : Pet Shop Boys and Erasure, each composed by 2 members and which are still active to this day. They quickly became 2 of my top-10 bands, and I enjoy most of their songs, their rhythms, and the beauty in writing and singing.



It's now the Pet Shop Boys' turn. They are :
Neil Tennant, the singer and song-writer who also plays the synths, keyboard & guitar ;
Chris Lowe, the musician & keyboardist, occasional vocalist. 

They have released 12 studio albums, 4 remix albums, 2 live, 8 compilations, 1 EP, 14 videos, 47 music videos and 55 singles.

The albums are :

1. Please (1986) > my blog entry
2. Actually (1987) > my blog entry
3. Introspective (1988)
4. Behaviour (1990)
5. Very (1993)
6. Bilingual (1996)
7. Nightlife (1999)
8. Release (2002)
9. Fundamental (2006)
10. Yes (2009)
11. Elysium (2012)
12. Electric (2013)

Albums 1 through 6 have each been released in 2 cd editions, the first being the remastered album, and the second ''further listening'' with b-sides and remixes, sometimes demos. They can be still purchased second hand but sometimes, their prices rise quite high.
Additional special editions exists for every album - except, thus far, Electric. 

The 4 remix albums are all called Disco, Disco 2, 3 & 4. They were released in (1986), (1994), (2003), & (2007). However, they aren't really ''disco'' but remixes to several of their songs, or in the case  of ''4'', of other bands' songs. 

In (2005) they composed the latest soundtrack to the Russian movie Battleship Potemkin from 1925,following a special request...

In (2011) they released a 2 cd score for a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen called The Most Incredible Thing, and which is a blend of a typical Pet Sop Boys electronic sound and classical.

Complitations :
(1989) In depth is a Japan only release, containing only 6 songs, which are luckily available on every album and other compilations
(1991) Discography, their first official (and internationally available) best off, comprising 18 songs in 7 inch versions, 2 of which are exclusives (Dj Culture, and Was it worth it?).

Many of their songs deal with sexuality, politics, religion and gay culture. However, as Neil pointed out in many interviews, the lyrics are actually ambiguous and show Neil's celever writing so each person can interpret the songs as they see fit.

Each album has its own unique sound, as the PSB have always reinvented themselves artistically, and their live shows (the ones I got to see on dvd) are always creative and full with many costumes and bizarre chorographies.

I listen to them very often and, especially when alone, find myself singing along, drawn into the rhythms.

How cool they went for music instead of architecture !