The Pet Shop Boys' first twenty singles...

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(I'm waiting for Dan to read that and imagining the steam coming out of his ears.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 24 February 2005 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

And the "Domino Dancing" video is fabulous: probably the video that best captures their gay subtext.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 24 February 2005 15:06 (twenty-one years ago)

"subtext"

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 24 February 2005 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I like how in the commentary on the DVD Neil says something like "Well this was our allegedly homoerotic video..." or something to that effect.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 24 February 2005 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

The DVD commentary is worth it for Lowe's continuous hat comments alone.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 24 February 2005 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Listening to the version of "I Want A Dog" on Introspective is the aural equivalent of watching the Huns molest your daughter while you are being gored by bulls.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:04 (twenty-one years ago)

That image doesn't actually even com e close to capturing the level of loathing I have for that version of "I Want A Dog" OR for "Domino Dancing", which I maintain is easily the worst song PSB ever recorded and a top candidate for one of the worst songs ever recorded in the history of mankind.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, now I KNOW we've talked about it before, but what is it about "Domino Dancing" that causes the hate -- is it individual parts or the sum total?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't understand the "Dog" loathing either. That deep-house backbeat is fucking incredible - the toughest of their career.

As for "Domino," it surpasses (just barely though) anything Lewis Martinee did with Exposé or the Cover Girls.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:10 (twenty-one years ago)

1. The music is a sub-par Expose/Miami Sound Machine pastiche.
2. The chorus, particularly the "all day, all day" or whatever it is that's being chirped by the zombie backup singers, is one of the most irritating things ever recorded.
3. Much of the production seems to revel in all of the things they did wrong with the single mix of "Suburbia", mainly in highlighting the tenuous, reedy, unpleasant qualities in Neil Tennant's voice and reducing the rhythm section to something that sounds like it should be playing during one of the car chase scenes in "Mannequin".
4. It's too mid-tempo to pull of its Expose/Miami Sound Machine pastiche and ends up sounding like a tired, plodding mess.
5. It was the first thing they released after Actually and is so much worse than everything on that album (including "Shopping") that they should be embarrassed.

Also, the original b-side version of "I Want A Dog" on the "Rent" single is so infinitely superior to the Introspective version that it isn't even funny.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I've always really liked Domino Dancing! Am I crazy or is Dan crazy? I will let ILM be the judge.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

The Introspective version of "I Want A Dog" leeches out all of the wistfulness and pathos of the original version and replaces it with lacklustre shit which most certainly DOESN'T feature the toughest beat of their career, not when "Yesterday When I Was Mad", "So Hard", "We All Feel Better In The Dark", "Music For Boys", "Some Speculation", "Euroboy", "Two Divided By Zero", "Opportunities", "One More Chance", "End Of The World", and the various remixes of "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing" are out there.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I've always really liked Domino Dancing! Am I crazy or is Dan crazy?

Dan is crazy! It's one of my favorite PSB singles.

― Leon the Fatboy (Ex Leon), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost: It's well-documented that hardly anyone on ILM agrees with me on this, Scott. As far as I'm concerned, the only redeemable qualities about "Domino Dancing" are 1) its b-side was "Don Juan"; 2) the song is not of infinite length so even though it feels like it will go on forever and ever in this giant vortex of painful suckiness, it does eventually stop.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually (heh), the Introspective singles feature some of the most exposed, tenuous singing of Neil Tennant's career.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I used to love you but I'm not sure now.

― Leon the Fatboy (Ex Leon), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I actually hate Introspective more than I hate Strangeways, Here We Come and solo Morrissey.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

See, and the earlier version of "Dog" sounds like a demo to these ears.

I do agree that "Introspective" marks the point where Tennant starts to loosen up his singing. I love how his voice rides the synth-orchestra swells on "I'm Not Scared" (a lovely song that flirts with camp and succeeds).

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

"more than I hate Strangeways, Here We Come"

ahhhhhh, that's right, you are the meat is murder absolutist. well, i can certainly relate to having non-poopular opinions about music. but you ARE crazy for not loving strangeways. as long as we both agree that an hour spent watching the amazing race is an hour well-spent then we will have no problems.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 24 February 2005 16:44 (twenty-one years ago)

The extended version of "Domino Dancing" is one of my all time favorite tracks. The breakdown is unbelievable, especially turned all the way up in a car that can do low bass - the freestyle consumes you! The video is amazing too. Dan is way off the mark on this one.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 24 February 2005 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I tried to listen to the extended version of "Domino Dancing" not too long ago and just couldn't do it. I turned it off three minutes into it and played "Let Me Be The One" instead.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I would listen to that in addition!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 24 February 2005 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Dan you vex me - but in an intriguijng way: we like many of the same groups, but then completely disagree on favorite tracks by said groups! I'm wondering where we're wired differently.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 24 February 2005 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha Spencer, think about how I feel about everyone! It's like everyone is speaking idomatic Dutch and I'm speaking idiomatic Afrikaans.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

That must be TERRIFYING!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Dan's vowels are more liquid.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess that's just the way the xylophone trembles.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Den Pellie, Velkum to Rodeezhah.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Domino Dancing is the song that got me into the PSB, so yes, love it.

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

5. It was the first thing they released after Actually and is so much worse than everything on that album (including "Shopping") that they should be embarrassed.

But surely it's better than "Hit Music," innit?

― Atnevon (Atnevon), Friday, 25 February 2005 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

And the "Domino Dancing" video is fabulous: probably the video that best captures their gay subtext.

I think "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" deserves that honour.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Friday, 25 February 2005 02:37 (twenty-one years ago)

But surely it's better than "Hit Music," innit?

BITE YOUR TONGUE

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 25 February 2005 03:20 (twenty-one years ago)

....*IN STEREOOWOWOWOOOO*...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 25 February 2005 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

For the greatest run of singles ever, I'd submit:

Dreaming of Me
New Life
Just Can't Get Enough
See You
The Meaning of Love
Leave in Silence
Get the Balance Right
Everything Counts
Love in Itself
People Are People
Master and Servant
Blasphemous Rumours
Shake the Disease
It's Called a Heart
Stripped
A Question of Lust
A Question of Time
But Not Tonight
Strangelove
Never Let Me Down Again
Behind the Wheel
Personal Jesus
Enjoy the Silence
Policy of Truth
World in My Eyes
I Feel You
Walking in My Shoes
Condemnation
In Your Room

Even if one dismisses the Vince Clarke years, there is still a run of 23 unbeatable singles in a row from Get the Balance Right to In Your Room, with Condemnation the only real turkey in the bunch. Depeche Mode's albums were not consistently strong, but what a run of singles. I also share the love for the Smith's run from Hand in Glove to Ask and New Order's from Ceremony to Regret.

― John Hunter, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 18:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't "Route 66" in there somewhere? And that's kind of a turkey.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 18:51 (twenty-one years ago)

"See You" is not the greatest song in the world, either.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

After that they made “Liberation” which was the first single I really disliked and kept disliking by them

They released "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing" before that (plus I quite like "Liberation" anyway). You also forgot about the Bobby O produced "One More Chance" single, which was released between the two versions of "West End Girls"

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Depeche Mode's run of good singles halted with "Never Let Me Down Again" and definitely stopped with "I Feel You".
From "Barrell Of a Gun" onwards they have all been great again though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

"Never Let Me Down Again" is utter genius because the chord progression makes the note used in the monotone vocal line play different roles in forming the chord, giving it a different character depending on where you are in the verse. It is seriously a genius bit of avant-garde pop songwriting. (Ditto "Behind The Wheel", only the end result isn't quite as effective because the accompanying music isn't as forceful.) (Also, how can you possibly deny "Strangelove", "Enjoy The Silence" and "Policy Of Truth"???)

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I am not denying those three in any way, but two of them followed "Never Let Me Down", while "Strangelove" was their last perfect single (in a row, anyway)

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, "I Feel You" rocks balls.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

IMO Depeche Mode have only released five weak singles: "Never Let Me Down Again", "Behind The Wheel", "I Feel You", "Condemnation" and "In Your Room". Everything else has been perfect!

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, "I Feel You" rocks balls.

Basically, that is my main problem about it. Same about "In Your Room".

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, "Condemnation" isn't the greatest song in the world. I completely concede that.

You are completely sleeping on "Never Let Me Down Again" for precisely the reasons I stated upthread.

(I'm not willing to argue about the others but I still like them, nyah nyah nyah.)

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd say Depeche Mode had a pretty good run of two singles (from "Get the Balance Right" to "Everything Counts") - the rest I could mostly take or leave.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

You're fired. (But I love you.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Well that's nothing, let me see you find one dud in this list:

Hyper Hyper
Move Your Ass
Friends
Endless Summer
Back In The UK
Let Me Be Your Valentine
Rebel Yell
I'm Raving
Break It Up
Fire
The Age Of Love
No Fate
Now Much Is The Fish
We Are The Greatest
Call Me Manana
Faster Harder Scooter
Fuck The Millennium
I'm Your Pusher
She's The Sun
Posse (I Need You On The Floor)
Aiii Shot The DJ
The Logical Song
Nessaja
Weekend
Maria (I Like It Loud)
Jigga Jigga
Shake That
One (Always Hardcore)
Suavemente

― Siegbran (eofor), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha, nice.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 21:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Siegbran: I cannot find one classic in your list. Sorry.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

“It’s Alright” – The PSBs jump fully into house with a Sterling Void cover. I didn’t get it at the time, now I do, mostly because it’s a lovely song. House was in part the undoing of the Pets because while Tennant’s voice curdled Hi-NRG in interesting ways it never really got to grips with the deeper and more rigorous beats of house, and also remix culture meant the PSB’s mastery of the 12” format ebbed. But the sweetness of “It’s Alright” endures.

The 7" was hardly House at all.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 22:38 (twenty-one years ago)

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