The Pet Shop Boys' first twenty singles...

Eh. If I was around in the late 70s, I'd be more upset if The Buzzcocks broke up than I would be if ABBA did. I understand that a lot of reasonable people on this board would disagree, though

The Pet Shop Boys and ABBA are both stupendous pop bands. To make any such comparison between Blink-182 and Buzzcocks is a travesty of the highest order. It's like saying Conor Oberst = Dylan. But worse.

SO ANYWAY, of the first twenty singles there, which is the most underrated? My answer after dinner...

i would say the beach boys are definitely in the same league as the pet shop boys. the clash are several rungs below both those groups.(not that i don't enjoy some clash songs, i do. but if anyone on that sonic youth thread is still wondering who the most overrated rock band is...)

the pet shop boys should have a national holiday in their honour and several life-size statues placed wherever they would inspire the most public uplift in the U.K.

It's absolutely "Love Comes Quickly".

i would say the beach boys are definitely in the same league as the pet shop boys.

I am a big whore for amazing vocal harmonies and I can't think of a single Beach Boys song that's better than 90% of Actually.

Anyway, when I heard the Blank & Jones remix on PopArt, it finally clicked. Sooner or later, this happens to everyone. To everyone.

Meanwhile, which of the *videos* for those songs did you like the best? (Alternately, which of the sleeves?)

They tried to reprise the magic with Se A Vida E (which had its moments) and one of the last videos on PopArt whose name I forget (and which didn't).

It's not a very dynamic song, as I find the vocals flat and monotonous, with the melody lacking in punch and sparkle -- unlike, "Rent" for example. That's a similarly reserved-sounding song, but the melody is irresistably playful. Yeah, I know, "Rent" is a sardonically-told little love story, while "Being Boring" tackles far more serious issues, and a playful song would detract from that message. But the even-keeled melody they left behind doesn't emote at me in the least.

Pet Shop Boys have made great ballads ("Jealousy") and they can do the preachy, didactic thing ("It's a Sin"), but it needs to be *huge* and over the top.

Maybe being over-the-top isn't the most appropriate way to communicate a message like the one in "Being Boring". I certainly wouldn't object to that statement, but if that sort of melody is what's necessary for putting forth that message, then that sort of song doesn't necessarily make for interesting listening. At least not compared to what the PSB are otherwise capable of.

Definitely, Domino Dancing. I also think this is their most underrated single because it is a good example of how, as Momus would argue, you can get something fresh and original by not getting things 'right'. Clearly the PSB, by choosing to record this during the over-produced, synthesized late eighties, 'failed' to make it sound genuinely latin. Instead they created something a bit camp that sounded truly unique. When they did get it 'right' (Bilingual) it wasn't as good.

my favourite video is either 'Heart' (not just for stupid hottt bride) or 'Can You Forgive Her' for all the madcap gimmicky CGI

they should've produced a Kylie song

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

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.

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

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).

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.