Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental (CD 2006)

My clubbing day were in the 80's and what a decade for music. I just loved the Pet Shop Boys and think their music is great. I have several albums

"Fundamental" sees Tennant and Lowe returning to the electronic pop hallmark of their prime - assisted to a large extent by the production of Trevor "Left to my own devices" Horn, and is a stunning return to form. Simple as that.

"I'm with stupid" and "Minimal" - uptempo high energy claasic pop, and the sublime ballad "Numb", may have all been single releases, but don't be fooled, the record company was spoilt for choice on this one. "Integral", "The Sodom and Gomorrah show", "Lunar Park" - in fact the majority of "Fundamental" would have achieved equal chart success.

Combining immediate, catchy pop songs, with wonderfully over the top production, and a succession of pithy lyrics, Pet Shop Boys simply roll back the years and do what they do best.

When they do this, nobody else gets near them.

"Fundamental" is an interesting commentary from the Pet Shop Boys, who for their ninth studio album have chosen to deal with topical and political issues such as terrorism, immigration, the issuing of British biometric identity documents and the relationship between the UK and the USA, among others.

The electronica is still there, and fans will be pleased to learn that the synth sound remains the same, but the lyrics on this one hit hard on several controversial issues. The first single "I'm With Stupid" for example, is about the alliance between Tony Blair and George W. Bush, and not in a flattering way for either world leader.

"See you on the TV
Call you every day
Fly across the ocean
Just to let you get your way"

Eleven of the tracks are by the Pet Shop Boys, while "Numb" is by multi-award winning songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren. The problem with this album is that the message of the lyrics gets diluted by the slick production of the club-friendly mixes, necessitating the need to choose between listening and dancing.

Other tracks to note are "Psychological"; "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show"; "Minimal"; "Luna Park" and "Integral", and in my opinion this the best of the last four Pet Shop Boys albums.

OK so I’m probably bias but this is the best ever album that psb have ever done all the songs stick in your head (annoying for others when humming). Psychological is plain weird but catchy, Sodom and Gommarah show is a brilliant witty sing along. I made my excuses and left is just trrrrreeemendous, Minimal is kind of 80's stylee but you end up doing the box with your hands (you'll see).
Numb My lordy be is fantastic its sad and terribly addictive u can listen to it over and over and not get bored (well I can, not get bored that is) God willing (my 10 year old son has it on his mp3!!!!!!) Luna Park reminds you of being at Alton towers without the queues, I'm with Stupid If you don't like bush You'll like this. Casanova in Hell, is risqué but is still my ring tone its brilliant but don't play it to your kids! Twentieth century is a sing along
Indefinite leave to remain is also on my son’s mp3 player, Integral is fantastic.

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