Pet Shop Boys - Actually (CD 1987)

I started listening to the PSBs as a child becasue my mum used to play it, and ive loved there music ever since.

It is hard to believe that when it was first released, Rolling Stone called this "a mere pop album good for those who like pop".

This is simply an astounding work by the Boys, commercial success of which should have surprised even them, too. The singles seem to be the cream of the cake but one should listen into the album just to see how fine songwriters Neil and Christ are...it is really hard to tell my feelings about "It Couldn't Happen Here" and "King's Cross"...the ultimate pop perfection with strings, abounding orchestral manouvers and heart-felt, socially dabbing lyrics, both are glorious examples of good music, showing that pop can be soulful and heart-wrenchingly dramatic.

It is so sad that many people avoid PSB because of their gay identity. The band and all of their works are top-notch; however, they are not even included in Amazon's essentials while synthetic Depeche Mode and self-repeating New Order are called essentials. PSB are one of the best things England has given to the music industry, sort of a behind-the-curtain heroes that have a favourable influence on all their contemporary "essentials" even if the Boys jumped to the wagon after them.

Spare yourself the big mistake many are trapped into and don't overlook these guys. Start with Discography just to get warm and then move to Actually. You will be always rewarded for the rest of your life.