Fundamental

Pet Shop Boys

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 30, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000FMGTUI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,740 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's experiment in brainy dance pop has been going on for two decades now, and since it's never really been broke they never bother fixing it. True, 2002's Release was more of its time than anything they'd released since Please, but after 2005's Back To Mine diversion, they're indulging in pure '80s nostalgia on Fundamental. The first single, "I'm With Stupid" shamelessly works a pure synth-cheese vibe, and it doesn't stop there; check out the robotic romance of "Numb" or the beyond retro electro on "Minimal." This is rather familiar territory for legendary producer Trevor Horn as well, whose previous credits include... uh, let's see, Tom Jones? Frankie Goes To Hollywood? ABC? Happily, everybody concerned is clearly having a blast so the record doesn't sound dated--it's too vivid and alive for that. Tennant's preening, slippery lyrics make grand mischief of songs like "Casanova In Hell," and Horn floats occasional reminders of the 21st century into the fray, especially on "20th Century" (cheeky, no?). It's not a Grand Statement of a record by any means, and could use more thump. A good DJ will soon take some of this material and remix it into dance floor Nirvana. Until then, break out the hypercolor shirts, drink some new Coke and buy this cassette tape (err... CD, I mean) ASAP. –Matthew Cooke

Product Description
2006 Release of the Duo's Eighth Full Length Album, Reuniting them with Producer Trevor Horn (Who also Produced "Introspective"). Chris Lowe Commented: "we've Really Enjoyed Making this Album with Trevor and his Team and Are Very Happy Indeed with the Finished Result." Neil Tennant Added: "we Think It's a Great Pet Shop Boys Album and also a Great Trevor Horn Record." Nme Has Proclaimed "Fundamental" as "Their Best Album in 10 Years". Features the Initial Single "i'm with Stupid", a Pointed Jab at Tony Blair and George W. Bush. "Fugitive" was Originally Written at the Beginning of 2005 and Completed with Richard X. "in Private" is the Duo's Own Version of the Hit They Wrote and Produced for Dusty Springfield in 1989 and features Duet Vocals by Neil Tennant and Elton John. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent Pop Music, June 27, 2006

By	Matthew Gladney (Champaign-Urbana, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Their first proper album in four years finds venerable British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys in good form. "Fundamental" is a solid album, with a coherent production and lyrics which are (mostly) full of intelligence and wit. The album falters in a couple of spots, but for the most part showcases a continuing strong career of one of modern music's most talented acts.

Things get off to a moody, electronic start with "Psychological," which is a sparse, blippy little number that mainly uses psychologically distressing lyrics to render a sense of creepiness and foreboding. "I Made My Excuses and Left" has an elegant orchestral opening, reminiscent of a train station scene in one of those sad, romantic b&w films, and then switches to a proper pop song about mid-way through. "Twentieth Century," while not memorable lyrically, sets a dark and interesting mood through the music alone.

The Pet Shop Boys aren't known for being overtly political, although they have been so on occasion, and often are in a subtle fashion. It could be said that their 1987 album "Actually" is the most politically overt they've been before now. In response to a changing and polarizing world, "Fundamental" finds the Boys speaking out quite a bit. The lead single, "I'm With Stupid," is a commentary about Tony Blair and George W. Bush. "Integral" is a protest against Britain's proposed ID card initiative. And the United States is given a not-so-shining allegorical treatment in "Luna Park." Surprisingly, all of these songs work, a testament to PSB's song-writing ability.

"Fundamental" is, overall, a rather dark album. The synths are cold and moody. The songs, whether they be about politics or love, tend to have a negative undercurrent to them, even if they don't come across that way on the surface. It's an album that wishes things were different, that things were better for not only lovers, but for the world. It's interesting, then, to note that underneath the darkness there is the light of hope.

-- Matthew Gladney

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite Pet Shop Boys albums!, June 27, 2006

By	Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

If you are a fan of Pet Shop Boys Fundamental is an album that you absolutely cannot pass up. Fundamental is the first Pet Shop Boys album since the 2003 release of their album titled Release. Release was a solid album. Popular singles from that album include "E-mail," "Home & Dry," "London," and "I Get Along." As solid as the album was, it didn't quite capture that electronica/techno sound that Pet Shop popularized outside of the album track "Samurai In Autumn."

With Fundamental Pet Shop Boys have reteamed with producer Trevor Horn to release one of their best albums in years. The first single "I'm With Stupid" is a sold dance joint. Other awesome uptempo songs on the album "Psychological," include "Minimal," "Integral," and "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show." The intro to "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show," will surely put a smile on your face.

As with most Pet Shop Boys albums their are several slow tempo songs with thought provoking lyrics. "Lunar Park" is awesome. "Indefinite Leave To Remain" is one of the most beautiful Pet Shop Boys songs ever.

Fundamental is a solid, great Pet Shop Boys album that you must add to your collection.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "moves your heart as much as it moves your body", April 10, 2008

By	psychomuse - See all my reviews

Being a rabid Pet Shop Boys devotee from the very beginning, it does not come easy for me to declare that Fundamental is the culmination of everything that makes them great. I have loved every cd they have released, finding each with only the rarest flaw (usually one or two less than good songs). Fundamental is the exception. Every song is a well-crafted piece of music-art. Not one single throw-away.

Adding to the creative fire that Neil and Chris have lit, legendary producer/musician Trevor Horn knows just what to do with every spark. The whole thing is sexy and groovy without ever being too slick. And while Fundamental is full of danceable goodness, it is irresistably intimate. It moves your heart as much as it moves your body.

I dare not deconstruct the cd song by song. It is enough to say that each song is bursting with everything that makes music addictive. You'll start by tapping a foot and end up singing along at the top of your lungs! The melodies grab you quickly and won't let go.

The Boys are still having fun but Fundamental is the result of songwriters reaching maturity. Like red wine, our Pet Shop Boys only get better with age.