Customer Reviews

Popart

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great collection! That bears repeating -- this is a GREAT collection! The Pet Shop Boys have long been favorites of mine, ever since I first saw them on MTV nearly 20 years ago with their video to "West End Girls". They have remained current and trendy yet maintained their own stylistic integrity. You can always tell a Pet Shop Boys song.

Even though they have not had much commercial success in America in the recent decade, they have continued to put out high quality music that has been decidedly popular in various parts of the world. Their latest albums have a depth to them that seems almost impossible with pop music, but perhaps the best of the lot is still "Behavior", with songs such as "Being Boring" and "Jealousy". Both of these songs are included in remastered form in this collection.

Their last "greatest hits" collection, Discography, was a simple compilation of their hits to date, which while worthwhile, was somewhat limiting. Given the multi-disc format available here, the Pet Shop Boys have more freedom at including quality tracks that didn't chart as high in addition to the standard hits.

There are two new songs here, and several rare remixes for popular songs that any die-hard fan of the Pet Shop Boys will definitely want to have.

The Pet Shop Boys' combination of Pop and Art in a decidedly modern way, maybe even postmodern way if anyone really knows what that means, is urbane and cultured, reaching into the spirit of the West as it climbed through the roaring 80s and into the 90s; as we enter the new century, the Pet Shop Boys are still there, and are destined to remain an understated and perhaps underapppreciated fixture.

Goodnes, well beware the misinformation strewn throughout highlighted reviews that discuss pros and cons and needlessly relist track titles appearing mere inches above. The disc set you are buying here is three discs, not two, it's a limited edition with the third disc being "Mix" which is a compilation of their favorite mixes. The tracks are not chronological, true, but I'm not sure how that's a deficit. Who listens to their cds in order all the time anyway? The discs ARE divided into "Pop" and "Art" as to the interpretation of Neil and Chris. Yes it has new recordings but the other HUGE reason to buy this is that all the tracks have been remastered and as long as you're not listening to it on a gramophone speaker, you'll notice the difference. Remember, PSB's first couple of discs came out back when you had to check cds to see if they were ADD, AAD, DDD etc. so this is a welcome improvement.

Still others wail about why did they change songs for the hits collection like "Yesterday, When I was Mad" etc. These are called the SINGLE VERSIONS of those tracks that are not new and were available at their release time.

And your favorite album track from whatever CD may not be here but as several people seem to not understand, the 33 tracks were chosen because THEY WERE ALL TOP 20 HITS IN THE UK. Pretty simple and straightforward, really.

Categorize yourself however you wish. If you 'love' or 'like' the Pet Shop Boys, this is a sensible and rewarding purchase.

The only new advice I have is just to order the disc directly from Amazon.co.uk. You save a lot of money and probably get it more quickly.

"PopArt" is a comprehensive retrospective of Pet Shop Boys' UK chart hits. Since 1985, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have seen a whooping 34 of their singles hit the Top Twenty; 20 of them have cracked the Top Ten, and 4 have reached Number One. Over the years they have solidified a well-deserved reputation as one of Britain's most respected music acts. "PopArt" is available either as a double-disc or as a limited edition release featuring a bonus disc of remixes hand-picked by Neil and Chris. The first disc, "Pop," features the more straightforward perky hits like the Village People cover "Go West," the tender ballad "Love Comes Quickly," the disco flavored "Heart," and the new single "Miracles." Disc 2 is "Art," where the songs are more complicated in theme and may require some interpretation. While both discs are pitch-perfect in terms of quality, the "Art" disc is my personal favorite. This disc has another new track called "Flamboyant," which is essentially the sequel to "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?" Like the latter song, "Flamboyant" is an on-point critique on the extravagant life of the celebrity. Other great tracks are "So Hard," "Rent," "Liberation," and the autobiographical "Being Boring." But if you buy the limited edition release, you get a bonus disc of remixes. As a diehard PSB fan, I'm already familiar with most of these tracks, the best of which are the Peter Rauhoffer mix of "I Don't Know What You Want...," Shep Pettibone's makeover of "What Have I Done to Deserve This," and the ambient "Miserablism," which is simply one of the most beautiful remixes Moby has ever done. As hits collections go, "PopArt" is a unique and timeless survey of one of the finest groups around. If you missed out on the duo's last collection, "Discography," then you owe it to yourself and your record collection by picking this up. Like all great CDs, it will never leave your stereo.

PopArt covers the two decade career of the Pet Shop Boys. Included is every one of their glorious 33 top 20 UK hits, as well as two new songs. "Miracles" is the first single and became a top 10 UK hit in November. It's a bravura dance-pop song that commences slowly before kicking into high gear, with unusually sweet lyrics for the PSB. The other new song is "Flamboyant," which is a fun pop song that is scheduled to be released as a single also. These 35 songs are divided into two CDs, Pop and Art. One can quibble about whether they correctly divided the songs (I think "Home and Dry" should be on the Art CD, and "Opportunities" should be on the Pop CD), but the quality of their oeuvre is staggering.

This special edition of PopArt also includes a bonus disk with 10 of their best remixes. The songs seem to have been selected based only on the quality of the remix, so the songs seem to somewhat sporadically represent the different parts of their career. The Rollo remix of "Can You Forgive Her" is a highlight, with its repeated refrain, "dance to disco and you don't like rock." Most hardcore PSB fans probably already own the majority of these remixes, but they sound great together on one disk. One remix that I have not seen before is the Blank and Jones mix of "Love Comes Quickly." The remix is stunning, stripping the song of its dated 80s sound and adding a luscious new luster. The song sounds so great that it should be released as a single.

The packaging is adequate, with a cardboard box holding the three CDs, which are housed in separate lightweight cardboard sleeves. The liners notes, however, are disappointing, without any comments from Neil and Chris. Instead, the only bonus is the inclusion of the peak UK chart positions of each song. I'm also disappointed that they did not include the hit, "Absolutely Fabulous," which was a UK hit but technically not credited to them; it should be here. If you're a PSB completist, then you likely will be very satisfied with this CD collection, even though many of the songs are repeats from their prior greatest hits collection, "Discography." On the other hand, listeners unfamiliar with the PSB should probably start with "Discography," which includes their 1980s US hits without the more obscure material.

Truly an apt title for this monumentous work.

Yes, all the hits are here each accompanied with their own dramatic flair and brilliant wordplay. Throw in the "Mix" bonus CD and you've got a party in a box...literally.

Two new songs, "Miracles" and "Flamboyant" are some of the best music PSB has put out in years, surpassing the last CD of new material "Release". The classic PSB sound is back in these new tracks.

When Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's amazing "West End Girls" first hit the airwaves, little did I know that this group would continue to be so relevant almost 20 years later. Although their recent work has not enjoyed the success here in the US that it has always enjoyed in the UK and the rest of the world, they are still kicking butt and putting out music that is entirely original.

What sets them apart from their peers (then and now) is that they manage to use to hard-edged techno pop as a foundation to make huge statements with flippant yet biting humor. Unlike most "dance" acts, you will not only find yourself absolutely unable to resist the catchiest tunes bar none, BUT you will also remember their lyrics while managing to laugh (with them) along the way.

While their 1991 release "Discography" is very good as it tracks 19 hits of their career from "West End Girls" through 1991's "DJ Culture", but only tells part of the story. Also I usually don't like it when greatest hits releases present the songs chronologically, as "Discography" does.

"PopArt" is an essential purchase for any Pet Shop Boys fan as it includes all of their greatest work, and if you've followed them you will know that a substantial number of their best songs were released after 1991. This amazing import has 35 must have hits but does not present them chronologically and it makes for such a better listening experience. Also, all songs are remastered beautifully and to make things even more exciting there is a 3rd CD of 10 remixes that is almost worth the price of the release even if it did not include all their greatest hits. The presentation is classic Pet Shops Boys as they have always been more than just a band. Their artistic sensibilities can be seen in the insert and hopefully those who don't know these guys won't think that their decision to divide the songs into "Pop" and "Art" categories is anything more than the boys having some fun and playing with words. All the songs are art and pop to me.

Although as I said before, the group has not enjoyed great success in the US in recent years, I for one think that they have released some of their strongest singles during this period as exemplified by "Go West", "Se a Vida e", "I Normally Would Not Do This Kind of Thing", "Home and Dry", "New York City Boy", "A Red Letter Day", "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore", "Yesterday When I Was Mad", "Somewhere" and the list goes on and on.

Although I wish that these guys would get the recognition that they deserve here in the US, I hope that the hardcore fans as well as their world-wide fan base will continue to support them in sufficient numbers so as to allow them to continue to entertain us for many more years. The only minor quibble that I have with this release is that the two new songs are not up to par with the quality of their best work. But I can certainly live with this. Also, if you were never a fan, this release will not change your perspective, but for this boy from Washington, DC this release earns a 5+ the moon! Enjoy

It doesn't take a compilation like this to realize that the Pet Shop Boys are as miraculous a pop band as anyone could hope for. But it's certainly nice to have anyway. Somehow, over 20 years of music, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have managed to infuse every single thing they write with this disarmingly perfect combination of theatrical wit, fantastic melody and accessible warmth. From early work like the haunting "Love Comes Quickly" to the uncommonly soulful "Home and Dry", to their deal-with-the-devil duet with Dusty Springfield-- there aren't enough sentimental words in the dictionary to describe them. And how many bands would trade their whole careers to have created ONE of these songs, let alone two discs of them? A "must-have" in the same way that air is a "must-have".

The release of PopArt is really one of the best things to come this year. This is what a hits package should be - a generous package consisting of over 35 songs from our favorite boys as well as a 10-track disc of remixes. Not only that, the packaging is simply gorgeous from the sleeve to the individual envelopes holding the CDs.

The set is split among two discs. The first side is Pop, while the other is Art. on Pop, the songs are decidely upbeat and relentlessly energetic. On Art, you find the snagging melodies, sometimes added with a tinge of melancholy.

Many songs should be terribly familiar with fans and casual listeners alike. A perennial favorite, the #1 West End Girls still is as sleek and modern as it sounded when it was first released in 85. While consistent, the boys have never failed to inject innovation and creativity into each of their records. From the straightforward dance pop of Always on My Mind, Heart and Domino Dancing to the subtle sombreness of Suburbia, It's Aright and What Have I Done To Deserve This, the distinct PSB sound is tough to resist or deny. My personal fave would be the superb collaboration with the late Dusty Springfield on What have I DOne To Deserve This.

Newer songs from the 90s might not have always struck a chord with the buying public, but has certainly left a blueprint for others to follow. Excellent choice cuts from Very include the magnificent I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing and Yesterday When I Was Mad. The crowd favorite may be Go West but those are the gems. Their remake of the West End musical Somewhere is surprisingly effective with the upbeat tempo and trademark PSB signature.

Although age might have caught up with the boys and they no longer appeal much to the young kids, 'Pop Art' is nevertheless a much-needed essential in anyone's music collection.

I won't repeat what everyone has already said. But I find this collection to be absolutely fabulous.

I like the way some of the tracks are the remixed versions. It makes the album seem fresher to me. I received my first PopArt on the UK release date and it had no copy protection on either the two disc or the limited three disc set.

However the Japanese, Thailand, Argentina and French releases I later bought all had copy protection on them.

If you're into rare tracks, you might consider buying the French PopArt. As it has one track that is different from all the other releases. On the French Pop CD, 'New York City boy' is replaced by 'Paris city boy.'

I too am disappointed in the US record companies. The US album was supposed to be released in early 2004 with slight changes/corrections in a couple of the remixed tracks. But the greed of two record labels prevented the reality of a US release.
Thank you EMI/America and Atlantic Records for your greed and not allowing Sanctuary Records to release this. And US record companies cry foul when people share files on the Internet?

It's too bad that Pet Shop Boys Partnership can't get full control of their US catalogue. But don't let US record companies prevent you from adding this gem to your collection. There are many other import sources to choose from.

Ever since the release of Discography, their greatest hits album released in 1990, the Pet Shop Boys always impressed their fans with their wonderful "PopArt" now 13 years later, PopArt is the best of 1984-2003 making this CD worth the money.