Release

Pet Shop Boys | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 23, 2008
• Release Date: September 23, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• Copyright: (C) 2002 PSBP Ltd.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 1:23:04
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0029CL01A
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,019 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Pop Music, April 23, 2002

By 

Disco (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Release (with Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Today, 23 April 2002, we buried my grandfather, a veteran of WWII. While a chapter in my life has closed, hope for the future comes in the form of this collection of songs.

It's 21 years on, and the Pet Shop Boys have cranked out album number eight in a series of deeply personal, charming, alarming and fascinating pop music. Their evolution over the years is complex, but one thing is clear: love is center stage in their lives now. On old albums like "Please" and "Actually," PSB would discuss politics, life in London, the Royal Family.

But every song on "Release" is a love song. The emotions are a wild mix of longing ("Home & Dry," "E-Mail"), recovery ("I Get Along"), sadness, anger ("Love is a Catastrophe") and discovery ("The Night I Fell in Love"). Their love lyrics in the past have never been overly cryptic, but on "Release," they come right out and say exactly what they're thinking. On "Love is a Catastrophe:" "What happens next? / With life I'm unimpressed / Pain like a cutter's knife / Never been lonelier in my life."

Certainly the hurting is present, but so is the happiness: "Well he just smiled / I guess it happens nightly / and so I fell in love." "The Night I Fell in Love" is the Pet Shop Boys at their most acutely gay. Teenage Neil Tennant teen worries over his newfound love's rumoured homophobia, but his lover "just shrugged."

Perhaps the most captivating moment here is PSB's very clever take on 21st century communication: "E-Mail." Tennant and Lowe always write intelligent lyrics, but on this track they're dead on: "Now time and distance melt away / No digits or delay / And some things can be written down that we're too shy to say." Tennant sings about the insecurity of his lover being across the sea, dealing with that lover's possible temptations while away, and making himself feel better by "writing this e-mail to say I love you." "Release" doesn't get much happier than this high middle point of the album.

Up next is the superb, danceable "Samurai in Autumn." The scant lyrics are plain and puzzling, but PSB show here, at 47 and 42 years of age, they can still churn out moody, infectious club killers. Back to business on the still dancey "Here," where Tennant exclaims his care, and offers of "you've got a home here." His understanding is pure: "And if you ever feel / the pain is far too big a deal / I say with pride / I'll be on your side."

PSB are still growing, and they really stretch out with the wistful, gentle country sparkle of "You Choose." This is easily among PSB's best closers. Tennant's voice rings with the almost parental wisdom of a full life of love and loss: "He's gone / you've lost / Stay behind and count the cost / You try, you lose / You don't fall in love by chance / You choose." You might not agree with his cynical assessment of love, but keep listening. If his careful articulation and Northern British accent don't send chills straight down your spine right now, listen again. And again. Neil has experience with this, and maybe his lecture is for us all: "Play the sad songs / Sing the blues / You don't fall in love by chance / You choose." A lesson indeed. Listen again.

"Release" is a return to the relaxed, melancholy atmosphere of their classic "Behaviour." Perhaps this is where the Pet Shop Boys' groove is. The album's packaging is the dependable PSB-style professional design, with lyrics alternating stark drawings of various flowers in various stages of life. Sonically, the album is similar to "Very" (but the addition of Johnny Marr's guitar is indispensible here) and the content is more consistent that the erratic "Nightlife" and "Bilingual." Lyrically, there must be something in this album for anyone who's loved, and for anyone who's lost.

Listeners around the world will find much to enjoy here. With age, Tennant and Lowe simply get better. "Release" is ten more reasons why I'm proud to be a Pet Shop Boys fan.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PSB Continues Their Streak Of Brilliance!, April 23, 2002

By 

Kevinduran (Indianapolis, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Release (with Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Neil and Chris return with their eighth album (not counting single/remix/b-side collections) of sheer and utter brilliance, cleverly entitled "Release". I'm sure there will be dance fans that will be disappointed that "Release" really is not a dance album. Sure, there are songs that you can shake your tail feather to ("The Samurai In Autumn"), but this is really a lower key sort of PSB outing.

It is a slight reinvention of the formula that has made PSB a household name ... across the planet, but the main foundation of their formula is still present: profound lyrics and brilliant storytelling. If you need another PSB album to compare this to, think "Behavior". Reinvention is one of the things that has made Madonna one of the biggest stars in the universe, and PSB are savvy enough to realize that. You may be disappointed that the grooves aren't as fast, but this cd will most definitely grow on you after subsequent plays. ...Do we really want them to turn into some sort of horrific,tragic version of the rotten and elderly Rolling Stones? No! Here's proof that there will never be ANY chance of that happening. There's also no point in putting the same album out time and time again- so if you have reservations about this not being a dance album- think about that. Anyone with an open mind will not be disappointed. Long time fans of PSB won't have any trouble loving this album.

As always, the Boys have outdone themselves as far as the album packaging goes. .... Make sure you spring for this limited edition version (available in four different colors). It also comes with a 2nd disc of goodies!

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any PSB fan! It rocks!, April 24, 2002

By 

Oscar G. "og_219" (Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Release (with Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

It seems like with every Pet Shop Boys album, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe dabble with a new sound, anything from latin influences (Bilingual), to just pure camp (Very), and this new offering is no exception.

While not a bona fide rock album, it does employ a lot of guitar (in comparison to their previous recordings). Synthesizers are also used to create ambience, but used to the point where they add an almost delicate sound to each track (as are strings). With the help of guitarist Johnny Marr, they created an album full of surprises. Here's a breakdown of each track.

"Home and Dry"- Their first single, probably because it showcases their new sound so well. It's a laid back, mellow track about longing for the one you love... ****

'I Get Along"- My favorite track so far, one of the more upbeat songs. I've heard it compared to a Beatles song... *****

"Birthday Boy"- I'm not sure what to say about this one. It has a haunting feel to it, but it sounds pretty good. ***1/2

"London"- A song about soldiers gone crazy. Chris and Neil's take on war... ***

"E-Mail" A really touching song about someone asking their significant other that timeless question: "Do you love me?" in a world where communcation is as easy as typing a few words and clicking "send". *****

"The Samurai in Autumn"- Neil and Chris revert back to their techno/ambient roots with this track. A nice danceable track with a hint of far-east sounds. *****

"Love is a Catastrophe"- Coping with the break up of a relationship, very emotional track all around. *****

"Here"- I love the beat on this one! A really happy story about a guy ready to commit to serious relationship, friendship or otherwise. :-) *****

"The Night I Fell In Love"- PSB's return to sarcasm! :-) About falling in love with a certain rapper whose name sounds like a brand of candy... ****

"You Choose"- Ah, the risk in life known as love... *****

Personally, I think this is one of their better albums (after "Actually" and "Introspective"). If you're fortunate enough to be able to buy the limited edition of "Release", it's well worth it, especially "Sexy Notherner", a foot-stomping club anthem!