Showing posts with label Pet Shop Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pet Shop Boys. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Retrovision: Electronic - Disappointed

Electronic released "Disappointed" in June 1992, and it resonates as one of the finest songs from the Pet Shop Boys during the 90s. The collaboration, involving key members from The Smiths, New Order, and the Pet Shop Boys, resulted in one of the most notable musical side projects of that era.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Best of 1990 - The Singles Top 50

The year 1990 has been one of the most exciting years ever, maybe due to the fact that it was between the two decades when music styles shifted and the songs were influenced by the past decade but also looking into the future with new technologies. For some artists it was a clear career peaks when they released their best selling albums and/or singles. This year belonged to Depeche Mode, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor, but at the same time Euro dance and Brit pop exploded.

Over the next month we will feature the best singles from the 1990 that comes as a result of the Singles poll that was up this summer. Stay tuned!


Sunday, May 31, 2020

Best of 1990 - The Album List - Top 50


The world is currently facing its biggest crisis since the World War II where the Coronavirus has spread worldwide to almost every country causing a mass pandemic in the world. Authorities from most of the countries have introduced the national lock-downs in order to prevent the virus from spreading further and are urging the people to stay at home

During the past decade, this time of the year always meant a flashback to a certain year in the 80's decade and paying a 30 years anniversary tribute to the some of the biggest albums and songs that were released back then, and also to see how they have stood the test of time. 

This year it does not mean only returning to one specific year but also celebrating the shift of decades as we are entering the 90's terrain.

In the history 1990 is mostly remembered for the start of reunification of Germany and demise of the Soviet Union and collapsing of the socialist governments in Easter European countries. While the Wind of changes was flowing through out Europe, George Michael released his biggest hit "Freedom" and for Madonna it was her most scandalous year ever. As some of her live shows were condemned and the music video for "Justify My Love" banned from daily airplay on MTV. Apart from this despite the previous success of SAW production in the previous years, it saw a sharp decline in popularity where new dance forms were emerging, including Euro dance, house and acid jazz as well as Baggy / Madchester and the rise of Brit pop. Among the winning artist at the Brit awards were Phil Collins, Neneh Cherry, Annie Lennox and Fine Young Cannibals.

Based on the poll results in April the following Top50 Album list was established.


Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album for January 2020

Pet Shop Boys today announced details of their highly anticipated new studio album, 'Hotspot', which will be released on January 24th 2020 on x2 Records/Kobalt. The album was mostly recorded in Hansa Studios, Berlin, and mixed in The Record Plant, Los Angeles. It was produced and mixed by Stuart Price and features ten brand new Tennant/Lowe tracks including the single “Dreamland” featuring Years & Years, which was released in September. Another of the songs, “Burning the heather”, features Bernard Butler on guitar and was recorded at RAK Studios in London. A radio edit of “Burning the heather” is available to buy/stream now from the link below. 


Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Pet Shop Boys Announce Brand New EP 'Agenda'

Pet Shop Boys are releasing a brand new EP this week. It will be entitled 'Agenda' and will feature four tracks which will be revealed throughout the week starting with “Give stupidity a chance”. CD of 'Agenda' is also available to pre-order exclusively with Pet Shop Boys’ once-a-year publication 'Annually' which has been announced today and will be published on April 12th.


Sunday, January 28, 2018

Best of 1988- The Album List

In the 20th Century, the year 1988 was the year with the most Roman numeral digits, but more important, in science and technology, it was a year of the first Internet-based chat protocol between USA and Europe.
On the music level, the charts was still dominated by the Stock- Aitken-Waterman hits who received the Brit Award for their music production skills. On the different floors, House music was slowly emerging, while Alternative and indie rock were even more diversified into various other musical sub genres.


Monday, December 11, 2017

Pet Shop Boys 'Catalogue' Reissues Continue

Already in June this year, Pet Shop Boys announced the release of ‘Catalogue: 1985-2012’, a series of reissues of their Parlophone studio albums. This definitive edition features each album from the duo’s Parlophone discography, remastered and accompanied by ‘Further listening’ albums of master quality bonus tracks and demos created in the same time period as each album, as well as Pet Shop Boys own remixes of their tracks. Many tracks are being released for the first time. 
 The first three of the ‘Catalogue’ albums that were released in July are 'Nightlife/Further listening: 1996-2000', 'Release/Further listening: 2001-2004' and 'Fundamental/Further listening: 2005-2007’. The second pair of ‘Catalogue: 1985-2012’ reissues were released in October, including 'Yes/Further listening: 2008-2010' and 'Elysium/Further listening: 2011-2012'. 
The Catalogue’ reissue campaign will continue and this time going right back to the beginning and reissuing their first three albums, 'Please', 'Actually' and 'Introspective'. All three albums are going to be released in March 2018.

  www.petshopboysshop.co.uk



Saturday, September 2, 2017

Best of 1987 - Top 50 Singles

This fall we will continue with our 30 year anniversary of 1987 with the selection of Best single releases. As mentioned, an interesting year which was still sort of a crossover year in which some music styles from the first half of the decade started to transform into new genres raising new musical opportunities and opening stages for new kids. The European market was mostly dominated by SAW releases while in the USA it was mostly Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2 who were holding top positions on the charts for several weeks.
Along the commercial level, creativity was also in bloom in all varieties of sounds from Jangle Pop all the way to new trends in electronic music.

Time has come to reveal the Top 40 singles of 1987, thirty years after as submitted by friends and readers of Burning Flame.



01. New Oder- True Faith
02. The Cure- Just Like Heaven
03. Pet Shop Boys- It’s a Sin
04. Depeche Mode- Never Let Me Down Again
05. Prince- Sign O’ the Times
06. The Jesus and Mary Chain – April Skies
07. Siouxsie & The Banshees - The Passenger   
08. Depeche Mode- Strange Love
09. Black- Everything is Coming Up Roses          
10. U2 - With or Without You
11. The House of Love- Shine On
12. Pink Floyd- Learning to Fly
13. The Pogues- Fairytale of New York
14. M/A/R/R/S- Pump Up the Volume
15. Suzanne Vega – Luka
16. INXS- Need You Tonight
17. The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
18. Madonna - La Isla Bonita
19. Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield ‎- What Have I Done to Deserve This?  
20. Sinead O’ Connor- Troy 

Monday, February 13, 2017

Best of 1987- The Album List


Let's dive into the 1987 Albums campaign! This year marked an interesting crossover period where music styles from the first half of the decade began transforming into new genres, creating fresh musical opportunities and providing stages for new talents.

In terms of innovation, MTV Europe was launched, and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" became the first single released on CD, while the cassette tape continued to rise in popularity.

Synthpop was still prominent in the mainstream, with Erasure and Pet Shop Boys maintaining its presence. The pop hits from the emerging Stock Aitken Waterman pop factory, including Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," became chart-toppers and contributed to making it the best-selling single of the year.

On the other hand, House music was slowly growing and taking over dance floors, providing a fresh and dynamic sound. Simultaneously, indie pop/rock was flourishing, offering more diverse and alternative forms of music.

At the Brit Awards, Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel received honors for Best Female and Best Male, respectively, showcasing the diversity and richness of the musical landscape in 1987.



Friday, February 5, 2016

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album 'Super'

Pet Shop Boys have announced the release of a brand new studio album 'Super'. This will be their 13th studio album and a direct follow up to 'Electric' released in 2013. The album was Produced and mixed by Stuart Price in Los Angeles, it features 12 new Tennant/Lowe compositions including the lead single, "The Pop Kids". It will be released on their own label, x2, through Kobalt Label Services on April 1st.




 

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Best of 1986- The Album List

n the early months of 1985, the Pet Shop Boys made a significant impact on the UK charts with "West End Girls," a track that would go on to become their signature tune and biggest hit. Alongside Erasure, they played a pivotal role in transforming synth-pop into electro-dance, giving the genre a fresh and contemporary sound. The Communards also contributed to this evolving trend, as their cover of the disco classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" emerged as the best-selling single of the year.

Meanwhile, established artists like Madonna and George Michael continued to be among the best-selling acts, further shaping the pop genre. Madonna's third studio album, "True Blue," stood out as the best-selling album in the UK during this period, solidifying her status as a pop icon. The musical landscape of 1985 reflected a dynamic fusion of synth-pop, electro-dance, and enduring pop influences.


Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Best of 1985 - Top 50 Singles List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 
Among the best selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 
With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.


The following Top 50 represents the result of the 'Best of 1984 - The Singles List' poll from 2014 together with our in-house votes. 

Updated: 08/2020



01. Kate Bush- Running Up That Hill 

02. The Smiths- How Soon is Now? 
03. 
Pet Shop Boys- West End Girls 
04. The Cult- She Sells Sanctuary 
05. Depeche Mode- Shake the Disease 
06. Killing Joke- Love Like Blood 
07. Simple Minds- Don't You (Forget About Me) 
08. New Order- The Perfect Kiss 
09. The Cure- Close to Me 
10. Talk Talk- Life's What You Make It 
11. 
a-ha- The Sun Always Shine on TV
12. Grace Jones- Slave to the Rhythm
13. The Cure- In Between Days
14. Echo & The Bunnymen- Bring on the Dancing Horses
15. Jesus and The Mary Chain- Just Like Honey
16. Tears for Fears- Everybody Wants to Rule The World
17. Madonna - Into the Groove
18. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Cities in Dust
19. 
King- Love and Pride
20. David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group- This is not America

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Retrovision: Pet Shop Boys- Left to My Own Devices

Twenty five years ago, Pet Shop Boys released their single "Left To My Own Devices". Personally on of my favorite Pet Shop Boys to this date. The song was released as the second single from their third studio album, Introspective. It became the first track that Pet Shop Boys recorded with an orchestra, arranged by Richard Niles reaching the top ten charts in several European countries including the UK. 
The music video, directed by long time Pet Shop Boys director, Eric Watson. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album Electric for July 15th

Pet Shop Boys new album, 'Electric', will now be released worldwide on July 15th (international dates vary) and is the first to appear on their own label x2 through Kobalt Label Services. Produced by Stuart Price, "Electric" features nine tracks in total – eight brand new songs plus a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "The last to die". The album was recorded in London, Berlin and Los Angeles over the last six months with one track, "Fluorescent", written and recorded within the last month. 
 The album's opening track, "Axis", can be heard and purchased online now. An accompanying video can be viewed now at the link below where you will also find pre-order links for "Electric".  



The albums full track-listing is: 
1. Axis 
2. Bolshy 
3. Love is a bourgeois construct 
4. Fluorescent 
5. Inside a dream 
6. The last to die 
7. Shouting in the evening 
8.Thursday   
9. Vocal

 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album on a New Label

Pet Shop Boys have left Parlophone Records after a ground-breaking 28 years and have signed their forthcoming studio album “Electric” to Kobalt Label Services in a global deal. Their new album “Electric” is produced by Stuart Price and will be released in June 2013. Further information about the album will be announced soon. Kobalt Label Service’s first international album release, “Push The Sky Away” by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds recently debuted at number one in seven countries and top four in thirteen other countries.


 

Monday, June 25, 2012

Retrovision: Pet Shop Boys- It's A Sin

Pet Shop Boys topped the UK charts in June 1982 reaching No1 with "It's a Sin" which remained one of their biggest hits to date and one of the best selling singles of 1987. Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, "It's a Sin" was the lead single from the duo's second album 'Actually'. The video for the song was directed by Derek Jarman and it marked the experimental director's first of several collaborations with the band.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New Album for September

Pet Shop Boys have announced the release of their brand new album Elysium for September. Their eleventh studio album was produced by Andrew Dawson and Pet Shop Boys in Los Angeles and it will be issued by Parlophone. To give an idea of the album’s sound, a short film for the album track “Invisible” can be viewed through their official website.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New B-side Compilation Album

Pet Shop Boys will release a brand new b-sides compilation on February 6th, 2012, on Parlophone. Entitled 'Format', it celebrates the duo's prolific song-writing and recording by collecting 38 b-sides and bonus tracks originally released on singles from 1996 to 2009.The album will be available digitally and on double-CD. All tracks have been remastered and the CD booklet features an interview with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe by Jon Savage.

http://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petshopboys/petshopboys/Format

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