I have always loved the Pet Shop Boys. Ever since Westend Girls, one of their earliest singles, they have consistently produced songs of the highest quality, with strong melodies and intelligent lyrics. I've always thought "Here's a duo that obviously have brains!"
With Release, Pet Shop Boys show once again that they have not lost their touch. They sound, however, more matured and world-weary than earlier efforts like Very and Behaviour. The mood is more reflective and contemplative.
Here's a run-down of the 10 tracks:
Home and Dry
This is classic Pet Shop Boys. Instantly infectious with a great guitar rift, Neil Tennant sings about missing a lover who's away: There's a plane at JKF/to fly you back from far away/all those dark and frantic/transalantic miles . The mood of the song is just right; one imagines driving on a long-winding coastal road in a red convertible with the top down, going God-knows-where, no one else in sight, the sun on one's face, the wind in one's hair, and missing someone terribly.
I Get Along
Another great track with an pub-anthemic chorus that sticks in your head. Neil Tennant sings about trying to pick up the pieces after a love affair has died, trying to convince his ex-lover (and himself) that he is fine alone: I get along, get along/ without you very well/ I get along very well .
Birthday Boy
This melodic, melancholic song, starts with a simple guitar track and ends with a creepy extract of a choir singing. The lyrics are very obscure and I could not really fathom what they are about. I have read in another review that it is about victims of homophobia, but even knowing that I cannot relate it to the words. Rather, it is in the music that the sentiment is felt, a deep sadness and disillusionment.
London
Another great track with unforgettable lyrics: We were in London/ "Let's do it - let's break the law!" . The chorus is really catchy. A commentary about immigrants and racism, done tongue-in-cheek.
E-mail
A song about an insecure person pleading for his lover to drop him an email from abroad. It's about modern fears about long-distance relationships and losing a lover the moment you don't see him/her. A nice song, but not one of my favourites on this album.
The Samurai In Autumn
This is the only track that I think is a filler. Essentially an instrumental track with a chorus thrown in, it sounds like the boys could not make up their minds whether to do a dance track or a song. It is rather interesting though in some ways, but doesn't quite work for me.
Love Is A Catastrophe
I got the shivers while listening to this track. It seemed so personal, like a confession. Neil Tennant sings of heartbreak: Look what it's done to me/ Brought me down here so low/ stranded, nowhere to go . The lyrics are stark and bleak. A display of PSB's genius in songcraft.
Here
Pet Shop Boys bring up the tempo again, but just a little. A song about being that someone for somebody. Call it what you want/ You've got a home here . A nice enough song, but not really brilliant.
The Night I Fell In Love
This song caused a ripple because its lyrics suggested a one-night-stand with rap bad-boy Eninem. Neil Tennant has said it was a reaction to Eninem's homophobic songs. A breezy song with a thumping beat, it has a twist in the end: I was already late for school/ by then/ I'd fallen in love . You might think it could also be about a female fan's ONS, except for the bit "Hey, man!/ Your name isn't Stan, is it?" . Very tongue-in-cheek.
You Choose
The album ends with an introspective song about being philosophical when a love affair peters out. Neil Tennant rationalising about starting anew. Not the strongest track but it wraps up the album on a hopeful note.
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A few words about the design of the album. Fans of the Pet Shop Boys will of course know that they can be very innovative with the packaging and the Look of the album. This one features the wonderful photographic work of Dan Forbes. I'm not familiar with this photographer, but the photos of flowers that adorn this album are nothing short of amazing. I bought the one with the album sleeve showing a red poppy which is curiously erotic! I love the other photos too. They are so beautiful.
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