Lopez Blogs

Lets face it, everyone and his dog is going to be writing about the Pet Shop Boys new album Fundamental.... and thats ok because it deserves to be written about :) I always think its a bit of a back handed compliment when people call an album "a return to form". Doesn't that imply that at the very least your last record was a bit pants? I really liked Release, just as when Madonna came back with Confessions... I had really liked American Pie. But after two listens, i can confirm that this could well be my fave PSB cd since Very (and i love the packaging - completely black slipcase with dayglo pink and orange cds inside!)

Some highlights:

• Not much i can say about the lead off single I'm With Stupid other than its a bit of a bobby dazzler
• Integral sees the boys continue their political commentary ("if you've done nothing wrong you've got nothing to fear" rant about ID cards) and they sound a little bit scary and angry, but it is a great disco stomper of a track
• Numb is a grandiose track that for me sits a little uncomfortably with the rest of the album - however, for me Neil sounds emotionally devastated on the track and that's not an easy task to pull off
• The Sodom and Gomorrah Show/Casanova in Hell certainly have the best titles and are terrific tracks that show off Chris and Neil at their very best - clever lyrics wrapped in beautifully produced, memorable and catchy music
• XO wrote a lot about Minimal - and its a highlight of the album, especially the New Order-esque final minute.