Pet Shop Boys - Actually

When they released Actually, their second proper album, in 1987, the Pet Shop Boys proved they were no flash-in-the-pan pop sensation. Neil Tennant wrote about disaffected consumerism ("Rent," "Shopping") with the wry insight only the former editor of a teen pop magazine could have. Often accused of being emotionally bankrupt by their critics, Tennant and his partner, keyboardist Chris Lowe, effortlessly proved them wrong, camouflaging clever commentary ("It's a Sin") behind deadpan attitude and catchy dance music. The jewel in Actually's crown is probably "What Have I Done to Deserve This?," a classic hit for which Lowe and Tennant coaxed '60s pop icon Dusty Springfield out of semiretirement. Actually has aged better than anybody--including perhaps the Pet Shop Boys themselves--could have expected. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

Sinfully Delightful

Leaving their early critics in the dust, Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant made on of the 80's consummate synthpop albums with their sophomore "Actually." From the detached yawning duo on the cover to the dry wit of such classic singles as "Rent" or "Shopping," this is a slice of the late 80's. But it also marked a maturity in the music that listeners of Please probably would not have expected. "It Couldn't Happen Here" was one of the first pop songs to directly confront AIDS (in 1987) and "Kings Cross" took a withering look at what Britain had become under Thatcher.

In the 2001 reissue of "Actually," Tennant comments that he doesn't feel this holds up as a full album. Ah, but so goes the thoughts of distance from your work; IMHO, the only PSB album that holds together better is their masterpiece from 1993, Very. Perhaps it is the singles that make him think maybe the album is fragmented, but who could argue with the two brilliant hits here? The dance smash "It's a Sin" opens with sacred sounding chords before plunging headlong into guilty pleasure danceland. It's one of the duo's best, yet when they wanted to top themselves, they added a third. "What Have I Done To Deserve This" is - simply - one of the decade's most sublime singles. Luring the late Dusty Springfield out of retirement to play the jilted lover to Neil's miserable ex-boyfriend. It's nothing short of brilliant and it became PSB's US high-water mark.

For the hits alone, "Actually" is worth it. Add the solid songs throughout, and it's as good an album from the Pet Shop Boys as you could ask for. May 2, 2008

Another solid effort

PSB seem to have a knack for coming out with albums that engage you throughout despite critics saying otherwise. On tracks like "It's A Sin" or my fave "What Have I Done To Deserve This" it still feels like i'm hearing the song for the first time even those its been quite awhile. The song and the rest of the cd feels like something you could and should still enjoy to this day. A solid effort after the previous album "Please" and a cool addition to your Pet Shop Boys collection. January 9, 2008

One of my Favorite Albums out of the Wonderful 80s

The Pet Shop Boys were and still are phenomenal. Back then in1987, still enamored with a-ha I was looking for more, something with that 80s sounds yet unique and original. I first heard "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" with Dusty Springfield of all people doing this song with the Pet Shop Boys on the radio. I sought out the Pet Shop Boys album "Actually" and found it to be very good and just what I was looking for. Their very melodic pop dance sounding music with great lyrics, delivered with such deadpan emotion, was just so ironic but very catchy and well as striking a chord of emotion with me. "Actually" is one great classic album and fresh as ever. February 24, 2007

Not a bad collection, but falls short of "Please"

When one looks at the history of musical acts that can be categorized as "Dance Music" or "Disco", there are few acts that have achieved the success and longevity of the Pet Shop Boys. The Pet Shop Boys have been making music for over 20 years - releasing an album usually about every one or two years. In the UK, the Pet Shop Boys have consistently produced Top 10 albums. They haven't had quite the same amount of success on American shores, but nonetheless they have still maintained a solid following. It actually didn't start out like that for the Pet Shop Boys in the U.S. They actually burst on to the music scene in 1986 with a #1 song entitled "West End Girls". They would then follow "West End Girls" up with another hit - "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)". These two songs would be part of the debut - and most successful album by the Pet Shop Boys "Please". With a successful album such as "Please" under their belt, the Pet Shop Boys were poised to show the public what they could do on their follow-up album. That second effort - "Actually" would continue to garner the Pet Shop Boys commercial success, but overall does not stand up to "Please".

I think there are three reasons why "Actually" falls short - especially when compared to "Please"

1) The album would be released about 18 months following "Please". Although a song like "It's a Sin" was recording during the "Please" sessions, the Pet Shop Boys had little time to put together a new album given the whirlwind of success they had with "Please".
2) "Please" was basically produced in its entirety by Stephen Hague. For "Actually", multiple producers (including Hague for "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", "It's a Sin" and "Kings Cross") were used on this album. As a result, "Actually" lacks a lot of the continuity of its predecessor.
3) Many of the songs didn't have me doing handstands like the first album.

Although "Actually" does fall short compared to "Please", there are also some good points. The good news is that the Pet Shop Boys still aren't afraid to improvise and "think out of the box". They also prove they can do some softer songs (although their strength is with high tempo electronic sound) Here is a song by song synopsis:

"One More Chance": This song grows on you. I like the sound effects like the car screeching. This is definitely one of those songs where the Pet Shop Boys think out of the box. Neil Tennant's vocals are right on the money here, but it is his spoken words that will shine.

"What Have I Done to Deserve This?": This song has very much a pop feel and was a commercial success. Once again Tennant shines on vocals. This song features a guest vocal performance by Dusty Springfield. However Springfield's vocals do little to impress me on this track.

"Shopping": Definitely the weakest track on the collection (and possibly by the Pet Shop Boys). The song does little to impress me. While the verse lyrics are clever, the chorus lyrics were unimpressive (S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G). The melody also seemed to be hastily put together.

"Rent": This song has a softer edge. This song deals with a person who is supported financially by his lover. Not a bad song, but Tennant's higher octave vocals here weren't as impressive as I've seen in other songs.

"Hit Music": This is one of the strongest songs by the Pet Shop Boys - and I'm surprised this never was a hit single. This song offers the "high tempo electronic sound" that made the Pet Shop Boys famous. Tennant's vocals are right on the money here. It is a very catchy song. If you listen you can hear that the melody resembles a slight sample of the "Peter Gunn Theme".

"It Couldn't Happen Here": This song has a haunting quality to it - and that will be the highlight to this song. It's one of the better softer tempo songs by the Pet Shop Boys, but still not as good as the high tempo material.

"It's a Sin": This was another hit single. The electronic orchestral quality of this song is really going to be the highlight - especially the intro. Once again the "high tempo" sound is in play here. Tennant pulls off the vocals flawlessly again. One thing I didn't like was the "prayer" midway through the song.

"I Want to Wake Up": This is one of the underrated tracks on this album. This wasn't a bad song. I particularly liked the melody here. Listen to how well Tennant transitions the spoken words starting from "It's mad to be in love with someone else" into sung vocals - great stuff.

"Heart": This song had a classic dance club feel to it. A good song, I still wouldn't categorize this in the upper echelon of songs by the Pet Shop Boys.

"King's Cross": Here is another example where the Pet Shop Boys prove they can do a slow song. This song offers some socio-political commentary. This is heard in the opening lyrics, "The man at the back of the queue was sent; to feel the smack of firm government". This again shows an example of the Pet Shop Boys "thinking out of the box". Good melody in this song as well.

While it's clear that the Pet Shop Boys did some "thinking out of the box", this album offered a mixed bag. Perhaps this is why that this album marked the end of the Pet Shop Boys run on the U.S. charts. I wish that the liner notes included the lyrics to each of the songs. Despite some of the flaws, this isn't a bad album. Pet Shop Boys will like this album a lot, but the jury will be out for the casual fan. September 27, 2006

Cool and timeless...

It is hard to believe that when it was first released, Rolling Stone called this "a mere pop album good for those who like pop".

This is simply an astounding work by the Boys, commercial success of which should have surprised even them, too. The singles seem to be the cream of the cake but one should listen into the album just to see how fine songwriters Neil and Christ are...it is really hard to tell my feelings about "It Couldn't Happen Here" and "King's Cross"...the ultimate pop perfection with strings, abounding orchestral manouvers and heart-felt, socially dabbing lyrics, both are glorious examples of good music, showing that pop can be soulful and heart-wrenchingly dramatic.

It is so sad that many people avoid PSB because of their gay identity. The band and all of their works are top-notch; however, they are not even included in Amazon's essentials while synthetic Depeche Mode and self-repeating New Order are called essentials. PSB are one of the best things England has given to the music industry, sort of a behind-the-curtain heroes that have a favourable influence on all their contemporary "essentials" even if the Boys jumped to the wagon after them.

Spare yourself the big mistake many are trapped into and don't overlook these guys. Start with Discography just to get warm and then move to Actually. You will be always rewarded for the rest of your life. April 5, 2006

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