SUPER

I've stuck with the Pet Shop Boys from day one, back in April 1986, when I first heard/saw the video for "West End Girls". I have never really wavered in my appreciation for their note and rhyme. I even managed to see them live the night before Halloween, at Irvine Meadows, in 1999 for their "Nightlife" tour.I guess if you don't like New Wave, or electronic music, then you are not going to like the Pet Shop Boys sound. Also, if you don't like a British sense of humor and perspective on things, you are not going to like them, either.That being said, it's 30 years now, and they still sound good. They are still making relevant music, and their only competition is Erasure, who also started in 1986, and who are also a British electronic duo."Super" has some good stuff here. I particularly like "Twenty-Something" with it's take on those born in the 1990's. There are several minimalist tracks here that lack any traditional verse-chorus-verse structure like "Happiness", "Groovy", "Pazzo!" and "Inner Sanctum"--all of which have good beats, but I think "Happiness" and "Pazzo!" are my favorites.It's the second half of the album where things get rather interesting with "Undertow", "Sad Robot World", "Say It To Me", "Burn" and "Into Thin Air". This set of songs seem more serious in nature, and I particularly like "Into Thin Air".The oddball here is "The Dictator Decides" where Neil sings about a possible unmentioned dictator (could it be North Korea?) The lyrics are interesting, and he nails several political truths there.Finally, you have the first single, "The Pop Kids" which, to me, is taking a look at elitist musical tastes and places to go clubbing.All in all, this is a perfect companion piece to 2013's "Electric". I look forward to what's next.Here's how "Super" compares to the Pet Shop Boys' previous works:1986 Please: Four Stars1987 Actually: Five Stars1988 Introspective: Three Stars1990 Behaviour: Four Stars1993 Very: Five Stars1996 Bilingual: Four Stars1999 Nightlife: Three and a Half Stars2002 Release: Three and a Half Stars2006 Fundamental: Four Stars2009 Yes: Three and a Half Stars2012 Elysium: Three Stars2013 Electric: Four Stars2016 Super: Four Stars1986 Disco: Three Stars1994 Disco 2: One Star2003 Disco 3: Four Stars2007 Disco 4: One Star1995 Alternative: Five Stars2012 Format: Four Stars1991 Discography: Four Stars2003 PopArt: Five Stars

"Super" is one of the Pet Shop Boys better albums. In fact, for me, it's their best of the past decade. I listened to samples of their stuff pre - "Electric" and it's okay, but not near as good or re-listenable as this one or their work from the late 80s and early 90s. That brings me to the song "The Pop Kids" where they sing about the time before they became big, when Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe met in college, became obsessed with pop music, and decided to form a band. People called them the "Pop Kids," as they say in the song, "'cause we loved the pop hits." "The dictator decides" is another favorite of mine and some of the music on this track sounds similar to "I'm Not Scared" from "Introspective." I really like the music in this one and Tennant's vocals as he keeps in step with the song. It's probably my favorite song on the album. I also like the slow ballad "Sad Robot World" where they are singing about what it must be like for machines being controlled by humans. At least that is how I interpreted the song. "Burn" is a fast paced techno - disco song that I really enjoy and find energizing. There's not really a bad song on this album, just some that I like more than others and for me, it's their best album of the 2010's.

This is another very strong entry from the Pet Shop Boys. They are my favorite musical act, so my perspective is definitely one of a "super fan" (and now I am literally a fan of "Super"!).Historically I have tended to absolutely love the first four to six songs on most PSB albums, with the remaining tracks seemingly a bit more experimental. Much to my surprise, I found myself liking but not entirely loving the first four tracks. But then track 5, "The Dictator" played and I was hooked from the beginning (has that "I'm Not Scared" feel, one of my all-time faves). And then track 6 through 11 all were flat out home runs in my book; all felt like modern and updated Pet Shop Boys tracks. Anyway, each listener will have different opinions, but I thought it was interesting for me personally that this album felt like it flipped the script on the "sweetest meat" of the album location. "Undertow" is in my opinion a particularly amazing and classic Pet Shop Boys tune.After a few listens, I have to put this one near the top of their best works. It is indeed upbeat and dance heavy (not a bad thing at all), but if I had one gripe it would be I would like to have a few more classic slower PSB anthems. But I believe that is what is coming with the third Stuart Price produced album; I can' wait!In summary, if you are a PSB, this is an absolute no brainer and is a must buy. If you are new to the PSBs, this is a great place to introduce yourself to their genius.5 Stars!!!

Como tudo do PSB este Lp tem de fazer parte de sua coletânea vale muito apena , excelente gravação, 180gr , cor black , sem chiados ou estalos .

"Super" é o 13º álbum dos Pet Shop Boys. Com quase 40 anos de carreira a dupla britânica mantém o ritmo dos seus hits pop e dance. Peguei edição limitada em vinil branco.

I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.The clarity of this recording strikes you immediately. The overall sound is sharp and detailed.The sound stage is vast, instruments and vocals are sharp, clearly defined and identifiable. There is no trace of compression or muddiness in the recording.The channel separation is excellent and consistent. The bass taut and controlled whilst retaining a degree of resonance. The treble is clear without being shrill. The vocals are well defined.The lack of dominant bass “boom” and treble sharpness means that listening is neither tiring nor demanding.Whilst the sound is not overly complex there is considerable depth and layering enabling the listener to find new elements on repeated listens.On some tracks the sound feels like mid period Jean Michel Jarre. This is particularly evident with the sound of the drum machines.Overall a well mixed and mastered recording with good dynamic range which is not tiring to listen to.

Super has everything you would expect from the Pet Shop Boys, lyrically witty and observational with occasional poignancy, music with great hooks and melodies. It’s the second part of a Stuart Price produced trilogy (2013’s Electric being the first). So what does Price add? A club vibrancy, he polishes the beats, keeps things contemporary without diluting the classic sound, and this is an album that bounces, it benefits from being played loudly. This is a purely electronic album, there are no strings, 10 of the 12 tracks included are dance orientated. Mostly big beat euphoric hand in the air tunes, in the vein of the tracks off of the 1993 album, Relentless. Of the 12 tracks, only one stands out as ‘weaker’, and that would be the oddly countrified album opener ‘Happiness’.Approaching 31 years in the business, the Pet Shop Boys are still able to stay relevant and avoid becoming a parody of themselves. 2017 looks to see a reissue campaign kicking off to continue the ‘Further Listening’ series that started way back in 2001. Fingers crossed we see the trilogy concluded in 2018. I for one, cannot wait.

After 30 years Tennant and Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys have a sound that is instantly recognisable yet their creativity manages to take them in ever changing directions. This 2016 album Super is the 13th studio album and second album where the Pet Shop Boys call themselves "electronic purists," yet for me, at least the musical landscape sounds pretty much the same. This new offering is twelve-tracks of louder and brighter pummelling beats and arpeggiated synths, with Tennant’s voice still conversational, hushed, and androgynous with their brilliant observational lyrics from a lot of life experience; the guys are still enthusiastically and refreshingly embracing electronic dance culture and long may it continue.