Pet Shop Boys – Discography (The Complete Singles Collection)

Unfortunately it's missing One More Chance released in 1984: https://discogs.futbolgratis.org/master/31975-Pet-Shop-Boys-One-More-Chance

Was gibt es über dieses Duo schon noch zu sagen? Das es das Popduo der 80er-Jahre war? Das es fast keinen schlechten Songs produziert hat oder schon immer die Frage aufgeworfen haben, ob Schwule die besseren Popsongs schreiben können? Die Pet Shop Boys waren ein festes Merkmal der 80er-Jahre, sie schrieben schöne seichte Popsongs fürs Ohr, aber durchaus auch fürs Herz. Dies sind alles Songs, die auf jeder Party mitgesungen werden. Zwar hören sich die Songs aus der heutigen Sicht alle gleich an, doch wen störte das damals! Man kann die hier vertretenen Songs in drei Kategorien einteilen: 1) Tophits: Nr. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10; 2) Damals als nicht so gut empfunden, dafür heute um so besser: Nr. 2, 6, 13, 14, 18 und 3) guter Durchschnitt: Nr. 9, 11, 12, 15, letzteres ein U2-Cover. Die Songs "Jealousy" und "DJ culture" sind zwar als Ausfälle zu bezeichnen, aber nicht total, sie deuten nur schon die spätere, nicht so gute Experimentierphase von Neil Tennant und Chris Lowe an. Anzumerken wäre auch noch, daß sich die Songs "It´s a sin", "Always on my mind" und "Domino dancing" auf meinen "80´er Jahre Fete"-Samplern befinden, was ja auch aussagekräftig ist. Außerdem waren mindestens 75% der Songs in unsere früheren HP vertreten, was ebenfalls nicht zu verachten ist. Was wären die 80er ohne die Pet Shop Boys? Sie wären höchstwahrscheinlich nicht so poppig gewesen!

"Discography: The Complete Singles Collection" was the first hits compilation to be released by the Pet Shop Boys, and although it has been supplanted by later collections, this was, in 1991 at least, the only comprehensive chronological survey of the synth-pop duo's official single mixes available on one disc. 16 tracks on the disc are mainly comprised of seven-inch versions, with the exception of two additional tracks which were brand new recordings included to entice fans and collectors who already owned all their singles in some form. This is 76 minutes of dance-pop at its very finest, and since they were ostensibly a risk-averse yet highly inventive and savvy duo in of what production techniques they used and which singles they released to promote their albums, each block of songs illustrates how unchanged their effortless formula was, with the exception of increased musical and lyrical sophistication and a left-turn or two on their long-players and remix albums. Such stunted growth paid dividends in regard to mainstream eminence and record sales, and the duo declined to alter a perfectly profitable system until it stopped showing gain. They are still the most successful musical duo in UK history, achieving 42 Top 30 singles, four of which were number ones: "West End Girls", "It's A Sin", "Always On My Mind" and "Heart".

Whilst they would later expand into different rhythms and focus on producing for other artists and projects, the Pet Shop Boys were active well into the 2000s, with even their weaker output and less commercially viable material receiving airplay. This compilation represents the duo at their least experimental, although it does feature their strangely effective 1991 medley of U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name?" and Frankie Valli's "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You", which utilizes a mixing technique that has become an established component of their concerts and to a lesser extent, their albums. This mash-up may be the most indicative of the duo's speculative diversion towards downcast, witty societal criticisms, alternately happy and melancholic tonality and incorporation of dance music elements, as showcased on their last truly great album, 1993's "Very". It signposts the developmental direction that the duo were heading in with the aim of retaining some semblance of credibility and appeal, following the pattern of fellow '80s synth-pop act New Order, who entered alternative dance territory after being inspired by Ibiza and the emerging club scene.

Even though they have struggled to adapt to a changing musical landscape after reaching their peak musically in 1990 with the muted masterpiece "Behaviour", the Pet Shop Boys are still relevant almost forty years on from their formation, performing and releasing new material on a regular basis. "Discography: The Complete Singles Collection" may omit one of their singles, "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?", but it is a satisfying and faultless overview of their imperial phase that still sounds superb and remains an utterly enthralling listening experience to complement their equally well-crafted and cohesive albums.

Rating: 5/5

This compilation is not just a bulk of all PSB hits to date; the main value is that these great songs mostly come as single versions, sometimes very different from those we've heard on albums (surprisingly "Heart" version is even longer than on LP). What's more, "Discography" includes late era non-album singles.

I can answer with confidence the question in the title of last track — yes, it was worth it. The years, covered with "Discography", were very prolific in duo's career.

Indeed, it's complete. 5/5