One record at a time: 355. Pet Shop Boys - Discography

"Discography" is a double album of greatest hits released in 1991. Here I have the UK version pressed at EMI in Hayes and one from EMI Uden in the Netherlands. I was content with owning one copy of this album but a second seemed determined to fall into my possession.

About ten years ago I ordered an LP of "Please" over the internet but the seller mistakenly sent me "Discography". I informed them of the error and returned the package as agreed. However, the seller failed to pick up the parcel and it was returned to me by Royal Mail. Having messaged the vendor several times without reply I gave up and kept the record. Whilst "Discography" on vinyl has always been relatively collectable, Popsike.com tells me it sold for around £20 in 2014 so I didn't feel particularly guilty about not being able to return it; even if it does fetch over £50 today.

Understandably this album misses out the original version of "West End Girls" and the early single "One More Chance" which were released when the boys were signed with Bobby Orlando. Also omitted is the first version of "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" which was their debut on EMI records but wasn't a hit. Instead we open with the hit version of "West End Girls" and move chronologically through their singles released up to 1991. 

The only other omission from this chronology is the single version of "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?" which was initially created by dance producers Brothers in Rhythm and then overdubbed by Neil and Chris. However, the song was released as a 'double a side' and the boys felt justified in culling it to allow the album to fit on one CD.

Also produced by Brothers In Rhythm were two new tracks titled "DJ Culture" and "Was It Worth It?". The former single was released prior to the album and, despite it not being particularly anthemic or tuneful, I like it very much. "Was It Worth It?" however is a limp effort that just doesn't sound like a Pet Shop Boys song. I can't put my finger on what is wrong with this track but it doesn't succeed for me. The only joy in buying this single was the b-side "Miserablism", but I don't think its release will have moved the needle on "Discography" sales one bit. Still, this is a highly revered collection of singles from when the band were in their imperial phase and is essential if you have any appreciation for the band. 5/5

One record at a time: 354. Pet Shop Boys - Behaviour

When I bought the compact disc of "Behaviour" from the supermarket back in 1990, I was expecting another album full of dance pop tunes in the vein of "Please" and "Actually". What I got was a collection of melancholy songs with shuffle rhythms and plaintive lyrics. Whilst I can't pretend that "Behaviour" was anything other than a disappointment when I first heard it, I have come to love it over the last thirty four years.

At one time Neil Tennant described this album as "mellow" and explained that developments in his personal life coloured its production. Compared to previous efforts "Behaviour" sold poorly and Chris Lowe flippantly commented that, "We should write another good dance album, write Behaviour off as a tax loss". So I know I wasn't alone in my initial disappointment.

Proceedings commence with "Being Boring" which was originally an attempt to write in the style of Stock, Aitken and Waterman. However, the track that emerged from the production process was a brooding autobiography and not a frothy hi-nrg pop song. Whilst "Being Boring" has gone on to become something of a cult classic, it would be revisionist to say it has always been revered. I like the song very much, but its wistful nature and brittle production mean it isn't amongst my favourites. 

There are quite a few tracks in a similar vein with "Nervously", "To Face The Truth", "Jealousy" and "Only The Wind" all eschewing dance rhythms and settling on a doleful style. When I finally got over myself and began to appreciate that not every Pet Shop Boys track needed a dance rhythm to be good, I realised these tracks were actually amazing. The only song I still fail to warm to is "My October Symphony" which I don't skip when listening to the record, but I don't look forward to it much either.

One of few dance rhythms are heard on "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?" which is a sort of new jack swing pastiche that doesn't succeed lyrically or musically. Pet Shop Boys have never recorded anything like this before or since and to be frank, it sticks out like a turd in a fruit bowl. The lead single "So Hard" is a fantastic song but it's TR-909 beats and throbbing sequencer lines completely misled me on the content of the final album. I have always loved the song "The End of the World" which remains a hidden gem and is neglected by the band and overlooked by fans.

Eventually I sold my original CD (to my brother's geography teacher weirdly enough) in anticipation of buying the two CD Japanese version in a plush velvet box, but I didn't consider buying an LP until about ten years ago. I don't own anything special here just two copies of the original UK release and two copies of the 2018 remastered version. I am torn on how to score this album as it has much I enjoy, but I still feel a sting of disappointment all these years later and the scars of "Seriously" and "My October Symphony" mean I can't give it full marks. 4/5