Actually - Pet Shop Boys > Reviews > Absolutely great

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	their best album
Disadvantages:	they are not doing music like that today

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

There are many topics that repeat itself again and again when you speak about the PetShopBoys (PSB) to someone who is not a "fan" of them (almost here in spain). There are two possible answers: " so many years since the last album... discography? " Or "They are over-sweet".
In my opinion there are two different stages or eras in the story of this great group. Some of the people who didn't listened about PSB for ages identify PSB as the typical picture of the late 80's (the first stage).
The second ones thinks that their music is, most of times, a bit over-sweet 'cos maybe they don't associate the first era 80-91 with the second one 92-nowadays.

This difference is not only on the music, the look of the group had changed too.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are the PSB. Group that was formed at the beginning of the 80's when they met by chance in a shop of Kings Road's. A friend of Chris had a shop of pets and that's the reason for their name, anyway first of all they wanted to be called "west end". When "actually" went out to the market they were in their better moment and a proof of it is that PSB was rewarded as better English group in 1987.
"Actually" was relased after "Please" and "Disco", and before "Introspective.

1 - One more chance - Song of high rythm for the power of " drum and bass ". Electronic sounds and a sticky melody are the characteristics of this song in a musical way. The lyrics reminds me when we want to demonstrate our value to lead to good term a relationship, or at work. It's really curious the samplers of cars, trucks and claxons (really innovative for the 80's).

2 - What have I done to deserve this - The second single (not sure) of this enormous CD sung together with Dusty Springfield. Dusty was a "diva" of the 60's and was a bit forgotten. PSB thought about her for this song and the truth is that she succeeded. Dusty asked how they wanted her voice on the song and they answered her "as you know". Neil's and Dustin voices mixed together perfectly, I believe that are one of the most interesting vocal canons I ever heard (specialy at the end of the song). Another funny thing takes root in the fact that some years later PSB covered the U2's classic "where the streets have no name". When U2 were asked about what they think about that version of the song (the critics said that it was an horrible cover) Bono answered: " What have I done to deserve this ". Brilliant!!

3 - Shopping - Song with a big dose of irony (a common fact on Neil's lyrics). It sounds to me like a homage to the fathers of the electronic music: " kraftwerk ". The drums, the bass and the digital effects of the voice are a clear exponent of the kraftwerk’s sound. As sample of Neil’s irony:
" I heard it in the House of Commons, everything is for sale"

4 - Rent - One of the singles of the LP. That’s a lovely ballad. I just need to listen the first chords of the song already to tremble.
I believe that it’s one of the songs where Neil sings better, his sweet voice fits perfectly on the melody. The sample of " again " that sounds on the whole song is another of the elements that comes to my mind when I think about this song.

"Look at my hopes, look at my dreams... I love you.... you pay my rent".

5-Hit music – Sounds to me like a discotheque song, but the truth is that does not have enough rhythm to be danced.

6-Another incredible track is " It cound't happend here” that was composed with the great musician Morricone. It’s a really unknow song of the PSB, but for me, is one of the nicest songs I ever heard ... these violins... You have to stop doing whatever you are doing to listen that track. (I have been tempted of leaving a hole in this opinion ‘cos I had stoped writing just to enjoy that pretty melody.

" Now it almost seems impossible, we drank to much and woke up everyone, I may be wrong but I thought we said it coundn't happend here " My God! I like this song!!

7-It's a sin - The famoust single of the disc. Most people still answer when are asked about the boys with a: "west end girls" and "it's a sin"!! although I’m sure they know more. Incredible track. Probably for the influence of the video clip or probably not, but this song transports me at once to the middle ages. These chords, this strings, I don't know, it’s wonderful!! Who doesn’t know that....
it's a it's a it's a it's a sin!"

A little more of irony:
At school they taught me how to be so pure in thought…, they didn't quite succed ". Lyrics of this song since you see are great.

8 I want to wake up - One of the songs with less popularity of the LP, but anyway it’s logical, they couldn’t be all perfect. The lyrics are really interesting, it gets me to the late 80’s when referring another success of the moment: the soft cell’s " tainted love "!!

9 - Heart - Last single of the disc. The videoclip does not have waste, this Dracula's castle ... really gothic!! The song uses a sampler of the sentence "heart bit" that is repeating itself as if curiously was a beating heart. This song much pleased me, though it’s not comparable to the "big" tunes of this LP. Anyway people tastes are so different...

10-But my fav song is "King's Cross" (referencing the train station) That’s a ballad that keep your attention on the lyrics until the end of the song. Seams to me like it were sung by a homeless that lives on this station. Seeing the people goes by, day by day, while his live also goes by.
"Someone told me monday, someone told me saturday, wait until tomorrow and still not way, read it in to book or write it in to letter, wake up in the morning ... there's still not guarantee."
The last time the Neil repeats the refrain previously mentioned is one of the best moments of the track.

Maybe the more representative disc of their first era. In my opinion the best.
Particularly the best album of the boys and even one of best of the pop’s history.
I hope you enjoy this op and the LP.

I would love to get commentaries about yours impressions about actually.

Ciao!!