Since the eighties I have been inseparable from the Pet Shop Boys. I've bought all of their records, been to see them on every tour and even joined their fan club, but their latest album makes me sad (see left).
I keep listening to Elysium over and over again in the hope that something will click and its genius will be revealed to me. But nothing happens and I slip deeper into my sadness. It's not that it's bad, it's just that it is very, very average and, in my eyes, the Pet Shop Boys are not about 'average' (actually, I'm listening to the album as I type, Give It A Go has come on and it's not even average).
Elysium is largely an album of ballads, which I think is one of the problems I have with it. I like the anthems and the dance stuff and there is little of these on Elysium. The other problem is that it sounds like the producer wheeled a couple of Casio keyboards into the studio, started the tape and pressed the pre-set button marked 'Pet Shop Boys'. One reviewer described it as "Pet Shop Boys on autopilot" and I couldn't disagree.
I think their label knows this album really isn't up to snuff. I am disappointed that they've done what lesser artists have done in the past and used a review quote in their advertising which is out of context with the tenor of the rest of the review. The adverts describe the album as "gorgeous", a quote from Q Magazine. Yes, Q Magazine does use the word 'gorgeous' ("there's some absolutely gorgeous music nestling among these 12 well crafted tracks"), but they also use phrases like "patchy quality control", "intermittently enjoyable" and "a mixed bag". And the bonus CD of instrumental versions of these intermittently enjoyable tracks is really taking the piss. Come on Parlophone, you're better than this.
So, while our love affair could be over, I'm prepared to work at this relationship to try and salvage some of the magic. But it takes two to tango (well, three in this relationship), so I'm looking for Neil and Chris to meet me half way. I'll keep buying the records and going to the gigs if you promise to forsake the ballads and return to the dance anthems. It could still work.
