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The "Truth" About Pet Shop Boys Albums
By an Amazon.com customer
PleasePlease by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.84
A remarkable debut album. The Boys set themselves up for being widely misunderstood with satires like "Opportunities." And "Tonight Is Forever" is a threat disguised as a love song.
DiscoDisco by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $0.34
Really, only for completists (like me). Extended dance versions of songs whose original versions are generally superior.
ActuallyActually by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.69
Many would disagree, but I consider this one of their weaker albums. But any disc with "It's a Sin," "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" and "Rent" is well worth owning.
IntrospectiveIntrospective by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $6.98 / Used from: $1.90
On first glance it seems to be another album of extended dance mixes, but it's much more. It's PSB's first full-fledged masterpiece. The hits are great, but "I'm Not Scared" is an overlooked wonder.
Behavior.Behavior. by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $0.98
Tennant and Lowe buckle down and demonstrate just what superb songwriters they are. The opener, "Being Boring," is quite possibly their greatest track ever.
Discography: The Complete Singles CollectionDiscography: The Complete Singles Collection by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $2.47
Perhaps the greatest greatest-hits album of the eighties, even if it was released in 1991. Essentially replaced by the later "PopArt" collection, although one song, "Was It Worth It?" appears here alone.
VeryVery by Pet Shop Boys
Buy used from: $3.22
In my opinion, the best PSB album, hands-down. An incredibly tuneful collection with both a unique "sound" and extemely thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics. A joy to listen to.
Disco 2Disco 2 by Pet Shop Boys
Buy used from: $0.69
Their worst album -- a set of segued remixes that's even more for completists only than their first "Disco" collection.
AlternativeAlternative by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $23.99 / Used from: $2.17
A double-disc gathering of b-sides that reveal the Boys' more "experimental" side. Fascinating listening with a number of real gems.
BilingualBilingual by Pet Shop Boys
Buy used from: $25.99
Can it be that this great album is actually out of print except as an import? Hard to believe. Not their best album by any means, but this adventuresome exploration of Latin rhythms is still a winner.
NightlifeNightlife by Pet Shop Boys
Buy used from: $1.94
A mixed bag of an album that displays Tennant and Lowe's continued songwriting mastery, yet seems tired in spots. But its best moments have an epic grandeur that definitely makes it worthwhile.
Closer to HeavenCloser to Heaven by Various Artists
Buy used from: $12.59
The original cast album of the ill-fated "PSB musical." Though Neil Tennant doesn't do the singing on this album, otherwise it's PSB music all the way. And very good music it is, too!
ReleaseRelease by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $2.84
You might consider this the Boys' "rock ballad" album, on which guitars play a more important role than ever before. Some terrific songs, even if they're not particularly danceable.
Disco 3Disco 3 by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $10.98 / Used from: $4.00
The best of the four PSB "Disco" albums to date, including several previously unreleased songs. Quite good on its own, but a comparatively minor effort by their standards.
PopArtPopArt by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $7.05
A double-disc greatest hits collection that exceeds and virtually replaces the earlier "Discography." If you can only own one PSB album, this is the one to get. (But, then again, why own just one?)
The Battleship PotemkinThe Battleship Potemkin by Tom Götze
Buy used from: $14.29
Our heroes create an electronic/orchestral score for an 80-year-old silent film -- and do a pretty darn good job of it, too. Not for everyone, though.
FundamentalFundamental by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $0.76
The Boys "go political" on this album haunted by the shadow of 9/11. But despite the dark themes, it's a musical tour-de-force. The best PSB album since "Very"!
ConcreteConcrete by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $31.98 / Used from: $12.88
The Pet Shop Boys' live album, and a fantastic one at that! Recorded with an orchestra and several big-name guest stars, it showcases some of their greatest music. It's worth the import price!
Disco 4Disco 4 by Pet Shop Boys
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $8.49
Not so much a "Pet Shop Boys album" as a collection of remixes they've done of other artists' tracks, plus two of their own. Far from essential, but there are still some excellent cuts here.