Pet Shop Boys

Very

Good, but not their best. Three and a half stars.

Review Score:

(6/10)
"Very" was a departure for the Pet Shop Boys. After the mournful, melancholic "Behavior," "Very" shows their more playful, lighthearted side. It has been acclaimed as a pop masterpiece since it was released, and Rolling Stone deemed it one of the essential releases of the '90s. I have to disagree, but only a little. "Very" is a good record, with several witty, intelligent, brilliant songs--but, for me at least, something's missing. The first five tracks are absolutely fantastic, some of Tennant and Lowe's finest work, but the sixth, "Yesterday When I Was Mad," leaves me cold, and from then on, with the exception of "The Theatre," the record never rises above pretty good for me. "One and One Make Five" has a nice house groove and the hi-NRG "One in a Million" is fairly exciting, but "Very" lacks the end-to-end first rate material of "Behavior" or "Bilingual" or "Nightlife." I've never liked "Young Offender" or even the Village People cover, "Go West." What is good on "Very" is among the Pets' very best, but there are some stylistic throwaways here that are less than compelling. "Very" is still a fine album, and let's face it: Pet Shop Boys on a bad day are vastly better than most bands on their best day. For me, the follow up to "Very," "Bilingual," was the Pet Shop Boys' finest hour. You can order it at Amazon.co.uk, because for some reason it isn't available here.

More Reviews: