Pet Shop Boys – Elysium

I have a signed copy, one of the first to be sent (see picture added) from the official PSB store when released

Great mastering for a bland album... The next one, Electric, is an exceptional entry in their discography but it was loudly mastered. As for Super, if possible an even better album, its mastering is even worse.

I like that the Pet Shop Boys seem aware that their style meanders between albums. One album can be club oriented, hard electronic while the next can be melancholy and feature more strings and orchestras. Luckily I love both synths and strings and this album is firmly in the latter category.

“Elysium” is full of mellow electronic pop and a striking contrast to the prior album, “Yes”.

Although this album isn’t likely to be cranked on the car stereo, or at the club, it’s a pleasant and relaxing listen. It may get too “sleepy”, if you’re not in the mood for it, but maybe that’s the point - some albums fit certain moods - and this is definitely a mood album.

The arrangements and lyrical content are classic Pet Shop Boys with the typical mix of clever songs and wry delivery but the real stand-out gem on here is the brilliant “Memory Of The Future”.

The bonus disc of instrumentals isn’t as interesting as the bonus dub mixes on “Yes” but, again, I get the impression that they’re meant to be background music for when you’re in a chill-out mood on a Sunday morning. Now I know which disc to reach for while reading the papers and having a coffee at the weekend!

Leaving (OK synth-pop tune), Invisible (a future classic, lovely downtempo track), Winner (made to fit today's pop taste, not my taste), Your early stuff (a bitching track, in the vein of Yesterday when I was mad, but not as good as that musically), A face like that (OK minor key synth-pop), Breathing space (acoustic Release-style track), Ego Music (another bitching track, with spoken lyrics ala Left to my own devices, pretty bizarre), Hold on (musical style track, with cheesy optimistic lyrics), Give it a go (rather not), Memory of the future (upbeat downtempo synth-pop), Everything means something (lounge pop oblivion), Requiem... (disco-house pop, sounds a bit Bilingual).

All in all a bit of a disappointment, but there is one great track included at least, nobody does heartbroken downtempo synthmusic like PSB do on "Invisible"

Could actually be their best album since Very, but as with all albums ever since it's very hit and miss, with instant classics like Leaving coupled with throwaway tracks like Winner.