Artwork by the talented and generous Adam Sparpalius.
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Posts Tagged: Pet Shop Boys
5
Oct 09
The Absolute Best Songs of 2009 (75% of it)
21
Apr 09
New Music Tues. Giveaway – Asher Roth, Pet Shop Boys, et al
Have I ever mentioned that I have a LAST.FM account? Well I do. And if you send me a friend request, along with Twitter you can fully stalk my terrible listening habits and random thoughts.
Better yet, why don’t you join:
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The New Music Tuesday Giveaway is the product of a Pretty Much Amazing and Amazon Music coupling. Every Tuesday, we will give away the in best new releases. I will also give each album a two-listen verdict, for those looking to purchase. Remember, I listen twice because I’m nice! This week we’re giving away Asher Roth’s debut “Asleep In The Bread Aisle,” Pet Shop Boys’ “Yes,” and Depeche Mode’s “Sounds of the Universe.”
If you are interested in winning these 3 releases, leave your name in the comments! It just dawned on me that I didn’t put a closing date! Entries will be accepted until Friday, April 24th at NOON PST.
Asher Roth, Asleep In The Bread Aisle
[Buy][iTunes]
Two-Listen Verdict: “Asleep In The Bread Aisle,” is not a horrible album, but the sometimes witty Asher Roth and the sporadic good lines can’t save this bland, boring album. 5.2/10
Pet Shop Boys, Yes
[buy][iTunes]
Two-Listen Verdict: It’s been a while since PSB have released an album that has been so modern, classic, and downright danceable. Just so you know, this deserves for than just two listens. 7.7/10
Depeche Mode, Sounds Of The Universe
[Buy][iTunes]
Two-Listen Verdict: It happened. Depeche Mode have released two back to back albums that shoves everyone’s “washed-up” remarks back into their despicable faces. It’s tremblingly dark and starkly original. 7/10
9
Mar 09
Pet Shop Boys – Did You See Me Coming?
[rating:82/100]
Last time I let you guys listen to a Pet Shop Boys song, I was sort of ashamed to see so many people come to me on Twitter (@pmablog) and ask who these guys where, or thank me for turning me onto them. Now, I’m glad that I helped you guys discover the Pet Shop Boys, but these guys are really people you should be extremely familiar with. Like I mentioned on my post here, these guys — along with help from New Order and another handful of select classic pop acts — paved the way for many of the acts you listen to now. So I suggest you get familiar.
From what I’ve heard from their new album, Yes, it seems that starting out with this one seems to be a good place to start your Pet Shop Boys soulsearching. I think everyone liked the first single, “Love, Etc.” It was very PSB, though it definitely had a tangible modern tint. I think this was the tint that made the beautiful color, “Love, Etc.” possible.
On yesterday’s The Mail On Sunday, the UK’s Daily Mail came with a Pet Shop Boys retropective that inlcuded new track, “Did You See Me Coming?,” from PSB’s upcoming album, Yes. I’m so glad Electronic Rumors finds this as amusing as I do. I won’t pretend to be all that caught up with the British newspapers, but plenty of my friends have shared with me the fuckery that is The Daily Mail. But I guess we can all forgive them today for sharing this effortlessly fantastic new song. It’s definitely old school. Missing is the modern tint that made “Love, Etc.” an easy new pop classic, but as a song that tips its hat at older material, “Did You See Me Coming?” holds its own with the best of them. Read on to stream the track Continue reading →
7
Mar 09
Saturday Nite Party Music Planner 3.07.09
So last week’s Saturday Night Nite Party Music Planner was very well received and it has inspired me to do another. It’s important to acknowledge that not all Saturday Nite parties are blasting remixes like electro-fiends. Thus, this week isn’t all about the hot remixes, like the previous Planner, but I’m zero-ing in on funky-fun synthpop.
As limiting as you might think it is, synthpop leaves your playlist wide open to a plethora of sounds. Some choices are obvious: MGMT; the first 5 tracks of Hot Fuss. There are also new acts breaking out that can inflate your playlist: La Roux; Empire of the Sun. Then there are the internet classics: Ladytron; The Knife (I suppose MGMT’s transcending presence can easily be categorized here too). And lastly, the real classics: Kraftwerk; Pet Shop Boys. I won’t get too involved or theoretical with “synthpop.” It would soil the point of this post in the first place — to help you come up with a kick ass Saturday Nite Party Playlist. Continue reading →
24
Feb 09
Ciara & Justin Timberlake – Love & Sex & Magic + Lady GaGa x Pet Shop Boys
Ciara & Justin Timberlake – Love & Sex & Magic
Justin Timberlakes makes Ciara cool again! Don’t even try to argue with that. You will risk sounding retarded 
Well I think we’ve all heard this song before, right? I mean before Ciara put her so-2004 vocals on it. I wonder if this is what will become of all of the Justin Timberlake demos that have leaked over the months. Even if the thought of being farther and father away from listening to new JT material isn’t a pleasant one, “Love & Sex & Magic” is one fantastic piece of pop music, even if it does sound like “Sexy Ladies” off his FutureSex/LoveSounds. Everything Justin Timberlake touches is always so damn irresistible. Continue reading →
6
Feb 09
Pet Shop Boys – Love, etc
New Pet Shop Boys Single! New Pet Shop Boys Single! New Pet Shop Boys Single! New Pet Shop Boys Single!
It’s fantastic. I don’t know what I love more: the great lyrics, the fun harmonies, or the thumping music. Sort of really, really excited for their upcoming album, Yes, set for release on March 23rd.
Preview it below Continue reading →
9
Jan 09
pmaCAST #3 – The “Best Remixes of 2008″ Episode
Alright, a lot of you left comments and emails asking me to podcast this years Best Remixes list, so here you have it. This is probably the only time I will have an episode of the pmaCAST be 100% remix. I know you have to be in a certain mood to listen to a remix, so I tend to steer clear from those in podcasts. Whatever the case, let me know how/if you like your remixes on your podcasts.
Not much so say here, refer to my Best Remixes of 2008 list for more on why I chose the remixes that I did. Enjoy your almost-an-entire hour of pmaCAST. A less danceable podcast is to come in a few days. I’m already almost done with it.
pmaCAST #3 Tracklisting
MGMT – Kids (Petshop Boys Synthpop Remix)
Kid Sister & Kanye West – Pro Nails (Simian Mobile Disco Remix)
M.I.A. – Paper Planes (Remix for the Children by Adrock)
Lil Wayne – A Milli (Flying Lotus Robo Tussin Remix)
Kanye West – Love Lockdown (1994 PILOTPRIEST Remix)
Hercules & Love Affair – Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
MGMT – Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
MGMT – Kids (Soulwax ‘Nite Version’ Remix)
Cut Copy – Lights And Music (Boys Noize Happy Birthday Remix)
Kaiser Chiefs – Never Miss A Beat (Cut Copy Remix)
Black Kids & Lil Wayne – Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance (The Twelves Kickmix)
Download pmaCAST #3 – 54MB | Subscribe via iTunes or RSS
31
Dec 08
Pretty Much Amazing’s Best Remixes of 2008
Here’s the next installment of Pretty Much Amazing’s year-end list extravaganza. All of these remixes are top quality, hot-as-fuck, bad ass mixes that deserve to be heard again and again — even if they were whored by the Hype Machine enough. I wanted to get this list up before NYE so you can get your freak on proper. Don’t forget to leave your favorite remixes of 2008 in the comments!
Without further adieu, the best remixes of 2008 (in no particular order).
26
Dec 08
I got my BA in Mixtapeology at my fancy Liberal Arts School
Mix – tape – ol – o – gy: New remixes and some covers you’ve (hopefully) never heard before.
Remixes on my mind
MGMT – Kids (Pet Shop Boys Synthpop Remix): Blows Soulwax’s remix out of the water. Seriously.
SebastiAn – Momy (Erol Alkan’s Simple, Yet Effective Edit): Simple, Yet Effective indeed.
Gorillaz – Dirty Harry (Disco Villains Remix): I haven’t some some sweet DV tracks in a while.
Late Of The Pier – Bathroom Gurgle (Tronik Youth Remix): Watch out for these guys next year.
DJ Mehdi – Pocket Piano (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix): I don’t show much love to Dh Mehdi or Chew Choco Cookies much. Hopefully this makes up for it a little.
Britney Spears – Circus (Junior Vasquez Remix Edit): I’ve decided that “Circus” is one of the best singles of 2008, oh and this remix isn’t bad either.
Gang Gang Dance – House Jam (Hot Chip Remix): I love Hot Chip and Gang Gang Dance is quickly getting on my good side. Match made in heaven.
And some covers… Continue reading →
