`Alternative Pet Shop Boys' shows dance pop's flip side

RATING: * * * *

by David Gaskey

Alternative Pet Shop Boys is truly the best title for the newest release from the popular UK synth/pop band. The 2-disc set features modernized remakes of many songs that were hidden on b-sides and in double packs over a period ranging from 1983 to the present. This record presents the experimental side to the Pet Shop Boys, the side that their producers would never allow them to show while making it big off hits such as "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," "It's a Sin," "What Have I Done to Deserve This," "Domino Dancing" and, of course, their biggest hit, "West End Girls." This album lets you hear what they were doing on the side during those times.

The 30 tracks on Alternative feature a wide variety of sounds atypical of the duo. In this edition, Neil and Chris incorporate electro, Euro, acid, house, techno and R&B in with their traditional mellow sound (featured on Discography ) in a circular fashion that will take you on a wild trip and leave you back where you started.

They even experiment with jazz styles ( If Love Were All ), industrial/trance influences ( The Sound of the Atom Splitting ) and Latin sounds on selected tracks. When you hear the intros to most of the songs, you won't believe that it is the Pet Shop Boys until you hear the sweet vocals begin. The music tends to remind you of a few other bands (Erasure, Depeche Mode, New Order), yet it manages to maintain the Pet Shop Boys' individual identity.

In general, the release is some of the best dance/club music out. Although it covers some old material, the songs have been revamped for more of a '90s dance sound. (I even caught my roommate dancing around to this, and he usually hates my music!) Tracks such as "We All Feel Better in the Dark," "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)," "Music for the Boys" (reminiscent of "James Brown is Dead" by L.A. Style) and "Euroboy" promise to get you dancing.

The release makes an excellent addition to the collections of those who like British pop, '80s music or just enjoy going to clubs. It is truly the complete flip side of the hits on Discography , which makes it good for those who like dance music and the casual Pet Shop Boys listener. More devout fans may have trouble accepting this side of their persona. Neil Tennant said that with this album "we shouldn't have put out Disco 2 ." If you can't pay $28 for the set, check it out at Blockbuster Music.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the October 27, 1995 issue.

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