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Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Wed 07 Nov 2018, 8:34 pm
by Pod
alig wrote: Wed 07 Nov 2018, 8:31 pm People really give a toss about signed copies?
Absolutely!

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Wed 07 Nov 2018, 10:03 pm
by daveid
Drico One wrote: Tue 06 Nov 2018, 10:42 pm I have to say (well, maybe I don't really) that I don't really get the fuss over this. I haven't ordered a copy, and I'm trying to work out why I haven't. First of all, I don't really like the idea of Neil taking the plaudits when, to me, Chris is very much an equal songwriting partner. Sure, we've always known Neil generally supplies the words and Chris generally the tunes, but I see them as a single entity that is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Secondly, haven't we already had Neil's insights via Further Listening? The beauty of those releases was that we also got Chris's.

Most of all, though, I don't think song lyrics look all that great written down and out of context. In the absence of the song itself, the tune, the melody, and the arrangement, they seem somewhat banal and inelegant. The addition of the poem at the end strikes me as massively pretentious.

One part of me is delighted Neil seems to be getting attention for his work. To my mind, he is the greatest lyricist of his generation and easily one of the best songwriting wordsmiths of all time. But this collection doesn't excite me at all. I can pore over his lyrics all day long, but they mean little to me on paper. I want to imbibe them in song, in their truest and most sincere form. He deserves the recognition, though. I think he's massively underrated in many ways...almost as much as Chris is.

Drico.
I agree and also haven't bought a copy. I don't see it as a Pet Shop Boys product in any way. Mind you I hope for Neil's sake not too many heed your words of wisdom on this occasion!

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 12:41 am
by MikeyC
The Only ONE!!

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 9:22 am
by Enfant Terrible
I originally ordered a copy from the OS (for me). I'd also ordered a copy from the Faber website later (as a gift for my Dad - he has good taste!). He'll be getting the standard copy now!

Anyway, just got a tracking number form the OS order saying it'd be delivered today by Hermes. Looking on the OS I was interested to see that if you pay for courier delivery (which was the only option given for the ltd book) it would be a tracked EXPRESS service...

"Courier shipments to UK delivery addresses are sent via myHermes or DPD, both are tracked express services. Courier shipping is offered as an option where Standard delivery is also available or as the sole option where the shipment has a high weight or value.

Courier - £6.95 flat rate to all UK destinations."

Well, a whole week to deliver is clearly not express. They've very cheekily charged for an express service but just sent a cheapo standard delivery.

I found a number for digital stores who run the OS shop, and called them. They said they would refund the delivery cost. If anyone else wants to do the same their number is 0845 052 7506.

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 11:19 am
by Marie loves PSB
scousepsbfan wrote: Wed 07 Nov 2018, 10:44 am I've got an image now of Neil sitting in a dark room with bleeding fingers as he hand binds 500 copies lol.
lol.... :lol: I wonder if Neil is now totally fed up with his book due to this and signing them all?

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 11:21 am
by Marie loves PSB
alig wrote: Wed 07 Nov 2018, 8:31 pm People really give a toss about signed copies?
This is all I ordered mine for to be honest as I am an autograph collector. 8)

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 1:59 pm
by PSB-90
Has anyone received their Faber complimentary copy with letterpress thing?

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 4:05 pm
by Sandy Shaw
PSB-90 wrote: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 1:59 pm Has anyone received their Faber complimentary copy with letterpress thing?
Not yet, I've had the day off today so haven't missed any potential deliveries!

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 4:50 pm
by PSB-90
Thanks for that, so at least it's not just me! Fingers crossed for tomorrow...

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 6:16 pm
by Pod
Mine finally arrived today - number 396. It is a beautiful thing.

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 10:48 pm
by zukunft
No. 70 arrived in Germany today.

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Fri 09 Nov 2018, 1:35 pm
by Remark
No. 369 arrived to me today! FINALLY 8)

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Fri 09 Nov 2018, 3:14 pm
by GalataPSB
Classic Pop Magazine - November 2018

Image

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Fri 09 Nov 2018, 3:31 pm
by Patrick Bateman
PSB-90 wrote: Thu 08 Nov 2018, 1:59 pm Has anyone received their Faber complimentary copy with letterpress thing?
He did say it was being sent out on Monday, just not which Monday.....

Re: Neil Tennant announces new book

Posted: Fri 09 Nov 2018, 3:41 pm
by Patrick Bateman
Drico One wrote: Tue 06 Nov 2018, 10:42 pm I have to say (well, maybe I don't really) that I don't really get the fuss over this. I haven't ordered a copy, and I'm trying to work out why I haven't. First of all, I don't really like the idea of Neil taking the plaudits when, to me, Chris is very much an equal songwriting partner. Sure, we've always known Neil generally supplies the words and Chris generally the tunes, but I see them as a single entity that is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Secondly, haven't we already had Neil's insights via Further Listening? The beauty of those releases was that we also got Chris's.

Most of all, though, I don't think song lyrics look all that great written down and out of context. In the absence of the song itself, the tune, the melody, and the arrangement, they seem somewhat banal and inelegant. The addition of the poem at the end strikes me as massively pretentious.

One part of me is delighted Neil seems to be getting attention for his work. To my mind, he is the greatest lyricist of his generation and easily one of the best songwriting wordsmiths of all time. But this collection doesn't excite me at all. I can pore over his lyrics all day long, but they mean little to me on paper. I want to imbibe them in song, in their truest and most sincere form. He deserves the recognition, though. I think he's massively underrated in many ways...almost as much as Chris is.

Drico.
Pop lyrics aren't poetry. They may sometimes be poetic, but as you say, removed from their original context even those can appear banal and inelegant. I've also got an issue with him selecting the ones that supposedly look better when written on the page. To me, the form and content of the Minimal lyric perfectly complement each other like the best poetry - but that's not here while some of Neil's more pretentious lyrics are. And yes, the inclusion of the additional poem is hugely egotistic too.