New EP in April: Agenda

[Boring90]

My kingdom for a moderator.

[NotInvisible]

all I heard was a pleasant song that implied a certain politician liked hot women

QED

[NotInvisible]

Appearantly standards have been lowered to using stock photos now.

...which is perfectly in keeping with the theme of the EP. Woosh.

[PSB-90]

.

[Drico One]

Christ.

Drico.

[York Minster]

Drico, yep. I don't even know how to formulate a reply to the last two pages here. Very disturbing.

[Pod]

Blimey, this escalated quickly...

[Remark]

I think the most shocking thing about this thread is the fact that some of these people posting are actual massive fans of Pet Shop Boys...so much so that they are on this Forum. I completely understand and welcome differing educated viewpoints and political perspectives, but I'm beyond perplexed that people with such obtuse opinions that are so opposite (and not even in the same universe really) of what the Boys project and/or represent could possibly be fans to this level? The kind of people who often also believe that "homosexuality is wrong/immoral" as another controversial viewpoint. Granted I'm generalising, but it's extremely perplexing that our beloved Boys could be so passionately enjoyed by such conservative minded fans. The Pet Shop Boys' agenda during their entire career seems to be completely incongruent to such extreme conservative perspectives.

[y3potential]

..The Forgotten Child needs an extended mix. Carry on...

[gareth]

Really glad I dropped in now to check this thread, said no one, ever.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

And this is a discussion on the EP. Can we have a "Politics" topic created?

It's my assumption that the moderation team are allowing it here, in light of the nature of the content of the EP. I do agree that it would be beneficial to contain it though, to topics such as this where the Pet Shop Boys material under discussion is political in nature. It doesn't need to proliferate everywhere, to topics in which it is irrelevant.

Frankly, whether we agree on points or not, I think the subject matter we've discussed is arguably more interesting than the facile caricatures on the EP, and I do appreciate your recent return to some semblance of civility.

Retro.

[tottenhammattspurs]

I miss the days when we just slagged off a sub-par B-Side......

[canveyboy]

Can you guys please move your discussion either to the off topic forum or PM each other. I come here looking for people’s reviews of the songs, music, artwork etc to do with the EP and it’s like being in an episode of question time but with added insults.

Please take it somewhere else.

[jasonjohn]

Appearantly standards have been lowered to using stock photos now.

A stock photo is perfect for this EP, actually. It's like modern art.

[Danimal]

Regardless of the relative quality of the Agenda EP, I'm excited this release signals a potential change in future release strategy. I've always admired indie labels such as Mute that released non-standard output such as EPs and always wished PSB would release an EP or mini-album inbetween albums. I know around the time of Somewhere they wanted to release a "Showtunes" EP but were talked out of it by Parlophone. Years earlier than that they mentiond a "Rock Classics" EP that was to include covers of "Stairway to Heaven" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (though Neil could have been joking about this). Neil did say over the years they had a number of ideas for EPs but Parlophone would always say "what do you hope to accomplish by releasing this?" and would talk them out of it.
Considering the fact PSB seem to be on a perpetual tour these days touring in tandem with a particular release seems to have lost any meaning. Why not put out EPs, short-form mini-albums, unusual 12"s/CD singles etc. between major releases? God knows PSB are prolific enough and as a fan I would much rather get interesting releases like these rather than the usual stopgap compilation of previously released remixes.