PSB, why are they so good?

[TwizzleUK]

[Duplicate post]

[telys]

"channeling musical theater". Yep, precisely, and when they try to do ballads with generic lyrics. "The Only One", is one example. Nightlife and Release are two albums where there are a lot of songs without the dense sonic landscape. They should've gotten Jeff Lynne/George Harrison (but he was already dead) to produce Release. It would've been a killer!

[Luke Colorado]

"channeling musical theater". Yep, precisely, and when they try to do ballads with generic lyrics.

Finally, a kindred spirit.

[jasonjohn]

And yet so much of their music could easily be theatrical.

[TallThinMan]

For me it’s always simply been that they offer the complete package. Their best songs have brilliant lyrics about unusual and interesting subjects set to fantastic music with beautiful melodies and chord changes and killer beats. Accompanied by great sleeve designs, videos, promotional photographs, interviews and tours.

Some aspects of the above have sometimes gone a little off the boil in recent years, but they’re still capable of greatness and are remarkably consistent; an incredible achievement after forty years.

Most other groups don’t look like they’re even trying by comparison.

[Disco.]

They are the complete package, a few come close but they are still winning comprehensible.

[Shopper]

For me, PSB are amongst the rare bands which had a complete vision and self-awareness about themselves as a band and brand and while they changed their soundscapes within limits, they have stuck true to that vision. (That includes their amazing imagery and design aesthetics)

[andmaste]

For those who are tempted to say that the lyrics can be maybe the main pont of their worldwide success, just think about all the people who doesn´t speak English and have almost no idea at all of what Neil is singing, but anyway consider PSB as their favourite music act. I know for sure there are TONS of fans like that!!

That's true.
I am italian, i speak english in a simple way, and when i hear a song, i often need to read the lyrics to understand completely what they are about.
And not only talking anout PSB, but in general.

[Andie]

The lyrics & Neil's voice! Plus the irony of course!

[telys]

"channeling musical theater". Yep, precisely, and when they try to do ballads with generic lyrics.

Finally, a kindred spirit.

I mean, let's compare Closer to Heaven with MUSIK. What a difference! CTH is a lot of generic stuff, and certainly some melodies are really good but overall the lyrics and concept falls flat. Then MUSIK which springs from the mentioned musical is more in the PSB universe. Irony, a compleley unique story and some classic Tennant lyrics. Doing that musical in the beginning of the 00s was a real career mistake. It should've been aborted or at least stalled until they had a great unique concept and story.

[DopeFiend]

For me it’s always simply been that they offer the complete package. Their best songs have brilliant lyrics about unusual and interesting subjects set to fantastic music with beautiful melodies and chord changes and killer beats. Accompanied by great sleeve designs, videos, promotional photographs, interviews and tours.

Some aspects of the above have sometimes gone a little off the boil in recent years, but they’re still capable of greatness and are remarkably consistent; an incredible achievement after forty years.

Most other groups don’t look like they’re even trying by comparison.

Agree, that's what I was going to say. They're multi-faceted.
High energy dance music, soothing ballads, poetic lyrics, pop-tastic lyrics. Visually appealing in their photoshoots, covers, costumes, smart and high-end outfits, interesting stage shows.
Neil is a real intellectual, and both of them are pretty smart about music as a whole. I love when they mention other artists and styles of music, it gives me a broader view of music.

Overall, I think the biggest appeal is the "happy-sad". That fine balance.
The escapism, the subtle... doubt in the lyrics (I hope I can handle what I have to do. Enjoy it while it lasts. Can I contrive
to keep this show on the road? Will I survive?)
It's something that's present in the sound of the songs as well, not just the lyrics.
Neil's often small and non intrusive voice contrasted against powerful orchestras and Chris' catchy tunes.
The strings in particular, often sound like a movie soundtrack, evoking emotion. When combined with a beat
or synth lines, it brings energy to it which to me makes it more consumable.
It makes the music relatable. The sorrow of the world combined with idealistic fantasies.
To me that's what they do best.

[Old Soak]

Sly, wry and dry witticism
Arrived (on Parlophone at least) already fully formed
Constantly reinventing their sound
Never reinventing the dynamic pretense of the lazy sod who does nothing standing behind the keyboard and the studious scholar
More layers than an onion to many of the lyrics which adds deep satisfaction trying to unpick them
Dance beats to die for
Full of surprises
Glorious b-sides which are the best thing in their catalogue and almost a secret discography for dedicated fans
Enigmatic to a fault