Pet Shop Boys, Similar

[Very]

One Night In Bangkok at least had the rap/sing thing that West End Girls had. Also, it's a fantastic track.

Did Sparks album come out before or after Very and when did they record? I really wonder if there wasn't some influence.

Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins by Sparks was released in November 1994, after an absence from the music industry of 5–6 years.

[miserabalism]

Prefab Sprout, If you don't love me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0sJRvSErG4

Alison Moyet, Whispering your name - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwY_9KUVoVk

There was some song on a Saint Etienne Christmas CD around 2003, but I've forgotten the name of it. Sounded very PSB.

[rabagast]

Technique - Sun is shining

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsxNK2JRXig&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsxNK2JRXig&hl=nb_NO&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]

[York Minster]

Wow, that PSprout song sounds like a souped up PSB version of something from Jordan The Comeback. I like PS, but I never understook the obsession over that album. Two Wheels Good is better IMO. If You Dont Love Me sounds more like Sparks or Momus sounding like PSB than PSB sounding like PSB though. Either way, need more tracks like this.

Oh, I just thought of one. Track 3 from the Ivan by Ivan (Men Without Hats lead singer) from 1996, can't remember the name off the top though. Actually, I would have to imagine that album would appeal to PSB fans.

The Moyat song sounds Noel Cowardy. I never got into her stuff much, partly due to not liking the vocals, but this is pretty good. This also sounds more 1994 Sparks than PSB.

The technique song is a bit PSB, though with the female vocals it gets turned into a more St. Etienne sound. What's good by this group, anything? I'm not in love with the songwriting on this. I could never get into Client at all. How come groups name themselves after New Order albums and videos but not PSB stuff?

[York Minster]

Here's one of the few Ivan songs I can find on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X5wFtjhAK4[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X5wFtjhAK4

[Quicksand]

The Beloved- 'Sweet harmony' is a song that I love. It sounds a bit PSBish to me, and I guess I wish PSB had written it!

[Sandy Shaw]

Sparks - Now That I Own The BBC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoIU7O030VE

Sparks - When I kiss you I hear Charlie Parker playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6saLZGBV8E

Sparks - When Do I Get to Sing My Way?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvatys8vP3s

However Sparks made great songs and I'm sure any similarities are pure coincidence.

If you like these tracks listen to 'The Calm Before the Storm' and 'Let's Go Surfing' from Sparks. 'Let's Go Surfing' does sound like a response to the PSB version of 'Go West'. Also when Sparks released 'National Crime Awareness Week' I remember many journalists comparing this with PSB. Ron Mael is influenced by many things and he would certainly be aware of the Boys' career.

[Very]

Sandy Shaw you are right

Sparks - Let's Go Surfing - This is so PSB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEBpkXMobOo

Ron Mael
"When the band hit the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, he was well-known for his strange appearance, often remaining motionless over his keyboard."
From wikipedia.

... I guess PSB were influenced by Sparks as well.

[York Minster]

If you like these tracks listen to 'The Calm Before the Storm' and 'Let's Go Surfing' from Sparks. 'Let's Go Surfing' does sound like a response to the PSB version of 'Go West'. Also when Sparks released 'National Crime Awareness Week' I remember many journalists comparing this with PSB. Ron Mael is influenced by many things and he would certainly be aware of the Boys' career.

I want to issue a warning about Sparks. They have had two dancepop albums. One in 1994, one in 2000. The 1994 one sounds the most like PSB, and a couple of the singles are quite good. But overall I find the songwriting severely lacking (this also happened on some Sparks 80s albums). Unfortunately, the synthy 80s Sparks albums that had a sound that would appeal more to PSB fans don't have near their best work.

So what to do? Get the 2000 album Balls. Consistent excellent quirky and intelligent dancepop that I believe allmusic describes as a mix between Men Without Hats, PSB and a bit of Devo. You can't go wrong with almost anything from the 70s. They quit rock and started disco in 79 and that was better songwriting through 83 compared to the late 80s.

I think Sparks annoy some PSB fans, and they can be abrasive. But I really think their back catalogue is worth looking into even if what you heard turned you off. Just listen to various tracks on youtube or amazon from different eras. The first two albums are miles away from the 1994 stuff, and even from the stuff from the next couple albums, but they are also quite impressive.

[Patrick Bateman]

[VinnyM227]

When I used a PSB song in a lesson (and it was "Legacy", but it was more about the lyrics then the song which fans love oh so much)

Can you give us some more info on what your lesson was and how Legacy came into play?

I have never thought Send Me An Angel sounds very PSB. I associate it more with early 80s synthpop than PSB synth/disco/dance. I can though understand why a mix of Bizarre Love Triangle was long ago labeled "Pet Shop Boys" mix.

Not so much a lesson as an exercise in analyzing lyrics. Instead of quote of the day (which was like pulling teeth and I only did about three of them) I did a few songs instead. They had some interesting things to say but it's been a while so I forgot.

[rabagast]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wmKQZxfomy8&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wmKQZxfomy8&hl=nb_NO&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7nHs85Y7s_A&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7nHs85Y7s_A&hl=nb_NO&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]

[VinnyM227]

The "PSB = Send Me An Angel" thing has been going around for YEARS. I guess back in 2000 or so, some flunky mislabeled an MP3 and shared it over Napster, and ever since then people have got the idea that it's a rare early PSB track (how short memories are: "Send Me An Angel" has been a hit three times, never mind the fact that the singer doesn't sound like Neil and the lyrics are nothing like anything he'd write).

Back in the Napster things, a lot of files were notoriously miscredited (if that is a worded) not to mention incorrectly spelled (and terribly so). I would like to say Pet Shop Boys-Send Me An Angel surprises me, but in this era where the general public is not very passionate about music, it doesn't.

[York Minster]

Lets not forget the XYZ track West End girls/SMAAngel does actually exist.

I forgot about Kylie Said To Jason! Easily the closet attempt at the boys. Also an obvious: Flight Of The Conchords Inner City Pressure

That Super Virgin song does sounds 1995 era PSB. But with those vocals I had to cut it short.

[Sandy Shaw]

Lets not forget the XYZ track West End girls/SMAAngel does actually exist.

Does it? You are not thinking of 'West End Sunglasses' are you?