The Actually / Further Listening 1987-1988 reissue is widely considered a definitive document of the Pet Shop Boys at their creative and commercial "imperial" peak. Building on the original 1987 masterpiece—which combined sleek, high-energy dance-pop with sharp critiques of Thatcherite materialism and the emotional weight of the AIDS crisis—this collection adds a wealth of essential b-sides, remixes, and demos. Critics consistently praise it for its flawless production and for capturing the duo's unique ability to blend high-concept art with chart-topping hits like "It's a Sin" and "Rent." By providing deep context for the era through its bonus material, the reissue solidifies Actually’s reputation as one of the most sophisticated and enduring albums in the history of electronic music.
The Actually / Further Listening 1987-1988 reissue serves as a definitive look at the Pet Shop Boys during their "imperial phase," a period where they commanded the charts while maintaining a sharp, avant-garde edge. The original 1987 album remains a high-water mark for 80s synth-pop, masterfully blending high-energy dance floor production with a cold, almost detached sophistication. From the dramatic choral swells of "It’s a Sin" to the suburban melancholy of "Rent," the album captures a duo perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist, managing to be both commercially massive and intellectually demanding.
Lyrically, the album is a biting critique of Thatcher-era Britain, draped in the velvet of expensive-sounding synthesizers. Neil Tennant’s deadpan delivery provides the perfect vehicle for songs about greed, Catholic guilt, and the socio-political decay of London. The track "King’s Cross," in particular, remains one of the most haunting pieces in their catalogue, acting as a somber bookend to an album that otherwise glitters with hits like the Dusty Springfield collaboration "What Have I Done to Deserve This?". This balance of club-ready beats and crushing emotional realism is what elevates the record above its peers.
The Further Listening aspect of this reissue is where the collection truly shines for fans and historians alike. The bonus material isn't just filler; it includes era-defining B-sides and remixes that are often as strong as the album tracks themselves. Inclusion of tracks like "A New Life" and the Shep Pettibone mix of "Heart" provides a comprehensive map of the band’s sonic evolution during these two pivotal years. It offers a fascinating behind-the-curtain look at how Chris Lowe’s architectural production style was refined in the studio, turning rough demos into polished pop monuments.
Overall, this expanded edition reinforces Actually’s status as a flawless pop statement that has aged remarkably well. It avoids the dated "cheese" that plagues many of its contemporaries, largely because its themes of economic disparity and personal longing remain universally relevant. For anyone looking to understand the intersection of art, politics, and electronic music, this reissue is an essential archive. It proves that the Pet Shop Boys weren't just making music for the moment; they were building a sophisticated aesthetic world that still feels modern decades later.
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Disc 1: Actually (2018 Remaster)
1. One More Chance
2. What Have I Done to Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield)
3. Shopping
4. Rent
5. Hit Music
6. It Couldn't Happen Here
7. It's a Sin
8. I Want to Wake Up
9. Heart
10. King's Cross
Disc 2: Further Listening 1987–1988
This disc features previously unreleased mixes and key B-sides from the era:
1. I Want to Wake Up (Breakdown Mix)
2. Heart (Shep Pettibone Version)
3. You Know Where You Went Wrong
4. One More Chance (7" Mix)
5. It's a Sin (Disco Mix)
6. What Have I Done to Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield) [Extended Mix]
7. Heart (Disco Mix)
8. A New Life
9. Always on My Mind (Demo Version)
10. Rent (7" Mix)
11. I Want a Dog
12. Always on My Mind (Extended Dance Mix)
13. Do I Have To?
14. Always on My Mind (Dub Mix)
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