Behaviour (Further Listening 1990–1991) is a comprehensive reissue of the Pet Shop Boys’ fourth studio album, widely regarded as the duo's most introspective and sophisticated masterpiece. Released in 1990 and produced by Harold Faltermeyer, the record shifted away from the high-energy dance-pop of their earlier hits toward a warmer, more organic sound that blended synthesizers with orchestral arrangements by Angelo Badalamenti. The album is defined by its melancholic and elegiac tone, famously captured in the opening track "Being Boring," which serves as a poignant reflection on youth, mortality, and the passage of time.
The Further Listening edition significantly enriches the original experience by including a bonus disc filled with B-sides, remixes, and previously unreleased demos from the same era. This collection showcases the band's immense productivity during their creative peak, featuring tracks like the satirical "Miserablism" and the high-concept medley "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes off You)." For both casual listeners and die-hard fans, this reissue provides essential context to a period where Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe successfully elevated synth-pop into a form of high-art storytelling.
Released in 1990 and remastered for the Further Listening series, Behaviour is often hailed as the Pet Shop Boys' creative zenith—a sophisticated, "mature" departure from the high-energy club anthems of their early years. Recorded in Munich with co-producer Harold Faltermeyer, the album swapped sharp digital samples for warm analog synthesizers and lush orchestral arrangements by Angelo Badalamenti. While critics at the time sometimes noted its subdued energy, retrospective reviews from publications like Pitchfork now celebrate its refined, "autumnal" atmosphere as a high-water mark for 90s synth-pop.
The record is anchored by "Being Boring," an elegiac masterpiece that reflects on childhood friendship and the devastating toll of the AIDS crisis. This introspective tone permeates the tracklist, from the haunting school-day memories of "This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave" to the grandiose, symphonic heartbreak of "Jealousy". Reviewers frequently highlight how Neil Tennant’s lyrics shifted here from sly social commentary to a more vulnerable, "reserved-but-pained" participation in the human experience.
The Further Listening 1990–1991 edition adds essential depth with a bonus disc of B-sides and rare tracks that many critics argue are strong enough to have been album contenders. Highlights include the Morrissey-baiting satire "Miserablism," the high-concept medley "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes off You)," and the sleek "DJ Culture". These additions provide a fascinating look at the duo’s immense productivity during a period where they were successfully bridging the gap between underground deep house and classical pop songwriting.
Ultimately, Behaviour stands as a "timeless pop capsule" that has only gained prestige over the decades. While it may have marked the end of the band's initial "imperial phase" in terms of chart dominance, it solidified their reputation as serious artists capable of profound emotional resonance. For fans and collectors, this reissue is widely considered an indispensable piece of the Pet Shop Boys' legacy, earning its place in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die canon.
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1. Being Boring 6:49
2. This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave 5:30
3. To Face the Truth 5:33
4. How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously? 3:56
5. Only the Wind 4:20
6. My October Symphony 5:18
7. So Hard 3:58
8. Nervously 4:06
9. The End of the World 4:43
10. Jealousy 4:48
Further Listening 1990–1991 (bonus disc)
1. It Must Be Obvious 4:26
2. So Hard (extended dance mix) 6:38
3. Miserablism 4:07
4. Being Boring (extended mix) 10:40
5. Bet She's Not Your Girlfriend 4:30
6. We All Feel Better in the Dark (extended mix) 6:48
7. Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) (extended mix) (previously unreleased on CD) 6:46
8. Jealousy (extended version) 7:58
9. Generic Jingle (previously unreleased) 0:14
10. DJ Culture (extended mix) 6:53
11. Was It Worth It? (12" mix) 7:15
12. Music for Boys (part 2) (previously unreleased on CD) 6:13
13. DJ Culture (7" mix) 4:26
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