Very (1993) is frequently cited as the Pet Shop Boys’ definitive pop statement, a high-energy pivot from the moody, orchestral tones of their previous work. Produced entirely by the duo, the album is a masterclass in "clinical" yet exuberant synth-pop, blending massive dance-floor hooks with Neil Tennant’s signature witty, often biting social commentary. From the iconic Village People cover "Go West" to the aggressive techno-pop of "Can You Forgive Her?", the record captures a unique moment in 90s culture where camp aesthetics met serious, sophisticated songwriting.
The Further Listening 1992-1994 reissue elevates the experience by including a second disc of b-sides and rarities that many critics argue are as strong as the main album. This collection features the demo for Kylie Minogue’s "Falling" and the Noel Coward cover "If Love Were All," showcasing the duo's staggering productivity and range during their creative peak. For fans and collectors, this edition is considered the essential version of the album, providing a comprehensive 36-track journey through one of the most successful and inventive eras in British pop history.
Very (1993) represents the Pet Shop Boys at the absolute zenith of their pop powers, marking a deliberate shift toward high-energy, unapologetic synth-pop. Following the subdued and introspective Behaviour, Very exploded with a "clinical" digital brightness and a camp, exuberant aesthetic. From the orange-studded "Lego" jewel case to the soaring anthems like "Go West," the album served as a masterclass in how to combine massive commercial appeal with the duo’s signature intellectual depth.
The songwriting on Very is a brilliant study in contradictions, blending upbeat, danceable production with lyrics that are often melancholic, biting, or deeply personal. Tracks like "Can You Forgive Her?" and "Yesterday, When I Was Mad" showcase Neil Tennant’s sharp wit and ability to tackle themes of shame, jealousy, and the pressures of fame within a techno-pop framework. It is this duality—the tension between the celebratory music and the sobering reality of the words—that prevents the album from feeling like a superficial pop product and instead cements it as a piece of art.
The Further Listening 1992–1994 edition is essential because it captures the staggering fertility of the band's creative output during this period. The bonus disc isn't just a collection of cast-offs; it features tracks that are widely considered "lost classics," such as the demo for Kylie Minogue’s "Falling" and the hauntingly beautiful "The Theatre." These tracks, alongside remixes and rarities like "Decadence," provide a panoramic view of how the duo was pushing the boundaries of dance music while maintaining their status as the UK’s premiere pop poets.
Ultimately, this reissue confirms Very as a landmark release that defined the early 90s British pop landscape. By packaging the original high-concept album with such a strong set of supplementary material, the Further Listening series offers the definitive portrait of a band at their most confident and experimental. It remains an essential listen for anyone interested in the intersection of club culture and sophisticated songwriting, standing as a vibrant reminder of when pop music was both incredibly popular and incredibly smart.
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Disc 1: Very
1. Can You Forgive Her?
2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
3. Liberation
4. A Different Point of View
5. Dreaming of the Queen
6. Yesterday, When I Was Mad
7. The Theatre
8. One and One Make Five
9. To Speak Is a Sin
10. Young Offender
11. One in a Million
12. Go West (Includes the hidden track "Postscript" at the end)
Disc 2: Further Listening 1992–1994
1. Go West (1992 Twelve-Inch Mix)
2. Forever in Love (Instrumental)
3. Confidential (Demo for Tina Turner)
4. Hey, Headmaster
5. Shameless
6. Too Many People
7. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing (Seven-Inch Version)
8. Violence (Haçienda Version)
9. Falling (Demo for Kylie Minogue)
10. Decadence
11. If Love Were All (Bitter Sweet)
12. Absolutely Fabulous (Single Version)
13. Euroboy
14. Some Speculation
15. Yesterday, When I Was Mad (Single Version)
16. Girls & Boys (Live in Rio)
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