Nightlife [LP]

Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe.
Producers: David Morales, Craig Armstrong, Rollo, Pet Shop Boys.
Includes bonus CD with previously unreleased tracks, remixes & special mixes.
Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe.
Additional personnel includes: Kylie Minogue, Pauline Taylor, Audrey Wheeler, Sylvia Mason-James, J.B. Henry, Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon (vocals); Ali MacLeod (guitar); B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar); Kate St. John (oboe); Craig Armstrong (piano, keyboards, vocoder); Steven Hilton (keyboards, programming); Tom Stephen, Peter "Ski" Schwartz, Mark Bates (keyboards); Scott J. Fraser, Gene Perez (electric bass); Pete Lockett, Malcolm Hyde-Smith, Carlos Gomez (percussion); Pete Gleadall, James Sanger, Joey Mosk (programming); Steve Abrams, Billy Cliff, Keith Fluitt, John James (background vocals).
Producers: David Morales, Craig Armstrong, Rollo, Pet Shop Boys.
Engineers include: Steven Barkan, Andy Bradfield, Goetz.
After achieving success in the '80s with hits like "West End Girls" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?," this British duo's career had cooled a bit due to the public's leaning toward house and hip-hop. But there will always be a market for good music, and NIGHTLIFE could be the Boys' best release yet.
NIGHTLIFE combines the intelligent lyrics and synth-pop dance numbers reminiscent of the duo's earlier material with a more contemporary instrumental feel. "For Your Own Good" is a danceable melody with a heavy bass beat. An excellent string arrangement highlights "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore," while an oboe is put to good use on "Happiness Is an Option." Neil Tennant's melancholy vocals combine with lush orchestration on "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk." Carlos Gomez's percussion adds to "New York City Boy," the tale of a modern club kid. NIGHTLIFE combines cutting-edge programming with various organic instruments and soulful background vocals to make a thoroughly listenable record. Pet Shop Boys fans will eat it up, while techno vinyl junkies should take a listen to one of the pioneers of the genre.