ZANG TUMMM TUMB ARTICLES “the first draft of history”

PET SHOP BOYS: Introspective (Parlophone) Without a smidgen of doubt the Pet Shop Boys are one of the smartest pop sensations ever to have happened, so how come this is a bit of a disappointment? You get six tunes: the current single “Domino Dancing”, their own version of the song they lent to Eighth Wonder “Im Not Scared”, the glorious “Always On My Mind”, a new version of an ancient rather silly song called “I Want A Dog” plus two new things. Ones a cover version of a “house” tune called “Its Alright” and the others a totally over the top thing called “Left To My Own Devices”, which is a rather strange self-portrait of Neil. The problem is you get the idea that the pair are simply messing about a bit too much; Chris is spending lots of time fiddling about with rather elaborate “house” remixes or adding funny noises to everything, and Neils vocal bits occasionally verge on the hugely barmy. The end result is that one moment youre basking in the brilliance of their music, the next youre scratching your head in sheer bafflement. Sleeves good though…

(6½ out of 10)