On The Job: Fundamentalism, Pet Shop Sounds. (Extended Version)

Veterans of synth-pop show their mettle on their fine new release Fundamental. At a time when fellow electronic elders New Order and Primal Scream claim to return to basics by releasing straight guitar-based records, Fundamental proves that the Pet Shop Boys have their foundations firmly laid in electronic music. The generally dark and serious tone ensures that this is no lightweight bubblegum dance-pop album. This however doesn't mean that Fundamental is a depressing or morbid album. The duo's trademark wit and irony are bound to bring many an empathic smile to the face of listeners. "Is stupid really stupid/ or a different kind of smart?"--I'm With Stupid. More importantly, the characters really come to life in the songs. Take for instance the guy who was caught in the awkward circumstance of catching his lover enagaged in an intimate (not sexual) moment with another person and "to save further embarrassment" made his excuses and left. Or the idea that Casanova was in actual fact impotent and thus wrote seduction memoirs to create his own sexual myth. Apart from all the interesting concepts, Fundamental is not wanting of catchy tunes from the absolutely danceable MINIMAL which instantly brings to mind Lipps Inc's minimalistic hit Funkytown to THE SODOM AND GOMORRAH SHOW which starts off with Muse-like synthesized arpeggios. Fundamental may not be a Violator but as far as tasteful dance-pop goes, this may be the best it can get. Last and least, I can't help but mention that the album design looks uncannily like a distant relative to silverchair's Neon Ballroom.

On The Job: My valiant attempt at being uncritical of a commercial sellout act.

English trio Keane who achieved commercial success by being widely marketed as the next Coldplay returns with a brand new album of similar affecting ballads. The markedly increased available budget is apparent in the heavy production of this record. While their previous effort was a plaintive affair of largely piano and vocals that exuded charm with a certain degree of sincerity and vulnerability, Under The Iron Sea overwhelms with layers of atmospheric synthesizers, guitar effects and trip-hop beeps and clicks. Fans of the band would certainly enjoy the consistent, unchanged and unvaried songwriting style.