Fundamental

Fundamental
Studio album by Pet Shop Boys
Released	May 22, 2006
Recorded	2003-2005
Genre	Pop, synthpop
Length	48:39 50:26 (Fundamentalism)
Label	Parlophone Rhino (U.S.)
Producer	Pet Shop Boys, Trevor Horn
Professional reviews
Allmusic link BBC (Favourable) link CANOE link CBC (Favourable) link The Guardian link The Independent link Pitchfork Media link Robert Christgau link Q (#239, June 2006, p. 118) Yahoo! Music UK link
Pet Shop Boys chronology
Battleship Potemkin (2005) Fundamental (2006) Concrete (2006)
Singles from Fundamental
"I'm with Stupid" Released: May 8, 2006 (2006-05-08) "Minimal" Released: July 24, 2006 (2006-07-24) "Numb" Released: October 16, 2006 (2006-10-16) "Integral" Released: October 8, 2007 (2007-10-08)

Fundamental is the sixteenth album, the ninth of entirely new music, by the British band Pet Shop Boys. It was released in May 2006 in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was released in late June 2006 in the United States. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number five on 28 May 2006 (see 2006 in British music). In the US the album peaked at #150 selling 7500 copies in its first week. As of April 2009 it has sold only 46,000 copies in the US and 66,000 copies in the UK. Fundamental earned three GRAMMY® nominations at the 2007 Grammy awards for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording with "I'm With Stupid" and 2008 for Best Dance Recording with "Minimal."

The album was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Trevor Horn and it features eleven new Pet Shop Boys compositions, and "Numb," written by Diane Warren (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe originally planned to have "Numb" be one of two new tracks on PopArt, but opted instead for "Miracles" and "Flamboyant").

The liner notes show that the album is dedicated to two executed Iranian teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, who were hanged on July 19, 2005. Some reports have suggested the two may have been executed for engaging in homosexual behavior, though others indicate they were hanged for raping a 13 year-old boy. The album was critically acclaimed and went on to sell over 1 million copies worldwide.

Overview

Subject matter

The album has been noted for being more political than any other of the duo's albums to date; even the title, in one sense, is a reference to religious fundamentalism — portrayed here in a light, critical manner, which singer Neil Tennant attributes to the relatively relaxed status of religious freedom in the United Kingdom.^[1]

Specific contemporary issues discussed in the lyrics include tensions and fears in the United States caused by the War on Terrorism, addressed in songs such as "Psychological" and "Luna Park"^[2] ("Luna Park" being the name of various amusement parks around the world). Other songs refer to the politics of the band's home country; "Indefinite leave to remain" refers to an immigration status in the United Kingdom, while "Integral" criticizes the British national identity card plans. (A statement from a band spokesman cites the issue as the reason that Tennant ceased his well-publicized support of Tony Blair's Labour Party.) "I'm with Stupid", meanwhile, touches upon both countries by satirizing Blair's alliance with George W. Bush. (See also special relationship.)^[3]

Other subject matters are dealt with as well. "Casanova in Hell" is about the 18th century historical figure Giacomo Casanova, and how he immortalized himself by writing memoirs about his history of sexual seduction of numerous women. Tennant refers to, specifically, the book Casanova's Homecoming by Arthur Schnitzler as his inspiration for the song.^[2] (It was sung by Rufus Wainwright at its very first live performance, at a private concert recorded for BBC Radio 2 at the Mermaid Theatre on May 8, 2006.)^[4] "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" references two of the biblical cities of sin, Sodom and Gomorrah, in saying that to learn to 'go where angels fear to tread' (ie. to sin) is to learn to live freely.

Music

The album is Pet Shop Boys' first collaboration with Trevor Horn since the 1989 single "It's alright". Its sound bears the producer's heavily orchestral style (also present on that song), most frequently associated with the 1982 ABC album The Lexicon of Love as well as the 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood single "Two Tribes" and subsequent album Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Horn was also musical director for the Radio 2 concert, which featured the BBC Concert Orchestra.^[4]

The album's personnel included many of Horn's frequent musical collaborators, including Anne Dudley, Tessa Niles, Jamie Muhoberac, Phil Palmer, Steve Lipson, Lalo Creme, Tim Pierce, Earl Harvin, Frank Ricotti, Luis Jardim, Lucinda Barry.^[5]

Fundamentalism

"In Private", here presented as a duet with Elton John, was originally a Dusty Springfield song written and produced by the Pet Shop Boys. First released as a single in 1989, it was later included on the 1991 album Reputation.

Track listing

all songs written by Neil Tennant/Chris Lowe except where noted.

Fundamental

1. "Psychological" — 4:10
2. "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" — 5:19
3. "I made my excuses and left" — 4:53
4. "Minimal" — 4:21
5. "Numb" — 4:43 (Diane Warren)
6. "God willing" — 1:17
7. "Luna Park" — 5:31
8. "I'm with Stupid" — 3:24
9. "Casanova in Hell" — 3:13
10. "Twentieth Century" — 4:39
11. "Indefinite leave to remain" — 3:08
12. "Integral" — 3:53

Fundamentalism

1. "Fugitive" (Richard X extended mix) — 6:06
2. "Sodom" (Trentemøller remix) — 7:24
3. "Psychological" (Alter Ego remix) — 7:13
4. "Flamboyant" (Michael Mayer Kompakt mix) — 7:58
5. "I'm with Stupid" (Melnyk Heavy Petting mix) — 6:07
6. "In Private" (Stuart Crichton club mix) (featuring Elton John) — 5:07
7. "Minimal" (Lobe remix) — 4:47
8. "Gomorrah" (Dettinger remix) — 5:39
9. "I'm with Stupid" (PSB maxi-mix) (Japan bonus track) — 8:12
10. "Minimal" (Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L remix) (Japan bonus track) — 5:40
11. "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" (demo version) (iTunes Store bonus track) — 5:02
12. "I'm with Stupid" (demo version) (iTunes Store bonus track) — 3:38

Personnel

• Neil Tennant
• Chris Lowe

Guest musicians

• Pete Gleadall - Original Programming
• Nick Ingman - Orchestral Arrangement and Conduction on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 & 12
• Alanna Tavernier and Laura Edwards - Backing vocals on track 1
• Pete Murray - Additional keyboards on track 1, 4, 5, 10 & 11
• Jamie Muhoberac - Additional keyboards on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 & 12, Bass on track 4
• Patrick Lannigan - Bass on track 1, 3 & 4
• Earl Harwin - Vibraphone on tracks 1 & 2, Acoustic drums on track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 12, Electronic drums on track 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12, Marimba on track 2 & 4, Bass on track 3
• Skaila Kanga - Harp on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 9
• Anne Dudley - Orchestral and Brass Arrangement and Conducting on tracks 2 & 11
• Helene Parker, Sarah Eyden, Emma Brain Gabbot and Julia Doyle - Backing vocals on track 2
• Tessa Niles - Backing vocals on tracks 2, 8, 9 & 12
• Jenny O'Grady - Choir Master on track 2
• Fred Appelgate - Narration on track 2
• Oliver Pouliot - Additional voice on track 2
• Dave Clayton - Additional keyboards and programming on tracks 2, 7 & 9, Keyboards and programming on track 6
• Luca Baldini - Additional keyboards on tracks 2 & 11, Additional programming on track 2
• Phil Palmer - Guitar on tracks 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11
• Steve Lipson - Guitar on tracks 2 & 12
• Lol Creme - Guitar on tracks 2, 8, 10 & 12
• Trevor Horn - Guitar on tracks 2, 6, 9, 11 & 12, Bass guitar on tracks 2, 4, 6 & 7, Additional keyboards on track 3 & 7, Additional vocals on track 4, Additional programming on track 7
• Virgil Howe - Acoustic drums on track 2, Percussion on track 7
• Cliff Hewitt - Electronic drums on tracks 2, 7, 8, Acoustic drums on track 9, Percussion on track 12
• Frank Ricotti - Percussion on tracks 2, 7, 9, 10 & 12
• Lucinda Barry - Harp on tracks 2, 4, 7, 9 & 12
• Steve Sidwell- Orchestral Arrangement and Conducting on track 5
• Gavyn Wright - Orchestra Leader on track 5
• Tim Pierce - Acoustic and electric guitars on track 5
• Luis Jardim - Percussion on track 5
• Simon Chamberlain - Additional keyboards on track 7
• Robert Orton - Shaker on track 7
• Lucinda Barry and Debi Doss - Backing vocals on tracks 9 & 12
• Andy Caine and Bruce Woolley - Backing vocals on track 12

Guests on Fundamentalism

• Pete Gleadall - Original programming
• Richard X - Production on track 1
• Pete Hoffman - Mix on track 1
• Anders Trentemøller - Additional production, instrumentation and remixing on track 2
• Mikael Simpson - Additional bass on track 2
• Roman Flügel and Jörn Elling - Remix and additional production on track 3
• Michael Mayer and Superpitcher - Remix production on track 4
• Melnyk - Remix and additional production on track 5
• Elton John - Duet vocals on track 6
• Stuart Chrichton - Production and mix on track 6
• Lobe - Remix and additional production on track 7
• Olof Dettinger - Remix production on track 8

Fundamental (original track listing)

On December 22, 2005, the official Pet Shop Boys website announced an early track listing for the album and gave a release date of April 17, 2006 with new single "Minimal" arriving a few weeks beforehand. This was quickly followed up on December 23, when pop music fansite Popjustice gave the first review of the album.^[6] On February 13, 2006, it was announced that the release date of Fundamental had been pushed back to May 22, because EMI needed "more set-up time". At the same time "I'm with Stupid" was announced to be the revised lead single. This was followed on April 4, 2006, with news that there would be a limited edition of the new album that would include a bonus CD called Fundamentalism.

Singles

• "Psychological" — In December 2005, a limited 12-inch white label of "Psychological" was released. This one-track promo single featured an instrumental mix of the track, clocking in at 4:05.
• "I'm with Stupid" — the first commercially available single from Fundamental released 8 May 2006 in the UK.
• "Minimal" — released 24 July 2006, "Minimal" was announced by the Pet Shop Boys on 6 May as the second commercially available single from Fundamental in the UK.
• "Numb" - released on 16 October 2006, announced on the official website on 4 September.
• "Integral" - a new version of this song was released to promote the album Disco 4.

B-sides and other released songs

1. "Fugitive" (Fundamentalism)
2. "In private" (featuring Elton John) (Fundamentalism remix and "Minimal" original b-side)
3. "The Resurrectionist ("I'm with Stupid" b-side)
4. "Girls don't cry ("I'm with Stupid" b-side)
5. "Blue on blue ("Minimal" b-side)
6. "No time for tears (Battleship Potemkin original, "Minimal" b-side)
7. "Party song ("Numb" b-side)
8. "Bright young things ("Numb" b-side)
9. "Psychological (Ewan Pearson remix) (Fundamental original, "Numb" remix)

Unreleased songs

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007)

These were written/recorded during the writing for Fundamental in 2005 and are yet to be released:

1. "For Every Moment"
2. "Ring road"
3. "The former enfant terrible"
4. "China"
5. "Dirty tricks"
6. "One way street"
7. "The performance of my life"
8. "After the event"

• There is also a demo of a song called "Dancing in the Dusk" that Sondre Lerche asked them to record.

It is yet to be seen whether any of these songs will materialise as future b-sides.

"The former enfant terrible" and "After the event" are featured on their 2009 single Did You See Me Coming?.

Release details

The album was released in various countries:

Chart information

Notes and references

1. ^ Skrufff, Jonty (June 1, 2006). "Pet Shop Boys interview". News. Trust the DJ. http://www.trustthedj.com/SKRUFFF/news_article.php?news_id=5452. Retrieved 2006-06-02. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Interview - Recording". Literally (Pet Shop Boys fanclub magazine). November 2005. http://www.petshopboys.net/html/literallys/literally_29/Page1.html. Retrieved 2006-05-23. 
3. ^ Teodorczuk, Tom (March 1, 2006). "Pet Shop Boys' Labour snub". Evening Standard. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/articles/21844071?source=Evening%20Standard. Retrieved 2006-05-23. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "PSB and BBC Concert Orchestra concert". Pet Shop Boys official website news. May 9, 2006. http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/news/archiveNewsBody.asp?SY=2006&SM=5. Retrieved 2006-05-28. 
5. ^ Potts, Henry (June 2, 2006). "Fundamental". Yescography. http://www.relayer35.com/Yescography/Fundamental.htm. Retrieved 2006-09-06. 
6. ^ http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=146&Itemid=138
7. ^ Jenkins, Brooks "Amosboy" (June 15, 2006). "Getting around the stinky copy protection!". Amazon.com Customer Reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Fundamental-Pet-Shop-Boys/dp/B000EZ8BXY. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 

External links

• Pet Shop Boys Official Website

This album has been released with the Copy Control protection system in some regions.