Rating: Summary: Hilarious Review: Some of these videos are just hilarious. Dated. Cliched. Very Eighties. What I really enjoyed is the running commentary with Chris and Neil ( even they seem embaressed by some of their own videos.) Insightful and sometimes very funny. If PSB is your kinda thing ( you know who you are, you wouldn't have gotten this far if you don't like them ) pick up this DVD. It's FABULOUS.
Rating: Summary: PopArt is perfection Review: Sure to replace the outdated VHS video collections like "Television" and the previous greatest hits companion, "Videography," "PopArt" is the ultimate collection for diehard PSB fans. Digitally remastered in both sound and picture, this represents the Pet Shop Boys at their best, leaving no visual representation of their work out of the picture (save for the new singles, "Flamboyant" and "Miracles"). The commentary from the duo is excellent; the two offer witty insights into the rather dated, yet well-crafted, videos. Tracks are presented chronological via the "play all" function or can be randomized (there is nothing quite like seeing "West End girls" followed by "Se a vida e" or "New York City boy"), a feature that is both fitting and appreciated.As I said, a few of the videos are dated, such as those representing the "Very" album, but to see the visuals that accompany the singles is a great experience. Highlights include the duet with Dusty Springfield on "What have I done to deserve this," "Paninaro '95," "Single-Bilingual," "London," "Always on my mind," and, of course, "Can you forgive her." (Though it is fair to say that every video is indeed a "highlight," and it is tough to pick out a few favorites). Indeed, some may balk at the included extended versions of "Domino dancing," "So hard," and "Go West," but these are significant works in and of themselves. This DVD is a necessary and requisite companion for the "PopArt" CD as much as it is a requirement for any true Pet Shop Boys fan. So far, the only available version is an import from Canada (playable on all regions) but it is well worth the wait to receive this stunning work. Also included with the DVD is a companion book full of photographs representing the videos themselves, little screen shots of whatever struck their fancy. The videos are as eclectic as the Pet Shop Boys themselves and their music, and it is truly great to have such a collection available on DVD with crystal-clear visuals and superb sound.
Rating: Summary: PopArt is perfection Review: Sure to replace the outdated VHS video collections like "Television" and the previous greatest hits companion, "Videography," "PopArt" is the ultimate collection for diehard PSB fans. Digitally remastered in both sound and picture, this represents the Pet Shop Boys at their best, leaving no visual representation of their work out of the picture (save for the new singles, "Flamboyant" and "Miracles"). The commentary from the duo is excellent; the two offer witty insights into the rather dated, yet well-crafted, videos. Tracks are presented chronological via the "play all" function or can be randomized (there is nothing quite like seeing "West End girls" followed by "Se a vida e" or "New York City boy"), a feature that is both fitting and appreciated. As I said, a few of the videos are dated, such as those representing the "Very" album, but to see the visuals that accompany the singles is a great experience. Highlights include the duet with Dusty Springfield on "What have I done to deserve this," "Paninaro '95," "Single-Bilingual," "London," "Always on my mind," and, of course, "Can you forgive her." (Though it is fair to say that every video is indeed a "highlight," and it is tough to pick out a few favorites). Indeed, some may balk at the included extended versions of "Domino dancing," "So hard," and "Go West," but these are significant works in and of themselves. This DVD is a necessary and requisite companion for the "PopArt" CD as much as it is a requirement for any true Pet Shop Boys fan. So far, the only available version is an import from Canada (playable on all regions) but it is well worth the wait to receive this stunning work. Also included with the DVD is a companion book full of photographs representing the videos themselves, little screen shots of whatever struck their fancy. The videos are as eclectic as the Pet Shop Boys themselves and their music, and it is truly great to have such a collection available on DVD with crystal-clear visuals and superb sound.
Rating: Summary: It's All Here. Review: The reason for the four star rating is that The Pet Shop Boys were not a great video band. I have been a fan since "West End Girls" first hit the radio in 1986. I have collected every single album from them and continue to think they are one of the best electronic bands in pop history. But, they were not that great at making videos! There are many to choose from too. 41 in fact. 2 hours and 45 minutes to be exact--a little overwhelming to be honest. Yet, everything is here from "West End Girls" to "London". There are some well made videos such as "Being Boring" (which Neil and Chris even comment is one of their best videos), "Can You Forgive Her?", "Go West", "Se A Vida E", "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk", "London" and others. This is a one disc dvd, digitally remastered audio 2.0 and video. It's a regionless, NTSC dvd. It comes with a thick booklet of pictures that do not represent anything in particular and seemed like a waste to me. The unique thing about this compilation is that Neil and Chris give their commentary on all 41 videos and it's insightful as well as humorous. All in all, well worth the high price since it's the most comprehensive video compilation on one disc that you can buy on The Pet Shop Boys. The track listing is as follows: 1. Opportunities (Original Version) 2. West End Girls 3. Love Comes Quickly 4. Opportunities (Second Version) 5. Suburbia 6. Paninaro 7. It's A Sin 8. What Have I Done To Deserve This? 9. Rent 10. Always On My Mind 11. Heart 12. Domino Dancing 13. Left To My Own Devices 14. It's Alright 15. So Hard 16. Being Boring 17. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? 18. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) 19. Jealousy 20. DJ Culture 21. Was It Worth It? 22. Can You Forgive Her? 23. Go West 24. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing 25. Liberation 26. Yesterday, When I Was Mad 27. Paninaro '95 28. Before 29. Se A Vida E 30. Single-Bilingual 31. A Red Letter Day 32. Somewhere 33. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More 34. New York City Boy 35. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk 36. Home And Dry 37. I Get Along/E-mail 38. London 39. Domino Dancing (Extended Version) 40. So Hard (Extended Version) 41. Go West (Extended Version)
Rating: Summary: It's All Here. Review: The reason for the four star rating is that The Pet Shop Boys were not a great video band. I have been a fan since "West End Girls" first hit the radio in 1986. I have collected every single album from them and continue to think they are one of the best electronic bands in pop history. But, they were not that great at making videos! There are many to choose from too. 41 in fact. 2 hours and 45 minutes to be exact--a little overwhelming to be honest. Yet, everything is here from "West End Girls" to "London". There are some well made videos such as "Being Boring" (which Neil and Chris even comment is one of their best videos), "Can You Forgive Her?", "Go West", "Se A Vida E", "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk", "London" and others. This is a one disc dvd, digitally remastered audio 2.0 and video. It's a regionless, NTSC dvd. It comes with a thick booklet of pictures that do not represent anything in particular and seemed like a waste to me. The unique thing about this compilation is that Neil and Chris give their commentary on all 41 videos and it's insightful as well as humorous. All in all, well worth the high price since it's the most comprehensive video compilation on one disc that you can buy on The Pet Shop Boys. The track listing is as follows: 1. Opportunities (Original Version) 2. West End Girls 3. Love Comes Quickly 4. Opportunities (Second Version) 5. Suburbia 6. Paninaro 7. It's A Sin 8. What Have I Done To Deserve This? 9. Rent 10. Always On My Mind 11. Heart 12. Domino Dancing 13. Left To My Own Devices 14. It's Alright 15. So Hard 16. Being Boring 17. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? 18. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) 19. Jealousy 20. DJ Culture 21. Was It Worth It? 22. Can You Forgive Her? 23. Go West 24. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing 25. Liberation 26. Yesterday, When I Was Mad 27. Paninaro '95 28. Before 29. Se A Vida E 30. Single-Bilingual 31. A Red Letter Day 32. Somewhere 33. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More 34. New York City Boy 35. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk 36. Home And Dry 37. I Get Along/E-mail 38. London 39. Domino Dancing (Extended Version) 40. So Hard (Extended Version) 41. Go West (Extended Version)
Rating: Summary: Near complete collection of PSB videos Review: This 2-DVD set recently released in the UK,will soon appear in a U.S.A.-compatable NTSC edition from EMI/Canada,and this will likely become the defacto U.S.A. edition,due to complex contractual problems which will likely block Capitol from releasing a U.S.A. pressing.The set contains every Pet Shop Boys video clip,excepting "Absolutely Fabulous".As for the problems which are likely to preclude a U.S.A. release for the "Pop Art" DVD or CD sets,it can be explained quite simply:the group have owned their recordings from 1990 onwards(EMI owns the 1982-89 recordings),but while the group continues to license their recordings to EMI outside the U.S.A.,the group has licensed their 1996-2003 recordings to non-EMI labels(Atlantic,Sire,Sanctuary) in the U.S.A.,so as a result,Capitol must now seek permission from those 3 labels(they ARE trying) or there can be no U.S.A. release for the "Pop Art" CD or DVD sets.But the lack of a U.S.A. pressing on the DVD may not matter,since the Canadian import sells for less than what Capitol would have charged for the proposed U.S.A. pressing.Thanks EMI/Canada!!!
Rating: Summary: Fabulous!! Review: This DVD is simply fabulous!! I have been waiting for this for years. The sound and picture quality is superb. I have loved the Pet Shop Boys since their first album "Please". It was such a joy to finally be able to see many of their videos for the first time. This was the best Christmas gift I received this year. "Popart" is a must have for all Petheads!!
Rating: Summary: Pay attention Pet Heads... AbFab is missing!!! Review: To whom it may concern, the video for "Absloutely Fabulous" is missing in this compilation... a huge disappointment for both PSB and AbFab fans, not only because it's hilarious but also it would've completed the video collection. I wonder if there were some legal issues that prevented them from including it in this release... I bought the NTSC region-free edition, made in the UK to my surprise. Unlike other people, I am completely satisfied with the 2.0 dolby digital audio track, these songs were never meant to be listened to in a sound output format other than stereo, the audio commentary is a plus. The image quality is fantastic and the extended versions of "Go west", "Domino Dancing" and "So Hard" are a pleasant surprise. Maybe a little more extras like the old "MTV Essential" interview would've been nice, but I'm not that hard to please! I really don't mind about not having the latest video releases ("Miracles" and "Flamboyant"), if it hadn't been for the misterious exclusion of "Ab Fab" it would deserve 5 stars.
Rating: Summary: Pay attention Pet Heads... AbFab is missing!!! Review: To whom it may concern, the video for "Absloutely Fabulous" is missing in this compilation... a huge disappointment for both PSB and AbFab fans, not only because it's hilarious but also it would've completed the video collection. I wonder if there were some legal issues that prevented them from including it in this release... I bought the NTSC region-free edition, made in the UK to my surprise. Unlike other people, I am completely satisfied with the 2.0 dolby digital audio track, these songs were never meant to be listened to in a sound output format other than stereo, the audio commentary is a plus. The image quality is fantastic and the extended versions of "Go west", "Domino Dancing" and "So Hard" are a pleasant surprise. Maybe a little more extras like the old "MTV Essential" interview would've been nice, but I'm not that hard to please! I really don't mind about not having the latest video releases ("Miracles" and "Flamboyant"), if it hadn't been for the misterious exclusion of "Ab Fab" it would deserve 5 stars.
Rating: Summary: From Cheese to Works or Art Review: What can I say? This has everything... Well, almost... The dvd does not inlcude their two new songs. It's a toss up sometimes to see old videos because they usually do not live up to their former glory in your head. I hate to admit it but I like their newer videos more because of the production value and the thought that went behind them. I find their earlier videos to be a bit cheesey--okay, you can say this to just about every videos from the early eightees...
The overall graphics for the dvd is good, the interactivity is fun and the group's commentary were often almost hilarious and at times, insightful.
This is one of the best music dvd's I own.
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