What could be better?

The only thing that could actually be better about Morten Harket releasing a new solo album in the next few weeks is if one of the tracks on it had been written by the Pet Shop Boys. Just imagine: it would be like [that singer you really like] doing a song written by [that band you really like].
But, come now, reality has to hit home at some point and you have to realise that you can’t have your cake and… hang on… what’s this?

Morten Harket, until recently the lead singer of A-ha, will release a solo album in April which includes a new song by Tennant/Lowe. The album is called “Out Of My Hands” and the new song by Pet Shop Boys is entitled “Listening”. Harket approached Pet Shop Boys in September last year and was offered the recently written ballad which Neil and Chris thought would suit his voice.

I’ve been doing some rudimentary calculations after having a quick look at my iPod and it turns out that I have a total of 756 tracks by Pet Shop Boys, a-ha or Morten. B-sides, bootlegs, remixes, dodgy covers. Even given the longevity of these artists, I think that does indicate some sort of dedication and enjoyment of their art. So yes, “Listening” is going to be a big deal for me.

Bring on April. Just as soon as we’re done with March, obviously.

183 days late…

I was delighted to see that cover article of this week’s Sunday Times Magazine was about the Pet Shop Boys and even more delighted to read that they have a new album “out now at selected retail outlets”.
And that’s great stuff, because there will always be a place for cheesy electronica.

Imagine then, my disappointment as I read that this new album was called Yes. Disappointment because Yes came out back in March. Six months ago. So why are the Sunday Times telling us about it now? What’s the story?

The copyright for the article showed that it was from The Guardian, so I had a quick google (behind closed doors) and found that the original article was published on the 14th March 2009. A full 183 days before the local rag got round to publishing it.

How emboeresing.

I don’t mind the local newspapers publishing articles from the international press. Not at all.
But please, keep it relevant. This is just outdated nonsense.

One further irony in Alex Petridis’ article was this paragraph: 

The Pet Shop Boys occupy a unique place in the public affections, long after most of their ’80s pop peers have vanished: it’s perhaps worth noting that when their first hit, West End Girls, reached number one in 1986, it was fighting off stiff competition from a-ha.

Of course, in the intervening period between this article about the Pet Shop Boy’s tenth studio album being published in the UK and over here, a-ha released their ninth studio album (even the Daily Mail knew that!). 
All of which – reading in September – makes the paragraph completely nonsensical, as any half-decent music journalist would have noted.

Maybe the Sunday Times should get one of those.