Additional information
VERY is packaged in a day-glo orange embossed jewel case. Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe (vocals, programming). Additional personnel: J.J. Belle (guitar); Phil Todd, Chris Davis, John Barclay, John Thirkell, Mark Nightingale (brass); Frank Ricotti (percussion); Pete Gleadall (programming); Sylvia Mason-James, Dainton Connell, Carol Kenyon, Katie Kissoon, Tessa Niles (background vocals). Recorded at Sarm West, Angel Studios, London, England and The Power Station, New York, New York. VERY RELENTLESS contains all the tracks from VERY plus six new songs. This Limited Edition of VERY is packaged in a custom slipcase with a 36-page booklet, and contains a bonus disc of rare tracks. Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe (vocals, programming). Additional personnel includes: Anne Dudley (conductor); Johnny Marr, J.J. Belle (guitar); Gerard Prescencer (trumpet); Frank Ricotti (vibraphone, percussion); Pete Gleadall (programming); Sylvia Mason-James, Dainton Connell, Carol Kenyon, Katie Kissoon, Tessa Niles (background vocals). Producers include: Stephen Hague, Brothers in Rhythm, Pet Shop Boys. Compilation producers: Pet Shop Boys, Chris Heath. Engineers include: Bob Kraushaar, Pete Gleadall, Mike Bigwood. Recorded at Sarm West, Angel Studios, London, England and The Power Station, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Chris Heath. All tracks have been digitally remastered. In 1994, EMI America released the two-CD set Very/Relentless, which contained two records originally released on Capitol in 1993 -- Very and the EP Relentless -- by British pop duo The Pet Shop Boys. ~ Tim Sendra
Reviews
Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.79) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Rolling Stone (11/25/93, p.112) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...[Is] there a more perfect marriage of pop sensibilities than the Pet Shop Boys covering a Village People hit?...there's more to these songs [on VERY] than sly wit and catchy choruses...the depth makes VERY worth hearing again and again..." Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.79) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Rolling Stone (11/25/93, p.112) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...[Is] there a more perfect marriage of pop sensibilities than the Pet Shop Boys covering a Village People hit?...there's more to these songs [on VERY] than sly wit and catchy choruses...the depth makes VERY worth hearing again and again..." Spin (11/93, p.130) - Highly Recommended - "...Nothing compares to the carnage of a cold fish [like the Pet Shop Boys] succumbing to emotional abandon; on VERY, the fridge door is swinging off its hinges..." Spin (4/94, p.91) - "...Though compelling in experimental mode, the Pet Shop Boys are hardly inventive; at a time when most dance music can't even form full sentences, speech is still the special ingredient that sets them apart...." Spin (11/93, p.130) - Highly Recommended - "...Nothing compares to the carnage of a cold fish [like the Pet Shop Boys] succumbing to emotional abandon; on VERY, the fridge door is swinging off its hinges..." Entertainment Weekly (10/8/93, p.52) - "...very understated musically, with happy and sad love songs dryly set to the same propulsive beat. It's also very deeply felt..." - Rating: A- Entertainment Weekly (10/8/93, p.52) - "...very understated musically, with happy and sad love songs dryly set to the same propulsive beat. It's also very deeply felt..." - Rating: A- Q (6/00, p.61) - Ranked #91 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" Q (11/93, p.131) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...VERY is the album that confirmed a group so tightly focused on its strengths to the exclusion of any meaningful experiment..." Q (6/00, p.61) - Ranked #91 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" Q (11/93, p.131) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...VERY is the album that confirmed a group so tightly focused on its strengths to the exclusion of any meaningful experiment..." Melody Maker (1/1/94, p.77) - Ranked #37 in Melody Maker's list of the `Albums Of The Year' for 1993 - "...VERY plumbed hitherto uncharted depths of pop savvy with clinical efficiency...." Melody Maker (9/25/93, p.33) - "...This is more like it...[VERY is] the purest, most intelligent and poppiest pop. [The Pet Shop Boys] write pop songs, play pop songs, are a godsend to those who love pop songs, from kids at school discos to middle-aged connoisseurs of a cracking tune..." Melody Maker (1/1/94, p.77) - Ranked #37 in Melody Maker's list of the `Albums Of The Year' for 1993 - "...VERY plumbed hitherto uncharted depths of pop savvy with clinical efficiency...." Melody Maker (9/25/93, p.33) - "...This is more
