Pet Shop Boys: 'Christmas' EP

The Pet Shop Boys, one of the pioneering forces of the 1980s electronic and avant-garde ‘pop’ movement, switch to festive notions here with the release of their ‘Christmas’ EP.

 It’s been quite a year for the band, or “Boys” I should say, having picked up the ‘Outstanding Contribution To Music’ award at the BRITs, probably the only credible award worth winning at the ceremony, and then achieving their highest UK and US album-chart positions for nearly 15 years with the release of their album ‘Yes’.

While they may not be operating to full capacity anymore, the Pet Shops Boys are still able to pull out a few gems once-in-a-while; but only just, it has to be noted. Sadly, the cracks do begin to show, something you’d expect considering the length of time they’ve been in pop.

Getting things started is ‘It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas’, which is a new version of the 1997 single, previously only issued to members of their fan-club. Practically from its commencement you are hurled into the world of classic Pet Shop Boys, full of eccentricity and verve. The repressed vigorous beat, with its slightly cheesy, camp delivery of lyrics will put a smile on your face, even if it’s not to your liking; in fact, old Scrooge would probably sneak a grin, and we’re talking long before the three ghosts.

Immediately following is an arrangement of the Madness classic, ‘My Girl’. Slightly darker in tone, it features archetypal retro beats that’ll send you straight back to the 80s. The music itself is reminiscent of arcade-video-game soundtracks from that very era - yet another smile put on your face. Additionally, there’s an alternate version of the song, a ‘house mix’, which concludes the album, for fans who want a longer variation, which isn’t quite as effective. In-between both, however, are the EP’s two finest moments. Firstly, there’s a new version of their grand, towering ‘All Over The World’, as feel-good and glossy as anything they’ve ever done, and then there’s ‘Viva La Vida/Domino Dancing’, a medley of the infamous Coldplay song and one of their own. An anthem in every sense of the word, it’s kind of ironic that it doesn’t have that ‘irritation-factor’ Coldplay songs have since developed. Without doubt, this is the highlight of the album.

All five tracks, given a run-through, perfectly compliment one another, and you do get that ‘festive feel’ on listening to it. However, not wanting to ruin the fun, there really isn’t anything new or innovative on offer with the release, and unless you’re a hardcore Pet Shop Boys fan you may find this a waste of your time and money.



Released on 14th December 2009 by Parlophone Records.

Written by Jaysen Ramasamy.