I am a big fan of theirs and have always enjoyed their music as a whole. Most of the time it very enjoyable, though the albums lately as a whole are sort of patchy. The new album Yes, is a definite hark to the Days of Very and Behaviour. They seemed to have left thier egos, and experimental natures at the door for what is a great pop album and probably the best pop album this year so far. This is a PSB album through and through. It's like the producers said "what makes a great PSB song? Well let's make an album of great PSB songs and that's what you're getting here. Mostly mid tempo with very organic instruments augmenting the electro pop that shimmers all over the place. All has some of the best lyrics for a PSB album in a long time.

I think the new album, along with the cover art, choice of single, and extra remixes included on the bonus CD are all top notch!

Love Etc. - Best first single in over a decade. Reminds me of Can you forgive her. Very sing songy and catches you up in it's melody. The PSB's either have the first song either as a single or sometimes not, opting for a mood catcher to set the tone. Sometimes they get both as is Being Boring or CYFH. I think this along those lines. It's not very moody, yet captures the mood of the album, which is quite upbeat.

All over the world - Typical 2nd song on a PSB's album. Sounds single worthy and the lyrics are catchy. I like the opening classical movement (checovsky...I know I am getting the composer incorrect). Very epic song and I think Chris is lending his vox on this.

Beautiful People - Guitar inspired mid tempo track. Definitely sounds like thier more recent material. Johnny Marr can be heard all over this track. Decent track but not my favorite.

Did you see me coming? - It drove me nuts for the first few listens as to what song this sounded like as it occured to me it sounds like Losing my mind. Very Up and sorta bombastic. Sounds like something from Very.

Vulnerable - Love this song. Very Loves comes quickly type of song and has a great melody and an infectious chorus. One of the stand out tracks. I could see this as a potential single.

More than a dream - This is one of the more up songs and has great potential for also being a single. Lots of hooks and lots of Neil longing. Also has a backing piano that brings out the drama and sadness and longing in the song. I do have to say this sounds like something that would have been on Nightlife.

Building a wall - So every PSB album has a song not so very strong. Building a wall is this albums song. Neil is still a little political but realized building an album around those views like the last one probably wasn't the best of ideas. It still isn't.

King of Rome - Another great song. The only "ballad" really. Reminds me of Behaviour or It couldn't happen here but way le ss dramtic. Neil's vocals slide and sway in this song. He mentions "The desert moon/a new lagoon/we glide upon the surface" as his voice glides across the song. Another good choice for a single if they wanted to put out there a slow song.

Pandimonium - The disco stomping track. Quite fun, but very typical PSB track. Very enjoyable but nothing to write home about. An "obvious" single, and hope it's not.

The way it used to be - IMO, the best track on the album. Neil is in full force of longing and loving and wanting things the way they were. Mid/uptempo track. Just keeps building with it's melodies and then reaches a high, calms and then storms on with full choir and synths and just keeps building until it crashes down at the end. I really really hope this gets released as a single. This is my jam right now.

Legacy - Epic closer ala Jealousy. Not the best song, but as the song goes you'll survive and you'll get over it

out of 5

Yes

Enjoying it 10 X more than Prince's new offerings.

I received it today. Loving it

The perform on The Graham Norton show tomorrow evening on The BBC America. . I actually felt sorry for poor Zac Efron. I'm amazed he made it out of there alive.

lazycrockett said:

Okay, you can allready watch it on youtube, I like how the one guy from Little Britain flirted with Zac!
[Edited 4/4/09 3:46am]

I actually really like Building a Wall. Goes after anti-immigration sentiments but then flips it.

Yes, their best since Very!

just got it. Can't wait to hear it.

It´s really a wonderful record.

The way it used to be is so beautiful I could cry!!

Did You See Me Coming is the second single.

Bad choice, I prefer All Over The World!!!! it's such an obvious hit!!

garganta said:

I love that song. I think it's in m top ten of theirs.

graecophilos said:

I knew they would release something along those lines. Not a big fan of the song, but I can see it as a single. It has that "I wouldn't normal do.." type of vibe.

graecophilos said:

I immediately took to DYSMC. I think its a great choice for a single if they want to move units.

I agree, DYSMC is a commercial radio hit. But nothing special imo.

All Over The World is a much more intersteing song because it's a song cooler than your usual PSB song! THIS is the def summer song. And in all honesty, the days when one could release like 6 succesful singles from one album are gone.
Usually each single charts lower than it precedor and rarely gets heard.

Anyway, I wish for as many singles/b-sides as possible.

When the next Literally magazine gets released I'm sure Neil reads from his diary again and we will know when each song was written and how many outtakes there are!!