I've been listening to this album like crazy in my car (and on my Ipod). In particular, I love the song "The Survivors", because it deals with survivor's guilt. A good fan site called Pet Shop Boys Song Commentary believes it might be about being a survivor of AIDS (the Pet Shop Boys being those survivors) but Neil actually wrote it about a female friend that committed suicide. They thought it should have been a single.

I also love the singles not to mention "Up Against It" (relentlessly poppy) and "To Step Aside" (the chanting in a foreign language works and Neil's delivery is great here). The only stinker is "Metamorphosis". I'm not uncomfortably straight when Neil sings or writes about being a gay man ("Your Funny Uncle" is fantastic for example) but this was a bit laughable with the rap. I think even gay fans would agree. While some say it's the Pet Shop Boys at their happiest (sunniest?...the yellow cover), it's also a very deep album with lots of meaning. Thoughts on this album or any other PSB album?

this is the album where they lost me. i haven't been into them like before
ever since this album.

i've tried to return to it and give it another go but i always fail to put
it on and listen all the way through. and yet, there are some very good
songs on there.

lately i've been trying to get back into them by means of all the b-sides
they released since this album and it's working pretty good.

it seems i've missed on a lot of great stuff since ignoring them a bit.

One of their best, most overlooked albums. Has a very dark undercurrent to it.. Discoteca is brilliant, and Before was a terrific first single. Entire album still sounds incredibly fresh.

Funny that you mention The Survivors. I'm playing music for a Relay for Life event against cancer tonight, and i'm planning on playing The Survivors during the last hour. It is absolutely one of their best songs.