Melodic and relevant, the Pet Shop Boys have created a musical landscape of city living, including the greatest techno-country song ever, You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk. This cd has a definite night-time vibe to it: urban, lonely, and sometimes hopeless, and but with just the right comnbination of irony and hope to reassure us that it could all work out. Also included is a shockingly good duet with Kylie Minogue, which had me checking the liner notes to see who she was. It will never happen, but one hopes that this record will finally allow the Pet Shop Boys to be recognized for what they are: revolutionary, contemporary artsists who have been making masterful records for their subculture for almost fifteen years. But you know what, forget the recognition of the massess, we night walkers would rather keep them for ourselves...

The critics would never admit it, but this is hands-down one of the best CD experiences of the past year, a sublime journey through the night filled with intelligence, humor, sadness and beauty. Another masterpiece from possibly the most underrated pop outfit of the past twenty years. Bravo.

As a huge fan of the "boys", I was sure excited to learn that a new CD was being released! I have been listening in anticipation of each new CD since around 1989. It was well worth the wait!

Although I love the Pet Shop Boys, there are a few tracks on this album that just simply disappoint the listener. For one, the original version of "NYCB" sounds like a Village People throwback from 1977 - something I didn't like even back then. Also, "Footsteps" at the end of the CD just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, not a good closing song. It's just not an exciting track.

My favorites are "Radiophonic", "For Your Own Good", and "Closer to Heaven" (with a hint of circa 1987 Book of Love in the background). I also like "Don't Know What You Want....", but not as much as everyone else it seems. The words are great.

As for the bonus "Extra" CD, this is probably my favorite aspect of Nightlife. The beginning of "Je t'aime" could very well be the intro to a fabulous house groove, but then the music started and I dove for the "skip" button on my remote. "Silver Age" did nothing for me either.

So, yeah, I liked the CD's, but it's not their best work. Songs like "Being Boring", My October Symphony", "Before", "Up Against It", "Saturday Night Forever", "Discoteca", "I Want A Dog", and "Suburbia" are what made me love The Boys.

Waiting in anticipation for the next album.....

With the relase of Nightlife, a question came into mind. Could the Pet Shop Boys ever come close to again having such a superb collection of songs AND having commercial success in the bag (As was present with "Go West", and the album VERY)? The resounding yes dances its way into your ears with Nightlife. The quick-set, get up and dance bass-and partly synth driven opener "For Your Own Good" grabs the listener and yells "We're Here To Stay". Every track therein presents each side of the Pet Shop Boys' seemingly limitless musical spectrum. The disco-esque feel yet surprisingly updated beat of "I don't know what you want but I can't give it anymore" shows that they still know how to keep beats from the past sounding fresh and perfectly listenable. And when it comes to haunting ballads, they again prove their excellence with "You only tell me you love me when you're drunk", "The Only One" and the daring, if perhaps a tad too centered around a specific subject "In denial" (too say more would spoil the surprise this song engendres within the listener. Surprise, because, until this album, such a subject has not been so specifically dealt with). "New York City Boy" is perhaps the ultimate party gem, even more explosively fast than "For your own good", this one deserves the recognition it has received (the worldwide success which the boys only had previously with "Go West"), if you can let yourself go enough, this song will transform you. And the heart-string-tugger "Footsteps" which brings to mind previous songs of the like (i.e. "It always comes as a surprise"), is a perfect closer for an album.....given how the album's context often mirros the title, this song feels like the silent aftermath of every party in every club in the world, when everyone retires to their homes, either with lovers hand in hand, or sorrowfully alone, yet somehow still hopeful. If you've never listened to the boys before, this would be a great place to start. If already a fan, get this album NOW! You won't be disappointed.

Pet Shop Boys, long forgotten by US radio, continue to create top-notch pop albums. Pop with melodies, harmonies, and something to say. NIGHTLIFE is no exception. Although they have managed some breakouts via clubs with "New York City Boy" and "I Don't Know What You Want..." and, rumor has it "Radiophonic" next in the US. You want a thrillingly danceable track? "NYC Boy" is there for you. My pick off the album is "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk." The title makes one cringe thinking how silly it could be but it is almost a perfect pop song. Melancholy and beautiful, lyric and moving. It has been remixed but it's best incarnation is the album original. I read another review online that described this song as horrible. If that's what you get out of it, then you don't get it. As choppy as the mix of tracks might sound they weave it together wonderfully in an album full of songs about just what it says, nightlife. If you know how to listen to lyrics and read between their lines you'll see what a great CD this is. No, it's not the best album they've ever done, but just about. And better than the vast majority of US pop radio material. Don't expect a rehash of their 80's music, it's not the 80's and Neil and Chris know it. Prepare to love this CD.