Very

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Very · After Behaviour, a well-received but less successful record, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe decided to change course. The duo wanted to make a cheerful dance album. They worked in Lowe's home studio and finished the tracks at Sarm West, produced it themselves and had Stephen Hague do the mix. The title was meant to say that it was entirely Pet Shop Boys, but a different one. The promotion included a new, artificial cartoon look, with surreal costumes and videos using the latest computer animation.

Tennant spoke openly in those days about his homosexuality, which led to Very being called the coming-out album. It sounds more richly scored than its predecessor, with strings and brass. Can You Forgive Her? and Go West became big hits. It is the group's only album to reach number one in the United Kingdom. Critics praised the combination of beautiful, lively pop melodies with strange, complex ideas.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Can You Forgive Her? (2018 Remaster)3:54Apple Music ↗
2. 2I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing (2018 Remaster)3:04Apple Music ↗
3. 3Liberation (2018 Remaster)4:06Apple Music ↗
4. 4A Different Point of View (2018 Remaster)3:26Apple Music ↗
5. 5Dreaming of the Queen (2018 Remaster)4:20Apple Music ↗
6. 6Yesterday When I Was Mad (2018 Remaster)3:56Apple Music ↗
7. 7The Theatre (2018 Remaster)5:11Apple Music ↗
8. 8One and One Make Five (2018 Remaster)3:31Apple Music ↗
9. 9To Speak Is a Sin (2018 Remaster)4:46Apple Music ↗
10. 10Young Offender (2018 Remaster)4:50Apple Music ↗
11. 11One in a Million (2018 Remaster)3:54Apple Music ↗
12. 12Go West (2018 Remaster) [Hidden Track]8:24Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗