Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 06, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006 Page: 40 of 64
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tylemusic
fn /% ? TTIPn Decades after breakthrough debut,
UJ Uau 111^11 queer icons stick to now-tired formula
THE BOYS ARE BACK; Chris Lowe, left, and Neil Tennant return with a catty love-song about Tony Blair and Dubya.
By Gilbert Garcia Pop Music Critic
Pet Shop Boys
"Fundamental"
EMI
Probably no musical act has successfully cul-
tivated both gay and straight fan bases better than
Pet Shop Boys. Following in the footsteps of
Jimmy Sommerville and Andy Bell — who beat
the Pet Shop Boys out of the closet but only ever
saw a fraction of their mega-popularity — the
PSB disco duo proved a powerful antidote to the
camp stereotype of what queer music should
sound like.
Crafting intelligent love songs laced with
ironic wit, band members Neil Tennant and Chris
Lowe helped humanize the queer romanticism
that was featured on MTV throughout the '80s
and '90s. As musicians, and later producers and
re-mixers, Tennant and Lowe deployed signature
complex melodies anchored by subdued rhythms
that were unmistakable.
But on the Boys' ninth studio album,
"Fundamental," there's very little that will sur-
prise you. Unfortunately, their near-perfect recipe
is wearing thin.
Pet Shop Boys have never made a truly hor-
rible album. And "Fundamental" is not their
first. As usual, Tennant's lyrics are
evocative and clear-eyed. There's
no disputing the urbane sentimen-
tality of songs like "Casanova in
Hell" or "Numb.'' liven dance-ori-
ented numbers like "The Sodom
and Gomorrah Show" and the
album's second single, "Minimal,"
possess an impressive literary
streak that's tough to downplay. As
always, Tennant's ironic touch is in
full gear, particularly on the deli-
NELLY ACHE: Why is
Furtado so famous?
ciously subtle "I'm With Stupid," in which the
relationship between British Prime Minister
Tony Blair and Dubya is portrayed as an abusive
partnership.
In spite of these strong elements, there's
something anachronistic about "Fundamental."
It's been charming to watch Tennant and Lowe
quietly resist change as musical fads, but it's been
20 years since the halcyon era of "West End
Girls", and surely something has to give.
Pet Shop Boys' sound peaked in the early
'90s with the release of "Very." The remaining
years have a slow slide into irrelevancy. Like an
elderly gentleman who hangs out at the disco
way too late, "Fundamental" feels out of place in
2006. The Pet Shop Boys still possess tremen-
dous talent — they just need to update their
sound if they expect anyone to listen.
Nelly Furtado
"Loose"
Geffen
It's been a hell of a ride up the charts for
Canadian pop-tart Nelly Furtado. But you can't
help but wonder: Just how did this young singer
arrive at this level of success? Furtado's willing-
ness to take on a variety of styles has
made her marketable. But is that
enough for Grammys and such an
elevated level of stardom?
On her third record, "Loose,"
Nelly genre-hops once again, tack-
ling R&B and hip-hop with the help
of super-producer Timbaland. With
all this moaning set to slithery beats,
the record is sure to be a big hit. But
if this is what passes for good pop,
then the bar is set very low.
LADIES NIGHT
Ah, Texas — where even the choirs are big-
ger.
Boasting a roll of more than 120 members,
The Women's Chorus of Dallas are integral to
Big D's cultural scene. Proud members of
GALA Choruses, an international association of
GLBT vocal ensembles, the group regularly
raises money for AIDS and breast cancer char-
ities. Regular collaborators with Turtle Creek
Chorale, The Women's Chorus also shares with
the Chorale the honor of being nominated for a
Gay and Lesbian American Music Award.
Now In their 17th season, The Women's
Chorus has so far featured evenings of Holiday
and Broadway music. For their "Seasonal
Blend" concert, under the direction of Melinda
inthurn, the women promise a mix of year-
round favorites. Saturday's gig closes out the
2006 season.
— Gilbert Garcia
Caruth Auditorium, 6101 Bishop Blvd. on
the campus of Southern Methodist University.
June 24 at 8 p.m. $15-$25. 214-520-7828.
Starting at 9:30 pml Sunday«JuneK5*2006
Onen Strin West
With your NIC
Kourtney Wells
Winners
dance all night.
Win cash
Come see if yoTCvej
3215 N. FItzhugh Ave.
-9510
40 I dallasvoice.com I 06.23.06
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Vercher, Dennis. Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 06, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006, newspaper, June 23, 2006; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238914/m1/40/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.