PET SHOP BOYS A LIFE IN POP DVD PARLOPHONE, EMI RELEASE: NOVEMBER 1, 2006 REVIEW: DECEMBER 12, 2006

I’ll better just say this right off the bat: If you are a fan of Pet Shop Boys, this DVD is a treasure chest of trivia, interviews, cult TV performances - and Chris Lowe actually talking on camera. You need to see it.

The boys discuss their beginnings, their overall career, and it’s endlessly fascinating. Both Chris and Neil are immensely entertaining to listen to, and they discuss both their career and each other. They visit places from their past; for instance Chris guides us in Blackpool.

Of course the movie is biased, but it’s still obvious that the Pet Shop Boys are quite unique in the music business, judging by all their seemingly weird decisions and willingness to change people’s perception of them. They always want to try new things, like for example the guitar album “Release”, and the free concert in London, where they made a new soundtrack for the silent movie “Battleship Potemkin”. Truly fascinating people.

The movie was initially a TV special on Channel 4, but is expanded to 2:20 when released on DVD. Also included are different TV performances and music videos for their five latest singles. One interesting clip is the band's first TV performance 1984, with a hilariously cool, young Neil Tennant on the mic. It’s also a great PSB moment when they perform “What Have I Done to Deserve this” with Dusty Springfield at the 88’ Brit Awards, with Chris in full fisherman outfit.

JOHAN CARLSSON