Search - Pet Shop Boys: Popart - The Videos on DVD

It's All Here.

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 01/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The reason for the four star rating is that The Pet Shop Boys were not a great video band. I have been a fan since "West End Girls" first hit the radio in 1986. I have collected every single album from them and continue to think they are one of the best electronic bands in pop history. But, they were not that great at making videos! There are many to choose from too. 41 in fact. 2 hours and 45 minutes to be exact--a little overwhelming to be honest. Yet, everything is here from "West End Girls" to "London". There are some well made videos such as "Being Boring" (which Neil and Chris even comment is one of their best videos), "Can You Forgive Her?", "Go West", "Se A Vida E", "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk", "London" and others.This is a one disc dvd, digitally remastered audio 2.0 and video. It's a regionless, NTSC dvd. It comes with a thick booklet of pictures that do not represent anything in particular and seemed like a waste to me. The unique thing about this compilation is that Neil and Chris give their commentary on all 41 videos and it's insightful as well as humorous. All in all, well worth the high price since it's the most comprehensive video compilation on one disc that you can buy on The Pet Shop Boys.The track listing is as follows:1. Opportunities (Original Version)
2. West End Girls
3. Love Comes Quickly
4. Opportunities (Second Version)
5. Suburbia
6. Paninaro
7. It's A Sin
8. What Have I Done To Deserve This?
9. Rent
10. Always On My Mind
11. Heart
12. Domino Dancing
13. Left To My Own Devices
14. It's Alright
15. So Hard
16. Being Boring
17. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
18. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)
19. Jealousy
20. DJ Culture
21. Was It Worth It?
22. Can You Forgive Her?
23. Go West
24. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing
25. Liberation
26. Yesterday, When I Was Mad
27. Paninaro '95
28. Before
29. Se A Vida E
30. Single-Bilingual
31. A Red Letter Day
32. Somewhere
33. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
34. New York City Boy
35. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
36. Home And Dry
37. I Get Along/E-mail
38. London
39. Domino Dancing (Extended Version)
40. So Hard (Extended Version)
41. Go West (Extended Version)"

Pet Shop Boys on DVD.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 12/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""PopArt" is the video anthology of Pet Shop Boys. It compiles all 38 of their videos (as well as extended versions of 3 videos) on a single DVD. When viewed from start to finish, the DVD runs for nearly three hours. While most pop acts release great singles but inferior videos, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have crafted music clips that are just as elegant as the albums they release. "PopArt" the DVD runs the gamut of moods and flavors, from the tasteful (Bruce Weber's black-and-white "Being Boring"), the homoerotic ("Domino Dancing" and "Paninaro 95") to high-tech ("Can You Forgive Her?" and "Liberation"), to the violent ("Jealousy") and the silly ("Heart," which has an appearance by Sir Ian McKellan). Even better, the videos are remastered, featuring picture quality ranging from good to striking. The music is also presented in a full-bodied 2.0 channel surround sound. Sure, I would have liked to have seen these videos in 5.1 audio, but the 2.0 sound quality is so superior that I didn't care. You can also watch these videos individually, in random order, or in a continuous sequence. There isn't much to boast in the way of extras, although there is a running commentary by Neil, Chris, and journalist Chris Heath. These guys are very laid back and have a real ball poking fun at each other and at the videos they made. The DVD also comes with a booklet that contains production credits and various pictures of the music videos. For American listeners who can't catch all these clips on MTV, this DVD is a real treat and a must-own. One final note: "PopArt" doesn't have videos for either 2003's "Miracles" or "Flamboyant," but other than that, this covers the groups entire visual history."

PopArt is perfection

Jason C. Garza | Moline, IL | 02/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure to replace the outdated VHS video collections like "Television" and the previous greatest hits companion, "Videography," "PopArt" is the ultimate collection for diehard PSB fans. Digitally remastered in both sound and picture, this represents the Pet Shop Boys at their best, leaving no visual representation of their work out of the picture (save for the new singles, "Flamboyant" and "Miracles").
The commentary from the duo is excellent; the two offer witty insights into the rather dated, yet well-crafted, videos. Tracks are presented chronological via the "play all" function or can be randomized (there is nothing quite like seeing "West End girls" followed by "Se a vida e" or "New York City boy"), a feature that is both fitting and appreciated.As I said, a few of the videos are dated, such as those representing the "Very" album, but to see the visuals that accompany the singles is a great experience. Highlights include the duet with Dusty Springfield on "What have I done to deserve this," "Paninaro '95," "Single-Bilingual," "London," "Always on my mind," and, of course, "Can you forgive her." (Though it is fair to say that every video is indeed a "highlight," and it is tough to pick out a few favorites). Indeed, some may balk at the included extended versions of "Domino dancing," "So hard," and "Go West," but these are significant works in and of themselves.This DVD is a necessary and requisite companion for the "PopArt" CD as much as it is a requirement for any true Pet Shop Boys fan. So far, the only available version is an import from Canada (playable on all regions) but it is well worth the wait to receive this stunning work. Also included with the DVD is a companion book full of photographs representing the videos themselves, little screen shots of whatever struck their fancy.The videos are as eclectic as the Pet Shop Boys themselves and their music, and it is truly great to have such a collection available on DVD with crystal-clear visuals and superb sound."

Pop art is an appropriate title - WOW!

brickabrac | Sydney, Australia | 02/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In writing this review I could rave on about each video since each has its own unique imagery and styleInstead though I think it helps to view the video as a kind of journey. The Pet Shop Boys have definitely matured from commercial electro pop (admittedly very good mind) to serious musical and audiovisual artists. The way they communicate the message of their songs is nothing short of amazing. Especially notable are the reworked Go West and Paninarro where the PSBs make use of high tech digital morphing imagery. Highly effective. Another video which stands is Being Boring, a nostalgic trip back to happy times with friends, some present some absent with inferences to the sexual promiscuity pre-AIDS generationAll in all this aptly named Pop Art is a must for any PSB fan or indeed anyone serious about their music video collectionWell done guys. You never cease to amaze me with your subtle brillianceTo the readers, buy this DVD, you won't regret it I assure you:-)PS>The DVD also represents excellent value for money with all their hits included"