[Introspective] introspective Digest, Vol 118, Issue 18

[chris jones]

Yeah, my relationship with Winner is complicated. When I first heard
it, I thought it was a weak choice for first single and a pretty weak song overall. It grew on me a little over the summer, but somehow, in the context of the album, I feel it works a lot better. I've been listening to the instrumentals over the last few days, and that's given me a greater appreciation of it, too. I think you're right, though - whatever the initial inspiration for the track (Gary Barlow and 10,000 screaming girls, it seems), it probably wouldn't have been on the album had it not been 2012.  

Musically, there's some nice touches to the orchestration, and the march-like rhythm of the middle-eight really comes through on the instrumental, but the chord progression is a little too simple, I agree.....

Elysium's a great album. Definitely their third triumph in a row. Release had it's moments, but they seem to work better with a producer, be it Horn, Higgins or Dawson. I found Chris's passive-agreessiveness towards Mr Higgins quite funny on the commentary, mind.

Looking forward to the b-sides for Leaving. And the 'dance album' next year. Two studio albums in two consecutive years? Call me cynical, but when was the last time that happened?! Great time to be a PSB fan, though. We're very lucky.

Chris

> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 08:37:30 -0400
> From: Jonathan <joda at panix.com>
> To: introspective at lists.jameslick.com
> Subject: [Introspective] Winner in context? [Re:  Hello]
> Message-ID: <505F028A.4010903 at panix.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Is that really the consensus, that Winner works in the context of the 
> album?  I found that the album would not work for me until I set Winner 
> aside as a bonus track, which is how I think of it, as an 
> Olympics-themed bonus track.  I'm all for contrasts, e.g., the 
> transition from Breathing space to Ego music, but to my ears, Winner 
> just will not sit comfortably amidst the sophistication of the other 
> tracks, and actually has an undermining effect on them.  Am I the only one?
> 
> I should say I've actually grown fond of the song itself (chord change 
> notwithstanding); I like some of its melody and I think it was nice for 
> the athletes parade.  But it's hard for me to think it would have made 
> the Elysium tracklist if this hadn't been summer 2012.
> 
> Otherwise, I think Elysium is a beautiful, near-perfect Pet Shop Boys 
> album.  Their third triumph in a row as far as I'm concerned. To be a 
> Pet Shop Boys fan is a lucky thing.
> 
>