*********************************** AM/FM ***********************************  "Relentless" by Pet Shop Boys Total Time: 37:12 Publisher: Parlophone CD Code: CDPCSDX 1432 (Available only in "Very Relentless" Limited Edition double CD pack, code CDPSCDX 143, together with "Very", CDPSCDX 1431 in this pack (CDPSCDX 143 when purchased separately.).) Relentless is NOT available in any other form at this time. Review by David Cassidy, of Cynostic AM/FM rating: 9/10 I'll warn you now that this isn't going to be just a review of the music on the "Relentless" CD but also a look at how the different issues of the new Pet Shop Boys albums differ in packaging. First of all, the separate issue of "Very" which I have is coded CDPSCD 143 and is packaged completely differently. It is cased, not in a "normal" CD box (ie: clear plastic with inlay and backing sheet), but in an orange plastic box, of the same shape as a normal CD case, but with "Lego"-like round nobbly bits all over it, and "VERY Pet Shop Boys" in raised plastic letters on the front. It does contain the normal CD inlay, containing a few photographs and information about the CD. (All different format issues contain different inlays. For example, the vinyl LP is bright yellow, the cassette is dark blue, all with totally different colour schemes and inlays.) This issue of "Very", together with "Relentless", is a very weird set-up indeed! The round nobbly plastic bits remain, albeit in a different form. The whole thing is contained in a floppy plastic wallet arrangement, which houses three separate sections. The CDs take up two sections, each being cased in cardboard sleeves, the same as UK issues of all the Pets' CD singles. "Very" is orange, "Relentless" is purple. No text is shown on either, just the faces of Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant in their "Go West" costumes. The final section is occupied by the traditional CD inlay which is totally different to all others. It's white with one large face of Tennant on one side and Lowe - wobbled - on the other. The packaging is very nice indeed, conceived, designed and produced by Pentagram. As far as content is concerned, all formats of "Very" contain the same tracks. The release of "Relentless" was not an expected one. Indeed, word of it was only rumoured about a month before release so they've kept it pretty quiet. The official word on the project is that it is a "rhythmic album... an album without songs". What this appears to mean is that it shouldn't be regarded as a dance album and it shouldn't be regarded as a pop album, either. To some extent, this is true but the content does remind me of dance tracks from some of the best producers in Europe. It all begins with "My Head Is Spinning". Pulsating tones bring in a harder, guitar-like stabbing noise which is mixed with air-like sounds, until a drum roll signals the start of a heavy industrial rhythm. A booming bass is introduced to the assembly, along with hi-hats and an organ-like, pointing noise and heavier drums still, rolling over the top. Later, Tennant sings the lead line and the whole thing breaks down to violins and more airy sounds, including an odd phasing of left and right. Still later, a manic laugh echoes over the top of it all, cackling away in an really odd way. A nice introduction. "Forever In Love" is another air-filled trip. The main structure is a set of violins which allow a sharp snare beat to roll over the main rhythm. A distorted piano and a woman moaning "I feel it" add to the violins and the whole set builds into a crescendo. Tennant is then introduced, saying "Did you ever walk on a stormy night / Oblivious to the rain / Did you ever decide the time was right / To never go home again?". This is all somehow linked to love, as it's presumably blamed for all this psychotic behaviour. (In all fairness, I think we all know what he's saying here, right readers? Well, I know I have anyway. That's the problem with observational comment; you're always wondering if people are going "No, not at all. Don't know what you're on about, mate"!!) To end up, it builds into a massive wall of sound before being deconstructed down to a simple fade down. A booming bass starts "KDX 125", joined by a heavy drum beat and hi-hats, with harpsichord-like tones over the top. Sound effects are introduced by the bucket load, with bikes and all sorts phasing from ear to ear. I suppose this track is a lot like a film score soundtrack or an intermission piece, with great big forces sounding in from all angles. "Do you know the difference between the two genders?" introduces "We Came From Outer Space". "Nope" is the reply. A stop-start electronic noise is over this, then a good backing beat. The vocal loop repeats, with others joining it. Then the massive bass kicks in, with a female wail with it. It dips and peaks manically, combining with the crazy vocal loop. It also echoes to create a really large feeling of space within the structure. This is possibly the largest song of the six and one of my favourites. "The Man Who Has Everything" is a stop-start type of acid tune, mixed with some nice studio touches. The main loop phases from left to right continuously, which is very weird! Violins stretch the whole thing together, a simple backing beat playing on. It all eventually breaks down to a hi-hat fade out. The final track, "One Thing Leads To Another" begins like a reggae song, with an intermittent bass but this is quickly dispersed with an extradordinarily heavy drum loop. Tennant raps over all this, saying how funny it is that one thing leads to another. Apparently, it's all backwards but makes sense either way... It tends into a house-type of song for a second, then a bridge, but it soon reverts to the heavy beat which continues throughout. Finally, it builds into a massive crescendo of sound and vocal, each complementing the other. "Relentless" is an album like no other Pet Shop Boys production. The closest would have to be "The Sound Of The Atom Splitting" - the B-side to "Left to My Own Devices" - although this is much heavier on the experimental side than the tracks given here. In my opinion, it's a great album. It features some really superb combinations of sound and spine-tinglingly good chord arrangements. If you want this album but can't get hold of it now (remember: it is strictly limited edition!) then rumour has it that it may be released separately by Christmas, although this is unconfirmed. Keep your fingers crossed. Either way, it's recommended; whether you're a hardcore techno fan, a Pet Shop Boys fan, a fan of great dance music or just plain interested, this is something you should hear. Now. *********************************** AM/FM ***********************************