PET SHOP BOYS
"Disco 3"
Sanctuary Records (06076-84595-2)
Release Date: February 4, 2003

Disco 3 is the third installment in the Pet Shop Boys' Disco series. The first two discs were comprised of remixes of tracks that had already been released. However, only half of Disco 3 is remixes; the remaining tracks are new songs.

The disc opens with "Time On My Hands," an upbeat track with minimal vocals (which are all processed). Musically, it has an 80's influenced sound to it, and is quite good; however, the vocals are very redunant.

Next is "Positive Role Model," a song from the Pet Shop Boys' musical, Closer to Heaven. The song has a disco-like riff over an upbeat 80's synth sound; you can also hear some strings during some sections of the track. The vocals on the chorus and part of the second verse are processed.

"Try It (I'm In Love With A Married Man)" was written by the Pet Shop Boys' original producer, Bobby Orlando. This is a midtempo song with an early 80's feel, and is about being in love and having an affair with a married man. Some of the vocals in the chorus are processed.

The first remix on the disc is "London [Thee Radikal Blaklite Edit]," which has a very disco-sounding vibe to it. Only one line of vocals is used from the song ("We were in London"), and is highly processed. If you don't have the tracklisting in front of you, you wouldn't realize this was a remix of "London."

Next is "Somebody Else's Business," a mid-to-uptempo track with a very 80's sound to it. The song talks about a woman verbally abusing her man, but he sticks the relationship out. Some of the vocals on this track are processed.

The next remix is "Here [PSB New Extended Mix]," which is basically just an extended mix of "Here" (it appears the intro and the ending were extended).

"If Looks Could Kill" has an upbeat 80's sound to it, and the lyrics deal with tension in a relationship.

"Sexy Northerner [Superchumbo Mix]" is a very club-oriented remix with a heavy bassline. Musically, the mix is very redunant (and this is the longest track on the disc). Also, not many vocals are used.

"Home And Dry [Blank & Jones Mix]" is a much more upbeat mix of the song designed to make it more "club friendly"; the mix takes about two minutes to get going, but it's not too bad of a remix.

The disc closes with "London [Genuine Piano Mix]," which strips the track down to just piano and vocal. This is a great mix, but it's puzzling as to why it was included. The other two Disco releases were totally dance-oriented, and the majority of this release is as well; it makes this mix of "London" stick out like a sore thumb.

Overall, this is a decent release (although there seems to be too much reliance on processed vocals). Die-hard Pet Shop Boys fans and collectors should pick this up.

(reviewed by Lesley Muir on March 25, 2003)