Pet Shop Boys Catalogue
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Book Reviews of Pet Shop Boys Catalogue
Book Review: This is the bible of Pet Shop Boys.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the bible of Pet Shop Boys. 336 pages 10x10" very heavy 1955 photos. Beautiful (but delicate) mylar slip case.
It includes an introductory essay, and an interview from 2006 with the duo, a detailed chronology and complete discography. But the majority of the book is the 'catalogue' section, which has photos of every 7", 12", LP, CD, VHS, laserdisc, DVD and book that they PSB did, starting with the original 1984 Bobby O version of 'West End Girls' right through 'Battleship Potemkin' (2004). It also includes promo only items (like interview cds) and other things such as the fan club releases and Christmas cards.
Each entry includes details such as the photographer, when and where the photos were taken, what clothes (or props) the boys wore, design concepts and principles, and comments by the PSB. In some instances they include alternate photos and out-takes. There are also screen captures from every promotional video and photos from every tour.
If you are a Pet Shop Boys fan, this is a thrilling book. It is extremely well designed, and well-written, and the attention to detail is to be commended. Although I do have a couple things that aren't pictured in the book (the US laserdisc of 'It Couldn't Happen Here,' which has a different cover than the Japanese version pictured, for one). But the collector in me is spurred by the prospect of several items I never knew about, including the "Pet Shop Boys, annually" book that I must now scour eBay for.
Rod Reynolds, Los Angeles, CA USA
Book Review: Catalogue - A Silver Age
Summary: 5 Stars
With 14 reviews already written, I doubt I can say anything that hasn't already been said. But I will give a short review of my impression of Catalogue.
This book is more like Pet Shop Boys history in pictures. While it's true this is a catalogue of all the album and CD covers. It is also the history of Pet Shop Boys in a brief chronology near the back of the book. It gives a time line of what they were doing on particular dates.
There's also an interview from April 2006 with Neil and Chris by Chris Heath. It also includes a complete in depth discography of all their singles and albums they released.
The silver cover of the book makes a great coffee table attraction. It's a must for any Pethead's collection. It's also a great reference book for new fans of the boys. For those who never subscribed to the fan club will enjoy looking at the various Christmas Cards and cover art of the fan club magazine Literally.
I purchased multiple copies so I could have one on display and to thumb through and one is kept sealed. At this great price, who could resist?
Pet Shop Boys Catalogue
Book Review: magnificent visual retrospective
Summary: 5 Stars
Pet Shop Boys Catalogue is exactly what it says it is: a stunning and definitive record of every piece of visual material that has accompanied every one of their releases over their 20 plus year recording career. It comes complete with insightful comment from the Boys and the various designers, in particular Mark Farrow with whom they have enjoyed a long-standing, very successful collaboration. Over the years every piece of PSB design has betrayed their design sensibilities and their brilliant understanding of how the visual medium complements the aural when it comes to a full appreciation of their work. And here it is all laid out in full color; in chronological order for us to enjoy. As well as all the CD/LP cover art are stills from videos, intimate looks at each of their concert tour concepts, previous photo books, the fan club magazine, etc. etc. As if we really needed reminding, this collection stands as a testament to how much "art" has always been involved in the Pet Shop Boys' work.Book Review: Big, beautiful collection of all things PSB
Summary: 5 Stars
What a great coffee table book this is. It's one GIANT tome of PSB memorabilia, trivia, and interesting stories and quuotes. Visually, the book is stirking with so many illustrations that each send you off into some memory or other of their work and (for true fans) your collection of releases in all their various versions. A visual feast of art and culture over a successful 20 year career. As one reviewer said, this is like the Pet Shop Boys bible. The only (tiny) complaint that I have is that its release is so close to the new album, that there is no coverage of the their newest recording.
For a fan,though, this is a book to slowly savor and enjoy!
Book Review: Incredibly lavish!
Summary: 5 Stars
Massive, beautiful and gorgeous. What a treat to finally have a such an incredibly awe-inspiring piece as this to finally compile all of the wonderful works of art that go into what is, was and remains Tennant/Lowe. I have honestly wanted something like this to be produced for decades now, and when I first saw it in the UK, I ordered it there and waited for it for weeks. Now you can have it here quickly and painlessly. Definitely pick up a copy today...if you are even the most casual of fan (and somehow, I sense that if you stumbled across this, you are, as I, far more than that), you are very much deserving of this. Get it and cherish/treasure it for years.